Showing off in the ring

[.:FrAnKiE:.]

A couple of weeks ago Pippa and I did our first dressage test, we did 'Intro To Canter' which is a fairly easy test (YO made it up) with a couple of canters at the end down the long side. The only thing is with Pippa is that she has never really done any 'proper' shows before and is such a big show off if there is any other people or horses about! Well I was worried she wouldn't canter as she has had box rest for 9 months with a tendon injury and hasn't been back to cantering for too long, but she was the absolute opposite! She was so naughty, she kept coming off the track and rushed into the canter and would then try to bolt down the long side. The judges words were 'a bit hurried but she obviously enjoyed herself!' 

I've now been working on keeping her canter going and she's improved a lot. The only thing is as soon as she gets on the long side she gets really excited and tries to rush off. I'm doing prelim 7 with her on the 25th of march and was wondering if any one could give me any tips for gaining more control? Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks! xx

Here is the madam herself:

[.:FrAnKiE:.]

Thanks, i will try this tomorrow when I ride her. I was thinking of trying a flash on her as she just runs along with her mouth open :P

[jones]

bless her, she really does look like she's having fun!!

agree with the flash idea, she looks like she's trying hard not to listen in one of the pics! hee hee

only suggestions i have is to do plenty of canter work at home, if she feels like she's rushing then keep the canter but ride a circle, she'l have to re-balance herself so should slow down, keep riding the circle until you have the canter you want then go large, if she tanks off again then circle straight away. working her 'forward' through it will be much better then getting into a pulling match with her. it wont work instantly but eventually she should get the idea.

try and get her to as many shows as you can, even if it is just for a ride around, sounds like alot of it is to do with it all being a bit new and exciting. if you do go to compete then give her a good long warm up... get rid of some of the fizz!

good luck, she's a lovely pony! Jones xx