Fortunately we left with enough time to get to the show, even though we got stuck very close behind an accident on the freeway. We sat on I-25 at a literal standstill for about twenty minutes, in two lanes with cement blockades on either side of us. This made it so when the emergency vehicles tried to pass, there was honestly nowhere for them to drive by. Eventually we did make it up the short hill and past the five car accident. It looked like no one was seriously hurt, though a couple of the cars had been seriously crunched. There was also a woman sitting on the side of the road with her kids, so we hope that everyone was ok.
When we got to the show we were a little pressed for time because of the traffic holdup, but Atlantis unloaded nicely and we got tacked up. We were parked in the field next to a turnout field for the boarders' horses, and when they all came running along the fence Atlantis said that looked like fun! He hopped up and down a little at the trailer while I was getting my boots on, but quickly gave it up when he realized we were going to go ride.
We warmed up in the outdoor arena, and there was some wind to contend with. It was a pleasant surprise to have Atlantis be a little tense, but he gave me absolutely no nonsense. Such a refreshing change from my own personal silly horses who take colder weather and wind to be an open invitation for shenanigans.
We rode Training Level test 3 first. It was Atlantis' first time seeing the indoor arena with all the people along the sides, the judge's table, and the flowers lurking ominously at the in-gate. He was tense in this first test, but still gave me a very nice stretchy trot and lovely free-walk which earned a 7.5! There were a few things that I wasn't super thrilled with during the test, but it was only because he was distracted and not listening to me like I had come to expect with his rides at home.
We went back to the outdoor and schooled our trot-canter transitions, and practiced getting a better bend to the right without him pushing his shoulder out. That little bit of focused work was enough to get him listening better to me and my aids, and we returned to the indoor arena to ride First Level test 1, which went much better!
Here is his video from his second test which was First Level Test 1.
https://youtu.be/L9zTBjsAhJM
Atlantis ended up with two pretty red ribbons, and a good score of 60.37% on his First level test! Best of all, he left the arena feeling proud of himself and with a happy look on his face.
I also love the shots Kimberly Hale Photography got of his custom browband and my stock tie. Over the years I've collected some great matches in beadwork.
A fun and satisfactory day, with a great experience for Atlantis! I'm enjoying him a great deal, and he is for sale. Someone is going to get an incredible dressage horse with such a friendly and sociable personality. For more information his sale ad can be viewed here:
http://bitofhoneytraining.blogspot.com/2018/10/atlantis-for-sale.html
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