Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() This was not our best ride, but to look at my score, you'd think I'd be ecstatic. It's the highest score I've had at Training Level, and it even counts as my final score for a CDS plate. What's not to like? I know what happened, and I missed the opportunity for an even better score. I learned a very valuable lesson at this show: two day dressage shows are tiring. Are you a Survivor fan? Hubby and I are, and we never miss an episode. I've always said that if I ever make it on the show, I'll be one of those busy-bees who is always gathering wood and boiling water. I'll be hunting for crabs and tracking down coconuts. And the whole time that I am busting my hind end, I'll be mumbling under my breath about my lazy tribe members who just sit around all day in the hammock doing nothing. What I now realize is that those lazy people are actually saving up their energy for the challenges. And chances are, those people would win immunity and kick my busy-bee butt right out of the tribe. The next time I go to a two-day show (hopefully in June), I'm going to spend a lot less time scurrying about and a lot more time in the lounge chair relaxing. What does this have to do with my final test of the weekend? Well, the truth is that I was too tired to really ride Speedy G like he needed me to do. I felt him come above the bit, but I was too tired to squeeze. I felt him lose a bit of impulsion, but again, I was just too tired to urge him forward. Hilda Gurney saw it, too. Look at her comment in the Collective Marks, needs more energy. Yep, I sure did! In her Further Remarks she adds, Ask more from your horse. I certainly should have. Next time, I'm going to make sure I sit around a lot, and I'm going to have a cold Coke before I head off for that last test. Maybe a bit of caffeine and sugar will help with the lack of energy. No one's voting this rider off the island! Congrats again! Quite an impressive score even for being so tired! I felt this same way at the last horse trial I did - absolutely bushed by the final phase, and not able to ride as I knew I could/should. I had slept at least 10 hours the night before, so I don't know exactly what I can do next time. I like your caffeine idea...
Karen
4/9/2012 10:55:38 am
Thanks, Sarah. There was some physical exhaustion no doubt, but there was a lot of mental exhaustion, too. A pick me up will definitely be on the list of items to bring for the next show. I imagine that eventing carries a ton of mental fatigue as you're asking your horse to do so many different things! 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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