Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
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. 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. 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. 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. 10/23/2015 09:18:56 am
Thanks for sharing, Peggy. I loved the article and have saved it for future reference. 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. 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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