Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Part 1
Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Too late for a spoiler alert, huh? It's true. We rocked Training Level Test 3. I knew it was going to be a good ride as soon as we entered the arena. I was prepared. My final test of the day came several hours after T-2 which gave Speedy and me both a chance to rest and think. He had a small snack in his stall while I enjoyed a barbecued cheeseburger on the viewing deck. I hydrated myself, ran through the test a few more times, and saddled up. My second warm up of the day was almost identical to the first: a walk lap followed by a few small left circles and a canter to trot transition. That was it. I walked Speedy over to the gate and gave him a little pep talk. I encouraged him, pat his neck, and worked on raising both of our energy levels. I was actually excited to ride the test. The bell rang, and I entered from a right bend and halted at X. I felt Speedy drift a wee bit, but I knew it was a pretty decent halt. From that point on, my entire focus was on riding each movement to the best of my ability. I remembered to prepare Speedy for each transition, and my efforts paid off. The stretchy trot is the last movement before trotting up centerline for the final halt and salute. It was the first time that he has ever actually stretched during a test. You should have seen my smile! The score: a 6.5!!!!! Our final score? 63.800%, with another 9 point jump from the day before! I know that watching and studying better riders helped improve my own rides for the weekend. Just to show how much we improved over the weekend, here's a little "chart" showing my points and final scores.
Oddly, Training Level Test 2 is actually worth more points than Test 3. Test 2 has a maximum value of 280 while Test 3's maximum is 250. The things that I most love about my T-3 score are that there is nothing lower than a 6.0, our stretchy trot finally earned a "passing" score, and we finished the show with an 8 for our Halt, Salute. What a great ending to a really enjoyable show. Score sheets are below ...
martina Peterson
3/22/2013 02:18:45 am
you really have aced this week end and I hope you are proud of yourself and Speedy. You are both great athletes. By the way I am entering a 5k walk race to help cancer victums. At least I think that's what it is. I'm preparing myself early by walking everyday and some mild jogging. The lady that entered me is half my age and is in better shape. Oh well she is a 911 operator so if I drop she'll know what to do. All kidding aside that won't happen because I am determined to finish and would like to expand into more endurance.
Karen
3/22/2013 06:52:00 am
You'll do great, Mom! It runs in the family. :0)
Karen
3/22/2013 06:54:29 am
Right?! That is the number one problem with traveling and showing alone - no built in photographer. :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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