WE GOT TO SHOW!!!!

 Big Cheese show at ashland. 

did starter... wise choice. Fun course

didn't plan ahead well... but am exhausted mentally .. and physically. then had gut issues so running a hair late but mostly just poor planning.

tacked up and did our pillar work and a quick circle or two of in hand lunging before getting on. went to dressage warm up and she was feral. Throwing her shoulders out... running... cantering... finally just left warm up for the benefit of the others and was able to warm up in arena at top... still feral.. did figure 8's repeatedly and eventually got her slightly settled. went in and did the test. went remarkably well considering how feral she was, but I rode so delicately. just direction and gait really... no attempt at roundness, suppleness, etc... scored accordingly ...37. But did score an 8.5 on our free walk! Which was glorious. But we survived. 

got off rather than trying to "fix" it. hung out... left at trailer and walked her around some. watched stadium. 

then got on for stadium too early so hacked from jump warm up in woods for a few... then tried to warm up. Rowdy but not quite as bad. Jumped 3 and was going to go in but then Jacel showed up and had me jump a few more. Bucking on landing... but keep my hands low. I know I lift them so she can't get her head down and really buck, but... planting my hands on her neck works too. and better. went in. Got lost on course and didn't have great turns as it was some tight roll back type turns, but we survived. Chipped a few but I ended up holding and didn't trust and ask her to take the slightly longer spots. Just couldn't get settled but not terrible. and clean. 

then went to XC. Didn't do any warm up. just hung out til our turn. She was a bit crooked and fast but we got it done. Even added the ditch and then the log out of the water. Super game to everything! Tried to go back to stadium on course... ha ha... that shoulder just went right hard!

after hacked to lake and back. She got a little sip of water and splashed a tiny bit. 

ended up 4th of 8! Wow!! 

glad to be back out with her. Both beth and jacel said not pain.. just amped up and excited. and happy even. also in heat. now to figure out how to calculate more time to be able to warm her up more approprioately and effectively so that we can have a better show ride. And I need to be more confident and a leader on course vs just holding and hanging. I did manage to at least keep my shoulders up (in XC, not so much stadium) and my leg on... even if it wasn't on enough













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