Post by harveydales on Jun 16, 2008 6:03:57 GMT -1
Harvey did his first Affiliated Dressage comp with Tanya yesterday! As you know, I did quite a bit of affiliated with him a few years back, then semi retired him due to my ankle and he has now been dragged out of retirement and is loving every minute of it! 
What a day it was and so much more enjoyable having the fun of preparing Harvey but without the nerves of having to go in the ring myself! We entered a Prelim and a Novice and came 4th in both. The judge is known for marking very harshly and a lot of people were very upset but I know her from old and so take her marks with a pinch of salt. Harvey got 59% in both tests but went beautifully well.
It was an absolute joy to watch and I was in tears through most of it! Harvey caused quite a stir amongst the audience and the official photographer fell in love with him. I could hear her clicking her camera all the way through his tests whereas for the other horses she only took 2 or 3 pics. Lots of people came to admire him afterwards and ask questions!
Tanya looked lovely on him. I've had moments in a test when he has gone beautifully well -soft, supple and forward - but she had him going like that from start to finnish and he was clearly enjoying the whole experience.
I am very cross with myself because I was reading the first test for Tanya and managed to send her wrong 3 times! I was using Tanya's laminated sheets and witht eh light reflecting off it I couldn't see the writing properly!
Tanya was very understanding but it lost her quite a few marks! Luckily I managed to read properly for her own horse and they came 1st! 
Lots of pics to follow when I see the official ones. I took a couple with my own camera but we are having problems downloading them. I wish we'd had the video - Tanya's video is broken and Andy couldn't come because he was busy sorting through his Dad's stuff as the house has to be emptied by the weekend.
Tanya is keen to do some more with harvey so watch this space........
What a day it was and so much more enjoyable having the fun of preparing Harvey but without the nerves of having to go in the ring myself! We entered a Prelim and a Novice and came 4th in both. The judge is known for marking very harshly and a lot of people were very upset but I know her from old and so take her marks with a pinch of salt. Harvey got 59% in both tests but went beautifully well.
It was an absolute joy to watch and I was in tears through most of it! Harvey caused quite a stir amongst the audience and the official photographer fell in love with him. I could hear her clicking her camera all the way through his tests whereas for the other horses she only took 2 or 3 pics. Lots of people came to admire him afterwards and ask questions!
Tanya looked lovely on him. I've had moments in a test when he has gone beautifully well -soft, supple and forward - but she had him going like that from start to finnish and he was clearly enjoying the whole experience.
I am very cross with myself because I was reading the first test for Tanya and managed to send her wrong 3 times! I was using Tanya's laminated sheets and witht eh light reflecting off it I couldn't see the writing properly!
Tanya was very understanding but it lost her quite a few marks! Luckily I managed to read properly for her own horse and they came 1st! Lots of pics to follow when I see the official ones. I took a couple with my own camera but we are having problems downloading them. I wish we'd had the video - Tanya's video is broken and Andy couldn't come because he was busy sorting through his Dad's stuff as the house has to be emptied by the weekend.
Tanya is keen to do some more with harvey so watch this space........
I'm so glad you enjoyed your day out with Harvey Pam!! Sounds as if he was an absolute star again and as you say no need for you to get in a tizz and fret about the dressage. 
