Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Mid-May seems awfully late to be starting the show season, but Speedy's winter of maiming himself put us a little behind schedule. Our first show will be at the Bear Valley Equestrian Center in Tehachapi over Labor Day weekend. We'll do Third Level tests 1 and 2. While the show is "only" CDS-rated, the scores count for a lot of different awards. Any scores of 60% or better (ever hopeful!) count as qualifying scores for the Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC), the adult ammie's version of a championship show. While I love RAAC, getting there is not my primary goal for the season, but if we qualify, I'll undoubtedly go. With a 60% or better, I will be able to check off one of the two score I'll need at Third Level to earn the CDS Sapphire award. I'll also need two qualifying scores at Fourth Level, so this is not a pressing goal. Speedy needs 6 scores of 60% or better to earn his CDS Third Level Horse Performance Award. Earning 1 or 2 of them at this show would be exciting. So while it's "just" a CDS-rated show, the scores matter. A week or so ago I wrote about US Equestrian and how much the organization bugs me. A few of you agreed with me while others didn't. I thought I'd clarify my comment about professional riders not needing to join USEF to maintain their pro status. In order to compete as an adult amateur here in California, I HAVE to join US Equestrian. If I simply want to compete in my GMO's shows that are not USDF/USEF rated, I still have to join US Equestrian to get my my AA card. Professional riders who do not want to earn national titles do not have to join US Equestrian to be considered professional riders. Yes, they'll have to pay USEF non-member fees, but they don't HAVE to join. They are still permitted to show as professional riders. In my opinion, the adult amateur card should be free while professional riders should have to pay to play. But hey, I am only one person. My Adult Amateur card is paid for, my SafeSport training is complete, and that first show entry of the year has been mailed. While I am working hard for good scores, I know that we're not quite performing in the 60% range yet. This show will give me an idea of what we have down and on what areas I most need to focus.
All that's left is to trim up Speedy's bridle path and drag out my show shampoos. Well, I should probably memorize those tests as well! 5/17/2019 05:52:45 am
The California Dressage Society (CDS) is the largest GMO under the USDF umbrella - today's roster shows 2731 recorded members. Throughout the entire year, there are probably fewer than 20 CDS-only shows. All the rest are what we call triple-rated: USEF/USDF/CDS. Memberships are required. Even many schooling shows, most of which are put on by CDS chapters, have some sort of benefit for members. The membership structure here in California isn't likely to change. :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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