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El Sueno - Part 5

4/19/2013

18 Comments

 
We're cabin bound tonight so you won't hear from me again until Monday, which is probably a good thing as I have been a bit long-winded this week. I am nearly done; I swear. When I first start writing about a show, I get all excited and have a ton to say. By the time I get to the third test, I begin to get bored and don't really care anymore. By the fourth test, of which this is, I really don't care, especially since there was no grand finale. I am just trying, by this time, to get the thing written so I can move on to a new topic. 

Since this test was ridden at the show's end, my photographer was busy so you don't even get pictures. Here are the tests. Some explanation follows ...
Picture
Still over 60% ...
Picture
2 point error for going off course - I HATE when I do that.
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ASK - I am not asking him for what I want.
This test was judged by a different judge. Even so, the scores were consistent. I am not surprised that we scored a little lower as I was mentally  tired, as usual. I need to find a way to keep my enthusiasm up for the duration of the show.

Not as an excuse, and I am not complaining, but simply as an explanation: I load the trailer alone. I drive alone, I unload everything alone, I camp alone, I warm up alone, and I ride alone. I reload everything alone and then drive home alone. It is tiring to do so much work with no help. I didn't pull into my barn until nearly 6:00 p.m on Sunday evening. Once there, I unloaded everything alone and then drove home where I still had to unload all of my personal stuff.

I don't mind the aloneness; I am a confident person and find it easy to meet new people. The drawback to being alone is that it can wear you out with all of the work. So ... by the time the fourth test rolls around, my enthusiasm is usually waning, and I am definitely not as sharp as I am for the first few tests. Speedy is a very smart boy and naturally picks up on my mood; he's not tired for the last test, but he gets bored easily. Throw in my fatigue, and you've got a less than sparkly performance.

If you looked the test over, you saw we had more 5.5s than earlier in the day, 4 of them to be exact,  but the 7s still made an appearance. We had three of those with the added bonus of a 7.5. There were still plenty of 6s and even one 6.5 to carry the score above 60%. And while I am delighted with four tests of over 60%, a first for me, I can see that the way to really raise my scores is to eliminate the 5s.

And of course, it must be noted that the off course error is just a stupid way to give points away. Sheesh. I know that test backwards and forwards. I just lost focus for a moment and paid the penalty. That's what being tired does. I clearly need a ground crew!

So that's it. Well almost. If I have the energy, I want to write one more post about a few things that I learned - some about riding and some of the more nuts and bolts variety. Until then, thanks for letting me share!
18 Comments
Austen link
4/18/2013 11:47:53 pm

Honestly, I think that test looks like it settles in nicely with the others. Some silly errors, but clearly you guys are working consistently - even when exhausted. That's pretty awesome, and hard to do!

I find a ground person to be essential at shows, but try to bring someone who knows what they are doing. My med-school husband is sweet, but often too overwhelmed with studying to manage to help me get to the ring on time.

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:27:35 am

I wasn't horribly disappointed by the test, and yes, it was similarly scored as the other three, but I know it can be better. I really need to find a way to stay excited all the way through to the end. I've started having a Coke in the afternoons hoping that will give me a bit of a boost (I never drink soda). It has helped a little, but I need something more.

I would love a ground crew of any kind. Unfortunately there is just no one who wants to spend their weekend camping with me in a space the size of a walk in closet. All of the shows I do are several hours from home. I love my husband dearly, and he loves me, but he is simply not interested in spending his weekends at dressage shows. I can't blame him for that. And so for now, I'll pilot this ship on my own! :0)

Reply
Lauren link
4/19/2013 12:40:26 am

I still think those are really good scores for it being the end of the show and being tired. I know by my last classes of a weekend show I'm so 'over it' and have a hard time keeping things together.

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:28:30 am

That's it exactly, Lauren!

Reply
Judy
4/19/2013 12:52:17 am

Enjoy your time at the cabin!

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:28:59 am

We slept until 7:00 - what a treat!

Reply
Kelly link
4/19/2013 02:56:11 am

I think I have told you before I so admire how you show alone! I really don't believe I could do it! I was show mom for years and now my husband and daughter help me :)

Terrific job on all 4 tests! Over 60% on all 3 is wonderful!

Enjoy a must deserved relaxing weekend :)

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:30:08 am

Thanks, Kelly. It's go alone or don't go at all. I make it work, but it's tiring. And thank you!

Reply
Sarah link
4/19/2013 08:17:16 am

Quite an excellent test for being tired, and great confirmation coming from another judge. Interesting how the judge pointed out that you need to ask the horse for more - ties in to when you watched Hilda and the other top riders at the last show: you watched them really actively riding and this judge is basically saying you need to do that too. =)

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:33:29 am

Yes ... I guess the trick is finding out how much "more" I can ask without him becoming fussy; he doesn't like to be "picked at." If I knew how to do everything correctly, we'd be riding at a higher level. So, I take her comments, try to apply them, and if they work, we improve. There is just *so much* to learn!

Reply
Stephanie link
4/19/2013 02:34:48 pm

I think it's awesome that you are able to show on your own. I, personally, love showing with a group of like minded, fun people. Does your trainer have any other dressage-minded riders who might like to hitch-hike a ride and help out with gas costs, show prep etc?

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:36:57 am

I am it, Stephanie. There are a handful of other dressage riders in town, but none live close to me. The two ladies that I rode against (Amy and Sue), are both from Bakersfield, but camping and traveling with them isn't practical.

Several other people have asked me about doing everything alone. I need to write a post about the "whys" of that. Basically, we just don't have enough people who do dressage to create a group!

Reply
Val
4/19/2013 10:22:15 pm

Wow! Four tests is a lot! I have never entered more than two with Harley, although in college I used to compete two horses, so sometimes I rode four tests, two per horse, BUT I had a lot of help. I usually only had to tack up and warm up one horse, then just pop on the other one for the test. Those were the days!

Congrats on a great show. It sounds like you had a wonderful experience overall. :)

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:42:47 am

We only did two tests each day. It was a two-day show so I ride twice each day. USEF/USDF rules say you can actually ride three tests a day on the same horse. I don't think Speedy would even enter the ring for a third test!

I am finding that I like showing more and more. I always meet really great people so I never feel lonely. And the more I show, the more I learn. Since I don't ride with any other dressage people, shows are a way for me to assess my current training. They show me what I am doing right, and then what needs to be improved.

Sorry you're "grounded" for a bit. I hope you'll continue to share your interactions with Harley even though they aren't from the saddle.

Reply
Teresa link
4/19/2013 10:23:10 pm

I too show all by myself with no help. Like you I don't mind but it is definitely tiring! I think that you did fine. Consistency is a good thing. It means that it's a good reflection of where you are.

Reply
Karen
4/20/2013 12:56:32 am

It can get tiring, can't it? It's still fun though. I love meeting riders like us: the do-it-yourselfers. We generally have a lot in common and since we're alone, it's easy to find a few minutes to sit and chat. Showing in California anytime soon? :0)

Reply
Teresa link
4/24/2013 09:24:26 pm

Ha! I wish! we're on opposite coasts- I live in Nova Scotia, which pretty much is as far away as you can get and stay on the continent. :)

Karen
4/25/2013 11:17:42 am

...but someplace I'd like to see!




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    About the 
    Writer & Rider

    I am a lifetime 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.
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    Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently schooling Third Level in preparation for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

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    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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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