Cross Country lesson at Windsor Park

Recently I took Dingo to a cross country lesson with Ebony Tucker at Windsor Park.

It's a wonderful day, slightly overcast, with a cool-ish breeze.  Perfect for cross country schooling.  We head out to the back paddock where the cross country course is, and I start an extensive monologue on where we are at, how we got there, where we are heading.

The first thing I notice about Ebony is that she listens.  She is genuinely interested in what I think my problems are, and she takes my goals seriously.  Then she gets me to do some trot and canter to warm up.  Before I have the chance to complete one circle Ebony has linked what I said, with what is happening on the ground, and pulls me up.

"Ok, he tends to rush.  Every time he rushes off like that, I want you to make a downward transition of some sort", she instructs.  I go off in trot on my circle again, keeping what she said in mind.  "Ok, he rushed off there, make a transition!", calls out Ebony.  Ooops.  I suddenly realise that I am quite unaware when my pony rushes off.  I only notice it when he has rushed off for perhaps the fourth time in a row, and suddenly we're in canter.  Big "Aha" moment.

So we work on not allowing Dingo to rush off, and lo and behold, in about five minutes, we have him working beautifully on a nice relaxed contact and an even tempo.

We do this in both trot and canter, then ask the pony to go over a tiny log.  The rushing returns with a vengence.  We work with half halts in the approach to the log and succeed in the jump becoming nice and relaxed.  Then we move onto a bigger jump - like a picnic table made out of logs.  You guessed it, more rushing.

Here, Ebony takes a stance about two strides away from the jump, and says "I want you to approach in trot, then stop here."  The first try is a total failure.  We stop right at the jump!  This is so not what I wanted.  Ebony remains calm.  "Don't let him turn away.  Just stand there.  Back him up.  Now trot on and jump it."  Gulp.  I follow the instructions, and Dingo jumps.  Phew!  We do this a few times, a fair few times, and it becomes quite good, although not perfect.

Then we move onto water, banks, other logs, you name it.  At every jump Ebony stresses the importance of Dingo not rushing.  She gets me to do things at walk, then at trot, then at canter.  She stresses the importance of me not getting ahead, not getting anxious.  As we do the exercises, my confidence grows, I relax, Dingo slows down, it all starts to flow.  Dingo becomes a totally maneuverable pony, and I am having an absolute ball.  Oh this is what it should feel like!

I depart a very happy camper, and can't wait to come back again.  I guess spending money on rugs and other sundry items will just have to wait!

In The Judge's Seat

Recently my club held a Dressage competition.  I didn't take part in the competition so I offered to do some pencilling for a Dressage judge.  I did it out of pure desire to help and volunteer, because I don't get to volunteer much on other occasions.  I learnt far more than I had bargained for.

The judge I was pencilling for was judging grade 4 HRCAV - my own level.  I didn't get to see much of the dressage tests.  I found I really didn't need to see much to understand the comments.  Keeping up with the writing wasn't too bad, and I got better at the shorthand towards the end.  We were judging for supposedly 4 hours.  When I first heard this I groaned - at home, where no one could hear.  But the time just flew!

We were given a delicious morning tea, and a top up of coffee.  And as a additional bonus, the judge I was pencilling for was very funny. 

Here are the most important lessons I've learnt.

The Dressage Judge is not out to get you.  Really?!  OMG, I thought she was.  Most of the time when your pony is misbehaving she is there barracking for you!

The Dressage Judge knows about horses.  No way?  Who would have thought?  She knows that they are flighty animals, and that sometimes you are doing a sensational job just executing the movements.  She just wishes you would take a breath and relax.  Because then the horse will travel better.

Consistency.  Most of us lack consistency.  We need to be there, balancing our horse between hand and leg every single stride, for the entire duration of the test.  Do I need to repeat that in capitals?  Medium walk is not an opportunity to have a rest.  And the horse needs more balancing in the corners.

Forward.  The horse must be going forward - but not on the forehand.  It cannot feel like it's about to fall out of the canter back into trot.  It cannot feel like it would rather walk than trot.  The rider must create forward.  Even at the walk.  Even at the long rein walk.

Precision.  Your test must be precise.  So if it says transition from canter to trot between B and M that means somewhere about 6m after B, but before M.  It does not mean you can fall out of the canter at B.

Readiness.  If your horse is clearly not ready to compete, due to lack of experience, then think carefully whether you need to bother the judge with your horse seriously going sideways down the centerline and doing unscripted pirouttes.  It is very difficult to judge (and pencil for) such a test.  Wouldn't it be better for you, for the horse, and for your wallet to come to the competition, warm up, and ride quietly in the arena during breaks?  Without actually taking part of the competition?

And finally - do some pencilling.  You'll actually start understanding what the judge was really talking about in all those comments on your last test.