We did three dressage tests yesterday - Intro A, P1 and P10.
Daffy was significantly easier to ride this week, although still needs an awful lot of work to get him up off his forehand and balanced before we can start introducing the level of impulsion that the judges are asking for. I'd managed to get out on the lane weds/thurs and just did lots of transitions, and again in the warmup yesterday to get him more off the leg. I've now ditched the spurs as Daffy seems to be completely over his napping, touch wood.
We did well in the walk and trot, getting 62% and coming third, then we were consistant in the prelims getting 53% in each and "special" rosettes.
The best part - we had some nice canter! In the third warmup (I only did 5 mins between tests to work on our canter on the rubber surface, Daffy spent the rest of the time grazing) he was more forward than the others, and we managed a few reasonably balanced strides on each rein.
I though that the tests got progressively better, although the results don't reflect that so much, but we managed a circle on the right rein in P1 and all the canter (two long sides, two circles and across two diagonals) in P10, if it was a little rushed. We got 5's for our canter in P10 - better than before!
Nothing on now until March when we might get over to Manor Grange and we're on the list for team dressage on the 22nd. Despite the fact that his work has been really limited lately he still seems to be improving (particularly out hacking, he regularly works through his back now of his own accord) so I can't wait to crack on when the school is finished.
Just to add in - we got 52.91% (why can't they just round up?!) in P14 last week - nothing if not consistant! A word of advice too - if you use an A4 envelope but only put a small stamp on, you'll get caught for £1 on top of the 6p short because you didn't use a large stamp.