Event Report : Virtual Combined Training with DRO

Peps and I have started jumping a bit more again this year, after a bit of time off from it last year due to injuries (on both parts!). He is LOVING it, and so am I. I love dressage, and the feeling of trotting down that centre line is like no other, but my true true love in this sport is jumping. I am hoping that we can keep him fit, sound and happy enough this year to get out to a couple of ODEs.

Dressage Riders Online offer a combined training class, so I thought it would be perfect to get some feedback on our jumping. Throughout our years together through PC and RC I have been lucky enough to have lessons and training from such varied, consistent and knowledgeable sportspeople, however recently I just have lessons here and there to top us back up. Regular training is absolutely on my list to get back into.

February was a horrendous month weather-wise. We managed to get our dressage out the way early on in the month, but got our jumping entry in on the day of entries closing! Every time we planned to set up and film the course we had high winds, torrential rain, frozen ground, snow... so I am lucky we managed to find a day to film it (even though I did have to take a half day off work as we ran out of 'weekend days'!)

DRESSAGE

DRO level 2 test C

We started off with some great marks - an 8 for our centre line and our right 20m circle!

The rest of the test was good, sticking at 6.5s and 7s for all the other movements, with most comments about needing more suppleness and better balance through turns. This is the first time I have done a 'normal' test virtually, rather than it being part of a Veteran section. I have compared some of my comments from Veteran classes to this one and definitely get less comments about suppleness and elasticity when competing under a Veteran section. I suppose that judges in those sections take into account of the age/ability of the horse, but maybe I am just being a bit hopeful there!

Our canter transitions weren't great in this test, and my right canter again was poorer for a 6.5 vs a 7 on the left. The halt was a 6.5, he didn't really stand!

I am very happy with the results - 72%!!! . I'm particularly pleased with my collectives, which I have been paying more attention to recently. They really pick a score up. 8 for position of the rider, and 7.5 for effectiveness of aids - I was once told that I was not a very effective rider, so these marks mean more to me than most.

The full test is here :

And my full sheet is here :

JUMPING

DRO Jump course 2

The best part!!

First off, I was worried we wouldn't have enough equipment to make a full course, but the way the course is made is that you do most jumps in both directions which is so helpful!! We have a lot of jumps and things at our yard, but a full course uses a lot!

Pep has been feeling pretty fresh recently and has been throwing in the odd bronk or bounce when he gets really into it. So I have been a bit cautious with him when jumping lots of jumps together, as he gets more and more wound up. For me - I know I need to push him forward, and work him more around the course, but I also know this will come with practice and confidence as we get back into it.

I loved the way the jump course was judged and marked - so many informative, constructive comments which really give me something to work towards for next time.

The main jist of my results were to use much more inside bend around the corners, using my leg more. I dropped out of canter a few times, which is purely down to confidence from my part, but I suppose you cant explain that in a competition. The positivity throughout the comments really showed and made me look forward to riding a course again and using some of the pointers to help.

Again, I was SO happy with my marks. What a start to the year!!!

The full round is here :

Full sheet below :

We won the class, and received a BEAUTIFUL rosette. Well done Mr P, what a superstar he really is

We are having a quieter March competition-wise. I also had my BRC dressage competition in February, and felt like I really squeezed a lot into a short space of time (who would have known you could feel like that in lockdown!), so we are enjoying some more hacking now the sun is coming out, and the days are getting slightly longer!

xxx