Winter
One-Day Trial at Pine Top Farm -February
16, 2003
Captain started the
2003 season with major improvements in all three phases. This trial was
Captain's 3rd time out competing and we are so impressed by his athleticism
and professional attitude. He completed in the Novice division and it
was obvious to the Bits & Bytes Team that it's time for Captain to
move up to Training Level.
It was a big division
of riders and horses. Captain scored a 40 in the Dressage phase.
Photo
by Elizabeth Wood
The stadium was placed
in a field where the terrain was up and down on gentle slopes. It required
the rider to have a more forward and collected horse. Unfortunately, it
took the first jump with a rail down for Captain to get his attention.
After that it was all business. Barry (Captain's Dad) was video taping
the round and after we viewed the tape, we all agreed that the fences
are too small and it's time for Captain to move up. He ended the round
with no time penalties and five jump penalties score of 45.
Captain was a bit
surprised to be tacked up again an hour later for Cross-Country. He went
straight into concentration mode, warming up with a lovely gallop. The
course had a few changes made to it. Every fence was cleared in a smooth
gallop stride, never having to make any adjustments in front of the fences.
Captain kept the same pace from the depart through to the landing and
galloped on. He caught up to the rider ahead and she yielded. Stride for
stride, Captain negotiated the banks, rock walls, an island, tables, oxers,
log piles, cabins, a ditch, combination fences, and water. His stride
was so steady that he was covering tremendous amount of ground without
any adjustments. The video showed what little effort it took and that
Captain is truly in his "world" over those fences.
He crossed the finish
going immediately into `strut-mode'. Captain does a kind of Spanish walk
when he is proud of himself. He ended the day on 45.8 penalties. Rider
error caused .8 penalties for going too fast! It's a unanimous vote that
it's time to move up to Training Level.
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