Recently I just attended a horse show in Houston riding NTEC Daytona Beach. We had been there a few weeks prior at another horse that was in the same facility (gorgeous and huge btw). Our last show was good in some aspects and bad in others. Our first day was incredible scoring 67-68% for both tests I did. The second day we kind of lost it and didn’t perform too well. We (the little peanut and I) were ready to come back and redeem ourselves. The warm up day went beautifully and we were the first ones there after the horses arrived. Lil Peanut had been there before (on several occasions, not just with me), so she knew what was what.
First competition day we had a really great warmup before our first test. I have been told I have a “hot” seat, which means whatever horse I sit on, even if it’s the calmest thing ever, I’ll make it go bonkers. Anyways, Lil Peanut would never do anything, but when I’m riding her, I can feel like the energy building up. I can feel the restlessness, the drive and almost have to hold it back. I’m sure I’m not the only whose horse does this, I’m just not used to it or really know what to do with it. My trainer says that this type of energy is good, as judges want to see energy and not just a tired horse walking around but learning to control it is important. Our first test was just walk and trot, very simple but we had a few mistakes. She accidently trotted a few steps when we were supposed to be walking (my fault), drifted from the wall/border (my fault), and wasn’t round the entire time (also my fault). Other than that I thought we did pretty well and was expecting AT LEAST a 60 (didn’t think it was that bad, and I’ve had worse). 55. WE GOT A 55! How? What? Where? Why? I was so disappointed, I didn’t even want to look at my test (I was forced against my will to). But honestly, it’s one of the worst scores I got and will hopefully never get it on a test like that again. After reading the judges notes, they were all very specific and very small things that he was picking on. I don’t have the test in front of me (thank God), but it was low key ridiculous. Not to mention, this was a training level test here, it’s not even like it’s first level, or fourth or a para test. I’m just at the bottom here trying to work my way up. Training level is very basic, and the things he was critiquing me on were more advanced and for levels that I have not ridden yet and may never ride EVER.
Well, second test comes along (judge by him again, oh boy!). We do slightly better, although Lil Peanut and I had some difficulty in our canter when she decided to stop mid circle twice. We grinned and bared it and continued on, knowing after our first test with this judge that we would probably get around the same score. We got a…. 60. I know, uneventful. I didn’t (or I don’t think I got too many points taken away with Lil Peanuts tantrum), but it still isn’t qualifying. Womp Womp Womp. SO. What do we do when we have harsh judges? Obviously, they’re just trying to do their jobs and give us more insight into our riding and how we can improve and build upon our last ride in hopes that we take their advice and do better should we ever meet them again (or any judge in this matter). All the things this judge pointed out and noted were all very important things and things I should work on throughout my riding career, however I don’t think they were pertinent to me getting a qualifying score. I can understand the mistakes (although I thought they were little), and I can understand having energy or a lack there of, but everything else seems to be a bit too much for my liking. With judges like these you just have to suck it up and ty to do better the next time. I know it can be so discouraging especially when you’ve just started doing this (hello), but every time you ride is a new opportunity to ride better. By the time I ride under his judgement again (hopefully never), I’ll have had more training, more time with Lil Peanut and more experience so that I’m ready to conquer the test and hopefully impress the crap out of him and I just get all 10’s and live happily ever after. Just kidding (but not really).
