Duke's Affiliated Debut

[Biggerside Benwell]

We went for our first BD affilated today at Todburn EC in Northumberland.

Tests were Prelim 4 and 14, and boy was I nervous beforehand. Even worse when I saw the competition in the warm up arena They all looked way better than we are.

First test was a little inconsistent due to my nerves transfering to him, poor boy so we scraped 59.55% which was an accurate view of our inconsitentancies. :'(This left us 8th out of 9! :

The arena is a whopping 60m x 40m so they had 2 20 x 40 arenas set up for the tests with the warm up in the other 20x 40 area which was fine when there was just a few competitors but got a bit hairy when there was me and 10 other people. So I warmed up for the second test in the car park :

I was more relaxed by this point which let to a much better test for Prelim 14 and we got a lot of 7's which got us 63.33% and 7th place out of 15.

Buffy very kindly got some pics of us

Prelim 14








Prelim 4





As per usual very pleased with my youngster!

[lancslass]

well done you two!!!
dukes a CREDIT to you kristy!
hes looking absolutely fab!!

[PonyGirl]

You did fab. Remember this is FUN. The pics are beautiful

[harveydales]

Congratulations to both of you! That is an excellant start to Duke's affiliated career! He looks to be going very nicely indeed and I can see it won't be long before you you are moving him up the levels.

I know how intimidating it can be when those working in with you appear to be far more advanced than you as they practice their flying changes and lateral moves but it is often quite different when these same riders enter the arena. Their horses tend to explode when they sence the rider's nerves, they daren't allow their horses to go forward and they may have big, flash paces but they don't always go correctly so I predict you and Duke will shine, particularly as you move up to higher levels. I also know all about working in in the car park!

Very well done!

[laura]

Absolutely brilliant!! Well done ;D

[mickey]

Well done- he's looking fab. He looks to have got a fair bit chunkier too

[nars]

Congratulations, Kirsty and Duke . You look to have him going very nice. A very good start to his dressage career

[greydales]

Wow fantastic Kristy, a brilliant result for your Prelim 14! You really have got him going beautifully - all credit to you

[leannwithconnie]

I wouldn't be so keen to do yourself down...you look fantastic in those pics. Well done to both of you great results for a first BD

[mrsp]

Well done. What a fantastic advert. for the breed. You must be chuffed to bits and worth all the hard work you must put in. Loads of congratulations.

[Biggerside Benwell]

Thanks guys :jump:

[Biggerside Benwell]

Forgot to say, glad you think that he looks chunkier Em as he is getting loads of feed. A fussy Dales pony is a shock to the system compared with greedy Danny!!!

[Debbie]

I think that's a very good start to your affiliated career! I agree with Pam, don't get intimidated by the competition. You are not competing against them ~ you are doing your test to show what you and Duke can do

I can easily see you two rising through the ranks as your career takes off. You two are coming along beautifully as a team

[zeldalithgow]

Well done you both look fab

[Biggerside Benwell]

You can do it Heather :jump:

I have just handed my entries in for my next affilated in 10 days time so we shall see how the next one goes.