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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

First Out of One

3/19/2013

 
Part 1

The good news is that I have another blue ribbon to add to my collection. The bad news is that … well, there really isn’t any bad news. I didn’t score a 60% for my first ride of the day, which was my goal, but I was still satisfied with the ride. If you follow me on Facebook, you already know my score and how we did. No secrets here: my first ride of the day earned me a so-so 57.679%. The judge’s comment on the back of the test completely and accurately sums up our experience, “A very attractive horse – help him learn to accept and stretch to the bit so you can improve balance and bending.”

I actually liked how I rode this test regardless of the less than stellar score. The thing that has been getting us each time on this particular test is the transition to trot as we come out of the left lead canter at E. During my warm up ride on Friday evening, I just couldn’t get anything even remotely acceptable which was completely my fault. I still feel as though pushing his haunches out is going to fix the problem when the real problem is that his rib cage is pressed against my inside leg because his haunches and nose are already out.
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Still working on this ...
The judge gave us a 5 for our left lead canter, pointing out that he was counter flexed. Seriously? Even knowing that I need to get a bend, I still am having trouble getting his nose in. For the canter circle, she scored us a 5.5 with the note that we need balance and bend. Yes, yes, I know … The happy ending to that little story is that we did get a very satisfactory 6 for the canter to trot transition. Well, hallelujah. This was not based on luck; as we came out of that canter, I pushed with my outside leg and thought forward to trot. It must have helped.

I actually thought the stretchy trot wasn’t that bad, but the judge saw otherwise. We scored our typical 4.

From that point on, we did better by earning 6s and 7s except for the right lead canter, which earned a 5 with a comment that says something about being counter flexed and evasive. It’s pretty hard to read; if anyone can decipher what it says, PLEASE comment.  

While the score doesn’t seem like one to be proud of, I was pleased with how the ride went especially since our Friday warm up was so bad. I felt like I was actually riding and addressing our issues. I worked really hard to not over-ride my horse. I didn’t feel stiff, and I felt like I was actually riding moment by moment. My rider position was the same as always, a 6, but I liked that I was having a conversation with Speedy as I rode the test. I wasn't hoping for a good ride; I was riding for a good ride. There's a big difference.

Here is the score sheet for training Level Test 2 … (Click to enlarge.)

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First USDF test of the year ...
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I like the two 7s.
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Always a 7 for gaits ... let's start getting 7s for the rest!
Axial
3/19/2013 12:04:01 am

I believe #13 says "counter canter flex & leans in".

Karen
3/19/2013 12:09:17 am

We definitely weren't counter cantering, but he may well could have been counter flexed in the canter

Leans in does look right. This is the hardest scribe to read! Thank you!

Mia link
3/19/2013 06:20:47 am

I wish I could see a video of the test. It'd useful for the rest of us to see the comparison of what happened and what the judge wrote.

Usually I see comments like the ones in your test, and I immediately think that the ride probably wasn't as bad as the judges comments make it sound. Like, I bet your counter flexion at the canter was pretty slight... not the concave type structure diagrammed above. If it is, that must be one heck of an athletic horse to pull off a left canter lead while bent that much to the right. Mine would've fallen over. I can't even flex her nose to the outside without her falling into a trot.

I'd be proud of that test. You had some good comments on it. A few bobbles, tension, nothing too major though.

Was she hard on everyone? Did you see her scores on any other classes?

Karen
3/19/2013 11:44:52 am

Sorry, no video. OMG, Mia, your comment cracked me up!!!!! Yes, she was a tough judge. The highest score for the day was a scooch over 70 and there were only 4 70s. Two of those were from an intro rider on a 20 something school master.

Lauren link
3/19/2013 07:02:31 am

She sounds tough, but I'm glad you were happy with your ride.

Karen
3/19/2013 10:42:10 pm

Thanks, Lauren. I was pleased and I actually had a very good time at the show. :0)

Teresa link
3/19/2013 09:28:23 am

hi I just recently picked up on your blog. It sounds like a nice test and it's great to get all the comments. What I find is that when my horse is counter flexed in the canter what he's doing is dropping his inside shoulder. When I get that up and keep my outside rein steady, all is good.

Karen
3/19/2013 10:50:20 pm

Hi, Teresa, it's nice to meet you (and Irish and Steele). :0)

That's an interesting idea. I'll have to check in with my trainer. For the most part, Speedy is just crooked - he wants to carry his nose to the right ever so slightly. He finds that stretching the right side of his body is "hard" to do so he tries not to do it. :0)

Best of luck with your own two boys, and I hope to hear from you again!

Kelly link
3/22/2013 02:11:40 am

Very respectable score and more importantly, you felt good about the ride!

Karen
3/22/2013 06:51:08 am

Thanks, Kelly.. :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