Otis and I do Dressage!

On Sunday, September 18th, Otis and I went to the Hollis Equestrian Park for the Southern Maine Dressage Association's last schooling show of the year. I was excited for my first dressage show! I have done dressage two other times, once at the Hilltop Equestrian Center horse trial, and once at the Stepping Stone Farm two phase (I don't think that one really counts though), but this was our first time doing dressage only.

Liz showed up just as I was getting on Otis to warm up. She was nice enough to get there three hours before her tests so she could watch and support me! She is so awesome! So I started walking Otis around the grounds, I wanted to try and keep things as low key as possible because for some reason Otis is always extra nervous/naughty at the Hollis Equestrian Park. As I walked past the ring steward she informed me that I was next! I panicked and walked Otis into the warm up arena, he sensed my nerves and started acting up. Liz told me that I didn't have to go until the time they gave me, which wasn't for another half hour or so. This made me feel better not only because I needed more time to calm Otis down, but because my Mom and Gram weren't there yet. They were coming to watch me and I didn't want them to miss it. I decided the warm up arena was a bit too busy for Otis to be able to calm down, so I decided to just walk him around the outside of the show arena instead. This worked and he calmed down enough for me to attempt my first test. I entered the arena to warm up in there and wait for the judge's bell, all the while looking for my Mom's car to pull in. The judge rang her bell and Mom pulled in just as I was headed up the center line.

Intro A - You can see how "fresh" he was feeling!

The first test we entered was Intro A, a test we have never done before. Otis was still feeling a bit naughty, so our circles weren't as round as they could have been, and he was a bit stronger than I would have liked. Overall I felt pretty good about our ride. I walked back over to my trailer to wait with Mom, Gram, and Liz. I was one of the last riders in the Intro A division so they placed the class shortly after I finished. I was listening for name, not expecting to place well, since Otis was kind of naughty and I was competing against people who have been doing this all summer. Boy was a surprised when they called my name for First Place with score of 66.3%!!



Our next test was Intro B which we have done before at Hilltop, and started to do at Stepping Stone. Otis was much calmer for this test, although still a bit strong. Our circles were better, but they are something we need to work on, along with his walk. He has such a poky western walk, not so good for dressage :)

Intro B - Looking a bit better

Our Halt in Intro B we got a 9 for a score on that!

Otis and I were done for the day, but I stayed on him to wait for the placings of Intro B so we could get a picture with both of our ribbons. We all waited impatiently for the results of Intro B, and much to my excitement we won that one as well with a score of 65%! I was so proud of us! We have been working so hard, and after being eliminated the first two times we tried dressage/eventing, it felt SO good to not only do well, but to win!! Don't get me wrong, winning isn't everything, but it is still an amazing feeling.

Showing off our hard earned ribbons!!

Otis and I were done for the day so I untacked him filled his hay net and water bucket and changed my clothes so I could watch Liz do the three tests she came to do. I have only been able to watch Liz do dressage while I was also trying to get myself and my horse ready at other events, so it was nice to be all done and just be able to relax and watch her ride. Liz did great in her tests as well, she ended up with a First in Prix Caprilli (dressage with jumps!), Second in Training 3 and Third in First 1. We both had a very good day! 

Otis waiting at the trailer while I watch Liz & Dreamy

I had an awesome time at the SMDA show, it was very well run, and the people were very friendly. It was such a relief to have a good experience after what had happened the weekend before. I joked with Liz that I had post traumatic stress disorder because I kept having dreams the night before that I was being rung of course over and over again. Well this show definitely canceled out the bad experience from the week before. I had a lot of fun, and plan on joining the SMDA and doing as many of their shows as I can next summer! Thanks to Liz I have discovered a great sport, something I didn't think I would ever do, or even be good at.