Recently I got my results back in the mail from the TBEA March Online Dressage Show. Unfortunately, for this show I had to switch my entry from Ruffi to Bacardi. I had spent the entire week prior to filming my entries riding Ruffi to get her prepped and at the last minute I chose to swap. This means that poor Bacardi was WOEFULLY unprepared to ride these tests!
Ultimately, after submitting our entries we came 4th and 5th (aka last) in both our classes. However, we actually IMPROVED our Intro A Test score by quite a margin! This ultimately was a GREAT opportunity for feedback. I am thrilled.
We improved in the following places:
| Movement | Oct Score | March Score |
| 1. Enter working trot. Med Walk at x | 6.5 | 7 |
| 2. Track right at C | 6 | 6.5 |
| 3. 20m Circle at A | 6 | 7 |
| 4. KXM Across Diagonal | 6 | 7 |
| 6. Transition to Med Walk | 6 | 6.5 |
| 7. HXF – Free walk | 4.5 | 6 |
| 8. F-A Med Walk Turn Down CL | 5 | 6 |
| 9. Halt at X | 6 | 6.5 |
We improved on almost all of our movements and stayed the same for our 20m Circle at C (score of 6). Unfortunately our collective marks all either stayed the same or went down, but overall we went from a 58.438% to a 61.875%. That’s a whole 3.437%. I am thrilled. And just think how well we could have done if oh IDK had actually prepared Bacardi instead of winging it!
We also got a baseline score for our Intro Test B, which wasn’t as good (56.5625%) and we did the Intro Test C last year for the online test (52%). Overall I have seen consistent improvement in mine and Bacardi’s dressage scores.
Lately we have really been working on relaxation, and listening to aids for transitions. I am hoping to get more feedback for us at the French Creek Pony Club Derby in August and enter him dressage tests at the Ride For the Roses again this year!
Happy Riding and Showing!
A+B