Game Plan

My plan? Jump everything like this.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of having a solid game plan going into a competition! So without further ado, here's my strategy for Sunday's HT:

Dressage

• Warm-up outside of the crowded schooling ring if at all possible.
• Install the GO BUTTON first and foremost! 
• Use transitions and a slow, methodical elevation of the frame to get Dino working correctly. Don't push for round and connected right away - ride him like you do at home. 
• Give yourself AT LEAST 30 mins of warm-up time. Don't rush it. 
• In the test, focus on bending and give hands forward when Dino is behaving himself. 
• LOOK around turns and PREPARE for each movement!
• If Dino's feeling sticky, a good canter down the long side before entering the court can do good things. 
• Coax the free walk out - swing the legs and close the hips! 
• Remember the test. Yeah.

Chicken wings do not make ponies fly higher.

Stadium

• Keep warm-up short and sweet, and don't give the pony a lot of time to hang out by the in-gate.
• Test the GO and WHOA buttons thoroughly before getting started with the course! 
• Ride FORWARD out of the turns - accelerate through the apex like when driving a car.
• Focus on the rhythm & balance of the canter, don't worry about the distance or the numbers. 
• When in doubt, MORE LEG! Embrace the long spot - it isn't as long as you think it is. 
• Be insistent that Dino follow your intended path, not the one he thinks is best. 
• Capture the Magic Canter that gave you this kickass 3'6" fence last night:

This was not scary at all! Excellent canter FTW!

Cross Country

• Another short & sweet warm-up here - check the GO and WHOA, pop over a fence or two, then get crackin'. 
• My attitude is going to be the most important factor for XC. I tend to get anxious and scared, which makes it hard for me to, you know, actually ride and make decisions. POSITIVE THINKING is the name of the game here! 
• Come out of the start box with an aggressive mindset and a strong gallop. 
• Use the "preparation zone" to set Dino up for each fence. 
• Speaking of the preparation zone, my plan is to map out exactly where on course I'm going to start preparing for each obstacle - which includes strategies for riding more aggressively at questions, like the water, that may cause Dino to hesitate. 
• Maintain a rhythm - don't change the speed of the canter, just balance back. 
• HAVE FUN - I shouldn't be peeing my pants in fear, here. I get to bomb around on an amazing pony and jump stuff. Heck yeah! 

Here goes nothing.