Bit belated ODE post. Em and I took Rory and Bex to do the mini ODE at our local RC. It's only 35cm and intro tests so I will admit to babying Rory but my jumping confidence is zilch since doing my knee. This was the first one that we actually had a working, MOT'd wagon and a driver so didn't need to hack down hindsight is Rory is much easier to warm up and more chilled when made to hack first :-p
First up was dressage we went in and had a walk round the arena at which point Rory said he disliked one corner and I knew he would not get over no matter how many looks I gave him so made a mental note of short reins and lots of inside leg otherwise I'd go past it in a beautiful leg yield which sadly isn't part of the test. Test was ok but he didn't feel quite right on the corners it was windy and he was a lot tenser so hopefully thats all it was. Test was marked quite harshly IMO and I definately disagreed with his mark for free walk and the comment calling for more stretch. Yet the trot 20m circle with only some stretching shown which I agree with got a higher mark. Meh Ive kind of just dismissed that score sheet. Dressage finished up on 58%
Onto the jumping he warmed up rather keen, I'd prefer to trot into the jumps at the moment he said no way and shot off into canter a couple of strides out each time so decided just to canter as I actually had more control of the pace then. He did a fab clear round and really motored on between the fences had a minor spook inbetween fences at catching sight of fencejudge sat in a chair! but quickly relocked onto the next fence and was off.
Finished 4th with our dressage score but had a fab day and am determined to refind my brave-pants for the jumping.