Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Lovely and Lousy All at the Same Time! 

2/13/2013

 
The show season has officially begun. For me that is. Some of you might still be in the throws of winter and can't imagine showing so soon. That's California for you - mild winters and hot summers! 

Our first show was a schooling show, by design. Why waste money on a rated show when you're just gearing back up? Claudia Roberts puts on the BEST schooling show series: they're fun, cheap, and the venue is fantastic. To see the list of dates for the rest of the series, click here. 

I would love to say that we rocked it. Our scores would say so, 69.10% and 67.8%. Pretty good, huh?!

Here's the deal. I am a realist, or is that a pessimist? Schooling shows are meant to build up a rider's confidence. The judges try to encourage and not discourage. I feel that my scores were probably inflated by 5% and maybe even 10%. If this had been a USDF show, the scores would likely have been closer to 59% and 57%. It sucks to be a realist. I would so much rather be idealistic or optimistic. Being so cynical is a real downer.

Here's a swift kick in the arse ... 

For a bit of a comparison, I decided to look up how I did at this same show last year: Intro C (63.5%) and Training Level 1 (60%). Well that's interesting. We did MUCH better this year and at more advanced tests. I then decided to deflate my test scores by taking one point off for each movement and 2 points off if there was a coefficient, of which there were quite a few. (I didn't deduct anything from the collective marks as those are very similar to the marks we normally receive.) With the new "un-inflated" scores, we would have earned 61.96% at T2 and a 61% at T3! Hey - that's pretty good and still way, way better than last year's scores! Maybe we were more lovely than lousy after all!

It occurs to me that dressage comes with a built in You Will Always Suck element. Just when you start to think, I can do this and we're doing it pretty well, you move up a level so that you are guaranteed to once again feel like a big fat loser. I think that's what has happened to me.

It's tough for a perfectionist to work on a sliding scale. You can never get there as the bar keeps moving. This is obviously something that I am going to need to think about. How do I find satisfaction in my efforts when they might always fall short? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I showed up with enough time to watch some of the Intro riders go. Amazingly, I actually knew they were Intro riders. Just last year I wouldn't have been able to tell. I actually giggled at the floppy reins, over-use of the inside rein, lack of energy, etc. I don't mean a "snarky" giggle, but an oh-my-God-that-is-EXACTLY-what-we-looked-six-months-ago giggle! It made me realize that maybe we really ARE improving. Maybe the very nice comments made by the show organizers and volunteers weren't just smoke being blown up my butt!

The two elements that I know beyond a doubt have improved are our canter work and my control of the outside rein. There were zero bucks for each canter departure. They were prompt and "up" in the front. In fact he popped up at movement 13 which wasn't a good thing, but that means that his head was up and not tucked down between his legs which makes it easier to buck! So kudos to me for "fixing" that. 

Last year we struggled with spooking because my reins were too long, and I had very little control of the outside rein. I felt Speedy tense up as we approached C the first time, but I put both legs on and thought, MOVE IT BUDDY! He did, and he remained straight although the judge noted that we needed more bend. I am okay with needing more bend as opposed to spooking and bolting off course. One thing at at a time ...

So, with all that introspective crap, here is the score sheet for Training Level Test 2.  The second test is coming tomorrowish.
Picture
I won't lie - that 69.10% looks very nice! Click to enlarge.
Picture
I've never had THREE 8s at a time! Click to enlarge.
Picture
Pretty similar to the Collective Marks we normally get. Click to enlarge.
Kelly link
2/13/2013 01:41:08 am

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself! Great scores and obvious improvement! And yeah for 3 - 8's :)

Karen
2/13/2013 10:47:53 am

I know. I am working on it, but that's why perfectionist tendencies can be so debilitating. :0) But thank you!

Jen link
2/13/2013 03:54:44 am

Actually, I think that's good! While I agree that dressage can inspire the perfectionist / pessimist in us all, that you're conscious of your improvement *independent* of the score is key. Well done :) Plus, I know from personal experience that Lita can be a tough judge.

Karen
2/13/2013 05:14:01 am

Thank you for the comment, Jen. "Improvement independent of the score" - wow. Excellent way to describe what I WANT to feel. That statement is going in my toolbox. Thank you! I checked out your most recent post, which was quite well written and interesting. If you say that this judge tends to be tough, I feel like you would know. So thank you for sharing that as well!

Val
2/13/2013 05:28:20 am

Those scores are awesome! There is plenty of room to spare if you are concerned about the score dropping at a rated show. Your analysis made a lot of sense and you and Speedy's success is well deserved. :)

Karen
2/13/2013 10:50:44 am

Thank you, Val. I know I am my worst critic. I feel like if I say the worst things, no one else has room to be critical. I just read something today that made me think about trying to be less critical. "See how being conscious of your worth can satisfy your heart & heal situations involving employment, eating disorders, health care, relationships, & more!" I definitely could learn a lot from this sentiment. :0)


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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

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

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


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