Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
It's not that I am at a loss for words, Hubby can swear that never happens, it's just that I have too much to say. So instead of a post about one topic, I need to just unload a few different things. 1. I am back to struggling with my gray pony, but at least I am not taking it personally. He is being a real stinker about the canter. He is literally hurtling his body into the gait with no effort at relaxing. When I rode on Tuesday, I just kept asking in a nice way while staying calm and relaxed myself. After what seemed like forever, he finally rolled into the canter. We made one circle, and I brought him to a halt. I praised him like there was no tomorrow. Getting frustrated with him isn't going to help anything. 2. I am worrying about this weekend's show. Of course. I am worrying about the parking; I am worrying about the stabling arrangements; but my greatest fear is that we "peaked" at the last show. I just don't see how we can equal that performance. Ridiculously, the main reason that I am so worried about it is because a handful of local riders will be there, and I don't want to be the bumbling country cousin that everyone rolls their eyes at. Oh, right, her again. I know, I know; it's stupid. I give my students a million ways to combat those self-destructive thoughts: Success Starts with Believing in Yourself; For Success, Attitude is as Important as Ability; and my favorite, The Three D's to Succeed: Desire, Discipline, Dedication. I am up to my chin in those three things. 3. I got some good work out of Sydney on Tuesday. We mainly worked to the right. I could feel my brain firing like crazy with all of the info I learned on Monday. The first thing I did was to really make sure he was working from that outside rein. Once he felt balanced, I started asking him to soften off the inside rein. And then, all of a sudden I could feel when I needed to use my inside leg. I asked for a right lead canter and actually got it the first time. It wasn't a spectacular transition, but getting it right away felt like a victory. I called it a day. 4. My mom is coming to the show. She drove down from Cave Junction, Oregon just to camp out with me for three days at the show. It's a 650 mile trip so I feel some added pressure to do well and make sure that she has fun. I know she'll be wearing her rose colored glasses and will only see an Olympic rider on Speedy G, but still ... I'll know it's just me. Even though I am anxious about it, I am still looking forward to having my mom walking with me from the warm-up and waiting patiently (or not so patiently) ring side as we do our tests. Oh, and to have a boot polisher will be divine! As hard as I tried to make this a true list of 5 Things, I couldn't find a fifth thing that has me worried. Well thank goodness for that! So instead, here's a bit of a Can-Do to help myself out ...
5. I work really hard to improve (Success: Don't Just Wish for it, Work for it!). I do a lot with a little: I travel alone (no groom/trainer), I ride non-traditional breeds (Arabian & OTTB), I don't have a dressage trainer (h/j trainer instead), and yet, we still mange to get the job. Win or lose, I'm in it for the education and experience (Education is Not Received, It's Achieved!).
I can relate to those stressful pre-show feelings. However, I don't think you and Speedy "peaked" at the last show, I think you guys are starting to really communicate on the same level. You might still miss sometimes (see your canter depart work), but you guys will get it again - and easier this time. Good luck!
Karen
7/29/2013 06:32:10 am
Thanks, Austen. your comment about the woman riding Arabs really encouraged me. Speedy's not a warm blood, but I hear over and over that he looks as though he floats around the ring. And you're right, we haven't peaked. Our final score for the the show was a 67% at Training Level Test 3 in a championship round (no whips or readers allowed and the ring was even closed at A - fancy!). 7/25/2013 04:24:20 am
I love all your quotes about success! I definitely need to remember a few. My favorite is "Success: Don't Just Wish for it, Work for it!"
Karen
7/29/2013 06:33:34 am
I have to constantly remind myself, but I do better with pick-me-ups than with negative "stories."
Karen
7/29/2013 06:34:40 am
Thanks, Karley. My 5 Things is a semi-regular feature. :0) I like odd numbers!
Karen
7/29/2013 06:39:18 am
Thank you, Lauren. I had a rough start, but we did nothing but get better and better. At one point, when I got a low placing on the RAAC test, I got teary-eyed. I told my mom, my "away" trainer, and the CDS VCC chapter chair that I wasn't so disappointed with the score as I was about disappointing all of my readers. I just couldn't stand the thought of having to come back and tell you all that I had "failed." I knew everyone was rooting for me and I didn't want to let you all down. My mom immediately explained that that is why she likes my blog - I am honest about success and "failure." So, thank you! :0)
have a good time. I wish my mom was healthy enough to watch me show!
Karen
7/29/2013 06:42:57 am
Thanks, Teresa. I may get upset for a few minutes, but I am really good about letting it go and moving forward. I don't get stuck on what happened. My trainer gave me some excellent tips for "fixing" some of our sticky spots so that when I got resistance in the loop, i could get past it and move on to the next element. 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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