Take Two

This morning I was up early to ride Lucy.  Brett offered to video tape the test for me if I decided to give it a shot.  He was sore and thought he should take the day off.  He has issues with his back and it is better if he doesn't push it.  I'm glad he's learning to listen to his aches and pains -- and just give it a rest.

Lucy and I started with a lot of walk work and then moved into trot.  She was stretching down into the bridle well and was relaxed.  Next we did transition work to keep her light on the aids.  We are working on transitions from thought so the aid is super light.  Her walk-canter transitions were especially lovely.  I signaled the camera man and headed down center line.

Lucy was great.  I was relaxed (which is HUGE for me).  Sure, there were mistakes but it was the best test I've ridden on her.  We nailed the geometry -- other than not being straight on our last trip down center line.  One of her transitions from canter to trot was a bit more prompt than I expected and I fell forward a bit.  Her head popped up here and there.  But, in general, she carried herself in a lovely frame, was prompt, and relaxed.

After I put Lucy away, I tried to play the video back on the camera and couldn't find it.  I blinked a few times, swallowed, and started doing chores.  Brett said the video light was on, but he didn't change the setting from "photo" to "video."  It's a new camera and we are still getting used to it.  He was more upset than me; thinking he had let me down.  After the initial disappointment, I realized that the important thing was that Lucy and I had done the test, and done it well.  We have a few weeks until the entries close.  I could get up early tomorrow and Brett could tape me before I go to work.  I would look at it as a two day show -- with the first day behind us and another chance tomorrow.

Back in the house, I downloaded pictures from the camera.  Brett took a bunch of pictures of Mufasa while I was warming up.  Lo, and behold, there was the video.

I sent in my Interdressage entry form.  I uploaded my video following the instructions on my confirmation email.  Entries close the last week of the month and results will be posted the first week of July.  I think that's how it works anyway.  I'll post the video to the blog when I get the results.