Kaurilands Winter Dressage

I've come to the conclusion that cruise will just never be good at dressage. Well in the judges opinion really - I thought Cruise went super well. But judges marked him so low. Horses placing ahead of him who screwed up completely, like not changing in the simple changes etc. Cruise did all his moves good. His novice test 2.6 the only fault he did was change over his canter lead a little bit late. he placed 2nd to last in this.

His elementary test 3.2 went alright too. no major screw ups. He placed last =( (Out of 9 - Small classes for kaurilands)

The judges comment just constantly mentioned him leaning on my hands and his low head carriage... he was marked so harshly for such a small fault.

Freaking Out

I have a week to somehow nail elementary test 3.2 - Why did I enter that? I also entered Novice 2.6 (Before I looked at it might I add, its JUST as hard as 3.2) Cruise cant do this, what was I thinking, I immediately regretted sending my entries in. Not only do we have to leg yield for a fair distance, which ultimately ends up as a spastic crab-like imitation. we have to "walk to canter" Which with Cruise, is like attempting to go 0-100kph in a army tank - I assure you it cant end well.

I only realised TODAY I have 6 days to magically teach Cruise this.

Well I have good thing - Cruise's medium trot actually almost looks like a real medium trot now, so that gotta be something positive.

If I get over 60% in ONE test - I shall be stoked.

Cruise Being Ferrel

Let Cruise a run in the sun today!!

Little Valley Farm

On Monday I went up to Little Valley Farm in Ohaupo for a good jumping session with Cruise. I schooled around in the big indoor dressage arena for a start to warm up - Its pretty flash.

Then out into the Show Jumping arena and to the cross country. He jumped everything I asked him to! Couldn't have asked for more from him - He was a star.

Managed to get one photo from the day of Cruise jumping the water jump. =]

Cruise is BACK

Over 3 months since Cruise's crash and burn at schools show jumping.

But now he's back in full action! Jumped him for the first time today - Hoping he hadn't lost any confidence from his last frightful jumping attempt, I kept the jump nice and low. He loved it!

Someone was feeling happy!

Kaurilands Dressage Series

Quite proud of Cruise - Dressage doesn't come very naturally to him (Hes rather down hill and struggles to carry himself a bit) But he tried so hard.
I entered him in the Secondary category (Novice tests) and he went well. It was good competition.
He managed 58% in 2.3 and 60% in 2.4 - Scoring around the middle out of everyone. not bad for his 2nd attempt and Novice.
We have things to work on too - our Medium trot was under par and he goes a crooked at times and get the wrong bend slightly. but overall I'm impressed with him. He pulled off 10cm circles in trot and canter, Counter canter, And simple canter changes through the trot. A big improvement from when I got him.
Hopefully I can go the the next one.
Unfortunatly no photos this time though. :(

Cruise being snuggly

I was outside with my camera (trying to take a photo of a fantail - Which that photo is in my other blog) but the camera shutter got Cruise's attention. hes Rather photogenic, I couldn't resist a photo. he looks as snug as a big in a winter rug.