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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

And a Whole Lot Better

5/26/2015

 
Like I said yesterday, cake must improve your dressage scores. Really. I give you permission to eat cake any time you need to boost your score. That piece of cake helped raise my score by eight percent - that's a lot! That's right. I raised my test 1 (First Level) score of 55% to a whopping 63.438% for test 2.
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Don't be fooled. Blue is easy to get when you're the only rider in the class!
I am not exactly sure how it happened, but I think I decided to actually ride my horse for this test. You know, by preparing for the movements and actually trying to set Speedy up for success. That kind of thing. Who knew?

Lois, the show secretary, a local trainer, and my reader for the day, gave me an excellent tip. She suggested that I view the 15-meter canter circles as my friends and use them to collect Speedy so that he was really on the aids for the canter lengthening. Sigh. That's what having a dressage dressage can do for you - point out the obvious.

I used the time before the bell rang to work Speedy outside the ring by doing a relaxed and thoughtful working trot. I didn't ask for big or brilliant. I just asked for relaxed and submissive. Thankfully, he was on board with my plan, and we sailed through First Level's second test as though we've been doing it all season.  
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Check out movement five's comment - that was totally aimed at Speedy! So funny!!!!!!
Our trot lengthenings really need work, but I already knew that. Our leg yields are better than I thought; check out that seven!  And our ten-meter half circles were really solid, but I already knew those were a strength and an easy way to earn points. Speedy's compact little body makes that movement without any effort.
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All of the judge's comments were very helpful.
Like Lois suggested, I made those 15-meter canter circles my BFF. And it paid off. We got a 6.5 for the first one with an acceptable 6 for the canter lengthening right after. And for the second 15-meter canter circle, we rocked another 6.5 with the comment, "some uphill moments." And as Lois suggested, that balanced circle set Speedy up nicely for the right lead canter lengthening (6.5), our more difficult side. 

And not like it was by design or anything, but I helped Speedy maximize my scores by improving those movements that had a double coefficient. We earned a 6.5 for the free walk (13 points), a 6 for the left lead canter lengthening (12 points), a 6.5 for the right lead canter lengthening (13 points), and another 13 points for our stretchy trot (last year's needs to improve movement.
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The judge had much better comments for this test!
This wasn't a brilliantly ridden test, but the judge was tough and these scores are pretty solid. I am more than happy to see those sixes and sevens our first time showing First Level at a rated show. In fact, I'd be happy to see this score after riding First Level all year. Once we get a more acceptable trot lengthening under our belt, First Level is going to feel easy.

Yeah ... probably not, but you have to shoot for something!  
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We ended on a good note - Speedy spooking at the ribbons hanging on his halter and then bolting in terror as he flung them to the ground.
Mia link
5/25/2015 11:11:38 pm

Can you translate the judges comment on the collective marks section? Something about glimpse of his potential, but I couldn't read the rest of it.

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/26/2015 12:19:02 am

"Canter looks better this test. Some nice glimpses of his potential. Sometimes head wags." That last one is all me. :0)

Sarah Kinninger link
5/26/2015 12:50:37 am

Well done!!! What a great test for you two - way to ride it!

Kelly link
5/26/2015 12:56:20 am

Super job Karen!

Lauren link
5/26/2015 01:18:48 am

I like this cake advice. Great job!

Tracy
5/26/2015 01:51:53 am

Way to make improvements between tests!! That's really impressive, Karen. Congrats!

emma link
5/26/2015 03:31:33 am

nice work!! it's kinda amazing when one seemingly obvious little nugget of information can suddenly transform the whole ride. i experienced the same thing this weekend when a coach pointed out that i could improve inside bend by moving the shoulders out. sounds like 'duh' but it made a big difference!

jenj
5/26/2015 03:57:27 am

Wow, excellent work! Even if the ribbons are terrifying, lol!

Marissa Q. link
5/26/2015 07:45:31 am

Just found your blog - I am working on First Level too! Glad to have found you!

Carly
5/26/2015 08:32:39 am

I'll definitely be trying the cake trick at my next dressage show! Speedy looks downright gorgeous posing with his ribbons, even if he is about to spook! :P

Hannah
5/27/2015 08:16:18 am

Good work and congrats and I think the cake plan is the best dressage-related idea I've ever heard.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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 showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home