Back From My Show....

[zoel_222]

I had my test this morning with Auda. It did not go very well at all. :( Before I say anything else I have to say that I am SUPER glad I took her to this show and got the experience, and I'm NOT at all disappointed in my girl. I'm super proud of her for putting herself out there and trying, because she did try.

So we got out there and she was a major spook-bucket. We got there late and I finished tacking her up 9 minutes before my test started so I had virtually no time to warm her up. We got into the arena and she was really scared of the white dressage rail. She would not stay on the rail at all because she was so scared of it, and she wasn't listening to my my leg cues. I started out doing the test and was right in the middle and my judge goes "Uhhh.... WHAT are you doing?" I'm like :confused: and she goes "You're going the wrong way, you were supposed to go left." And I'm like oh crap, trying to remember what I'm supposed to be doing, but can't figure out where I went wrong, and then she goes "Oops, you're doing Intro A, nevermind. Keep going." :eek: Then I was all mixed up and confused and tried to get going again.

Our circle was pretty dreadful looking. Auda was so scared of the fencing she wouldn't bend properly at all an didn't come back on the wall at the right place at all. We were also supposed to be trotting at one point and she just stopped and didn't want to move. And forget getting near the judge's table! It was decked out in pumpkins, scarecrows and other crazy halloween stuff and she wouldn't get with in 10 feet of the wall by them. Then, as we were finishing and trotting down center line (or off-center line I should say, we were so crooked) my saddle splipped! :doh: I don't know why it slipped, maybe it was the new pad, but it was on the holes it always is and it's never once slipped with me. But it did, and I made a very flashy dismount in the middle of the ring. I pulled the saddle up back on her back and started to exit the ring and the Judge shouts "Take that saddle OFF that horse now before it hurts itself!" in a less than kind way. So then some nice lady came out and held Auda while I unsaddled her in the middle of the ring and she said some nice things and was trying to cheer me up saying what a nice horse she is, she just needs to get more experience etc.

So then I just left the ring, didn't get to finish the test and took her into the warm-up arena with a group of other horses and worked her for about an hour until I got her focused and working well then finished. She did do remarkable after she had some time to adjust and settle in. I think she was just a little overwhelmed with all the excitement. I really am not a fan of this judge. She was not very understanding even though I told her this was both of our first times. The whole test I could hear her doing this impatient pissy scoffing sigh noise. I felt pretty bad. :( There were also some pretty nasty girls there who made some mean comments about Auda. Everyone was dressed in super fancy everything. I was the only person dressed casual there.

But at the end of the day I'm glad we both did it and got our first time out of the way! I mean, it's not like we'll be able to do that terribly again (I hope)! :D My friend from my old barn that I worked out didn't make it out in time (I don't blame her, I went on at 8:30 am!), but I emailed her and posted on my facebook about the show. She seemed to think we did alright and told me some some stories about her daughter taking her QH out for the first time to a show. Apparently he used to be a "firecracker" but I've seen him show recently and he's got some blue ribbons under his belt! :D Her daughter is taking her horse out in a W/T show next month at the same place I just went to and invited me to come along. I think I'll probably do it, just for the exposure and experience. I'm thinking I'll take Chica and do a western walk/jog class and do a walk/trot with Auda. This is a very low-scale local show. Their only requirements is "You must wear boots and bras." Sounds easy enough, just walking and trotting in a circle with a bunch of other horses. Hey! I already did that today in the warmup today and she did alright. :D

I have a video for your enjoyment. Also some pictures. You get to see my exciting saddle slip. It's pretty pathetic.
YouTube - First Show With Auda

Before the show:

That's my aunt
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show001.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show002.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show003.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show004.jpg

During the test:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show005.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show006.jpg

After the test and working her in the warmup arena
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show008.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show009.jpg

All done and ready to go home
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show010.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show011.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show012.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show013.jpg

A whinny and a fart :)
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg113/zoel_222/Horses/Auda/show014.jpg

[WashingtonBay]

I gasped right along with your aunt, or whoever was filming, when you slipped. ;)

All in all though, except for the sideways bit at the end where the judges table is, it was not nearly as bad as you made it sound, she just seemed very unsure of her next step in there, and needs more experience :)

[WashingtonBay]

The thing about the judges table is funny because at Arab shows, the judges stand was always in the center, and they'd always have it decorated with festive things, flowers, balloons, banners, all things that would freak out your average A-Rab type horse ;) I always thought the show stewards who set all that up just had a wicked sense of humor. :D

But it usually kept the greener horses well on the rail! glued to it, actually :D

[zoel_222]

Oh I'm sure they do it just to try to frighten ze ponies! Auda really did not care for it.

Hehe I'm touched that you gasped for me. I was just trotting along and I'm like "Why am I moving over to the side of her?" Then I realized the saddle was slipping and I was like "Whoops time to bail!" The whole thing felt pretty terrible compared to how beautifully she'd been doing the test at home. Her free walk looked better than expected, though. She was nice and swingy. I guess I'm glad it didn't look too bad. :)

[Palogal]

Everybody has a show that is not our best performance and WB is right, it's not as bad as you think other than the sideways bit. Sorry it didn't go well :(

[prissy18]

It didnt look to bad. My first jumping show I went over the jump about 3 times higher then the horse did. But AUDA is super pretty! U to look good together.

[JackieB]

Everyone's right Zoe, that was much better than you describe. I'd just chalk it up to experience. I went a long time before I ever won a motocross trophy (I've never been in a formal competition on horseback) and I eventually ended up with a ton of them. There's nothing wrong with taking time to learn, or not ever competing in dressage again if you wish.

You sure displayed lightning-fast reflexes when the saddle slipped. Very impressive. I think that gives us a clue as to at least part of the reason why you are such a great bareback rider.

As to the judge, pffft! Who cares about her? It would have been great if you had gone up to her afterwards, and in your most eager and cheerful voice said "Do you think Auda and I will win?!"

So great job!

[GrungeEquestrian]

You and Auda look great, I don't understand why girls were making rude comments about her. You guys looked great, everyone has a rough show once in a while. You looked very controlled through out the whole test, especially when the saddle spilled good job.

Congrats to you and Auda, next time will be better. You will show those snobs and snobby judge ;).

[Jump The Moon]

I really don't think it went so badly. The saddle slip was very unfortunate :cry:.
I think when she's got some experience on her, she'll do very nicely :)

Billy's first dressage was the first time he saw the white boards marking out the arena too. Que Billy rearing up jumping around all silly :p He gets very worried by things. Lucky for me, by the time they rang the bell to start, he was sort of calmer, keeping all his feet on the ground but I did get alot of poorer marks for him being overbent, 'cause I had to tuck him in abit more than wanted so he'd not freak out and would be better. Overbent is his preferred way of going so I decided it better than him exploding all over the place :p

[Steelhorserider]

Don't think of it as a bad test...think of it as great exposure and experience for Auda. Taking everything into consideration, you guys did great. She looks much calmer in the later photos.

[Me'N'Chic]

I am so sorry things went that way for you! I remember my first show (at the age of 43!) this past summer. I entered Sony in Western Pleasure. It was just a little local fun show and it had rained so there were only 2 of us in the class. We had the whole ring to ourselves but what did i do---I went in right her butt instead of giving ourselves plenty of space. Then it was getting pretty late in the evening and Sony spooked and veered away from the shadows and is leery of the announcer stand. Then a friend asked to see my hat--she goes, " Oh, Mary--you have it on backwards!" Duh!! I left there feeling like such a clutz! For a little while I thought--"OK I tried this--now I don't need to do it again. I'll stick to trail riding!) But what I ended up saying then and after all the other shows I did was--OK WHAT DID I LEARN FROM THIS THAT I WILL DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME? and then I went on. Still have not done as well as I think Sony has the potential to do; but I did get 3rd once in Western Pleasure and a 3rd place in English Pleasure out of several riders!! Hang in there Zoel--we can do it!!!

[oursarge]

I was expecting much worse, I think you look good but then I don't know anything about dressage. The saddle slip was scary, you were quick getting off! I'd be thinking "What is happening?" and I'd be on the ground! That was fast thinking! She looks so pretty in her braided mane. Very cute, you both look good.

I think everyone who shows has a show horror story. During the summer a friend of ours was going to do a demonstration at the fair. The horse is very experienced at both shows and demonstrations, she rides him with no saddle or bridle and she was going to do trick riding too. He's usually the most laid back horse you can imagine. The fair was scary for a horse so they brought him early to get used to the sights and sounds. They never figured the flashing lights and swishing sound of the ride next to the demonstration area would freak him out and it wasn't like she could ride him down the midway. He was fine in the day but I think it was the lights that got him. When he walked out I said I had never seen him that nervous before, I've known him over 3 yrs and never saw him nervous ever! He was a wreck and she had all these people there to film her and take pictures, she never did the full demonstration, he was just too scared, she did a little but nothing like what she had hoped, she had real high hopes. She was mortified but we kept telling her she handled it great anyone who didn't know what she had planned on doing didn't know it all fell apart, they just saw a girl riding bareback and some people at the fair are from the city they're just happy to see a horse. We filmed the whole thing but mostly it was her trying to calm him down, her mother who is a trainer couldn't even get him totally calm. Anyway it happens to even the experienced people. I think you handled it way better than alot of people would.

You went out there and did it and that's what counts. Alot of those judges are idiots, I've been to so many shows now and have seen some really nice ones and some that are mean and horrible when they don't have to be. Some won't like paints and not matter how good the horse does they won't even place because the judge has issues with spots, it's not right but they do it. I have been to one English show here and there is such a difference between English and Western. I'm not saying it happens other places but here we noticed that in the Western Classes the people all want to win of course but they cheer others on, in the English Classes they get mad if they don't win and they treat the winners like dirt, I was shocked. Our friend rode in both and is back to Western now, the English people got mad at him because it was his first year of showing and he won most of the blues. OH WELL HE CAN RIDE what can we say?

Your next time will be easier and I think it's great that you tried it.

[mare]

I agree with the others. Not nearly as bad as you described. I like the looks of your mare and the way she moves. You did a nice job keeping her going forward. You handled the saddle slipping well, too.

Especially, kudos to you for going to the warm-up ring and getting some good exposure and experience for your horse.

[gaited07]

Your show may have not went as well as you would have wanted but you did well for your first show. You got out there did it and learned from it. And I'm sure your next show is going to be much better and your future shows after will be much better with more practice.
You get a blue ribbon from me for getting out there and exposing yourself and your horse and learning. Good job!

I too gasped with your camera person when your saddle slipped.

[farmers_wife]

I think you both looked good out their.

[gabhainn]

Rather than add my comments in agreement (which I do), just remember everybody starts some where. even the greatest dressager ( i dont know if that is even a word) in the world had a first show, and that Moorlands Totillas was once just a green horse. As for snotty judges, every group whether it be dressage, motocross (thanks jackieB), or rodeo, Has people who are like that. They tend to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond, the kind that dominate their local scene. You know why, cuz they refuse to move upwards. So they tend to be snotty because everybody is a potential threat and if they cant beat 'em in the ring they get in their head. So dont let her into yours, keep practicing, keep showing ,and think of how much sweeter that blue ribbon will be when you get there........................Kevin

[FlapJack]

Sorry people were rude :mad:. Auda looks stunning, her mane's really nice. I agree with everyone else that you were hard on your performance. Auda moves really nicely. The first class I ever rode in, I came in close to last, I think second last. I was near tears aha, it was terrible, I rode on the wrong lead! Then the next class I think I came in second and the day got better from there. I think a lot of people have a rough start into the showing thing but it gets better! Good for you for not letting a tough day get to you, and good luck in your future show experiences..I haven't done much dressage but you guys looked great to me. I think the nice thing about horse shows is that in most competitions it's just you and your horse working together :)...I always liked that if I felt bad I could just give him a hug and we'd face the next class together.

[zoel_222]

Wow, lots of nice comments! Thanks everyone. I gotta say you guys really did cheer me up. I guess we didn't do *that* bad. I am really proud of her and glad we did it. She wasn't bad at all, she was just nervous. She tried hard and was a real good sport about everything. I talked to my mom and who was watching the other tests while I was working in in the warm up arena and she said almost every horse wouldn't get near the judge's table and one horse wouldn't even enter the arena and tried to go over the rail. So I guess everybody has those days. :D

I just wish I could've been in a crowd with a little more understanding people. The next show which I'm leaning more and more towards going to should be much more laid back. It's more of a rodeo type deal and there will be a lot of western events, so maybe there will be more relaxed people and not so many dressage riders with sticks up their butts. :p

Thanks for all the support, everybody. You guys rock. :) Now I know what I'll have to work on for next time. I'm very glad I got the first time out of the way! It can only get better from here, right? :D

[gabhainn]

It can only get better from here, right? :D
damn skippy, good attitude chickie...............Kevin

[quest]

Sorry the show didn't quite go the way you planned, it's frustrating when it happens but as everyone said your pattern didn't look nearly as bad you explained it. Sounds like the judge was pretty unproffesional. If you are off pattern they are supposed to ring a bell to let you know anyways, not yell at you like she did.

[Gliderider]

I have to agree with everyone else. You 2 looked good together and it is only going to get better. Sorry there were some rude butt heads there. Auda is a very pretty horse and moves real nice.

I remember a few shows my daughter had some rough spots. The first time she Halter showed her Appy. They called them to enter the ring. Just as my daughter gets inside the gate her horse lays down. He liked the soft arena floor and wanted to roll. :doh: He was refusing to get up the gentleman controlling the gate had to give her some help. By giving her horse a kick in the butt. My daughter was so embarrassed. A few adults were laughing there heads off loudly I might ad. Which it was funny later but a bit rude for the adults to be laughing so loud at her while it was happening. She had a few other mishaps at that ring one she ate some dirt but now looking back on it she said she learned the most that summer. She went on to win many ribbons and trophy's at that same place. What I am trying to say is don't give up or let a few rude people ruin it for you and Auda.

[mandisue]

You looked good, and don't worry about the judge, there are some nasty ones out there. Which is why I barrel racing, my judge is the timer, it doesn't make nasty remarks...lol, at least not on a normal day!

AND excellent emergency dismount, and great job on making it to your first show and making it through, first shows are usually always a learning experience.

[Gypsy Rose]

Your test actually looks better than you described, and I'll tell you this, except for your having to make an emergency dismount, you did a lot better than I did on my first dressage test! I ended up deciding to try a dressage test at a fun show only days before the show (got talked into it, lol), and had absolutely no clue what a 20 meter circle was! Wish it hadn't been so many years ago, and that I had it on video, because I think you'd feel tons better if you had seen my test, lol!

I love how Auda moves. I think you both have a lot of potential!