show nerves

[skyhuntress]

Holy crap, kids, second level is hard. I see why a lot of people skip it and just go right to third...if you have a half pass and changes, you're golden

Comments

[greyskyridge]

Second level is ricockulous.
My experience so far has been:
"Oh, tempis? Actually way easier than I thought!"
"Shoulder-in? ASLDKFJSLKLOMFG."

My one advice for the show nerves (as one who perpetually rides underprepared horses in their inaugural showing experiences) is, accept from the outset that you won't get the hard things. Quit even trying until after the show, just accept it. Focus only on doing the things you think you can do well.
"ie, well, we may as well ride really straight because we're going to blow the changes in the turns anyway, so let's just save worrying about the changes until the next show."

Worst case scenario you won't make yourself crazy over something you don't have time to fix anyway, and best case scenario it will turn out better than you expected.

[diaryofarider]

I think you are better than you think- you looked good in your other videos, and for cripes sake, YOU'RE DOING IT. Pat yourself on the back woman, because YOU'RE DOING IT.
And yes, 3 weeks is not nothing.
Amd effing shoulder in.... we still struggle with it often. At least you are progressing all around, instead of being stuck in canter-hell. :D
Also, I think you should read some of your old entries about how desperately you wanted to get out of training level and get to second level. I say again YOU'RE DOING IT. :)

[buymeaclue]

Also, I think you should read some of your old entries about how desperately you wanted to get out of training level and get to second level. I say again YOU'RE DOING IT. :)

I concur! And also the entries about how First Level was totally NOT GOING TO HAPPEN and about how the grey beast was a TOTAL ASS about travers. There is SO MUCH PROGRESS in this journal.

[halfpass_19]

Ditto, they totally nailed you on this one Kayla!

[buymeaclue]

Canter/walk is the hardest freakin' thing I've ever attempted. Almost everything else that I've tried so far you can -- I don't want to say "fake," exactly? But manage with imperfect timing if the horse is willing to help you out. But the canter/walk, if you botch the timing at all, the horse trots. AUGH.

[skyhuntress]

agreed. a huge pain in my ass!! and you're right, the timing has to be totally right, and you get that ONE SHOT at it...and 95% of the time, I miss it!

[megfuzzle]

we have third level stuff, and I STILL THINK THAT SECOND LEVEL IS FRACKING HARD. It's pretty much equally as hard, until you get to the end of Third in my mind. You have made so much progress! Don't forget this isn't your only show ever at second level. You'll have plenty of time to progess and refine and fix problems. You'll just do it again, and probably do it better.

PS, good shoulder-in is my nemesis. DAMN SEAT BONES.

[halfpass_19]

Dude, Second Level totally sucks ass and pretty much everybody will admit it or they're lying. When my trainer won USDF Horse of the Year for 2nd Level, she said it barely counted because nobody shows it. Unless their horse has a fab counter-canter and no changes, that is. ;)

Second Level was by FAR the worst for me, and for Wally. The tests were written by complete assholes with the express purpose of being impossible to memorize or complete without looking like a flailing monkey.

My advice? Learn the stuff, skip showing it. It's not worth it.

[buymeaclue]

Fab counter canter and no changes is why Second was clearly made for meeeeee! It is my secret weapon; I hope to horrify Tuck into growing a change just to escape.