Dressage in Santa Barbara - Day 2: Intro C (Again)

Of the four tests that I rode over the weekend, I am the most proud of this one.  I read Hilda Gurney's comments from the day before, and I really thought long and hard about how to keep Speedy G straight while at the same time increasing the inside bend.  And frankly, we nailed it.  

As soon as I finished the test, I knew it was a good one.  When I entered at A, I knew that Speedy felt my intention to ride hell out of that test.  We made that corner into A and I felt him snap to and get with me.  It was FUN!

The other things I like about this test were 1) I got my second qualifying score for RAAC which means I can compete in September at the CDS regional show.  There are three regional shows in California: one for northern, central, and southern.  I want to go, and now I can.  And 2) it was a genuine first place ride.  All of my other blue ribbons were earned because I was either the only rider in the class, or I was competing against 9 year olds who frequently kicked my butt.  This time, I actually won! And if you'll look back at Tuesday's post, you'll see that I competed with one of the same riders the day before.  Woot woot for Speedy G and me!

If you check out the score sheet (below), you'll see that we even earned an 8, not very common for us.  Even better, we earned not one, but THREE 7.5s on our Collective Marks.  And check out the canter transitions, 6.5.  Goodbye you crummy 4s!

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