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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

El Sueno - Part 6 As Good as it Gets

8/3/2013

 
El Sueno Equestrian Center (ESEC) is a lovely facility that hosts nine USDF/USEF shows throughout the year. Their final show features the ESEC Championship. In order to be eligible for the championship classes, a rider must participate in at least two El Sueno shows and earn scores above 58%. Speedy and I qualified for the Training Level Championship class, and even though I didn't think we had a chance of winning, I entered simply for the experience.

After my mediocre ride at Training Level Test 3 earlier that morning, and the struggle with my pride that followed, I knew that I had to get myself together if I had any hope of putting in a decent championship ride. Chemaine and I had a long discussion about what I could do to ride the test better, and then we took a solid thirty minutes to warm up. I also decided that it would help if she read the test to me. I know the test, but with my new focus on properly riding the loops, I thought it might relieve some of my anxiety to hear her voice guiding me.

The championship rounds were held in the late afternoon after most of the RAAC classes. Surprisingly, very few riders entered. There was no First Level entry, one junior entry for Second Level, two riders and a junior for Third Level, Hilda Gurney in the Grand Prix, and of course, me, at Training Level. Even though I knew I would win the championship round, I felt just as much pressure as I had in the RAAC class. How embarrassing to "win" a championship with a mediocre score.

As we approached the ring, I noticed that the "A" end of the arena had a rail covering the entrance. I'll admit that I've never ridden a test before where "A" was closed. I was a bit excited because I knew it would help us make the turn more easily. The ring steward (pal, Jen) explained that since it was a championship round, "A" was closed, no whips were allowed, and riders had to ride their tests from memory. D'oh!  

It's a good thing I actually do know the test. Chemaine's final words to me as I entered were, flex, flex, flex!
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Warm-up lap (photo by May Meyer)
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Putting him together (Photo by Mary Meyer)
I could not have ridden this test any better. My entry was spot on, and those first four movements that I find a bit difficult, were solidly ridden. I later told Chemaine that rather than letting the start go by in fast forward, I took control of the outside rein and rode each stride without letting Speedy rush through.
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Speedy has a nice long stride. (Photo by Mary Meyer)
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I love those 6.5s!
I was especially happy with the canter to trot transition (movement 5) which helped me prepare Speedy for the walk transition at "A." Our medium and free walk felt purposeful with some decent march.
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I was thrilled with these scores!
From that great walk, Speedy easily picked up the trot at "C" and willingly trot the loop followed by a nice canter departure between "A" & "K." I know the judge commented that I could prepare better, but I knew it was as good as we can get it for now. I think I am most proud of the transition from the canter to trot at "C" (movement 11). Speedy can get pretty forward as we canter up the long side and getting the trot transition right at "C" sometimes takes a strong hand.

I knew we were coming into the corner a bit fast so I did my best to give a soft half halt without stopping him too abruptly. I could tell that it wasn't enough so I made a conscious decision to make the transition slightly late rather than abruptly. The judge clearly appreciated the smoother downward; she rewarded us with a 7.0! 
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My canter scores were all 4s and 5s last year - definite progress!
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Showing some stretch (Photo by Mary Meyer)
With a smoother canter-to-trot transition at "A," I found Speedy to be better balanced and listening to me as we approached "B" for our stretchy trot. He usually wants to blow past "B" so I focused on turning my body in preparation before arriving at "B." It wasn't a perfect stretchy trot, but we earned a 6.5 which is much higher than we've earned before. When I shortened my reins as we approached "B," I knew it was a well ridden test. 

Our trot up centerline is almost always our best movement so I focused on making that turn at A and getting him as straight as possible. To finish a busy weekend and a long season with a solid square halt was as good as it can possibly get. We'll take the 8.0 with a huge smile and a thank you to everyone who supported and helped us this season.
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The BEST way to end a season!
I would love to end this post right here, but there are a few last things to share. First, that was the whole score sheet with nothing left out. Not only were there no 5s, but there weren't even any 6s! That's right, we had only 6.5s and above for a final score of 67.000%. And of course, we "won" the ESEC Training Level Championship. Do I feel that it was a win by default? Absolutely not! We qualified, we entered the class, and we rode a solid test.

This is Speedy's last show of the season. I am glad we finished on such a high note. I don't know what our schedule for next year will look like yet, but I am fairly certain we'll be attempting First Level in 2014. 

I'll end this with the Collective Marks and some photos of Speedy's Championship neck ribbon. Thanks for all of your encouraging words this week; you don't know how often I told my mom how important it was to me to not let everyone down. :0)
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My favorite part, " some clear, solid connection at canter."
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We look good in ribbons!
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Mom, Speedy G, and me!
Well done, Speedy G. Well done!
Judy
8/3/2013 01:18:43 am

Awesome!! So proud of you guys!

Karen
8/3/2013 05:47:59 am

Thanks, Judy. I learned a lot over the weekend and enjoyed myself completely!

Tracy @ Fly On Ovee link
8/3/2013 01:47:28 am

Woohoo! I have been waiting to hear about this test all week and I'm so glad to hear how fantastic it was! A fabulous testament to all your hard work and dedication with Speedy this season!! He looks absolutely GORGEOUS in the photos too :-)

Karen
8/3/2013 05:54:50 am

Aw ... Thanks for the support, Tracy. Showing is such hard work and doing it successfully (relatively speaking) is even harder. I feel good about the weekend even though we had a few disappointing moments. :0)

I WISH I could Speedy's "beauty!" All I see is my dorky little pony who likes to yank my zipper up and down. Many people tell me he is quite attractive, but I still don't see it. I'll be sure to let him know that someone thinks he's a looker. :0)

BTW, I am patiently (okay, not so patiently) waiting to hear about a TH that becomes permanent. Best of luck as your search continues.

Sandra
8/3/2013 05:25:31 am

Well done!!! What an achievement! You are such an inspiration to me!

Karen
8/3/2013 10:48:48 am

Thank you, Sandra, but you give me too much credit. :0)

Sarah link
8/3/2013 09:42:25 am

Yay!!!!

Karen
8/3/2013 10:51:14 am

:0)

Amanda link
8/3/2013 10:38:50 am

Awesome way to end the season! Congrats on a job well done!

Karen
8/3/2013 10:50:34 am

Thanks, Amanda, I feel good about it. Now Sydney gets to do a few more shows! :0)

Austen link
8/3/2013 10:13:51 pm

Wow, I LOVE that last trot photo of Speedy. He's so straight, you can almost feel the connection from his hind legs into your reins, right through the computer screen! Great job on the test, and even better analysis. I really like how you are able to identify that a spot where the judge had a comment is the best you are right now. That such a vital skill, and so hard to develop.

You are going to have so much fun working on First Level. I can't wait!!

Karen
8/4/2013 12:22:30 am

Thank you, Austen. Those are kind words indeed. Dressage keeps you humble for sure. The thing I most love about showing, as opposed to just safely schooling in your own arena, is that there can be no pretense or "faking it." At home, you can fib to yourself about your horse's ability (and your own). I am not saying that's what people do, but showing keeps me firmly grounded in reality.

Since my best feedback comes from judges, I try really hard to understand their comments and apply what they tell me even if it means I know my 6.0 stretchy trot is the best I've got right now.

First level is a bit intimidating; not because the movements are "hard," but because First Level will more accurately reveal the holes in our training. I am working diligently to develop our connection and throughess, which isn't easy to achieve with Speedy G. He is naturally lazy and likes to avoid pushing with his hind end. First Level requires more thrust which Speedy is going to look at and say, "eh ... don't think so lady!" We're going to give it our best shot though! Thanks for the encouragement. :0)

Mary link
8/4/2013 08:34:56 am

I have so enjoyed reading and experiencing this journey with you. I haven't commented much and I apologize for that, I have been following. It is so wonderful that you had your Mom there with you to. Such a perfect ending for you both. Oh and by the way, I think Speedy is absolutely drop dead gorgeous, i would be proud to be able to call him my own, quirks and all! :) He's just lovely, you both are. Congrats!

Karen
8/4/2013 08:48:57 am

You are too kind, Mary. And please, never feel the need to apologize for not commenting. I read a lot of blogs without commenting myself. Every once in a while something resonates strongly, and I'll feel the need to say something, but for the most part, I just sit back quietly and "lurk."

The truth is, I write primarily for myself as a way to process what I am learning or experiencing. Frankly, I am often surprised by what amuses or interests people. My mom will tell me how funny a particular post was, and I'll just shake my head in bafflement; it wasn't meant to be funny. :0)

I am always pleased though if someone finds what I write to be worth reading. How could I not be? My mom tells me it is my utter honesty that brings people back. I call it a lack of shame! :0)

In any case, again, thank you for sharing. I'll be sure to pass on your compliment to Speedy (too many more of these compliments and his head will explode!).


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.
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    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.
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    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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