Third Level DEBUT - show report
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Third Level DEBUT - show report
I bit the bullet and entered Jet in his first Third Level tests. After THREE years of working on his flying changes, I felt they were decent enough to give it a go.
It went really well!!
I haven't shown Jet at all since the 2016 season so he had some tension to overcome. But in our favor was the chilly temps in the morning, just a few degrees above zero which is perfect riding weather for my big black boy. I worked on relaxation in the warm-up for Third-2, and that helped. Then when I asked him for the first flying change in our warm-up, boom, HUGE buck! It launched me right out of the tack! Ok, ahem, I tried again with a much more conservative ask and he was a good boy about it, somewhat exuberant but the orbit stayed in this solar system. LOL.
Once we got in the competition ring, he went to work. Our first change (canter HP right from D to R, then change before M) was late behind but he changed on my aid so that's fine. The second change he was getting tense so I worked on relaxation as much as possible during the canter HP left, which was from D to S, then change before H). He relaxed very nicely, but then I lost engagement so we botched the right change (mostly my fault for not improving the quickness of the hind leg before asking him).
After our final halt/salute, the judge said "lovely test" and was very complimentary! When I told her it was our Third level debut, she said it didn't look like it and that I rode a really precise, well thought out test (despite the botched change). That was music to my ears!
Then we had an hour until Third-3. Jet warmed up much more relaxed for this one, and I felt that it went quite a bit better than Third-3 but my mark was only a percent higher. When I read the judge's comments after, I understood why. Anyway, the changes in that test (both on the shorter diagonal at center line) were totally clean and on cue, so I was over the moon about that!
Our marks: Third-2 was 64.74%, good for 1st place (out of 3 horses). And Third-3 was 65. 13%, good for 2nd place. Just to be in the 60s at our first try at Third Level is super! I'm really glad I chose to do this at the last show of the season. Now I'll work on my homework over the winter and I can't wait to show Third Level in 2018!
Here's the big boy warming up (photo by my groom extraordinaire, my daughter):
It went really well!!
I haven't shown Jet at all since the 2016 season so he had some tension to overcome. But in our favor was the chilly temps in the morning, just a few degrees above zero which is perfect riding weather for my big black boy. I worked on relaxation in the warm-up for Third-2, and that helped. Then when I asked him for the first flying change in our warm-up, boom, HUGE buck! It launched me right out of the tack! Ok, ahem, I tried again with a much more conservative ask and he was a good boy about it, somewhat exuberant but the orbit stayed in this solar system. LOL.
Once we got in the competition ring, he went to work. Our first change (canter HP right from D to R, then change before M) was late behind but he changed on my aid so that's fine. The second change he was getting tense so I worked on relaxation as much as possible during the canter HP left, which was from D to S, then change before H). He relaxed very nicely, but then I lost engagement so we botched the right change (mostly my fault for not improving the quickness of the hind leg before asking him).
After our final halt/salute, the judge said "lovely test" and was very complimentary! When I told her it was our Third level debut, she said it didn't look like it and that I rode a really precise, well thought out test (despite the botched change). That was music to my ears!
Then we had an hour until Third-3. Jet warmed up much more relaxed for this one, and I felt that it went quite a bit better than Third-3 but my mark was only a percent higher. When I read the judge's comments after, I understood why. Anyway, the changes in that test (both on the shorter diagonal at center line) were totally clean and on cue, so I was over the moon about that!
Our marks: Third-2 was 64.74%, good for 1st place (out of 3 horses). And Third-3 was 65. 13%, good for 2nd place. Just to be in the 60s at our first try at Third Level is super! I'm really glad I chose to do this at the last show of the season. Now I'll work on my homework over the winter and I can't wait to show Third Level in 2018!
Here's the big boy warming up (photo by my groom extraordinaire, my daughter):
formerly known as "Deanna" on UDBB -- and prior to that, as "DJD".
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Congratulations!
And did I read that right... it's just a few degrees above zero on October 1?? Brrrr.
And did I read that right... it's just a few degrees above zero on October 1?? Brrrr.
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
goneriding wrote:Congratulations!
And did I read that right... it's just a few degrees above zero on October 1?? Brrrr.
Yes, you did! When we got up at 5 a.m., it was 0 degrees (C). When I got on Jet, it was 4^C. So, pretty "crisp" out!!
formerly known as "Deanna" on UDBB -- and prior to that, as "DJD".
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Well done!
Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Congrats!! I did my first third level earlier this year. I was so nervous I did 2 EOC's, but luckily I had a lovely judge who was very patient. It does get easier the more you do especially with a great start like that.
Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Yay!!! How exciting. I'm looking forward to your third level reports (and more pics) next season!
What do you mean by he "launched you right out of the tack"?! I hope you just momentarily lost contact with the saddle and DIDNT make contact with the ground!
What do you mean by he "launched you right out of the tack"?! I hope you just momentarily lost contact with the saddle and DIDNT make contact with the ground!
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
demi wrote:Yay!!! How exciting. I'm looking forward to your third level reports (and more pics) next season!
What do you mean by he "launched you right out of the tack"?! I hope you just momentarily lost contact with the saddle and DIDNT make contact with the ground!
Yes, I went straight up, air between my butt and the saddle, then straight back into the tack. He gives me one of these doozy, "expressive" changes (aka bucks) when I ask for the change, especially early in the ride. It happened more about a year ago when he was still figuring out what to do with his legs. The buck in warm-up was joie de vivre, but it sure did surprise me (and the people standing next to the warm-up ring adjacent to where he was when he did it!).
formerly known as "Deanna" on UDBB -- and prior to that, as "DJD".
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
I am glad your out of the tack experience was brief and that you landed where you had left ha!
Great report D. I remember well your experiences with your big boy and its great to see how far you have come. Keep the reports coming!
Great report D. I remember well your experiences with your big boy and its great to see how far you have come. Keep the reports coming!
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Awesome job! And well-ridden in the warm -up
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Awesome response on our debut on Jet at third, he looks like an athlete for sure.
Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Congrats! How fun, and he looks great!
Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Congrats to the both of you! What a great accomplishment.
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Whoooo Hooo. Go Jet! Great job DJR!
Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Congrats! Great scores - first time or not!
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Re: Third Level DEBUT - show report
Good job!
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