I was already planning on showing Meatball Intro B, so that didn't change. The Taskmaster was going to show Bean First Level, so I switched my entry on Penny to Bean. I've really only ridden her a couple of times, but while she's not an easy ride it's not because she misbehaves. she just only does what you tell her to do.
Meatball spent the night at the venue, a local boarding stable. He hasn't been off the taskmaster's property in a couple of years, so we tried to make it the least bit stressful on him we could by getting him comfy there. He was a nut while I lunged him that morning, so much so he was starting to scare me. When the Taskmaster got there I told her and she reminded me he's a nut until you get on him, then he settles. She warmed him up for me and sure enough, he settled.
Our ride... OMG, it felt awesome. I have harmony with that horse I don't have with anyone else, even Pony Toes. I knew we were trotting too slow, but I didn't care. It's the first dressage test I haven't done on fast forward (that's how Penny does them.) I was enjoying the slow balance on him. Of course, our score was low (55%) because we were not at all forward, but I could care less. It felt perfect. I came out of the ring almost crying because it was just so nice. I needed that ride desperately, to remind me that all dressage is not Penny throwing her head up, bucking when I ask for a canter, etc.
Most of the local ladies have only seen me on my pony and had no idea I could ride that nicely. Hearing their praises was awesome. The Taskmaster was very proud of us. That's her in the sparkly helmet. That's my doing. As I've told many people: I should not be left loose with glue and anything sparkly.
Meatball hugs you back if you hug him, as he's demonstrating in that last pic.
My ride on Bean didn't feel as nice as my ride on Meatball, but we got a far superior score: 72.5% on Intro B. I've only gotten a higher score once: Intro A on Penny at our first show 73.3%. I think that judge was being nice to us, though it was before our old trainer screwed her up. Bean and I got mostly 8s, including one for Rider's position, which I'm thrilled about, though I did get a comment about my overly rigid arms (big surprise there :D ) And yes, I changed my shirt. I had the dirty boob look going on and with a photographer there I decided that just wouldn't do.
It was an excellent show and I'm so glad I have horses to ride that make it a joy to ride dressage instead of an exercise in terror and embarrassment. I placed first on Bean and second on Meatball and there was another rider who got third. The Taskmaster is tickled pink by the fact that the 21 year old who is not really a dressage horse kicked the butt of the horse that came out of his mom built to do dressage.
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