Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Speedy and I are headed to our biggest show of the summer on Friday. I have a blog post coming. In the meantime, I am trying to clean up a few things before the show. The leg yield and the change of lead are two of those things. We've worked on the leg yield twice now, and I am getting nowhere. I can keep the shoulder from falling out, but that little booger (sorry, Speedy, you know I love you) will. Not. Step. Over. I finally nailed him with the whip which got a reaction, but I don't want to yell at him every time I want a bit of a lateral step. I've got one more ride at home to work on it, but that 7.0 might just be out of our reach. On a good note, the change of lead through trot is now working for us. I left it alone for a few days and didn't ask for it until Sunday. I schooled it exactly as we had during our lesson last week, and got a balanced change of lead the first time I asked. After having had a come to Jesus moment about the leg yield, I thought it was a good idea to reward Speedy for the effort, so I hopped off and fed him his mints. Besides cleaning up a few of the movements at First Level, I also gave my show pad a good once over. While it came out of the wash okay, I realized that it's not looking as perky as it once was. Unfortunately, I can't find that pad for sale anywhere. I have at least three brand new Union Hill Dressage pads, but I've always felt they were too big for Speedy's smaller fame. While it's not a perfect fit, I think I can get away with it. The spine length is fine, it's just the drop that's a bit too boxy and long. I think my eye is just so used to seeing Speedy in a smaller pad. This pad is only about an inch or so longer, so it's not that much bigger on him. I have two other nice fitting pads that are monogrammed, but since US Equestrian changed the rule about pads, I am not sure if my monogram is legal or not. Here's what the rule book states. You tell me what you think. While in the competition ring and during awards ceremonies, a logo/monogram or name may appear on either or both sides of a saddle cloth in an area not exceeding 200 cm2 (26.632 sq. inches). Only the following logos or names are permitted: breed logos (for horses registered with that breed); a national flag (for citizens of that country); USEF or USDF names/logos. Professionals of any age may have a business or product name/logo of their official sponsor. Amateurs may not have a business or product name/logo unless they own the business. Competition award pads and stable name pads are permitted. No other advertisement or publicity is permitted on saddle cloths or horses. BOD 8/29/16 Effective 12/1/16 BOD 11/7/16 Effective 12/1/16 (I added the bold formatting.) The rule is confusing. On the one hand a logo or monogram is permitted, but in the next sentence they stipulate which logos are permitted but they don't add any comments about monograms. Am I better off going with a pad that is slightly big on him, or do I risk using the monogrammed pads? And while I am at it, do I beat him into the leg yield, or do I just take the 6.0? Just kidding!
Stephanie
8/8/2017 08:17:35 am
I think your little "s" is within the rules. I think they wanted to stop all of the crazy other things that people put on their pads. Use it, but bring the "big" pad just in case. Only way to find out sometimes is to try!
Take it to the show office and ask the TD. It's what they're there for- I've spoken to USEF TDs and FEI ground juries and they are more than willing to give you a ruling on the spot so you don't eliminate yourself for something stupid.
Marlane
8/8/2017 03:26:54 pm
When I trained a horse to do different things I found that the biggest motivator was to stop, end the lesson for the day and get off right after the horse had made the first attempt to do what I asked. Then step by step the whole thing was done willingly. After a while it gets grooved in their brains and you can go on to the next thing. 8/11/2017 06:39:02 am
I totally agree! I always time my rides so that I don't over-ride either of my boys, but if I one of them gives me an extra awesome effort, I am happy to quit on that no matter how short that makes the ride. :0)
Nicole
8/8/2017 07:58:37 pm
It sounds like you're going to ask the TD, and it will be good to hear their decision on that! But I personally would not show in those pads. To me, the wording of the rules are pretty clear: you can have a monogram, but only under x,y,z circumstances.
Marlane
8/9/2017 07:41:50 am
Cut out a piece of matching fabric and slip stitch around it to hid the monogram 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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