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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

But Blue is Always Better!

8/27/2014

 
Saturday's rides had been part of the SLO-CDS Fall Fling USDF show, but Sunday was the reason most of us were there. Ring one was (mostly) reserved for the Regional Adult Amateur Competition classes. The RAAC has two divisions: Novice is for those riders who have never shown at the CDS Championship, and the Elite division is for riders who have. I was riding in the Novice division, Training Level Test 3.
When I woke up on Sunday morning, the air crackled with tension. The horses were calling to each other, trailers rolled in purposefully, riders hurried from here to there. The atmosphere was definitely charged with electricity. Speedy was dancing in his stall before dawn and wanted out. Before the sun had even risen, I had taken him for a long walk around the show grounds and out into the nearby fields. I even turned him out in the lunging paddock to free lunge, but he just couldn't relax.
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This photo is actually from Saturday evening.
He might have been picking up on my mood. I wasn't tense or anxious in the traditional sense; there were no butterflies or shaky hands, but my mood was pretty somber. My excitement from Saturday's success had long since evaporated, and in it's place I felt dismay. There was simply no way that I could repeat Saturday's performance. I worried that I had simply gotten lucky and that today was my day to really tank. And besides, I spent the last two years finishing dead last in the RAAC class. What made me think that this go-round would be any different?

Yeah, yeah … I get it. Have more confidence. Grow a set. Man up, girl!

I gave myself a little pep talk, but my expectations, while ever hopeful, were still pretty low. I saddled Speedy G and walked over to the warm-up ring a little earlier than necessary. The instant Speedy's little prima donna hoof hit the dirt, he humped his back and gave some pretty threatening crow hops. I immediately turned around and left the warm-up. Nothing was going to be accomplished by fighting with him.

I know this dude really well. He wasn't ready to get to work. I dropped the reins and started circling the show grounds. Golden Hills Farm is a pretty big place; I heard more than 90 acres. I figured we could just do some exploring. Gradually, Speedy's back let go and his stride lengthened. He motored wherever I put his nose and seemed much happier to just march around.

With fifteen minutes to go before our RAAC class, I went back to the warm-up. His head shot up, his back hollowed, and he set himself against my hand. I sent him into a hand gallop and did several pretty hard halts to tell him that he needed to listen to my half halts. We galloped for most of my warm-up, tracking right and left, until I felt that he was starting to listen.

With five minutes to go, I walked over to the ring and dropped my reins. Within thirty seconds, Speedy let go of his breath, and I knew I had my horse back. I even patted his neck and welcomed him to the party. At that moment, I didn't care how we placed. I was just grateful to have my tried and true partner back, and at the very least, I knew we'd get one of our regular, mid 60% scores. That was fine by me.
I've watched the video (once), which I can't seem to rip from the DVD, so you'll just have to believe me when I say it looks like most every other video I've shared. There were definitely some mistakes, and it was still me riding. My left hand doesn't work at keeping the outside rein; I let it drift forward. We jigged at the start of the free walk and were early/late for a few transitions.
 
The one thing that I can see that the judge probably rewarded us for was how completely steady and pleasant Speedy rode. He looked like a horse that I would want to ride. He just motored right around with a very good-natured expression on his face. And, it was a harmonious ride. At our final halt and salute, I felt like it was a pretty solid test, but not a winning ride. Boy, was I wrong.

Before I share the score sheet and final score, I should point out that Judge Creeky Routson is an (S) judge, which means that she can judge all levels, even the FEI tests as long as she does it here in the USA. Her credentials are impeccable, so who I am to say that she doesn't know exactly what she's seeing. I am a bit afraid to add up the scores myself for fear that I'll find a huge error. So with that, here's what Creeky Routson (S) thought of our ride.
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Having trouble? It's a 72.600%, another personal best. And yes, that's a neck ribbon and a cooler.
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Not as big of a class as yesterday, but notice that my name is not last, finally!
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Did you notice that there is nothing lower than a 7.0?
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Have you counted the 8s?
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Seriously? Three 8s for the collective marks?
How do you frame a test like this without looking like a retard? Honestly. I didn't know we had it in us. I had to actually count each mark. We earned a total of six 8.0s, one 7.5, and twelve 7.0s. And not a single 5 or 6 to be seen. I am sitting here shaking my head in disbelief.

But like I said yesterday: I'm over it. The euphoria has vanished although in truth, it never really enveloped me as I was stunned at the score and never really owned it as mine. It was more of a freakish anomaly than anything else. In place of the pseudo-giddiness is the same old nagging feeling of self-doubt settling itself comfortably back in place.

There was one other test, and since it has a bit of a story, I'll share that tomorrow. I also have a long list of items that are food for thought, mostly for me, but you might find one or two of them worth chewing on. Or maybe, you'll have something to add. So for now, I'm trying to figure out what to do with that lovely cooler since I already have one from winning the Introductory Level Novice RAAC class back in 2012. Oh, what a problem ...
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Award Ceremony - doesn't Speedy look proud of himself?!
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Leading the Honor Round
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Hanging out with Roberta and her Arabian, Orion
Jamie
8/26/2014 11:31:41 pm

Congratulations! That is fantastic, you should be very proud of yourself & Speedy!
I found your blog a short time ago, & I love reading it because I also have an Arabian that I ride dressage! (you just don't find that THAT often!) It gives me hope that me & my LGP (Little Gray Pony) will also be successful at shows. :)

emma link
8/26/2014 11:47:57 pm

congratulations to a successful weekend! these rides are a testament to the relationship and trust you have built with Speedy! even if you feel it's a fluke or luck or whatever (and ultimately, isn't everything with horses like that?), it's definitely worth celebrating!!

Liz
8/26/2014 11:49:10 pm

Outstanding!!

SprinklerBandit link
8/27/2014 12:06:04 am

Congrats!! What fun. :-)

Amanda link
8/27/2014 12:31:13 am

I'm feeling a lot of jealousy over your super rad neck ribbon.

Lauren link
8/27/2014 01:21:12 am

NECK RIBBON WOO! Congrats :) You both deserve it!

Carly
8/27/2014 01:28:03 am

How awesome are you guys?! And can I just say that I am still madly in love with your helmet!

Tracy link
8/27/2014 01:39:50 am

You know, I am really, really, honest to goodness OVER THE MOON happy for you Karen! You have worked incredibly hard and you earned that beautiful first place neck ribbon 110%.

While you might not feel like your work with Speedy culminated in this win, I think that your work with Sydney has of late has translated a bit into riding Speedy better. And it earned you some fantastic scores!

I know you're ready to move on and move up, but [just for me!] try to take a moment to revel in the glory -- you really do deserve it!!

Kelly link
8/27/2014 01:56:13 am

Congrats!!!! Own it - you deserve this :) I would frame everything!

Angela
8/27/2014 02:11:15 am

Awesome! A super big, heart felt CONGRATULATIONS!!

You are the perfect example of how it's done: consistent, persistent hard work, an unyielding desire to know and learn more, and the guts to go out there and compete! Did I mention the hard work! Bask in it Karen! You deserve it!!

Genny link
8/27/2014 02:23:34 am

Wow! Congratulations!

Sarah link
8/27/2014 02:52:39 am

CONGRATS!!!! You owe it to yourself to spend at least as much time thinking about the great rides as you do the work-in-progress rides. =P And sounds like you figured out the perfect warm up: trail ride, then gallop, then stand around for a minute. Also, keep one cooler for home, and one for shows! If you keep getting coolers, give one to a young dressage rider or donate to a horse rescue.

jenj
8/27/2014 03:45:16 am

My goodness, that is one BIG ASS RIBBON! And Speedy looks SUPER proud of himself. Even if you don't believe that it was real, he clearly does!

It does take a while for the reality to set in. This is where you are now in your riding with Speedy, FOR REAL. You can produce this test again and again, even when your warmup is non-standard or the air at the show grounds is electric. You really can do it!

So when are you moving up to First? ;)


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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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
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