Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
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. ![]() 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. 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." 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. 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)
Karen
8/2/2013 09:44:41 am
I had both experiences on Sunday. :0)
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.
Lol, your drama llama is quite tame!
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)
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)
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)
Karen
8/3/2013 12:35:17 am
I appreciated her presence very much. :0) 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.
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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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