Dressage is done. Not as good as I expected with the way he has been going. He scored over 65 percent, but there were four cross country fences at the 'A' end of the arena. This has happened at every four star event I have been to lately. In this case it meant that the trot work at the beginning scored sixes and some fives and the canter scored sevens and eights because he settled.
I'll look forward to jumping fences like this on cross country day but we need to get used to them being around on dressage day
The new strategy is to walk if he gets distracted with these obstacles before the test instead of pushing him forward and through while waiting for him to gain confidence.
We only get a few chances to test this theory in an atmospheric dressage arena. I am very confident that these problems will be overcome. The issue is that we have invested a lot of money and we need to have him performing as he does outside the arena from the moment he comes in.
Definitely the quality of work is much better than has been and I am riding far better than ever before.
Day off competition tomorrow so can get organised and watch some 4 star dressage.
Until next time,
Murray.
