Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
We went to the cabin over the weekend, not horse related I know, but I do have a point. We don't have a phone, cell service, internet, or cable up there (serial killers, please leave us be …) which means we get to be unplugged from society. This is a very good thing.
Not having a connection to the outside world doesn't mean we have no electronics however. Hubby uses the iPad, I read on the Kindle, and we enjoy watching movies and TV shows on Blue Ray/DVD, which brings me to the dressage point to this post. I brought along my copy of On the Levels, USDF's video package that includes all of the tests ridden with a trainer's and judge's remarks. I hadn't watched it in awhile as I've been hovering at Training Level for so long. Now that I am going to show First Level (Test One) in a few weeks, I wanted to see it ridden with a judge's scoring. I watched the test from C with the judge's comments and then again from E. What was most interesting was the differences in scoring. Just from the way it is filmed, I am pretty sure the judge gives his comments while watching a video of the ride. I say this because the same judge scored the ride from the C perspective and then again from the E perspective. It was the same ride, just videoed from the two different locations. The score from the C perspective was quite a bit higher than from the judge at E (same judge). It was easy to see why. Several rider errors became obvious once you saw them from E or B. The biggest "error" was the 10-meter half circles at X; they were large ovals with four to five trot steps at X. This was the movement I most wanted to see ridden and scored. Another "error" was in the cantering lengthening. The rider really asked for a lot of jump into the lengthening, and the judge marked her down for that. A friend pointed that very thing out to me earlier by saying it's not a hand gallop. The judge just wants to see if the horse is truly in front of your leg. The third thing the judge "picked at" was not having enough inside bend. We already struggle with that so it won't be a shock to see that on my score sheet. And maybe, since I am working on it, it won't be as bad as I think. I am so glad I took the time to watch the DVD. Of course, I forgot to bring it home so I can't watch it again until we go back up this coming weekend. I learned a lot by watching the test and seeing an immediate score for how it was ridden. We're ready!
8 Comments
martina peterson
10/21/2014 12:42:40 am
good morning, I finally decided to reconnect myself to the modern world. Things have been very hectic at home. I'll call you this week by land line to update you. I just read your article and was amazed at your knowledge and how far you have come in just three years doing dressage. I know you are an expert with endurance and know much about horses in general. Good luck with upgrading your class. love mom
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10/21/2014 11:25:28 am
They are very well done. Unfortunately, new tests will be coming out in January so I am going to have to buy the DVD set again. :0)
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jenj
10/21/2014 04:06:11 am
Oooh, I don't have this video but it sounds like I might need to watch it. Sounds super useful!
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10/21/2014 11:26:50 am
They are very well done videos, but like I mentioned to Lauren, with the new tests coming out in January, they won't as helpful. I'll just have to buy the new DVD when it comes out. It's around $40.
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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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