Post by fifa90 on May 21, 2012 15:40:23 GMT -5
I closed my eyes and sighed trying to calm my nerves that were flying out of control. I patted Moondance my dun 9 year old arabian mare's shoulder and whispered, "Let's do this girl it's all or nothing we're a team no matter what" before I got on I checked everything Bridle? Check Girth tight? Check Stirrups the right height? triple check. I let out a deep breath and swung myself into Moondance's saddle. Her golden dun coat gleamed like solid gold as I walked her into the ring. Even at a walk her gait was strong and graceful I did a square halt in the middle of the ring in front of Mr. Connor and saluted him.
He smiled and said, "Good morning Skye I will be testing you to see what team you get on firstly I would like you to trot around the ring once then go to the centre and do a flying lead change please" I nodded at urged Moondance into a trot and we trot at a quick graceful pace around the ring before I clicked my tongue and urged her into the centre and as soon as I gave the command she flew into a flying lead change my commands were invisible and as we cantered around the ring we looked every bit the team we knew we were.
Mr. Connor's eyes never left me and Moondance as he spoke "I would like you to canter twice around the arena then halt Moondance at the entrance while Mike sets up the dressage markers please" Dressage the thought of it sent shivers up my spine I nodded and urged Moondance into an easy working canter my cue was invisible Moondance turned her head towards Mike as he entered the ring but I pulled the left rein so the she was facing front and clicked my tongue to get her moving forward.
As we passed the entrance for the third time I pulled Moondance into a easy walk but she threw her head I applied pressure to her sides and had her do a slow half halt before getting her to stand in the entrance. Urged Moondance into a walk towards Mr. Connor after Mike had put the markers down and left Mr. Connor nodded and said, "Right, I would like you to do a nice work trot until D then Canter until G then do a flying lead change so that you get to H then come to the centre and do a square halt at X"
I nodded and saluted Mr. Connor and urged Moondance into a working trot and as we approached D I clicked my tongue and kicked Moondance gently so that she sped into an easy Canter our transitions were quick and perfect. I smiled to myself as we approached G and as we got passed it I applied pressure to Moondance's sides and gave her just enough rein that she could leap forward in a perfect lead change.
I guided Moondance to the centre and as we approached X I pulled Moondance into a gentle square halt. Mr. Connor wrote furiously on his Clipboard before saying, "Please follow me to the outdoor ring so we may start jumping. I nodded and walked Moondance towards
the outdoor ring. In the ring there were a few red and white jumps including a triple barred oxer a jump that sent a cold shudder down my spine. Mr. Connor said, "Now, This is a nice simple course don't rush rush into it take as long as you need it's not a race" I nodded and said, "Yes Sir"
I urged Moondance into a trot then into and easy canter we approached the first jump and right on cue I leaned into a Jumping position and Moondance leapt into the air and for a second we were airborne. I closed my eyes but opened them the instant we landed and guided Moondance towards the second jump and like
the first one we sailed over it easily.
Soon we approached the last jump I tensed slightly but shook it off Moondance would pick up on that and shy. I leaned forward into a perfect jumping position and at just the right time Moondance leapt we sailed through the air and were airborne. I relished into the feeling until Moondance landed. We trotted calmly back to Mr. Connor who said calmly, "Thank Skye I will give you your results later on in the week" I nodded and said, "Your welcome and thank you sir" Mr. Connor turned and left the ring calmly.
I let Moondance have long rein as we walked slowly around the ring I patted her neck and said breathlessly "Good girl Moondance! Good girl! I sense a lot of carrots and apples i your future we nailed it girl!"
He smiled and said, "Good morning Skye I will be testing you to see what team you get on firstly I would like you to trot around the ring once then go to the centre and do a flying lead change please" I nodded at urged Moondance into a trot and we trot at a quick graceful pace around the ring before I clicked my tongue and urged her into the centre and as soon as I gave the command she flew into a flying lead change my commands were invisible and as we cantered around the ring we looked every bit the team we knew we were.
Mr. Connor's eyes never left me and Moondance as he spoke "I would like you to canter twice around the arena then halt Moondance at the entrance while Mike sets up the dressage markers please" Dressage the thought of it sent shivers up my spine I nodded and urged Moondance into an easy working canter my cue was invisible Moondance turned her head towards Mike as he entered the ring but I pulled the left rein so the she was facing front and clicked my tongue to get her moving forward.
As we passed the entrance for the third time I pulled Moondance into a easy walk but she threw her head I applied pressure to her sides and had her do a slow half halt before getting her to stand in the entrance. Urged Moondance into a walk towards Mr. Connor after Mike had put the markers down and left Mr. Connor nodded and said, "Right, I would like you to do a nice work trot until D then Canter until G then do a flying lead change so that you get to H then come to the centre and do a square halt at X"
I nodded and saluted Mr. Connor and urged Moondance into a working trot and as we approached D I clicked my tongue and kicked Moondance gently so that she sped into an easy Canter our transitions were quick and perfect. I smiled to myself as we approached G and as we got passed it I applied pressure to Moondance's sides and gave her just enough rein that she could leap forward in a perfect lead change.
I guided Moondance to the centre and as we approached X I pulled Moondance into a gentle square halt. Mr. Connor wrote furiously on his Clipboard before saying, "Please follow me to the outdoor ring so we may start jumping. I nodded and walked Moondance towards
the outdoor ring. In the ring there were a few red and white jumps including a triple barred oxer a jump that sent a cold shudder down my spine. Mr. Connor said, "Now, This is a nice simple course don't rush rush into it take as long as you need it's not a race" I nodded and said, "Yes Sir"
I urged Moondance into a trot then into and easy canter we approached the first jump and right on cue I leaned into a Jumping position and Moondance leapt into the air and for a second we were airborne. I closed my eyes but opened them the instant we landed and guided Moondance towards the second jump and like
the first one we sailed over it easily.
Soon we approached the last jump I tensed slightly but shook it off Moondance would pick up on that and shy. I leaned forward into a perfect jumping position and at just the right time Moondance leapt we sailed through the air and were airborne. I relished into the feeling until Moondance landed. We trotted calmly back to Mr. Connor who said calmly, "Thank Skye I will give you your results later on in the week" I nodded and said, "Your welcome and thank you sir" Mr. Connor turned and left the ring calmly.
I let Moondance have long rein as we walked slowly around the ring I patted her neck and said breathlessly "Good girl Moondance! Good girl! I sense a lot of carrots and apples i your future we nailed it girl!"
