Today was our first dressage test together - Garbo and I. Actually my first test ever! It was at Woodhill Sands - a Waitemata Riding Club event and I was entered in the BRT B ride. (Beginners Riding Test B) - and due to ride at 11.15. We arrived at 10am and had plenty of time to show Garbo around and check out where everything was - including the porta-loos. It was very entertaining - a lady riding a 3 y/o stallion fell off in her test because the stallion decided he was much more interested in going and chasing the mare that was in the practice ring and have his naughty way with her. The mare (and her rider) were not impressed and spent quite a while cantering around trying to get away from him until the lady riding the mare fell off too. Well then the chase not only moved out of the dressage arena but also attracted another horse who also got rid of his rider and at this point was heading straight for Garbo and I (I was on the ground holding him). First thoughts were Holy Shit should I move left, move right??? Luckily I stood still and the horse went round Garbo and I. Thankfully Garbo wasn't having any part of the antics either.
Well - the warm up was ok - Garbo was far more interested in saying hello to all the new horses than warming up - so when it came to our test he wasn't really that warmed up...but we managed to get round without forgetting our test, and with no bolts, bucks or temper tantrums - and achieve a 56.66% score. Not bad for a first effort! I was very proud of Garbo today..... he stayed calm and trusted me, it was great.
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