Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I know this seems like such an embarrassing thing to say, but here's the deal: Everyone has to start somewhere. We can't all be Isabell Werth or Steffen Peters. Dressage Today had a great article in the February 2012 issue entitled, "The Beauty of Being a Beginner." Cindy Sydnor, the author, writes (pg. 70), "Being a beginner is great. Your attitude is, 'I'm here. I want to learn to ride. Please teach me.' [ ...] When a student keeps trying not to be a beginner and envisions her path to be a predictable staircase that she wants to climb in yearly intervals, learning can actually come to a grinding halt. [...] Enjoy the beginning because it is actually what you will need the most until the very end. Even Einstein was a beginner once." So you see, I am not embarrassed to be a beginner. In fact, I know that as a beginner I am learning mountains of things that are crucial to know before moving on. If I try and skip these first steps, I'll never really know why horses soften or why they won't. Bringing along my own, two very different boys, is providing me with a wonderful education that I would never get had I bought a schoolmaster or a horse already on his way. As I write I am basking in the glow of a fabulous ride on Sydney. I worked and worked on getting a stretch over the topline and was rewarded with some wonderfully relaxed, stretchy strides. He felt it, I felt it, we both took deep sighs of ooooohhhh. I asked correctly, after months of trial and error, and he found the right answer. We did that together. Here's to beginners! There is a reason for this talk about beginners. My certificate from the California Dressage Society finally arrived. I know it's not a big deal, but I really appreciate the recognition. To me, the introductory certificate says, You braved the showing world as a beginner and you achieved something. Be proud! The certificate is earned by CDS members who achieve scores of 60% or better at Introductory C Level or above in a single show season (not to exceed 4 scores). The scores must come from a CDS rated show. Once you earn 5 or more scores in a single show season, you earn a plate. That's my goal for 2012. I already have one score on the books and am looking for 4 more. Here's the certificate. And here's what I did with it. The three ribbons are from the three shows where I earned the necessary scores (60.500%, 62.000%, and 65.500%).
Kendal
2/10/2012 01:03:38 am
Woo for beginners! Karen I love reading about your insights, thank you for this one especially. I get stuck on that yearly step plan of "I must move up next season.. don't want to get left behind.." This year I am getting a wonderful gift of taking baby horse to her first shows, and we are most likely giving my older mare a year off, so I won't be moving to 1st level. I was very upset at first, just like that article, I thought I had to reach a point each year, and I was getting frusterated. Taking the time to make my new dressage partner fabulous, brave and strong is well worth taking time away from those steps (and since I have sucky release with my arms, probably good for me anyhow).
Karen
2/10/2012 10:26:00 am
Thank you, Kendal! I think you give me too much credit though. :0) I am not sure if I am insightful, or just a whiner!
I too am a beginner - last year I showed twice at Intro B - on my greenie mare...and that is what we will start with this year.
Karen
2/10/2012 10:28:29 am
Kelly, much like I said to Kendal, it's comforting knowing there are others on this path. And you are absolutely right about the horses not having a goal. I agree 100% that it is about our journey. I am enjoying the view and taking the time to smell the roses as well. :0) Have a great show season!
Val
2/10/2012 12:40:51 pm
Enjoy the journey, because that is really what it is all about. You come from a long list of endurance accomplishments. All of your dressage accomplishments will add feathers to your cap!
Karen
2/10/2012 01:49:54 pm
Thanks, Val. I am not sure how long the endurance list is, but I smile over any accomplishment, big or small. I'm sort of goal driven. :0)
Karen
2/10/2012 01:50:49 pm
Obviously I am too. Aw well ... hard to disappoint when little is expected. :0) 2/13/2012 08:44:31 am
Congratulations! So wonderful to be recognized for taking a chance and getting out there. Great motivation to keep going and keep learning. I totally feel you that especially when you're a beginner, getting the recognition helps fuel the passion. The old joke is that we spend thousands of dollars to get some 10-cent ribbons, but you and I know that we put in the sweat and money equity for the experience. Good for you!
Karen
2/13/2012 10:29:25 am
Thank you! It's a little thing, I know. I need these little things though. :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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