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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

El Sueno - Sunday's First Test

7/19/2013

 
There's more? Yeah. How much more - I have stuff to do! Two more posts after this one. How long was this dang show anyway? Long!

I was finished with both of my tests by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. Once Speedy was put back in his stall, there wasn't much to do but spend the day watching all of the other riders do their tests. It was a day well spent, but it was also quite tiring to sit out in the sun for so many hours.

On Sunday, my rides weren't until 3:00 in the afternoon, which meant that I spent another day pretty much sitting around watching everyone else ride. I did lunge Speedy and take him for a walk which required another bath, but that only takes so long. By the time I needed to saddle up, I was over it.

I had no enthusiasm, although I was trying very hard to bring my energy level up. I ate lunch, drank a coke, walked briskly, even so, I was pretty lethargic. As I entered the warm up, my stable core and strong upper body from Saturday were noticeably absent. Instead, I found spaghetti noodles attached to a bowl of Jello. I tried to shake it off and pep Speedy up, but he was feeling my low energy and happily went along with it.

Sarah, from Eventing in Color, had sent a text saying that she was popping over for a quick visit. She was scheduled to arrive in time for my first ride, but then I discovered we were running ahead so I walked over to the covered arena for my ride without getting to see her. I was hoping a visit from Sarah would give me a little adrenaline rush.

I greeted the judge, gave her my number, and head down the outside of the court waiting for her whistle. I entered at A, saluted, and tracked right at C. Right at that moment, Sarah came walking up quietly, just in time! I gave her a big smile and got that little bit of a boost that I needed.

I continued on with the test, but Sarah's dollop of energy must have run out because as I was doing my free walk, I heard the whistle blow. Seriously. How can you go off course while walking?! I was so focused on getting a better, more forward walk, that I continued straight on to H instead of turning right toward M. You know you're tired when you get lost while walking! So, that gave me a two point error.

After that little hitch in our giddy-up, everything else went okay. As I did my final halt and salute, I felt a little disappointed about the test. We had ridden it so well the day before that I was hoping to do at least as well. Sarah, being the supportive friend that she is, insisted that it looked lovely.

The afternoon break followed my test, so Sarah and I spent some time catching up and laughing while I waited to do my second test, which was one ride after the break. Her visit recharged my batteries and perked Speedy up as well. He can be such a pest! Sarah was on her way home, so she had to leave before my last ride of the show, but her visit gave me the energy to finish out the day with a positive and energetic attitude. Thank you, Sarah!

After I was finished riding my last test, I went up to the show office to get my score sheets. When I saw the score for Training Level Test 2, I was shocked! Even with the two-point deduction for the error, we still scored a 66.071%. Again we had no 5s, and we even earned a 7 for the stretchy trot! Overall, ten of the sixteen scores were 7s or higher!

Tomorrow, the final test ...
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I am loving all of these 7s!
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Tracy @ Fly On Over link
7/19/2013 12:35:00 am

I have the same problem -- if I show late in the day and I sit out in the sun and watch everyone, I have no energy left. One thing that helps me is actually leaving the grounds for lunch. Really helps me recharge!

Karen
7/19/2013 09:57:31 am

That's a great idea, Tracy, but since I always stay on the grounds in my trailer, it's kind of hard to leave. I might try thinking of a way to make lunch more "away" in attitude though! :0)

Lauren link
7/19/2013 01:46:08 am

It's so hard when you are just kinda over it, and need to keep showing. Great score though!

Karen
7/19/2013 09:59:12 am

I find that two-day shows do that to me. Having a Coke in the afternoon helps a lot, but I need something else to kick up my energy level. It also challenges me because I am superwoman at 4:30 a.m. and nodding off to sleep by 7:30 p.m. :0)

Teresa link
7/19/2013 10:24:54 am

congratulations. You must be thrilled to see the results of your hard work. I have no real words of wisdom about energy levels- showing is hard mentally, physically and emotionally so of course you are tired!

Karen
7/19/2013 10:31:06 am

I am feeling pretty good, but I am also trying not to feel "lucky" as in I got lucky that the judge was blind. :0) And yeah ... showing is hard work, especially when you're completely alone to do the driving, stall cleaning, washing up, tacking, up, hand walking, lunging, warm-up, and then the riding. Whew!

It's all good though. I always feel a real sense of achievement once I am back home. I think we're doing pretty well especially since I don't train with a dressage trainer, I don't ride a warm blood, and I only started riding "English" three years ago. So yeah, I am pretty thrilled. Thanks,Teresa, for the positive feedback! :0)

Angela
7/19/2013 10:45:14 am

You were "sleep walking"...HA (sorry, just couldn't resist!)
Good Job :0)

Karen
7/19/2013 11:05:12 am

Too funny, Angela!!!!! LOL :0)

Amanda link
7/19/2013 10:58:14 am

Congrats again. That is an awesome looking test even with the error!

Karen
7/19/2013 11:06:16 am

Thanks again, Amanda. Those second day tests are always tough for me. Given that I was dog tired, i especially proud of that score. :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.
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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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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