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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

El Sueno - Part 2

4/16/2013

 
If you’re a Facebook friend, you already know how we scored on Saturday, so to bring everyone up to speed, I scored 63.214% at Training Level Test 2, and 61.200% at Training Level Test 3. This was a CDS/USDF/USEF show with a judge who seemed very equitable in her scoring. None of the scores seemed overly high, or painfully low. So yah for Team Speedy!

Those scores mean that I have completed the necessary requirements for the USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award which requires four scores at or above 60% from four different judges.  We’re now also qualified for the California Dressage Society’s Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) which will be held at El Sueno this summer. RAAC requires three scores over 60% from two different judges. I was thrilled to see those two above 60% scores posted!

Both of my rides were rather late in the day (2:27 and 3:37) which meant that I had plenty of time to watch other riders complete their tests as well as visit with some of the riders that I have met at previous shows. I’ve learned to take it easy at two-day shows. There is no reason to rush, and there is a lot to learn by watching more experienced riders.

Quick interrupt: I am writing this at the show. Some neighbors, who are also camping, had some trouble with their microwave and were looking at a very cold supper. They took a chance that I might be friendly and tapped at my door. I am so glad they did, as I was thrilled to be able to “pay it forward” by heating up their dinner for them. So many people let me camp with them, use their showers, or stay in their trailers when I was starting out in endurance. It was great to help this pair out!

I have learned that Speedy doesn’t need much of a warm up, and if I do warm up too long, he gets resentful and cranky, so I kept it to a minimum. I walked him for 5 minutes, did a little trot work, and asked for one or two canter transitions. We were done in 12 minutes. I hadn’t planned on the warm up being that quick, but I knew better than to ask for any more. Even though we had 15 minutes to wait, I chat with the ring steward, walked a bit more, and then walked over to the dressage court to wait my turn.

It wasn’t a perfect test by any stretch, but I knew it was good for us. There were no obvious mistakes, and no moments where I felt we had really blown it. The stretchy trot, our long time nemesis, wasn’t great, but there was at least something resembling a stretch. The judge rewarded Speedy’s effort with a 6. We had no 4s on the test, and the lowest mark was a single 5.5 for our left lead canter. He picked up the correct lead and felt prompt, but he resisted the inside bend. We earned four 7s for the directives (count ‘em!), and a 7 for gaits. Everything else was a 6 or 6.5. Not too shabby.

But …

You knew there had to be one. No one who has read this blog would think that I’d be satisfied with just reporting the good; there is always something to be learned. I screwed up my courage and asked a rider that I know if she’d be willing to take a few photos of our ride. The photos revealed a few unpleasant things that I need to fix. The judge commented a few times that Speedy’s head tilts and that my hands were sometimes too high. The photos confirmed this. She also dinged me for his head wagging. This is definitely something that I need to work on once we’re back at home. It’s completely my fault for sure. I do not have a good feel for even contact. If I ask on the inside, I drop the outside and vice versa, which creates a head wag. Several photos reveal that my right hand is higher than my left, which would definitely explain the head tilt.

So thanks to Jen, here are some photos of out first ride.
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Enter and halt
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We both look so serious!
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A bit of a woohoo moment
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Some potential for lengthening?
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Ticked at me, but he's lifting his front end ...
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Coming down centerline for a halt
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Loves those 7s
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Our scores at Training Level Test 2 were all very close!
Angela
4/15/2013 11:56:22 pm

Congratulations on your achievement! There's lots of really good stuff in both your photos and in the judges comments. You and Speedy are getting it done!

Karen
4/16/2013 09:37:21 am

Thanks, Angela. :0) He may not have the naturally rounded topline of a warmblood, but he's trying! I am realizing that he and I will probably never get the great scores needed to win, but we are making real and steady progress.

Kelly link
4/16/2013 04:31:30 am

Congrats on the qualifying scores! Your canter scores have improved so much over last season! Pics are great - they show one moment in time - but can show us areas to work on or how lovely a movement looks.

Karen
4/16/2013 09:39:59 am

Thanks, Kelly. Our canter scores HAVE improved. Thanks for noticing. They're still not great, and may never be, but at least we are headed in the right direction. There's no more more bucking or kicking out, and he always gets the correct lead. Hard to be upset with that! :0)

I loved the pictures! They don't show a perfect rider, of course, but even I can see how much my position is improving.

Lauren link
4/16/2013 07:24:48 am

Great scores, super congrats!!! Speedy and you look like pros :)

Karen
4/16/2013 09:41:55 am

I am not sure we're pros at anything, Lauren, except at being dorks! :0)

They are pretty solid scores though. Not enough to be competitive at the RAAC or other championships, but at least I am not embarrassed by them. And, they are creeping up each month so MAYBE we can start scoring in the mid-60s before too much longer.

Judy
4/16/2013 11:36:51 am

Nice!! You two look beautiful together!

Karen
4/18/2013 11:04:38 am

Said from the mom portion of the peanut gallery! :0)

Sarah link
4/17/2013 02:51:46 am

Great job!! Yours and Speedy's continual progress is very impressive - you both seemed determine to be constantly improving and it really shows. As to the head swinging/uneven contact, I'm sure you'll have that under control in no time now that you're aware of it!

Karen
4/18/2013 11:05:44 am

Thanks, Sarah! I may be on the determined to improve path, but I am not sure that Speedy is. :0)


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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    My favorite breeches!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

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    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

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    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
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    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home