The show was fantastic. Both days. All three patterns. On day one I screwed up 8 by doing 5 spins one way but rode 5 nicely and won that class. The next day I rode 4 and I overspun a quarter to the left but recovered and ended up second in the novice class, my first time placing in that. He stopped in the middle very well, even down to the gate and the last mini stop. I rode 8 again and got it right this time and won my second green Reiner of the weekend. It's my last year in that category and I am aiming to win the division. I've won 3 out of 4 of the classes so far this year. Not bad for a greeny!
I rode hard the Friday evening because he was a pig in warm up, even having been out all day. I longed him for about 30 minutes til he stopped plunging around and then got on him and loped and loped until he was soft and listening. It was busy so I sat on him a long time to get some space and then worked our stops and roll backs. They weren't bad.
The next morning I was up at 6.30 to ride before classes started and he was in a much better frame of mind. I showered him and hand grazed him after that and then got on for midday warm up for around an hour before my classes. It worked well. He was still hyper in warm up with all the other horses and he wanted to pull on me but I remained calm and disciplined and didn't allow him to get away with anything. In the pen it paid off.
To improve for next month, circle shape consistency, PIVOTS for me, staying calm and consistent and transition from a fast to slow lope in the circles.
All in all, I'm thrilled. Super happy with how it all went, now I know what I need to do, work wise, with him.
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