It's Not Too Late, Or Too Early!

10/18/2015

In the six seasons that I've been showing - can that be right? - I've never done a rated show in the fall once the season is over. Since I am only a Group Member with USDF, my scores haven't counted for the USDF Championship Show anyway. My GMO's show season is from October 1 - October 1, so I've never earned my qualifying scores for CDS in the fall either.

This year, several of Chemaine's other students wanted to start qualifying for next year, so they entered a two-day show on October 24/25 and asked me to join in. I hesitated at first because there was a clinic I wanted to do in November, but after giving it some thought, I sent in an entry.

Soon ... I have the blue one already, but now my eye is on that BEAUTIFUL red one!

Once I got to thinking about it, I realized that I'll have four opportunities to earn scores for next year's Regional Adult Amateur Competition and the CDS Championship Show. Having those scores earned this early in the season would take a ton of pressure away next spring.

More important than that though, I realized that this show gives me another opportunity to get the last score I need for my Rider Performance Award at First Level. It's not the Bronze Medal, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

Hopefully USDF will be adding one more at First Level! (From the September 2015 USDF Connection)

I've written about this before, many times in fact, but I am highly motivated by award programs, especially those that reward incremental progress. I don't need an atta girl for every little thing, but I very much appreciate the USDF's effort to recognize riders who have shown some level of mastery at each level as they make their way to their first medal.

We might not get the score of course, but I am feeling pretty good about our chances. And if we don't get it at this show, we'll get it at the next one.

Peggy Klump link

10/18/2015 04:48:00 pm

Glad you made this decision to start early towards your goals for 2016 for both CDS & USDF. As Chair of the USDF Awards Committee I applaud this concept and encourage others, where fall shows are offered, to do the same and get a head start. For 2016 USDF will offer GMO members another new progressive awards program in dressage seat equitation for all riders including AA, Jr/YR & open divisions. Contact me or USDF for more details. Please note that there are other awards programs offered by CDS & USDF not mentioned in this post as well.

Bakersfield Dressage link

10/23/2015 09:18:56 am

Thanks for sharing, Peggy. I loved the article and have saved it for future reference.

Jan link

10/19/2015 07:57:28 am

I've got my eye on that red badge too! Thanks for letting me know how to go about getting it. By the time I get out there and get it, I'll have been one score away for 3 years! I hope you get it this weekend!

10/23/2015 09:19:58 am

Thanks, Jan. I don't know why I feel such a rush as Second Level doesn't seem to be as close as I was hoping. :0)

SprinklerBandits

10/19/2015 09:19:59 am

I love your heads-up about these programs. Excited to try for some of them next year!

10/23/2015 09:21:54 am

One thing to note is that the scores only count if you have paid your membership dues. So if you are thinking of showing Training or First in 2016, membership dues are due in December although you can join later in the year. Just make sure you join before doing a USDF show if you want the scores to count.

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage