We Nearly Did It – But Lots To Be Positive About!

Bill Levett (AUS) Shannondale Titan

Bill Levett (AUS) Shannondale Titan

Alfie did his dressage this morning and, in short, it went well in parts – he did the best trot work he’s ever given me in a competition environment, with cadence and power, and I felt like he was really with me which was very exciting. He was also very solid in his halts and walk today.

Sadly the canter work didn’t quite go to plan. We made a few costly mistakes which was frustrating, and I’ve spent the last few hours feeling a mixture of emotions from disappointment to frustration to ultimately analysis and self reflection. I’ve now had to park it as there are still two important phases to come, with the cross country and show jumping.

My aim now is to finish on my dressage score. Alfie and I are both very capable of doing that and so that’s the goal.

We end the dressage in 15th place and the scores are very tight ahead and behind me. I go cross country at 14.46pm tomorrow.

Thanks everyone for their lovely messages of support and good wishes.

Alfie and I will have our day in the dressage, it’s just not today. The best moment of the day was the tweet I received from Carl Hester (Mr Dressage himself – aside from Gareth of course!) who gave Alfie and me a vote of confidence, and some lovely comments by all accounts during our test!

My final word is a word of thanks to Emily for turning Alfie so beautifully this morning and to Gareth for his ongoing patience and help with the dressage – still many years ahead of me to continue to improve!

Cheers

Bill

Posted 8th May

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