That's what we had for our first show back after my month overseas!
Bex, Taya and I loaded Tech up on the Friday afternoon and off to Taupo we went, with Lucy meeting us down there. Saturday was pretty disgusting weather to be honest - heavy downpours and a biting wind but the show must go on, so Tech was tacked up, Taya jumped on and rode a good warm up, then it was my turn!
Well, we showed the judge how we can travers, shoulder in down the centerline and turn on the forehand to put our bums into the wind and rain as a big downpour and burst of wind hit us during the second half of our test! I was coming around the last corner before heading up the diagonal towards our final centreline, and a huge gust of wind hit us in the side and Tech stopped and swung hi bum round and walked backwards into the arena poles! But thankfully he kept his head and stood still while I managed to compose myself, get his attention back and head up the diagonal towards our final halt! I figured if I could at least hit the centreline and do a quick halt and salute, at least I would finish the test and post a score, unlike the last time at Taupo when similar weather conditions meant we had to retire as I lost all steering on my cow pony! But we managed to finish the test safely and scored a 65% so totally happy with that! Thanks so much to the Taupo Dressage Group for having Para and for being so helpful with the arena shortening. Huge thanks to my AWESOME crew for getting soaked thru to the skin for me and my cow pony. Love you guys xxx I was soaked through to the skin too and had to peel my jods and gloves off afterwards - it took at least half an hour in front of the heater to start to feel my knees again hehe! I think we spent the rest of the day tucked up in the cabin staying warm and dry!
It was a lovely way to wake up to sunny blue skies on Sunday, even if the wind was freezing! Lucy had brought her new horse Beanie to Taupo and they were competing in the morning, so it was great to be able to help them warm up and be cheerleaders for their first test together. :) Then it was time to get Tech ready for our test, so Becky jumped on and went through her warm up routine and then it was my turn for saddle time! Tech felt awesome and we managed to pull out a 70% woo hoo!!!! So pleased with my cow pony and so proud of my AMAZEBALLS crew who worked so well together like a well oiled machine <3
We had such a fab weekend! Thanks so much to Rotorua Dressage Group for a fab day and for organizing the sun :) and thanks to everyone who helped me with spotting, holding pony and holding me after i got off :) bring on the season!!