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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

And One More Thing

5/29/2014

 
The problem with blogging about shows is that I can go on and on. A show gives me so much to think about: what did I do well? At what do I need to improve? How do I stack up against other riders? And so on. I promise this will be the last thing about this particular show.

Last year, my mom, who would love to be a there every week kind of show mom, helped me look at my scores from a new perspective. I tend to look at the raw score: below 60% and I feel like I've failed, low 60% and I am at least not a total idiot, mid-60% and above and I feel somewhat competent; 70% and the judge must be blind. Just kidding, but it is hard for me to accept really good scores.

My mom suggested I look at the scores in relation to what everyone else scored. Are my scores in the top half of the field or the bottom half of the field? While this may not be the best way to look at scores, it does help me compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Are my scores comparable to the scores of the riders against whom I am competing?

So with that in mind, here's a more analytical (and less visceral) view of how we did:

Of the 25 dressage scores posted (I am not counting the western dressage scores), only three were higher than my 68.393%.
  • 76.600% - Open Rider (won the Open High Point Award)
  • 72.143% - Same Open Rider
  • 68.514% - Adult Amateur (won the AA High Point Award - good job, Amy!)

This would suggest that on this particular day, we were one of the better teams out there.

The scores fell in this range:
  • 1 score in the 40% range
  • 11 scores in the 50% range
  • 11 scores in the 60% range
  • 2 scores in the 70% range

This is an interesting break down. Do most riders score in the 50 - 60% range? It feels like an accurate reflection of scores at shows. Even at USDF shows I feel like the bulk of the scores are in the 50 - 60% range. Those 70% scores always seem to stand out as outliers. And obviously, there aren't usually many scores in the 40% range.

California Dressage Society (CDS) rated shows are usually more competitive  than schooling shows. My GMO is HUGE, and the competition at CDS-rated shows can be pretty tough. They aren't at quite the caliber of a USDF/USEF show, but they are more competitive than simple schooling shows. This was a CDS only rated show.

Our second score, 62.200%, also holds up pretty well. There were 14 scores lower than mine, and only 10 scores higher. According to my mom's analysis, this would mean that we did okay, falling just above the middle of the pack.
Picture
An incomplete view of the results.
So how do you look at your scores? Do you prefer to look at the raw percentage, or are you more interested in how you did compared to how everyone else scored that day?
Mia link
5/29/2014 12:31:14 am

I look at scores similar to how you look at them (I think).
59 and below = Need to back up. Return to basics and spend more time solidifying those.
60 to 63 = Basics are mainly there, but now need to fine tune it and clean things up.
64 to 66 = Regular people can even see the basics are there. It's smooth and clean. Work more on cleaning it up. Start day dreaming about seriously competing at next level up.
67 to 70 = Nailed it! Even non-horsey parents can tell. Set into motion plans for showing next level up.
71+ = Rock star. Why am I still showing at this level?!?

I always look at how the judge scored the other riders in my class and for the show overall. If it's a hard judge, then a 65 might be the equivalent of a 70. An easy judge and a 65 is closer to a 60.

Also, I am no longer factoring in how riders do on Rider Tests, because every single one I've seen has been scored extremely high. Maybe it's different in other areas, but here... if you ride a Rider Test you're guaranteed at least a 69% and that's if you do a bad job of it.

Bakersfield Dressage link
5/29/2014 06:30:52 am

I love your analysis, Mia. That's pretty much how I see it, too.

I have seen only one person do a Rider Test, but I haven't shown since July so maybe there are more going on than I realize. I don't know if the Rider Tests are really catching on in my part of California. I've yet to show in one because Speedy is only good for two tests and then he gets grouchy. And since I am usually trying to qualify for something, I don't want to waste a qualifying effort on a rider test. I'd like to hear what more people think about the rider tests.


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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    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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    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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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
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    • 2019
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    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
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    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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