Saturday began our weekend of shows. Mom, Peggy and I powered through washing 4 horses. Ember and Roscoe were tucked into their stall, after being sprayed down with WOW. Our fingers were crossed that they would stay fairly clean.
After giving everyone dinner, I changed into show clothes and we loaded up to go. It was hot and a bit humid and I hoped Comrade and Rosemary had enough energy. I purposely asked for Comrade to go first to give Rosemary the later time. Luckily this venue seems to have a nice breeze. We left Rosemary on the trailer when I headed out with Comrade.
Well Comrade decided to call to her... over and over. He called some at the last show, but it was more this time. I told him he could warble all he wanted if he kept his frame and listened. At least this time I remembered the spurs this time. We got both our leads in warm up, which gave me confidence going into the test. He was really distracted though and it showed in his walk. I was a bit put off by some of the people in warm up, who did not keep track of the other horses. Every time they came by Comrade, I was forced to move off my line to avoid a collision. What ever happened to passing left to left? Anyway they continued to tick me off when it was my time to go in the arena. Warm up at this show is right next to the show ring and these guys did not clear the path along the show ring.
8 halt
Comrade and I made it work. We started and ended strong, with pretty solid trot work in between. His canter was not confirmed and his walk nonexistent, but it was a solid test. Comrade kept warbling during the test. Surprisingly, the judge did not mention it at the end. I agreed with her comments that he needs to be as confirmed in his walk and canter as he is at the trot. So put the volume up when you watch. You will also hear the sound of air planes.
7 track right
8 trot circle
6.5 Canter
8 Change direction
5.5 walk, Oh Comrade
7.5 last trot
8 halt
As we saddled up Rosemary, we saw the first hot air balloon. I guess during the August show last year a balloon had to land in the field. Everyone hoped a repeat would not happen. There was an air show going on just down the road. So the air traffic was heavy with planes, balloons and motorized glider things. Rosemary noted it all.
As we entered the ring to warm up, she grew underneath me and snorted. She surprised me by picking up trot, a big bouncy COB trot. Her tail flagged, her head went up and she strutted. My normally so flat you can barely post girl turned into a pogo stick. I decided to just ride it. That much suspension is hard work and she is not in good enough shape to carry it long. She certainly wowed the audience while it lasted. Once she settled, we worked on transitions. She gave me canter both ways and her trot improved. It was hot, so I could not do much with her. She was a bit jumpy with the air traffic adding to the busy show environment. Despite that, I felt good as we went in for our test.
Air Traffic
Look at that step under
Ready to enter at A
Rosemary fought the first halt, then I did not see the judge salute and then we tripped at C. We smoothed out for our trot circle and blasted off for our canter. She needs balance, but I knew that. The canter did improve her trot and the change to the left was great. Her trot circle was improved and her canter about the same as the right. Where Rosemary shined, was at the walk. She rocked the free walk with stretch and over step. Her last trot was the best of the test even though we missed center. We finished straight with a better halt than the first. I could not have asked for a better first test out of Rosemary. You can hear the planes and see them in the sky overhead during her test. Comrade gave his two cents too.
6.0 first halt
6.5 Trot circle
Improved trot after canter
7 change direction
Trot after canter
7.5 free walk
7.5 final trot
7 final halt
Score wise, I felt they reflected the tests. Comrade scored 70.5% winning the class. He even got a 7 for impulsion and gaits. The judge called us a "talented team" and said I was a "secure rider." All of my rider scores improved. I guess doing a bunch of dressage tests has helped me too. Rosemary scored 66% earning third place. The judge felt that she improved as the test progressed and probably would have done great if she had rolled right into another test. She said her gaits were active and she just needs to work on balance. I love these Cobs. We pulled off two super tests despite heat, warbling, Cob trotting and heavy air traffic.
Rosemary was ticked because Comrade tried to eat her ribbon
My horses past and present are all "one of a kind." At least as far as I know for the older ones, but definitely for the Cobs. They have plenty of half siblings though. I never thought anything of it until I started riding Comrade and began to hear about his siblings. It is so cool to be able to follow them and see the similarities.
So when Roscoe started breeding, I hoped he would have repeat breeding's, but I also knew it was a long shot. His first five are one time deals, thankfully they are stellar. At least one of his sons will probably carry on as a stallion. AI is too expensive and unpredictable to use when you have two stallions of your own to use live cover. I am glad his breeder gave him the chance because that allowed another breeder to use him. You all know that his 2016 breeding was a last minute deal, filling in for another stallion. Fortunately Ella is an adorable filly. I did not think we would get a repeat breeding because her owner normally prefers the bigger Cobs.
Carousel at rest
Ella has received rave reviews about her personality and build. Her owner leases Tawe on a permanent basis and Tawe's owner really likes Ella. She is a judge in Canada, so it is a great compliment. So in June they contacted me about a repeat breeding. After the collection center nearly panicked when they saw the Canadian address, they fit Roscoe in for collection.
Who would not want one just like her?
Unfortunately, both mares he bred did not take the first cycle. Which means no half a hafl next year :( For Tawe, they short cycled her and we tried again in July. I told the vet he jinxed Roscoe when he said he needed more collections. Of course he asked if there were any comments about Roscoe's contribution, but there have not been. I think it was more the vagaries of breeding a maiden and an older mare.
Look, someone is better than her brother during pedicures
Last week while still riding the high from the inspection, we found out that a full sibling is gestating. I am excited and hope the time goes by somewhat quickly. Foal pool anyone?
We made it through a busy, hot July and I thought we would get some time to breathe. Then I looked at the show dates. The dressage show is the 19th in the evening for Rosemary and Comrade, and the Welsh show is the 20th for Roscoe and Ember. Four horses to bathe, I must be crazy. Plus my farrier was scheduled for the 19th. This is certainly my year for doing the crazy schedule. Anyone want to play groom and pony holder?
Rosemary's debut dressage show prep
Yes Comrade, Intro C for you too
To help divert some of the packed Saturday, I asked my farrier to come the Wednesday before, thinking it would not conflict with our 4pm lesson. Turns out he can't come until 2pm, so I had to see if the lesson could move to 5pm. Ah well it will keep me on my toes.
We are squeezing in a trailer visit to the mechanic this week. Hopefully they can fix some minor issues, do an inspection and install the new moon roof since my old one is leaking. And maybe we will get our electric brake hook up usable again. Luckily our horses are not heavy weights and the truck can stop the trailer.
And then at the end of the month we are aiming to do a cavaletti lesson at Sprieser.
The day before the inspection we had storms. I gave never been more grateful for an indoor wash rack. Roscoe wallowed in the mud and needed a full bath. Then we had to braid. He still believes I am out to torture him.
With a little help from Peggy and a bowl of forage we got it done. I sprayed him with WOW and let him roll in the stall.
Early Saturday morning, he looked good except for where he used a pile of poop for a pillow. But we could not get the front door open and I hated to think we would have to walk him through the mud to get to the trailer. Then Mom got stung as we were about to leave. Luckily a sting kit and Larry's magic fingers saved the day.
His digs for the day
He is seriously looking good!!!
Roscoe loaded and we were off. He settled into his stall for what turned out to be a long wait. We were overwhelmed by the response he received just standing in the stall. Peggy dashed off a hand written name/breed/age paper to put on the stall. A couple people seem to want use him for their mares.
When the judges arrived, they went through the paperwork. Since Roscoe is a pony, no x-rays are needed, so we had no missing documents. We had to wait for the order of go and then the briefing before the inspection started. Roscoe was 12th, last, after mostly mare/foal combos. He was the only stallion.
Having never attended before, it was fun to watch. The judge was not using a mic, so we missed a lot of the comments.
Standing was hard, he kept wanting to meet the handler
When it was Roscoe's turn, quite a crowd was watching. His handler held him for the initial exam where he is judged on conformation, breed style and is measured.
Then he walked and trotted in hand. He was a good boy for the handler.
At liberty he just wanted to zoom around. Not surprising after spending hours in a stall. Sometimes he got distracted by mare pee or a mare in the stalls bordering the ring.
The judges
Freedom
Oh Hello
He also had to visit the crowd in the viewing room. They thought he was looking at the food, until we said that he came for the people.
The German judge finally told the people to back off the whip snapping and let him be. Roscoe then was able to trot, somewhat. He did not have a chance to settle into his big, open trot.
Next was the free jumping. He had to wait while they built the chute. Roscoe thought it might be a good time to poof up at the stallion in the mirror. Silly boy!
The look of knowing what he is doing
Sadly, they did not have enough poles/standards to make three jumps. They started with two small x's and built the second as he went along. Roscoe knew what to do and dealt with being led nearly to the first jump. Watchers were right on the side of the chute. I was at the end to catch him.
The line of people
They put the oxer to the max height creating almost a box oxer. This one stopped Roscoe, so they dropped one side and sent him again. This time he flew, with room to spare. Later on Peggy and I measured the back rail at 3'8. My pony blows my mind.
I am amazed by this pony ;)
13.3 hand Cob vs 3'8 jump
Finally he was ridden by the handler, but it would not count against him. He was energized and made the rider hold him tight. Riding ponies requires so much body awareness especially if you are over six feet. With very little time, they walked, trotted and cantered. He was deemed rideable.
The judge believed he was of good type and conformation if on the small side for a Cob. He has "useful" gaits including the uphill canter that allows him to jump so well. Sound familiar? I guess if an Irish man and a German both say it, he really must have a wonderful canter.
While we waited for the scores, Roscoe received so many compliments. Peggy now has to make business cards for him because so many asked.
Roscoe had to get a microchip in his neck, but he did not even flinch.
Then the score sheets were handed out. It was kind of German to me and I had to ask what it meant. His score makes him eligible for stud book 1 once he completes the performance requirements. For now he is in stud book 2a (don't know what "a" means). He is recorded, but not approved. One lady emailed me later and asked if they recommended he stay a stallion. I told her the notes did not say to geld him. They actually asked if we thought we could get the performance scores by next year. Uh, that may take a miracle.
It was a very long, but fulfilling day. Roscoe certainly did not disappoint and gained a new fan club. I can't wait to see the pro pictures. I am really glad we took this step. Now we get to see how his filly does in a few weeks.
After giving everyone dinner, I changed into show clothes and we loaded up to go. It was hot and a bit humid and I hoped Comrade and Rosemary had enough energy. I purposely asked for Comrade to go first to give Rosemary the later time. Luckily this venue seems to have a nice breeze. We left Rosemary on the trailer when I headed out with Comrade.
