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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Intro A at White Birch

7/27/2016

 
In case you're not a dressage aficionado, Intro A is the lowest level dressage test that you can ride. It is a walk and trot test only. In fact, the purpose of the test is "to introduce the rider and/or horse to the sport of dressage. To show understanding of riding the horse forward with a steady tempo into an elastic contact with independent, steady hands and a correctly balanced seat. To show proper geometry of figures in the arena with correct bend (corners and circles)."

In other words, it's not rocket science. Even so, I was quite pleased with Izzy's Intro A Test. It's not beautiful, it's not rhythmic, the tempo was wonky, and the rider's hands were all over the place, but it was BETTER than the last two. Take a look.
That halt!  Not perfectly square, but it was so soft and forward thinking that the judge rewarded us with an 8! The rest was just so-so, but there was still much to like. Everything Izzy did was distinctly better than in the first two shows he did, and it wasn't because of the different judges. He's just developing confidence.

​Here are his scores from all three tests from this season. The last score shown is from this show.
  • Enter working trot rising, medium walk: 5.0, 5.0, 6.0 Better
  • Track right, working trot rising: 5.0, 6.0, 6.0 Showing some consistency
  • Circle right 20-meters: 4.0, 6.0, 5.5 it felt pretty good
  • Change rein across the diagonal: 5.0, 6.0, 5.5 my fault
  • Circle left 20-meters: 5.0, 5.0, 5.5 no rearing or bucking
  • Medium walk: 5.0, 6.0, 5.0 it felt okay to me
  • Free walk: 4.5 (jigging), 4.0 (jigging), 4.5 he actually walked!
  • Halt and salute: 6.0, 6.0, 8.0 I'll take it!
Picture
We finished up with a score of 58.750%, 5th in a class of 5, but several other riders finished with scores nearly identical to ours. It was a class of (mostly) very green horses.

A sub-60% score is never what I am looking for, but I was so excited by Izzy's effort. For the first time, there was no spooking, rearing, bucking, squealing, or wild head flinging. He was nervous and worried, but he kept himself together.
Picture
In the warm up, I didn't just shoot for survival. I was actually able to school him. He walked down to the test ring without a companion, human or equine, and he walked right into the ring without any hesitation. If you saw our Saturday lesson, you'll know he was quite spooky at C, but for the test, he got tense in front of the judge, but he stayed with me.
Picture
Tense, but present.
As I scrolled through the video, frame by frame, looking for bloopers, I had trouble finding any truly horrible moments. The shot in front of the judge was the most tense and ugly shot I could find. It wasn't a great test, but it wasn't bad either.

I am really excited about this show. Progress, even a little bit, is all I am looking for. My plan for the next few months is a lesson or schooling show every two weeks. I think we're finally getting somewhere!

Next up: the Intro B Test.
Leah link
7/27/2016 05:44:14 am

Yay for progress! Even his tense moment in front of C doesn't look terrible -- obviously not pretty but he's clearly still with you. Sounds like you're doing a great job building his confidence!

jenj
7/27/2016 06:43:49 am

Wow, some super nice moments in that test. Congrads!

Sarah link
7/27/2016 07:02:13 am

We're working towards showing Intro A in October and were making good progress until I was the unimpressed recipient of some rogue bucks last night. *rolls eyes*

SarahO link
7/27/2016 07:14:09 am

Good job!

Micaylah link
7/27/2016 10:58:08 am

Oh goody! Improvement is always great

Hillary link
7/27/2016 01:36:41 pm

It's all about getting out there! :)

teresa link
7/27/2016 05:05:41 pm

You should be very pleased. Once the tension is gone you guys are going to be fabulous!


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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    National Rider Awards

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    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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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