Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
No, no, no. The big, brown OTTB didn't go jump any fences, and neither did my rock star pony. It was just me supporting JL's students at a local schooling show. As many times as I've gone to watch, these shows still confuse the heck out of me. And no matter how many times I ask what's going on, I never can figure out the order of go, this show was no exception. This show was at PDM, a local riding stable. There were two rings. One was for the jumpers and the flat classes while the other seemed to be for the hunters. JL had quite a few students showing on Sunday, at least eight. She has more students, but I didn't really get a chance to ask where everyone else was. Even though I couldn't tell the difference between the eq classes and the classes where the horses were judged, I still enjoyed watching and supporting the riders. It was a very friendly show with a casual attitude. Dressage or jumping, it's all the same. There were boot polishers, trainers shouting out directions, and nervous riders. Sometimes, it's a lot more fun to just be a spectator without the pressure of watching the clock!
9/10/2014 12:26:40 am
"I never can figure out the order of go" There isn't an order of go, that's why! LOL 9/10/2014 11:28:23 am
With the open cards and ticketed rides, I can't figure out what is going. Even with friends trying to explain it, I was still a bit confused as to who was riding what class! :0)
jenj
9/10/2014 12:45:46 am
H/J shows do take a bit to get used to, and it REALLY helps to go with someone who can explain. I always imagine it would be super confusing for someone to go to a dressage show and watch us all do circles ad nauseum, unless someone was explaining what it was all about! 9/10/2014 11:30:27 am
There were riders helping to explain, but what it comes down to is each rider can show over and over because they might be in a junior class followed by a short stirrup class followed by an under saddle class, etc. I just kept watching the same riders go over and over! 9/10/2014 11:33:15 am
I like being a spectator because I get to enjoy the show from a different perspective. I love being a gopher, boot polisher, or cheerleader. When my own horse is involved, I can't be as "present" as I can be when I am just watching. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong 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. About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
About IzzyIzzy 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 showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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