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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

El Sueno - Part 5 I Am a Terrible Rider, But My Mom Still Loves Me!

8/2/2013

 
I know I am not a terrible rider, but when I saw my placing for Sunday's first test, I had to fight really hard to hold back tears. 

I knew as soon as we entered at "A" I was going to have to fight for every point, and it had nothing to do with Speedy G. Instead, I had let the pressure of riding in a RAAC class get to me. I should probably remind you of some background information.

The California Dressage Society (CDS) has more than 3,300 members. It's the largest of the GMOs, and competition can be a bit stiff. CDS holds three Regional Adult Amateur Competitions (RAAC): one each in the Northern, Central, and Southern parts of California. Qualifying isn't overly difficult, but many riders work hard to get there. The RAAC is also USDF/USEF rated.

Last year, Speedy and I qualified for RAAC at both Introductory and Training Level. I was the only rider who qualified and entered in the Introductory class so I was the winner with a score of 67.000%. My goal for the Training Level Test 3 class was to simply not finish dead last. Out of ten riders, we were ... 10th. I was really disappointed. In hindsight, I should have been quite happy with our score of 57.200%. It was only the fourth time I had ever ridden that test, and the third time had been the day before!

My goal for this year's RAAC was to not finish dead last, again. We've worked on this test for a whole year, and I know we are capable of turning out a pretty solid ride. During our warm-up, Chemaine had me work on the loop. In order to get some bend, I needed to turn my own body to encourage Speedy to bend his body.

I have learned that we score better if we enter the ring on a right bend. When the judge rang her bell, we were on the other side of the ring which meant I was going to enter on a left bend. Speedy was resistant, and I knew I shouldn't enter before feeling ready. My inner voice kept saying, pass "A" and turn around. I ignored that little voice, never again!, and entered at "A" from the left with a resistant horse. We wobbled all the way up the centerline to "X," and I fought for a halt. Our score? A dismal 5.5.

One of our strongest elements is our trot up centerline. I knew we had blown the very first movement, and I had four tough ones ahead. I made it through the loop and canter, but the frustration and mental energy wasted on our entrance left me feeling slightly dazed. As we transitioned from the canter to the trot at "X," I continued across the diagonal, but as I approached "A," I had absolutely no idea what came next. I halted at "A" (which is what I was supposed to do), but then thinking I should have cantered, I circled back to the rail to restart so I could get the canter transition.  

The judge blew her whistle, which fortunately woke up my brain, and I got back on track. The rest of the test went just fine, nothing spectacular, but it was relatively well ridden. Even with the horrible entry and the two point deduction for going off course, we earned a 61.200% (just 1.5 points lower than the day before). I was sightly disappointed with the ride, but still hopeful that I could still place somewhere in the middle of the scores. 
PictureMeet my Drama Llama!
I need to apologize in advance to all of the riders in the Training Level RAAC class. My drama llama is about to run wild!

When my mom and I went up to check scores, she asked what I would be happy with. Anything over 60% always makes me feel pretty good, I told her. But then I quickly changed my mind and added, I just don't want to be dead last. 

You know what's coming. 

Picture
Yeah. Last place.
I was crushed. Boulder crumbs rained around me and occasionally pelted my already smooshed ego. My cheeks felt as though they were bright red. I was embarrassed and so disappointed for my mom. I had really wanted to do well for her. She came all that way to see me, and I figured that the least I could do was give her a ride worth bragging about. But seriously, last place?

Mom asked me if I needed to be alone. She said she understood how disappointed I was and wouldn't be offended if I just needed to walk off alone. I told her that I was fine, and I would be okay in a few minutes. One of my strengths is being able to let a "bad" ride go so that I can prepare for the next ride.

Chemaine and I went over the test. I didn't really need any feedback; I knew exactly what had gone wrong. I rushed the entry, lost control of Speedy's outside shoulder in the first loop which made the first canter transition rough, and then I went off course. I managed to pull the second half of the test together and ended up with a straight halt (7.0). There were no further remarks, but we scored a 7.0 for gaits and another 7.0 for rider position. The judge also commented that we are a "nice team."
Picture
My mom still loves me!
Picture
At least we still have a 6 for the stretchy trot!
Picture
I love getting 7s on the Collectives.
It's not a bad test. Six months ago I would have been quite happy with the score. It's not as good as we have done in the past, but I learned that it's more important to worry about beating your own score rather than beating someone else's. 

Not to spill the beans, but when we rode this same test later in the day for the El Sueno Equestrian Center Training Level Championship, we ROCKED it! More tomorrow. In the meantime, here are a few photos from the Awards Ceremony.
Picture
Honor Round Participants
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Victory Lap (Photo by Donna Fraser)
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Sporting our 8th place ribbon (near my knee) with trainer Chemaine Hurtado.
Tracy @ Fly On Over link
8/2/2013 12:48:36 am

If nothing else, riding horses always keeps us humble, in one way or another!

Karen
8/2/2013 09:44:06 am

That is the truth! :0)

Amanda link
8/2/2013 12:54:27 am

Pressure has a way of getting to all of us. And I agree riding horses definitely has a way of keeping us humble but it also sometimes puts us on top of the world.

Karen
8/2/2013 09:44:41 am

I had both experiences on Sunday. :0)

Austen link
8/2/2013 01:19:47 am

I really admire the way you analyzed this test, and your attitude towards the ride. Hard tests are really difficult to overcome, and the fact that you did so well on the second half is really a testament to your ability to ride through.

Karen
8/2/2013 09:46:50 am

Thanks, Austen. One of my strengths is being able to let it go. When I make a mistake during a test, I let it go immediately work on what's coming. I quickly learned that the judge isn't giving you an overall score, but a score for each moment. I LOVE that about dressage.

Sarah link
8/2/2013 03:56:19 am

Lol, your drama llama is quite tame!
Intellectually we know it's about beating ourselves and not others (after all, they could all have been doing this for decades with imported bred-to-the-hilt horses in full training). But who's kidding who, its a competition and damn it we just want to beat *someone* (*anyone!*). Alas, the heart dos not always follow the mind.
Love the pics, can't wait for the happy end post =)

Karen
8/2/2013 09:48:47 am

Thank you, Sarah. You said it exactly! I know it's about improving my own scores (who would want to win over and over with a score of 58%?), but as you said, I would occasionally like to beat someone (even a KID!)! :0)

Lauren link
8/2/2013 04:01:20 am

Even though you're riding against yourself for a personally good score, it's hard not to get caught up with the "others". I know exactly how you feel - I don't think I'll ever grow out not wanting a blue ribbon (or like you, not last!)

Karen
8/2/2013 09:49:59 am

I know I am not going to be a big winner. But yeah ... not being last would be a good thing. :0)

Val
8/2/2013 04:26:48 am

Last out of a group of really nice scores is'nt so bad. Is that another Arab in the victory lap photo?

Karen
8/2/2013 09:52:15 am

I know, Val, I had that conversation with myself already. But still, last two years in a row is a wee bit of a bitter pill. Yes, my scores improved over last year's, but dang it - even 7th would have been better! :0)

The pretty little dark horse is actually a quarter horse. She may be a cross, but I don't remember. She belong to, and is rider by, another Bakersfield rider.

Austen link
8/2/2013 06:03:28 am

I just found this again. It's a great article on riding the T3 trot loops, and explains everything from the geometry to the aids. Worth a read! http://www.laurensprieser.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/practicalhorseman.pdf

Karen
8/2/2013 09:52:44 am

I had read it before, but I re-read it. Thank you for sharing!

martina peterson
8/2/2013 10:39:42 am

I can always brag about you and no matter the scores because I know you always try to do your best. What fun I had watching you. I know it's hard dealing with someone constantly asking questions bec ause it has a tendancy to ruin your concentration. You know I did learn a lot about your sport so thankyou very much.. Love mom

Karen
8/3/2013 12:35:59 am

Thanks for being there, Mom! :0)

Kelly link
8/2/2013 10:51:21 am

I love that your mom came to watch and support you - and she commented on your post!

That trot loop article that Austen sent the link to really helped me when I was schooling that movement.

Karen
8/3/2013 12:35:17 am

I appreciated her presence very much. :0)

It is a good article, Kelly. Speedy can be a challenge to ride because he wants to be too light in the bridle which makes getting a correct bend challenging. He doesn't often give me anything to "push" on. As you know, it's not the geometry that makes the loop difficult, it's getting an obvious enough bend for the judge to see!

Chemaine Hurtado link
8/3/2013 01:11:05 am

I have become a fan of your blog! I love your writing style and your concise explanations of my teaching. Especially "after the millionth time" comment! I really enjoyed coaching you and speedy this past weekend!

Karen
8/3/2013 05:39:00 am

Thank you so much, Chemaine. It's always challenging to write about the people that I meet as I don't want to misrepresent them or their ideas. I think you are a fabulous trainer, and an amazingly kind friend, and I wanted everyone to know how much I appreciated all of your help. I definitely plan on getting more lessons and coaching from you (if you can fit us in). See you soon! :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.
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    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.
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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 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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