One of my strengths when I show is the ability to shake it off, whatever it is, and get on to the next movement. My super power failed me on Saturday though. I am not sure what my kryptonite was, but it was lurking somewhere near ring 1.

Everything about the show was going so well. The grounds were fantastic, including the stabling and parking, and my barn mates were all about good fun and friendly competition. Not like a few years ago when one of the competitors said that her friend was showing in my class and was going to win. Turns out she didn't, but I did! 

Anyway, things were going well until I made a slight miscalculation in how long I needed to warm up. Apparently, showing is now old hat to Speedy and 15 minutes is all he needs. I gave us 30. After the first 12, I knew I had gone in too soon, so we walked and walked and walked. Just before my ride time, I decided to wake Speedy up with a big gallop.

Two things happened. First, he got really annoyed at me, and second, my trusty show pad, that one that wasn't looking as perky as before, nearly slid off his back. He gave a few bucks before I saw what had happened. In horror, I jumped off and reorganized the pad. From that moment, my confidence was shot.

As we trotted down center line, all I could think about was my stupid pad slipping off during the test. I kept glancing down to see if it was still there! Once I forced myself to forget about it, the next worry took over.

Speedy was behind my leg, note the curling above, but I knew that if I really goosed him forward, he'd flip me the hoof. That would be okay for one movement, but when he feels like I am working against him and not for him, he quits trying. Instead of sending him forward with a big cowgirl kick, I just nursed him through the test.

And really, it wasn't a bad test. My goal was 6.5s and 7.0s. We got more 6.0s than I would have liked, but considering how behind my leg he was, it wasn't terrible. That 4.0 though, I have no recollection of not being in canter. It's right in front of the judge though, so if she says we weren't cantering, we weren't, but that score came as a shock to me.

As with the comments we've had all summer long, the judge's further remarks were spot on. "Capable pair. Needs balance in transitions up and down. At times, horse over round and low in outline today." I love how generous she was in using "at times" and "today" as though yesterday we weren't and tomorrow we wouldn't be!

As we exited the ring, I knew it wasn't even close to a best effort, and I acknowledged that I had given the test away. I let the bigness of the show and the quality of my competition intimidate me.

I shook it off almost before we made it to the ring steward. Yes, I had let my confidence slip for a moment, but I recognized it for what it was. I was already planning my comeback for Test 3 which was to come later that afternoon. There was no sense in beating myself up about it, and suddenly, I felt my super power return! 

Many of Sunday's riders didn't even bother with riding Test 2, so it was a very small class. For the adult amateurs, Saturday's classes were all warm ups for the actual RAAC classes held on Sunday. The scores from Saturday's tests still counted for USDF, but I knew that I still had time to get my little team squared away for Sunday's "big one." 

When John and I compared our tests, we laughed at the point difference. Just 2.5 points separated our tests which would prove to be a theme for the weekend!

​More to come ...

Today's the big day. We are headed to the California Dressage Society Central Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC).

I've competed at RAAC four different times, winning at Introductory Level and Training Level. I've been to RAAC at first level, but we didn't do so well. I am expecting this year to be different!

In 2013 and 2015, we finished dead last. Both times! And even weirder still, we placed eighth. Twice! Several year apart. There's actually quite an interesting pattern to my placings.

• 2012 - 1st/Introductory Level
• 2013 - 8th/Training Level
• 2014 - 1st/Training Level
• 2015 - 8th/First Level

Here's the bummer; I didn't go in 2016. Was that my year to  be first? Am I destined to be 8th in 2017?!?!?! I hope not. Instead, if the pattern holds, I'll be 1st at First Level! (said with a wink!)

In 2014, I competed at the CDS Championship. That means that for evermore I must compete in the RAAC Elite division rather than Novice which is for riders who have never been to the championship. I don't know if this makes things more difficult or not. The elite division is for riders that have competed on a bigger stage; it doesn't matter if your horse has shown at a bigger show or not.

​No matter what happens, I know that we've prepared as well as we can. Speedy is fit and ready, I know my tests (knock on wood right now, please), and the trailer is clean and ready to go.

Wish us luck!

Holy freaking heck, but am I tired of this test. I have decided that after the next two shows, I am done with First Level. There is nothing more that I can get out of it. With that said, I do want to finish strong. On Wednesday, best friend and I loaded both boys and headed to Moorpark for lessons with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables.

I took my last two tests with me as a reference for Chemaine. Rather than learn any new exercises, all I wanted to do was school the tougher movements of test 3. After discussing the judge's scores and comments, we decided to address three main areas - the leg yield, the 10-meter circles, and the canter work (15-meter circles, lengthening, and single loop).

In Test 3, the leg yield goes from one corner to the centerline (leg yield right) and after a moment of straightness in the center (X), the rider leg yields back to the rail (leg yield left). 

I have two trouble spots on the leg yield. First, It takes me too long to get the left bend for the leg yield right, and second, I lose the shoulder. To help me fix this, Chemaine gave me a "process" for keeping my wet noodle of a horse packaged up better.

• In the deepest part of the corner (A/K) change the bend so that the horse is slightly counter bent as he comes out of the corner. This way the horse is already bent away from the direction of travel.
• DON'T look in the direction of travel. Instead look to the inside, in my case, toward E.
• Think shoulder in to keep from losing the shoulder.
• Leg yield to X, BUT leave some time to straighten the horse.
• If the horse is hanging on the right rein (SPEEDY!), bend right and do a10-meter circle at X/B/X, and then leg yield to H while looking at C or M.
• Do not let the shoulder fall to the rail. Correct this with the outside rein by shortening the stride in front.

You can see from the video that if I can keep him put together, our leg yield could earn a nice 7.0.

Our circles aren't bad, but it is an area where I know we can again earn 7.0s. My issues are not getting an inside bend to the right, slamming into the halt, and not getting enough energy to the left.

Our canter work isn't bad, and we're already getting scores of 6.5 and 7.0, but I think we can get 7.5s or even an 8.0 with just a bit of tweaking.

For the 15-meter canter circles, the rules are the same as for the trot circles.

• To the right, I need to get a bend and keep it. If not, he's going to be too straight.
• To the left, push and turn, push and turn.
• I also need to begin the turns at C and A by watching the quarter line to help with the bend.

For the canter lengthening, I need to ride it a little like the trot lengthening.

• Half halt in the corner and really make him sit. This will show a clearer transition. 
• If I half halt well, the canter will be more uphill and not just quicker.
• At B, both directions, I need to start thinking about having him sit a bit to come back to working canter on time.

For the single loop, the key is a solid half halt in the canter.

It is during the change of lead through trot where I hope to make up the most amount of points. We can change from a left lead to a right with very little effort. Getting him to let go of the right rein is our trouble spot.

To help me fix this, Chemaine had a great series of steps.

• Into the corner, I need to open my outside rein to draw his shoulder out which also gives us inside bend.
• As we leave the corner and straighten, I need to open the right rein and add left leg. This will push his shoulder back over.
• Sit on the left seat bone to get the trot.
• Firm up the new outside rein, soften the inside rein, pick up the left lead canter.

In the video, we got the right to left with no effort but struggled the other way. After a few more attempts, we finally got it. I have to work really hard to push his shoulders to the right for the left lead canter. 

Besides tweaking these movements, Chemaine also encouraged me to keep my chin up, literally. When I curl, Speedy curls! Riding with my chin up will help a lot.

The next show, Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) is in just a week. The changes I am looking to make are all small, but if done correctly, they'll be really effective!

Tracy, from Fly on Over, summed up my show experience perfectly. Her comment to me was this:

That is exactly how I felt about this show. I certainly didn't win anything, but everything about the show was an opportunity to learn or observe or to take away a new idea. Who knew I would need such a big take out container?!

The first take-away is that First Level is going to take us longer than I thought. We have a solid foundation, but there are a few things we've got to figure out before we can even consider moving up to Second. First and foremost, we need to get some noticeable differences in the lengthenings. 

We can get a pretty decent trot lengthening at home, but I am too conservative in the show ring out of fear that Speedy will break into the canter. Chemaine kept encouraging me to really go for it, but the lengthening isn't confirmed enough for me to feel confident in asking for it. The same is true for the canter lengthening. I want to make sure that he stays in the court and doesn't lengthen himself right through the judge's tent.

Strength is also an issue for Speedy. While he has a nicely muscled hind end, I realized that when we do a trot lengthening at home, it's not the full distance from H to F. During the tests, he wasn't able to to hold the lengthenings. Chemaine suggested I use more of my arena - like down the fence line or across the whole distance of the arena, to build strength. I don't have an actual dressage court, so I can use any lines without having to stay in a "court."

To improve the trot lengthenings, Chemaine had me think about half halting in the corner and then as we come out of the corner do a slight counter bend to push his outside shoulder back in line with his body. This will help to straighten him up which will make the trot lengthening easier for him. At the end of the lengthening, she suggested I do the same thing so that he doesn't fall over to the letter. This will make the transition to working trot easier to see.

I was also reminded that dressage is a long and often difficult process. No matter how much I might want it to be easy, it's not going to be (most of the time). One of my friends really brought that point home for me. She is a very talented rider on an equally talented horse. She has her bronze medal and is currently working her way through Fourth Level with an eye toward moving to the international tests.

Her gelding gave her a spectacularly wild RAAC Warm Up ride which earned her a very disappointing 49%. She was frustrated at how long it was taking her to get to the FEI levels. (I'll take her problems please.) She later went on to earn a very satisfactory third place finish at the RAAC Fourth Level Test 3, so perseverance does yield rewards.

This rider really inspires me. I am certainly not glad that she feels a sense of frustration at times, but it does make me feel so much better when I feel frustrated with earning a measly 56%. Her struggle through Fourth Level just tells me to suck it up. It's not going to get any easier, and frankly, it might even get harder.

Speedy and I have been through this up and down journey already. When we start a level, we put in a few honeymoon rides, but then his behavior takes a dive when he feels that he can't do it. We start with scores in the 60s but they quickly fall to the 50s as we figure things out. Little by little our scores rise until they make it to the low 70s. This exact process happened at Introductory and Training Levels.

First Level has gone the same way. We started out with some solid scores in the 60s, but they slowly fizzled out until we landed back in the land of 50 percent. It's okay. That just tells me we have more work to do. And really, what's the rush? It's not like the Olympic Team needs me in 2016.

Besides reaffirming that dressage is hard and that everyone else struggles, I also took away a few practical nuggets. Chemaine showed a new to me exercise that I've been using all week on Izzy. It's a simple suppling exercise that has worked wonders. As I ride, I ask for left flexion, when the horse softens to the rein, I ask for right flexion. It doesn't matter which way you're tracking. It's all about asking the horse to let go through the jaw and poll.

Once you can get your horse to let go of either rein, he will be more supple and lighter on his front end. Chemaine even suggested I do this while doing the canter loops and the lengthenings. The point is to keep your horse loose and supple so that he can bend and move. Genius.

And finally, I realized that while winning the class is a boatload of fun, not winning has to be just as much fun or the whole thing really isn't worth doing. Because really, the majority of us aren't going to be doing much winning. I am pretty sure the Charlotte Dujardin's of the world work really hard, but they're also born with something that makes it all come together with ease. For the rest of us, it's not easy, so it had better be enjoyable.

This show was fun, really fun. There were certainly some disappointing moments, but knowing that I have friends rooting for me and a trainer who believes in my ultimate success made those blips seem so minor. 

My (rated) show season is pretty much over. I might do a schooling show in early November, and I will be attending another clinic with Dr. Christian Schacht, but I probably won't make it to another USDF show until spring. I'll be spending the winter working on those First Level movements that aren't confirmed as yet as well as continuing Izzy's dressage journey.

If I step back and look at the really big picture, I think I am right on target!

While the First Level Test 3 RAAC class felt wild and wooly, it actually doesn't look that bad except for one or two places. The judge sure nailed us on those movements though. We slunk out of the ring with a dismal 56.765% - nearly an all time low. I have some great photos, but I'll let you watch the ride first so you that you can decide if it was worth more or less than the 56% that the judge gave us.

Here's what the judge thought ... (click images to enlarge).

I didn't watch the video until late Sunday afternoon. I am glad I finally watched it because I drove home thinking it was a disastrous ride; it wasn't. Yeah, Speedy put up a serious stink at the first canter lengthening - did you see the buck? And that second canter loop on the left lead was a bit fussy, but all in all it wasn't horrible.

I have to give myself some credit as a rider. It looks a lot more pleasant than it felt. He was ticked off about that judge's booth and was letting me know it. The reason he gave a buck as we started the canter lengthening was because I had to dig my spur into him to keep him as close to the rail at C as possible. He wanted to dive in and bolt for A.

So yeah. It wasn't a perfect test, and I am kind of blaming Speedy for at least 60% of it, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. The judging was tough, but that's what you get when you enter at A at a big USDF show.

Here's some eye candy. These photos are all courtesy of Edyta.

Once again, we placed dead last in our RAAC class, but here's the funny thing. When we first showed at the 2012 RAAC, we won our Introductory Class with a solid 67.000%. The next year, we were dead last in the Training Level class with a 61.200%.The year after that, in 2014, we won the Training Level class with a whopping 72.600%. So really, things are looking good. If everything goes as it has in the past, we're looking really good for next year's First Level RAAC class!

We finished eighth out of eight riders, but we still showed up for the honor round and cheered on those riders who had a much better day than we did.

You're probably ready for some Izzy news by now, but I have one more post about the show to share. I really want/need to talk about all that I learned at this show. And it's a lot.

On tap for tomorrow... What I learned.

While our first test left something to be desired, like 1.5 points, the First Level Test 3 Green Horse class was certainly an improvement. It wasn't like we went in and kicked a bunch of butts, ours was the only one in the class after all, but Speedy was much more malleable and focused. 

This photo says it all. I had no idea at all that other riders were in that warm up end of the arena, and I don't think Speedy did either. He didn't even flick an ear that direction.

While I had been in the Equidome before, Speedy sure hadn't, so I was a bit concerned about how he was going to react. I shouldn't have worried. He was far quieter and more relaxed in there than he was in the large oval where our first ride had been. It was really nice riding inside though. It was quiet, cool, and they played some lovely music that was quite soothing.

Right from the start of the test I knew it was going to go well enough. Speedy was really listening to me and trying (there is video down below). I liked our entry and halt, and I think the first trot lengthening was slightly better than the score indicated. You watch and be the judge.

Chemaine did give me some good exercises for improving the trot lengthenings. The first thing I need to do is keep my hands much lower, and we need to practice doing them for a longer distance. Speedy is showing me that he isn't strong enough to carry the lengthening across the full diagonal. With a bit more practice, we'll both get it.

Of the skills introduced at First Level, the 10-meter circles (and half circles) are definitely our strength. Speedy nails those every time. He finds them easy which is why we practice them a lot. When he gets fussy doing leg yields at home, I'll switch up the work and go to something he likes. He does these well so we do them for fun. I even think these look good on the video.

I spent a lot of time this month working on the trot to canter transitions, and I think this photo shows the improvement. Yeah, his head still pops up a bit, but I like that his croup is getting lower, and he's trying to sit down a little. 

Just like the trot lengthenings, the canter lengthenings need more work as well (no photo). It's funny because it feels like Speedy is zooming down that long side, but when I watch the video, I can't see a difference in stride length at all. I've heard my jumper and event rider friends say the same thing. That is definitely something I'll be working on.

The single loop that includes a bit of counter canter is showing improvement though. I am getting Speedy closer to X which means making the loop deeper. It's a tough one to practice at home because I don't have a 60 meter length court. Even so, I am going to start working on deep loops to help improve his balance over all.

The left lead canter is a bit harder as he hangs on my left rein and has trouble moving over onto the right rein. This makes the loop more challenging as he wants to take the bend away.

Not only are the trot to canter transitions really improving, but so are the down transitions to trot. While the quality of this video still is really poor, I like it because it happens at the exact moment of the canter to trot transition, I had to look at it in slow motion about five times to catch the transition. It was that smooth.

And to finish it all off, we had a pretty decent halt, although you'll see in the video that my fan club startles him a little with their enthusiastic applause! 

When I looked at the score sheet, I was pretty happy. We earned fives 7.0s one of which had a coefficient of 2, but our total score was still only a 61.765%. Good enough to count towards my USDF First Level Rider Performance Award, but not as high as all of those 7.0s would suggest.

Click images to enlarge.

And now ... the video!

Since I was in a class of one, I did get a lovely blue ribbon. At first I found it puzzling that I was the only one in the Green Horse class, but then I realized that this was a pretty big show and many of the horses and riders there had more experience than Speedy and I do. The Green Horse class was for horses who had five or fewer blues at their level.

Tomorrow ... How We Missed the Mark Completely!

I had so much fun this weekend, and I learned so much that I just want to skip the riding recap and go straight to the here's what I walked away with. We Missed It By a Hair, Made it By a Hair, and Missed the Mark Completely, but since none of that would make much sense without seeing how we did, I had better stick to a more linear story line.

Before I do that, I need to give a huge shoutout to Team Symphony, led by the always awesome Chemaine Hurtado. She runs the most motivating training barn that I have yet seen. I am not sure if it's a deliberate strategy or if it just happens because of Chemaine's attitude toward life, but with her, dressage is fun first followed by sound practices and hard work.

If Chemaine provides Team Symphony's structure, it is her daughter, Morgan, who is the glue that helps hold the team together. This up and coming Jr/YR is not only a talented rider herself, but she epitomizes the ideals of good sportsmanship. She's a motivator, a butt kicker, boot polisher, horse handler, videographer, Jill of all tasks, and all around good friend.

With Team Symphony, it doesn't matter who is in the saddle; everyone pitches in to polish boots, remove leg wraps, take photos, check scores, and cheer loudly no matter what the score. I feel so blessed to have been included in this wonderful family. Thanks, Team Symphony!

My least favorite score of all is the 59%. It's not like a 55% is all that pretty either, but 59% means you probably missed a "satisfactory" by just a point or two. In my case, it was one and a half points that kept me from earning my last score towards my USDF First Level Rider Performance Award. Womp womp.

Speedy was a fireball during the first warm up, which was completely the other end of the spectrum from where he was at last month's show. Remember that? He ended up needing to pee. Well that wasn't a problem this weekend. He was jazzed up for this go round.

Speedy and I have participated in the CDS Regional Adult Amateur Competition for the past four years, but this year's show was far bigger than the previous three. There were four rings going, all brightly decorated. Between rings one and two there is a raised platform covered with a circus-like tent and flags snapping in the breeze. There were tables set up for the evening performance and for spectators later on. There wasn't any one thing that spooked Speedy, but the general atmosphere was exciting with lots of color and movement.

There is no question that Speedy was against my hand through parts of this first ride. He was also pretty stuck on the left rein, as usual. My position was certainly not as good as it can be, but when he and I brace against each other, that's what happens. Most of the tension came from the C end of the ring where the judge was seated. He didn't want anything to do with that red, white, and blue bunting. There's video down below.

Overall, the ride felt rushed, and Speedy was heavy in my hand. I also made a stupid error, aren't they all, near the end of the test. I have the test memorized, but I was listening so intently to Chemaine's instructions that I mistakenly heard C 10-meter circle instead of B Half circle 10-meters. Even as I was making the 10-meter circle at C, I was wondering why Chemaine would ask me to do that. She hadn't of course.

I knew before the judge blew her whistle that it was an error and just finished the circle and headed to B to make the 10-meter half circle to finish at G. I now know this test so well that I can do it without a reader. There will be no more off course errors for that test. The 2 point deduction for going off course cost me the 60% score. I missed 60% by 1.5 points.

This was certainly not our best test, but it was a heck of a lot of fun, we both gained some more experience in a "bigger" ring, and I have plenty of time in which to earn that last score for the Rider Performance Award. I am not being negative here, but we'll be working on First Level for a while. 

Here's the video.

Here is the score sheet for the First Level, Test 3 AA (RAAC Warm Up Class) ... click to enlarge.

I don't generally criticize the judging, but they did seem a little tougher at this show. Overall, we finished the test with a 59.559% which was sixth out of a class of nine. We've definitely done better, but I am not that disappointed. I can see where we need to improve (more length in the trot lengthening, more length in the canter lengthening, and catch those drifting hunches in the leg yield), but the good thing is that Chemaine gave me some great exercises and advice to help me.

Tomorrow, Made It By a Hair!

I've written about the California Dressage Society's Regional Adult Amateur Competition a bunch of times. But in case you missed it, here's the run down:

• There are three of them - one for each region: North, Central, South.
• You can choose which regional show you'd like to enter, and you don't have to declare before the scores are earned.
• You need to earn three qualifying scores to be eligible to participate in the RAAC. The scores must be earned at CDS shows (or CDS/USDF shows).
• There is an honor round where horse and rider teams through 10th place (?) receive lovely ribbons. First place teams earn neck ribbons and a cooler (I have two!!!) while second place gets a leather halter with an engraved cheek plate.

Even though I live in the central region, I'll be showing in the Southern RAAC. The Central RAAC was too early in the year, and it was quite a ways north. Southern RAAC is just over 100 miles from here, and Chemaine will be there. I also have several friends who will be at the Southern RAAC, so it was an easy choice. Southern RAAC is being held at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC).

The RAAC is being held within the Cool August Nights Show (CDS/USDF/USEF) which means there were some interesting class choices being held. I'll be riding First Level Test 3 three times! I signed up for the regular AA class as a warm up and then of course there is the actual RAAC class, also First Level test 3. And just for the extra experience, I entered the Green Horse class for horses with no more than five blues at that level at rated shows.

Wish us luck, and I'll see you all on Monday!

I just got my monthly copy of Dressage Letters; the newsletter of the California Dressage Society. I've been eagerly awaiting this edition as each of the Regional Adult Amateur Competition's winners get a mention with their photograph.

It's not like it's a widely read magazine, but it's fun to see your name in print. I always feel like it gives me some street cred.

And who doesn't want to see their horse splashed across the pages of a magazine? It might only be two inches of splatter, but this little photo sure is a nice one. 

Next year's Central RAAC is in early July. I'd better get to showing if I am going to qualify at First Level!

And on an unrelated note, I let Sydney's birthday slip by unnoticed. He turned twelve on October 4th. Not like he noticed, but I like their birthdays better than even my own.

We're headed to the cabin for a weekend free of cell phones and social media.  See you on Monday.  Have a great weekend!

So … here I am, back home, having had some time to think. I learned a lot at this show about sportsmanship in general and about what kind of competitor I am. I mentioned before that I had several experiences to chew on, so this post will be a collection of short stories (starting with one long one). Here's the first one.

Most everyone was friendly at the show. I find that to be the case most of the time. This was the first show that I've been to where I saw less-than-gracious sportsmanship shown. It all started in my own barn aisle.

As everyone was unloading their trucks and settling in their gear for the weekend, conversations were started and horses were admired. Most riders had a trainer with them and often times there were several barn mates as well.

There was one trainer/student team that stands out. The first question the rider asked me was what level I was showing. Just Training Level, was my reply which was followed by some self-depracating comment as a way to appear friendly and to let her know that I was there to have fun. 

Her response was that her friend so-and-so was also showing in that level and would probably win because she's really good. I replied with something like, Wow, how exciting! I am sure she will. I found that quite an odd thing to say to someone. As it turned out, she didn't win any of the classes in which I rode.

Throughout the weekend, I heard her trainer make several comments designed to boost the rider's ego while diminishing the success of others. While at the score board, she pointed out to the rider that our scores were all very close which meant that her non-winning placing didn't really mean much because on any other day she could have easily beat everyone; am I invisible? I was standing right there.

I definitely compare my scores to the other riders in the class. I do so because I want to know if I am riding at an appropriate level. If everyone else is scoring 65% and I post a 49%, maybe I am not riding where I should be. I also like to see how far away from the winning score I really am. This gives me an indication of what I need to do to improve. I never look at scores and casually toss out that I should have/could have/would have won if … That struck me as less than a gracious competitor.

Another woman also made a strange remark while I was examining the score board. I like to take photos of how I placed in the class so that I know how many riders there were and what the range of scores was. I do this whether I am dead last or not.

As I was taking the photo, the woman leaned over and said in a rather snarky tone, you must have done well since you're taking a photo. My reply was this: well no, not in this class, but I did do well in that class, as I pointed.

And then, of course, there was the issue of zero applause after my winning ride in the RAAC class. I share all of this not because I thought I deserved any recognition, but because it was the very first time that I was aware of any of the sharper edges that reveal themselves during competition. I am sure that attitude has always been present, but this was the first time that I was the recipient, or even aware of it. Have I just been blind all of this time, or has the subtle snarkiness always been there?

True story … I had been considering going to the CDS Championship show, but I needed one more score at RAAC to qualify. Right before going to RAAC though, I decided that even if I got the score, I wasn't going to the championship because it was just too expensive.

And then, as I was on the road without much to do but think, I made this deal with myself: IF I won the RAAC class with a score ABOVE 70%, I would go the championship. I knew I was safe since I've finished dead last in RAAC classes for two consecutive years, and I had yet to break higher than 68% at Training Level.

Who knew I'd not only win but do it with a 72%? 

True to my word, I've already sent in my entry for the CDS Championship. There will definitely be more about that show in the coming weeks.

And then this happened. 

When we won the Novice Introductory RAAC class in 2012, Speedy got a neck ribbon exactly like the one he wore this year. He gave it the stink eye the whole time we did our honor round back then, so I knew to be a bit cautious in placing it around his neck. In fact, we had some help.

While standing off to the side with the other riders of my class waiting for introductions, Speedy reached down and ripped the ribbon off. When he did so, he held it in his mouth so that the pieces flapped around his face. He bolted hard to the side (with the ribbon still stuffed in his mouth), scattering the rest of the horses. I gave a hard yank as I rode out the bucks, all the while yelling, look out! He finally dropped the ribbon and gave it a wary look.

I am sure we made quite a sight - the first place horse bolting and bucking through the crowd all because his blue ribbon was stuffed in his mouth! The ribbon was picked up out of the dirt, meticulously dusted clean, and very carefully placed back on his neck (thank you, Donna!). After that, most riders gave us a wide berth.

Of course, as we continued to wait and model for photos, I watched Speedy like a hawk as he continued to worry at his ribbon hoping to get it off. Even Orion, the chestnut Arab, thought he was being a weirdo!

When I told JL, my trainer, about just getting really lucky at this show, she characterized my "luck" like this: Isn't it funny how the harder we work, the luckier we get? That is a thought I am going to keep in mind!

This is the card my husband picked out for me after I got home. How true for dressage is that?!

Back to real life tomorrow.