Not-So-Speedy Dressage

Qualifying

8/21/2018

I live in USDF Region 7 whose states include California, Nevada, and Hawaii. Nevada doesn't have a Group Member Organization, Hawaii has three, and California has two - the California Dressage Society (CDS) and the Dressage Association of Southern California (DASC). To give you some idea of how big CDS is, I added up the membership from the three Hawaiian chapters and DASC. Together they total 156 members. In contrast, CDS has 3,196 recorded members.

Region 7's Group Member Organizations

The USDF Region 7 Championship is always held in conjunction with the CDS Championship. Every other year the location of the championship changes; one year it's held in Northern California and in the alternating year it's held in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. Speedy and I competed in the CDS Horse of the Year (HOY) Championship classes in 2014.

For adult amateurs to qualify for CDS HOY at Second Level, the horse and rider team needs 5 scores of 61% or better (any test) from 4 different judges. Each year, whether I intend to go or not, I make it my goal to qualify.

Qualifying in 2018

As of July 31, only 20 riders have qualified for the CDS Championship show at Second Level. I am really proud to have made that list in our first year at Second Level. Additionally, our win at RAAC gives us a "bye" - an automatic qualification for the Championship show.

Go, Speedy G!

Besides being thrilled to have qualified, I was equally excited to see that most of the Bakersfield dressage riders also qualified! We're a pretty small group of ladies, so to see Bakersfield so well represented is something worth cheering for. In total, six Bakersfield riders, including one junior, qualified for the CDS Championships.

The championship show is pretty expensive, and I already spent a lot going to RAAC, so I don't think the championship show is in the cards for us this year. I am happy enough just to have qualified - twice!

0 Comments

2018 RAAC - Sunday, Second Level Test 3

8/20/2018

12 Comments

Sorry to make you wait so long, but boy was last week a busy one. I didn't even watch the video of Sunday's ride until this weekend. And once I finally watched it, I was really happy; there wasn't a bad moment. Even when I grabbed screenshots, I mostly just hit pause without having to go frame by frame to catch that one, single, nice moment. Nearly all of the moments were good - relatively speaking.

Both halts earned an 8.

I should also mention that this test was judged by Hilda Gurney. I've always found her to be a fair judge who calls 'em as she sees 'em. I am not sure if she was in a good mood, or if we were that good, but I'll take Sunday's score without a bit of complaint.

This has been a year for pilot error though. Again, I messed up at the walk. The walk, people. How can you get lost while walking?!?!? I have asked that question multiple times this year. WTH?

Second Medium Trot - 6.0 "Needs more reach from shoulder." Even so, he is really getting fancy.

I know what happened, and it's because of a good thing, but sheesh. I have been schooling the walk like crazy. I've been busting Speedy's butt over having more activity at both the medium walk and free walk. On top of that, we've been working hard on our trot to halt. As we approached C for a rein back, I half halted and SAT. We did the rein back, and I knew it was good. We got an 8 which made three in one test!

Medium canter - 6.0 "Slightly braced."

All I could think about was keeping that activity as we went forward. Instead of turning left at H for the turns on the haunches, I went straight to do our free walk. I was all excited about getting a good free walk when I heard the whistle blow. Dammit.

Serpentine - 6.0 "Rushing needs more collection."

The result of that pilot error crept into the next movement though. I hurried to get back on course and then completely blew the first turn on the haunches. We scored a 4.0. It was totally my fault. We earned a 7.0 for the next one, and from there, we were back on track without any further errors.

Second serpentine - 6.5 "Needs engagement."

On the video, you can hear Hilda telling me I forgot the turn on the haunches. I tell her I am sorry, and she quips, "That's okay, I'll just take off two points." I then laugh and move on. When I first heard the bell, I felt such a sense of defeat. I knew I didn't stand a chance of earning at least second place, and even getting a 60% was not looking good. The levity of the moment cleared my feeling of defeat though, and I rode on.

I was pretty sure I had blown any shot at first or second, the two placings that earn a fleece cooler or a halter. I really didn't care about that though as first and second had to stay for the Honor Round which was scheduled for 3:05. Riding in the Honor Round means being properly attired in show clothes and show tack.

I have no idea where we are in the test, but he looks good!

I really just wanted to get home. I was worried about my score though because that ride was my last chance of the year to earn my fourth score for my Second Level Rider Performance Award. I had plenty of Second Level scores, but they needed to be from four different judges. So instead of worrying about winning the class, I was crossing my fingers for a 60%.

Jen earning second at Prix St Georges.

Earlier in the morning, Chemaine Hurtado's other student earned reserve champion at Prix St. Georges. We were super excited that Symphony Dressage was being represented so well. As we waited for my score though, things got kind of quiet while I silently prayed for a 60%.

When Chemaine couldn't stand it another moment, she snuck off to the show office to check on my score. I peeked down the barn aisle to see what kind of expression she was wearing as she walked my way. When she grinned excitedly, I knew I had earned my 60%, but then I saw a blue neck ribbon and a fleece cooler in her arms. How Speedy and I pulled off that little miracle, I'll never know.

Chemaine is an amazing trainer. Having both horse and rider teams in neck ribbons speaks to the quality of her training. Speedy didn't seem to care how awesome he is.

Even with the two point deduction and the blown turn on the haunches, we scored a 64.286% which was good enough for 1st place. It was a very competitive class with only nine points separating 1st from 4th. I am not sure how it's possible, but Speedy and I have now won RAAC at Introductory Level, Training Level, and Second Level with a reserve at Fist Level.

Once USDF has the score recorded, I'll apply for my Second Level Rider Performance Award. In the meantime, we have our last show of the year this Sunday in Tehachapi. It's been a busy show season!

Here's the test.

12 Comments

Back to Work

8/17/2018

0 Comments

I had hoped to tell you about our Sunday ride today. Spoiler alert - it was a good one, but I went back to work on Monday, and I just haven't had time to dig through the media and get it all down on paper. I'll finish the show recap on Monday.

The problem with having horses and showing is that you have to pay for horses and showing. In order to do that, you have to go to work. I'll admit that I have a pretty great job for someone who likes to ride every day and show all summer. I get off at 2:50 which leaves me plenty of daylight in the winter months for riding, and I get all summer off. It's pretty good gig.

The downside is that the work is never actually done, especially this time of year. In order to leave at 2:50, I get there before 6:30 in the morning. And while I can leave at 2:50, I haven't been able to do that this week. There has simply been too much to do.

So, I've got nothing super exciting for you today unless you dig socks as much as I do. A few weeks ago, Dover sent me an email about some sale or other. I am not a huge Dover fan, but every once in a while they get me.

My absolute favorite socks.

A number of years ago, I got a credit card connected with Dover so that I get $4.95 shipping and gift certificates with so many dollars spent. I had a $10 gift certificate laying around that I felt obligated to use, so when I saw the sale, it seemed a good time to redeem it.

Dover had Over the Calf Peddies on sale for $2.99 each. I about died. They typically run right around 10 bucks a pair. I got three pairs for $9.00 instead of $30.00. I through in a tube of dewormer, also $2.99, and then paid $4.95 in shipping. The charge to my credit card was $16 and change.

So there you have it. Cheap socks. Everything a girl could want. Have a great weekend!

0 Comments

2018 RAAC - Saturday, Test 3

8/16/2018

4 Comments

My second test of the day, Second Level Test 3, was about forty minutes after the first. We walked Speedy back to his stall for a quick break and a drink of water.

My goals for this test were two-fold: no score lower than a 6.0 - fail, and improve the score over a few weeks ago when I rode for the same judge - met my goal but only just barely.

Our one and only sub 6.0 score came at our very first centerline - 5.5 with the comment, not truly immobile drift right of E. From the video I can't tell if he drifted, but I believe it. That's something I've been struggling with as I sit the trot. I am sure I am sitting too hard on one seat bone or the other. And you can definitely tell he wasn't truly halted. He was all over the place in that first halt.

Oh my gosh, can't help it. Isn't this lovely?!?!

That first blip aside, the test rode pretty much at a satisfactory level. The whole test is a sea of 6.0s with some 6.5s thrown in for good measure. The comments were more corrective than glowing, but there was this gem, good correction when too much neck for our shoulder-in right. She gave me a 6.5. I love hearing that we're doing something right.

Still sassy in those transitions.

Unfortunately, and you can definitely see it in the video, I let Speedy get behind the vertical in the canter work. The comments say it all keep poll highest point (twice) and way behind the vertical. Not just behind, but way behind. Ouch. The judge's further remarks were both kind and dead on, Both of you are really trying. Try to increase the flow of the test harmony without horse getting behind the vertical.

I love how focused Speedy looks.

Our final score was a 61.585% for fifth out of five. I wasn't disappointed though. My score was over 60%, and we only had that single 5.5. Other than that, we just need to inch those 6.0s to 6.5s and the 6.5s to 7.0s.

Here's the test.

Sunday's results tomorrow if I have the time.

4 Comments

2018 RAAC - Saturday, Test 1

8/15/2018

2 Comments

For so long, I went to shows by myself, spending a lot of time watching others ride and feeling a bit like an outsider. Even so, I made it a point to chat with my barn neighbors, making some good friends along the way, and slowly I started to feel like I was part of the crowd. Now, nine show seasons later, I am going to shows with my trainer and her other students as well as meeting up with old friends. It's definitely a lot more fun than cranking it out alone.

Morgan, Jen, me, and Chemaine all under the Symphony Dressage Banner.

Being a part of Symphony Dressage Stables means having a great team supporting me no matter how I do. It means getting my boots polished, my rides videoed, and doing the same for a friend. It also means staying up late laughing about being Naked and Afraid with a strange man while wondering if its okay to spoon with said stranger if you're married. We never came to a consensus.

This year's Central Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) was held at Twin Rivers Ranch, an eventing venue. For the eventers out there, you'll know the facility well. It was the first time many of us had ever shown there. As a side note, there is also a Northern and Southern RAAC as well. California is pretty big.

Horsing around during our "course walk."

I got to TRR on Friday at lunch time and got our tack stall set up. Jen pulled in a few hours later. Since it was so hot, Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, arrived in the early evening to coach us in the massive covered arena. I meant to get pictures, but I got busy.

Both horses warmed up really well, and I had some good aha moments while riding. My Second Level feel is really starting to develop. I am not sure we're completely confirmed at Second Level, our simple change is still a bit weak, but we're definitely getting there.

Hot and sleepy boys. Paolo on the left, Speedy on the right.

After our Friday night lesson, Jen, Morgan, and Chemaine all headed out for dinner while I gratefully walked to the house we rented (yep, a rented house right on the show grounds. How awesome is that?!). After a cold shower and a quick bite to eat, I snuggled into bed and read for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep. It had been a long day and we had two more to go.

Our house for the weekend.

Everyone was up early on Saturday morning as Jen's Prix St Georges ride was scheduled first thing. With only one ride for the day, Jen spent the rest of the day hanging out and graciously videoing my rides.

Our transitions are still a bit sassy!

My first ride of the day, Second Level Test 1, was at 10:06 which left me plenty of time for braiding and tacking up. Like every show this season, my goal has been to score nothing lower than a 6.0. We met our goal for this test while also scoring a pair of 7.0s for good measure. Our final score for the test was a respectable 62.727% - not breaking records, but it was a solid effort.

Serpentine with simple changes at center line.

Since last riding for this judge, I worked really hard on getting Speedy more active. While we didn't hit a grand slam, the judge did notice. Our medium walk earned the comment, fairly active needs over stride. Our counter canter from E to H earned the comment, fairly active. She still felt we needed to cover more ground and show over stride/thrust, but all in all, she noted the improvement where she saw it.

His medium trot is improving every time!

As we near the end of this show season, I am more than happy with the progress we've both made. My sitting trot is passable, and Speedy's medium gaits are getting better. We've also nearly eliminated the curling, although we still have our moments.

Here's the video from Second level Test 1.

Second Level Test 3 tomorrow ...

2 Comments

"Watch" What You're Doing!

8/14/2018

4 Comments

Show news is coming, I promise, but I need time to write it up. In the meantime ...

I don't wear a watch during the day because I am really hard on them. I break the face or the band, and batteries wear out almost as soon as I put one on. I do wear a watch at the barn though. The last barn watch my husband bought me is probably close to ten years old. I can't even remember when he gave it to me. I loved that watch.

Keeper from an old spur strap.

Blue Watch was a lot like Blue Truck - they're both reliable and hard working. Well, at least Blue Truck is. Blue Watch started out by losing its band keeper. I solved that annoyance by substituting a keeper from a pair of rubber spur straps. That actually worked for several months.

Well, I loved it until I had to duct tape the band together.

Not long after, I realized that the hole that I wear Blue Watch on was sliced nearly through. The band was holding on, but I knew that its days were limited. The very next time I wore it, the band tore completely in half. Not one to give up, I duct taped it together, but duct tape doesn't hold too well when it's 5 billion degrees.

I said a little prayer over Blue Watch's pieces and promptly ordered the exact same watch, but this time in white.

Hello, White Watch!

Almost immediately, a friend started teasing me, asking why I didn't just buy Blue Watch a new band. I rolled my eyes. The watch was under $40. It wasn't worth spending money on a band. But then I started wearing White Watch during the day while I wasn't at the barn, and I decided that I really liked White Watch and didn't want to get it dirty.

I ordered a new band for Blue Watch.

It was like seeing the Wizard - Blue Watch got new pieces.

The band was only $12 plus a wee bit for shipping. I googled "How to Change a Watch Band," got a mini screw driver, and prepared myself for a DIY project. Whomp, whomp. My husband and I both gave it a good college try, but neither of us was able to attach the new band.

Having forked out the 12 bucks and a bit more for shipping, I wasn't about to quit on Blue Watch. I tossed all of the pieces into a Ziploc baggie and found a jewelry store. The guy there gave it a try and shrugged his shoulders. Nope.

One of the ladies at the jewelry store pulled me aside as I was leaving and suggested I check out a local watch repair store at the mall (that I hadn't been to in more than 10 years). Guess what? That guy was a band attaching genius!

And yes, it's driving me batty that they aren't synchronized.

I can't tell you how good it was to have Blue Watch back. I love that watch. Its chronograph is easy to use while I am riding, and I actually know how to set the time and date. So, from watch pieces to two watches, I am liking wearing a watch during the day. Since I am pretty hard on watches, I don't know how long White Watch will last.

The bigger question is how much longer do you think Blue Watch's battery can last?!

4 Comments

Trailering in the Heat

8/13/2018

7 Comments

A few weeks back I wrote about my little electrical problem with my horse trailer; my lights quit working. I ended up plugging my trailer into a second receptacle that got me there and back even if it did look a bit ghetto.

Short term solution, but it worked.

Draping my trailer plug over my tailgate was not a long term solution, so I hauled my truck and trailer down to Pensingers, a local store that services RVs. Since these guys work by the hour, I decided to get my full hour(s)' worth by throwing in a second job.

From Cool Horse in Amarillo, Texas

I have to say that it never occurred to me to install fans in my trailer even though I live in one of the hottest places in the country. I actually saw fans like these on another blogger's page, but I can't remember who it was. If you recently traveled to Montana or Wyoming to visit a friend on a ranch, please speak up as this was your idea.

$34.90 a fan.

My trainer is married to an electrician, so I asked him about installing some fans in my horse trailer. He did some Google searching and landed on these fans from Coolhorse. They were only $34.90 each with $8.00 shipping.

The guys at Pensingers were more than happy to install the fans that I brought. I walked Fernando through my trailer and explained where I wanted them. Since I already have interior lights above the sliding windows, the wiring was already there which made the job pretty easy - says the person whose only job was to swipe her credit card.

New fans.

My interior lights turn on with an outside switch, so we put the fans on the same switch. The lights also have an on/off button which you can see at the top of the light box. Since I rarely need those lights, I simply turned each one off, so that when I turn on the fans using the outside switch, the lights won't come on, but the fans will.

At least some air is moving.

Even with my drop down windows open, the roof vents open, and the tail windows open, it gets hot in my trailer, especially when we're stuck in traffic or waiting for a light. Since they're only twelve volt fans, they only create a small amount of circulation, but it's enough to be felt.

I figure any extra air I can get moving in there is better than none. Speedy alone can heat up that area pretty quickly. It's doubly sticky when both boys are in there.

The fans are fairly quiet, but you know horses. Speedy loads with no prompting from me, but he'll always notice that something is new.
I contemplated how to introduce him to the fans. I wasn't sure whether to load him with the fans running or turn the fans on after he was already in there. Surprise!

Speedy's fan.

The day before we left for RAAC, I decided I had better do a practice run. I tied him to the trailer and then started up my truck. With the engine going, I hit the switch for the fans. It was actually hard to hear them. I walked Speedy to the door and asked him to load like always. He didn't even look at the fans until he was inside. He put his nose up to the far one and had a peek out the window. And that was it. I love it when things turn out to be non-issues.

Pensingers made quick work of my plug issue as well. As I suspected, there was simply a bad connection which the service department repaired. My final bill ended up being $142.50 for labor (plus $77.98 for the fans). It was a bit of a bill, but now I know the plug is working, and the fans were installed correctly. Had we tried to do it ourselves, we would have probably short circuited everything and then had an even larger bill.

Back in business.

Money well spent, I think.

RAAC news coming in a few days ... I go back to work today, so it's going to take me a few days to write up how the show went.

7 Comments

Needs More Energy

8/10/2018

2 Comments

Almost every movement from our last show included some form of the comment needs more energy. Sometimes the comment read needs more over-stride. There was also slightly lazy, needs quicker walk, and needs more ground cover. Basically, Speedy needs to get his speed on.

Since the judge from our last show will be one of the two judges at this weekend's Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC), I thought I'd better see what I can do to get Speedy to pick 'em up and set 'em down, even if it's just at the walk.

That walk definintely needs more energy.

As it so happens, I caught an article in the August edition of Dressage Today by Lehua Custer entitled, "Prepare for Third Level with Precision." Boy, did that article catch my eye!

Shamelessly stolen from Lehua's Facebook page.

If you get the magazine, take a look at the article. It literally hit on everything that I am currently working on. In the second paragraph, Lehua states, "Moving from Second to Third Level is a huge step in the big picture of your horse becoming an upper-level competitor." Thank you, Lehua, for recognizing how challenging Second Level truly is.

She goes on to say, "How do I do all that? By practicing correct repetitions and by tackling each movement individually, breaking it down into little chunks that are more manageable to deal with." That's exactly how I've been addressing the movements at Second Level, so I am glad that I am on the right track. She then goes on to offer tips for the turn on the haunches and the flying change (the horse first needs a good simple change through walk).

From our show in April - go, Speedy, go!

Lehua offered another suggestion that I've been using this week to great success. It's nothing new or mind blowing, but it's something that has helped give Speedy some added hustle to his walk. The tip is designed to improve precision by getting the horse more in front of your leg. Well, duh, we all know that. I know, but sometimes we hear things at just the right time.

Lehua breaks down the steps to encourage the horse to listen for a whisper aid as opposed to a shout. Here is her list of aids:

1. Press with calf. If no response,
2. Then use the spur. If no response,
3. Then use a little pop with the leg. If no response,
4. Then a tap with the whip.

From the May show. He's just so cute!

Having just two weeks between shows isn't really enough time to fix anything big, so I decided to apply Lehua's tip to our medium and free walk. Speedy wants to lose the rhythm in the medium walk, and he thinks that the free walk is for catching his breath and taking it easy, my fault of course.

I've never asked for more energy in the free walk (at a show) because if I do, he'll break into a trot. I don't know why it never occurred to me to deal with this problem before now.

I took a page from Chemaine Hurtado's book for "ramping him up" for the medium trot. As I prepare for the medium trot, I half halt and add leg, in effect, getting his hind end prepared to motor. I figured I could do the same thing from the medium walk to the free walk.

And then a June show ...

At first, Speedy was convinced that when I let the reins slide through my fingers for the free walk, what I really meant was now trot with zero connection or balance. I fixed that ASAP. Once he remembered that we were walking, I applied Lehua's tip for teaching him to listen for a whispered aid.

As soon as I felt his energy go splat, I pressed with my calf. When that got no response - why would it as I've accepted a pokey walk until now? - I popped him with my leg (I don't wear a spur anymore). When he still refused to get a more energetic walk, I tapped him with the whip. Well hello there, smarter and quicker walk. Nice of you to join us!

Another June show ...

All of a sudden, Speedy has a much nicer free walk! This has now become the first part of our warm up. On the short sides, I ride a medium walk, but as we turn the corner, I start "ramping him up" for the free walk. We build some energy, and as soon as I let those reins slide through my fingers, he's hustling across the diagonal. As we approach the other short side, I gather him up into a medium walk while telling him to maintain the activity. We then repeat the whole thing on the next diagonal.

The good thing about this exercise is he knows the whip is coming if he doesn't respond to my leg banging into his side. I've even been careful about insisting on an energetic walk while we're "resting" between more difficult movements. I want him to be thinking that a free walk is not the time to take a break. A test only lasts for six minutes. He can rest when we're done.

From a July show ...

For Saturday's show, we're riding Second Level Tests 1 and 3. On Sunday, we ride only Test 3 for the RAAC class. Fingers crossed that we can improve our score for the free walk. For both Test 1 and 3, the free walk has a double coefficient. What an easy way to rack up a couple more points.

Better get your hustle on, Speedy G!

2 Comments

Nearly Naked

8/9/2018

0 Comments

Thanks to living in one of the hottest places on Earth, my boys have lost nearly all their hair. There is just enough to cover the skin, barely - it's almost like a full body comb over.

Skin peaking through.

As the show season winds down, I am desperately trying to keep Speedy's hair on his body. Each time I groom him, I pull a few more hairs to the ground. I've started noticing that all of his many scars are showing themselves.

Old scrape on his thigh.

Some of them I remember, but most illicit the where'd you get THAT one?!?! response. I am trying to keep him show presentable, but it's getting harder by the day. Izzy is no better. Not only is he also dropping hair like a tree loses leaves in Autumn, but his coat has faded to a color that I no longer recognize.

Black skin showing through. I think he simply rubbed that hair off.

I like to use a rubber jelly scrubber to lift off the dirt and gunk, but there's not enough hair on either boy for the scrubber to scrub. I hardly even need to use a brush - their hair is that thin.

He looks as though he ran through barbed wire!

It's not like I am looking forward to winter, but I'll be happy when their winter coats start growing in. At least they won't look like I am beating them with sharp objects.

0 Comments

Dingy to Dazzling

8/8/2018

3 Comments

Speedy is officially grey with black skin. "White" Arabians are quite rare and are the result of an abnormal action of the grey factor. Those horses are born with their adult coloration. Speedy is also lightly fleabitten - he sports small red flecks throughout his coat, and he has a bloody thumbprint on his neck. To see all of his many coat changes, read this post.

A month or so ago, a judge commented that Speedy looked dingy in a white pad. I laughed at the comment, but I also started to hunt for an eye-catching pad that would fit him. With his smaller stature, correctly fitting dressage pads are hard to find.

I should frame this photo as it makes me laugh every time I see it.

Enter The Dressage Pony Store. My pal Valerie is the owner of this much needed online and mobile store that caters to the smaller equine athlete. When I saw her pony, Clooney, wearing a well fitted dressage pad, I had to have one of my own. I ordered the B Vertigo Lexington Dressage Pad.

Boutique style packaging.

When the package arrived (super quick because she's only two hours away), I was pleasantly surprised to find the pad neatly wrapped in fancy tissue paper with a cute little sticker. Most of the time we get packages padded with newspaper or plain brown paper. I thought the tissue paper was a classy touch.

The sticker is already proudly affixed to my horse trailer.

I don't know if every customer gets the works or if I got some love because we're friends, but Valerie also included a Pony Store sticker and a brightly colored hoof pick. When you place your order, tell her I sent you, and you might get some love too.

I never turn down freebies!

While swag is always appreciated, the pad is the real story here. I will admit that at $59.98, this pad is way more expensive than what I normally get. The Union Hill pads, my go to favorites, sell for $17.95 less a 15% discount. While those are great for the budget-minded, they're not at all fancy. The B Vertigo pad is the real deal fancy.

Gorgeous in person.

This pad has so many bells and whistles that I don't know where to start. First of all, it's very sturdy without feeling overly heavy. It's definitely not going to flap around.

Padded withers.

Besides being nicely contoured - I won't even consider a pad that's not, it has cushy padding at the withers. Even though I tuck my pad up into the saddle's pommel, I like this feature and am sure that the horses appreciate it.

Super fancy embroidery.

Even though no one except me will ever see it, I love the fancy embroidery at the girth straps. Little touches like that make the pad feel extra special.

Sparkly corded trim.

I know you can't tell from the photo, but the outermost trim is navy which will pair well with my navy coat. The triple corded trim is absolutely stunning. It flashes and sparkles in the sun way more than I was expecting. The whole thing is going to look amazing with my new helmet. There is one small problem however ...

No problems with the fit.

I definitely need to do something about my half pad. It's my every day half pad, so it gets dusty and dirty. I think I may have to break down and buy another one just for shows. For now, I'll just clean it up a bit for this weekend's CDS Regional Adult Amateur Competition.

If you have a smaller dressage horse, check out Valerie's online store. She's got some great items for smaller horses and ponies.

3 Comments

<<Previous

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
Welcome to my dressage journey.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

May 2018

About Izzy

Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Stuff I'm Working On ...

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%

CDS Championship Qualifying
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%
Score 4: 61.970%
Score 5: 62.973%

CDS Ruby Rider Award
Training Level Scores:
Score 1: 70.179%
Score 2: 72.600%

First Level Scores:
Score 1: 66.093%
Score 2: 68.750%

Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 62.879%

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
Score 1 - 62.879%
Score 2 - 61.970%
Score 3 - 64.242%
Score 4 - 64.268%

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level -
Third Level -

2018 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USE
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2018 Pending …
8/26/18 Tehachapi (*)

2018 Completed …
1/14/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/10/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/24/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
3/17/18 Hurtado Clinic (t)
3/18/18 GEAHS (*)
3/31/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
4/14-15/18 El Sueno (***)
5/27/18 Tehachapi (*)
6/16-17/18 El Sueno (***)
6/24/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/28-29/18 El Sueno (***)
8/11-12/18 RAAC (Q ***)

Qualifying

2018 RAAC - Sunday, Second Level Test 3

Back to Work

2018 RAAC - Saturday, Test 3

2018 RAAC - Saturday, Test 1

"Watch" What You're Doing!

Trailering in the Heat

Needs More Energy

Nearly Naked

Dingy to Dazzling

About the
Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

By Topic

Archives

About the Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

By Topic

Archives

About the
Writer & Rider