In today’s Tune-Up Tip in our new series, “Salvaging Your Score”, I’m talking you through how to still make the most out of your marks if you accidentally pick up the incorrect lead in a departure.
Picking up the wrong lead can happen at any level, and you have to fix it as quickly and correctly as you can to still get at least a 4. If you don’t correct it, you’ll get even worse: a 3 if it’s incorrectly picked back up, and anything from 0-2 points for never fixing it at all.
Even though picking up the wrong lead is frustrating, you have to be a little bit smart about your lead recovery. Take your time! If you get the wrong lead twice, you’re going to get a 3 or worse.
Until next time, kick on! 🩵 #tuneuptips #salvageyourscore
🎊 Giveaway 🎊 Are your stirrups doing everything feasible to help you stay secure in the saddle or help you get out of a tight situation if the need arises? Having the right tools can make all the difference! I’m excited to offer you a chance to win my favorite jumping stirrup in partnership with #ToklatOriginals
🔵 One set of my favorite stirrups from Royal Rider, the Concept, which has flexible side openings to release the foot if needed. These are lightweight, highly durable and are FEI legal! Cannot recommend these enough 😍
To enter:
Head over to my instagram @blueclovereventing for all the details!
You can also message me and I’ll share a discount code that can be used on your next order with Toklat (can be used towards anything on their website!) 🥳
#giveaway #safetyfirst #toklatoriginals #royalriderstirrups #royalriderstirrupsitaly
#splashing through the waters this weekend at @floridahorsepark was actually quite refreshing in 80 degree weather even though I know the crew back in MD can’t even understand 😂 The first BCE event of 2025 ☑️ and I declare it a major success with all horses finishing with their confidence and education of another year of training obvious and #bonus everyone won a top ribbon 🩵 #thisishowwedoit #goteam #eventing #eventinglife #2025 #letsgetit .
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#blueclovereventing
#cavalor
#drawitout
#eqyssgroomingproducts
#kma
#lapogeesaddlery
#royalriderstirrups
#gallagherswater
#coxveterinarylaboratory
#profchoice
#stablesecretary
#ChampionRider
#flair
#TeamShires
Not sure which one of us had more fun! After 18 months of not competing, Twoggeron breezed around the OT in his loose ring double-jointed snaffle. 😂 Ears pricked on autopilot through all the combinations and makes everything feel effortless! 5th place finish in a big division but he is such a champion. 🩵
DM me if you’re looking for a horse to take you from starter to modified, he’s your guy! #hearthorse
#blueclovereventing
#cavalor
#drawitout
#eqyssgroomingproducts
#kma
#lapogeesaddlery
#royalriderstirrups
#gallagherswater
#coxveterinarylaboratory
#profchoice
#stablesecretary
#ChampionRider
#flair
#TeamShires
It’s always a tight race on who will finish their water first whenever @gallagherswater is in the mix 😅🪣🚰👏🏽
The best and quickest way to make sure your horses stay hydrated is with #gallagherswater! Their natural flavor enhancing powder mix is filled with the all important electrolytes and trace minerals that our horses need in order to recover from their rides or a travel day. Plus, it tastes like alfalfa, so the horses love it (as you can clearly see here 😂). Give it a try or stock up with my code VALERIE10 and save https://gallagherswater.com/
We are starting a new series within the Tune-Up Tips called “Salvaging Your Score”: things that you don’t want to have happened, but sometimes, unfortunately, they do. Follow along as I talk you through how to still get the most of your marks during these situations.
Don’t just memorize your dressage pattern, really learn where transitions especially are supposed to happen. If your horse breaks, say before the letter C, you have to try to recover — you can’t just pretend that it didn’t happen! If you are getting a 4 already for the break and try to recover, you might salvage a little bit of your score. If you don’t do it at all, you could get a 1 or a 0, or the controversial 0.5, for never showing the transition at the letter C. Until next time, kick on! 🩵 #tuneuptips #salvageyourscore #dressagejudge
Get the inside scoop on my go-to bit for all our horses, especially at this point in the year, with a special shoutout to the ever-versatile bubble bit 🐴✨ Watch to learn why it’s my favorite choice for a softer, more responsive ride!
Cover 📸 @cealy_tetley
Two things I get asked a lot are…
‘Does it matter about your saddle?’ It is absolutely fine to be in your jump saddle, especially on a young baby that might jump around a bit! 😅
Anything that you can do in your dressage saddle, you should be able to do in your jump saddle, and it’s not going to affect your marks 📈
Another question that comes up a bit is, ‘Does the horse need braids?’ At the lower level, it does not matter! Bad braids can make a horse’s neck look bad; however, what is not acceptable would be to come in to the arena with a messy mane. It makes the whole picture look untidy, your judge can’t really see the muscling and the outline, and it makes them think that you weren’t very prepared! Until next time, kick on 🩵 #tuneuptips
Twogerron is the gentle giant you’ve been waiting for 🚀 This 17.2h TB is a seasoned, competitive 3* horse that goes in a snaffle, and is ready to be your amateur’s next Training level packer. Could take you from BN to Modified in a season with ease. Does require some maintenance, but is a great mover with tons of heart and scope. Sad to see him leave, but his current owner is off to college. $35k — someone will be lucky to have this guy in their barn!
Visit Blue Clover Eventing 
