Dukes Ridden Education (From the beginning!)

[Biggerside Benwell]

I know Sue, I did the same I can't believe looking back thru the changes that he has gone thru. Dont think he has quite finished changing yet either.

[Debbie]

I was thinking the same ~ look at the changes!!!

I just LOVE the pics of him cantering Yumm!!!

You've done a fantastic job of bringing him on Kristy Thank you for taking the time to update his progress. And MEGGA thanks for all the piccies!!! The more, the better ;D

[Biggerside Benwell]

Went to our first Dressge on the 23rd September!


Duke was in fact a superstar :halo:

I am absolutely thrilled with him :woo: :woo: :woo:

He managed to get 4 8's in his first ever dressage test and got second place with 69.1% which is much better than i ever dreamed getting correct canter strike off each way which I was dreding.

He was very tired for the second one though and did have a very mean judge

We got 1's for the canter as he kept changing legs- oops never mind.



Nice pic, shame he is on the wrong leg uh

[Biggerside Benwell]

Took Duke to his 2nd Dressage competition today at Todburn EC in Northumberland.

We did Prelim 4 which is a nice simple one and decided just to do the one test as he was really tired the last time after doing 2.

He was such a good little lad, had a little spook at the huts at the side of the arena before the test started but as soon as we went down the centre line the lad concentrated on what he was being asked. Correct canter strike off on both reins also!

Very pleased to get 60.45% and 3rd place against some very stiff competition all of who were much older than he is.

No pics Im afraid, did get the test videoed, thanks Buffy but no idea how to get that on here.

Next outing in a fortnight.

[harveydales]

Well done! That's just brilliant!

[Debbie]

That's fantastic Kristy!!!! Well done you two!!!

How many nights a week are you schooling him?

[Biggerside Benwell]

Hiya Debbie,

Only 2-3 times a week in the school as don't want to bore the poor lad, I try and hack out at least once a week and possibly lunge once also so he can do a little jumping on the lunge.

[Debbie]

What a lucky boy to have so many interesting things to look forward to!!

[clara]

Wow that's fantastic - lucky Duke having sucha gentle start in life.

[Biggerside Benwell]

On the 21st of October we went to Titlington today for Dukes 3rd competition. He was very good. He went into the trailer no problem for the first time on his own which I was really pleased about He was an angel to travel bless him.

First test was Prelim 10 which was good but quite babyish bless him with steering failure which led to wild canter! Still got 60.9% which left us 7th out of a strong class.

Next was Prelim 17 which was much better as I had a better contact which made him feel more secure. Got 62% in that which got us 4th with the winner on 66%.

Overall was very impressed with his grown up behaviour and how much better he coped with 2 tests after 2 hard lessons with Peter Maddison-Greenwell in the same weekend!

Prelim 10








Wild!






3 legs!

[Biggerside Benwell]

Went to Titlington on sunday gone again to do the same tests as three weeks ago, Prelim 10 & Prelim 17.

Bit of stormy day weatherwise hence the big black clouds in the pics, that was as the wind whipped up and the hailstones started just in time for my first test.

Very strongly contested Prelim 10 in which we came 2nd out of 20 people with 63.6% under the same judge as last time so big improvement , beating a lot of very good local riders. Just unbalanced cantering across the diagonal. Lost out by 1 mark for 1st place in the collective marks

Then 3rd in Prelim 17 with 59.5%, very closely marked test as the winner had 62% and last place had 56% with 12 people in it.

Extremely pleased with his progress so far just need to work on the transitions and the rhythm in the trot, which Dales Pony do you know that canter is their best pace!

If you look closely you will see Duke sporting his full clip bless him, he was as good as gold to do.





Wild canter!




Next outing next weekend at Etal, doing Prelim 4 & 13.

[SuzieP]

He looks fab Kristy - so grown up! Huge congratulations for your placings!!

I'm getting a sense of deja vue seeing these pics......reminds me of Danny and how well he went for you. You certainly bring your boys on beautifully.......

PS - like the new user name....... ;D

[Biggerside Benwell]

Thanks Sue, I know what you mean about deja vue, I am still really missing riding Danny but he is still getting a lot of love and cuddles and much to his disgust grooming which he now seems to resent as he cakes himself in mud again as soon as he goes back out. Going to put an update post on about him with some muddy pics.

I love the training even more than the competing but it is nice when all the hardwork is rewarded and he has been a pleasure to train so far, Im just waiting for him to say no!

[SuzieP]

Oh yes, do give us an update on Danny - it'd be lovely to see some pics of him. LOL at the grooming - why do they have to do that mud thing??

[harveydales]

Well done! Duke is coming on fabulously! Thanks for posting those pics - what a great advert for the breed he is! You have worked really hard and can feel very proud you have done all the work yourself from scratch. Are you going to affiliate next year?