2012 Dressage Awards

I can't really say that Speedy and I are new to dressage any more, we've ridden through three show seasons, but we are still a low level team. Even so, I am proud of what we accomplished this year. It might not seem all that grand to the majority of dressage riders, but we'll take it.

Here is what Speedy G and I accomplished for the 2012 Show Season:

1. We earned first place at Introductory Level at the California Dressage Society's Central Regional Adult Amateur Competition with a score of 67% as judged by Hilda Gurney. Admittedly we were the only rider in the class, but the score speaks volumes. We also placed 10th at the same show at Training Level, Test 3 with a score of 57.2% (last place). Not my proudest moment, but in retrospect, even qualifying at that level felt like an accomplishment.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

2. We earned the Tehachapi Mountain Chapter (of the California Dressage Society) Adult Amateur High Point Average award for having the highest average score from at least three of their shows. Our three score average at Training Level was 61.19%. We were awarded a cash prize of $100 as well as a certificate.

Adult Amateur High Point Average Award

3. And finally, we earned the California Dressage Society's Rosette Award (along with about 1,600 other people). Plates are awarded to CDS members who achieve scores of 60% or better at Introductory Level C or above at any CDS Recognized show (5 scores or more). This year, Speedy and I earned 4 scores over 60% at Introductory C, and 7 scores at Training Level for a total of 11 scores over 60%. The plates (small brass plates that get nailed to a wooden plaque) will be mailed in February.

I noticed that CDS also awards the Henry Burchard Memorial Trophy to the owner/rider on a single horse who applies and receives the highest number of scores of 60% or better during the competition year. Fiona Cameron won the award on Laurio with 15 scores. We weren't too far away from that!

I've highlighted my name so that you can spot it out of the more than 1,000 others that are listed!

We're on the 7th page of 8 - that's a lot of winners!

These awards are all small potatoes, I know. It's not like we won a USDF medal, but every bit of validation is appreciated. I wanted to share these little Yukon Golds with you to prove that you have to start somewhere. Just three or four years ago I was an avid endurance rider who had never had a formal lesson in her life. I could blast through a 100 mile ride (in 20 hours), but I didn't know anything about posting on the correct diagonal and had no idea how to get a correct canter lead.

And here I am with three show seasons under Speedy's girth and we're already earning some atta girls here and there. If you're still on the fence about showing, get off and jump on in. Seriously, if I can do it, anyone can!