Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Mia, over at Avandarre in Dressage, commented a little while ago about goal setting. You can read her comment here, but you'll have to scroll down to the bottom. I always think I have goals, but after reading Mia's comment, I realized that my goals aren't very specific. Instead, they tend to be more nebulous: compete at First Level, make it to so many shows a year, go to a clinic. And when my goals are more specific, they cover things like: qualify for the regional show, earn enough scores for such and such award, and so on. Mia helped me see that I might benefit from some actual riding goals. Sydney needs to get off the property, but shows and clinics are awfully expensive, especially if he's going to be a freakazoid the whole time. So after I got back from the clinic and debriefed with JL, she formulated a realistic, workable goal that I really like. I have been planning on participating in the next Christian Schacht Clinic for some time but was planning on taking both horses for both days. If you've ever ridden in a clinic, you already know how expensive they are. If they're expensive for one horse and rider team, imagine the cost of taking two horses!
So here's JL's plan: IF I can get the right lead canter consistently without any theatrics on a regular basis by the end of November, Sydeny goes to the clinic. If not, he doesn't get to go, and I save myself $400. I love this plan. I am sure you're asking why this particular goal? Simple. The right lead canter has been a tension inducing moment for Sydney. Mastering, or least getting control of, that moment in time will be a good indicator of my control over-all. If I can control the right lead canter, I'll have much better control over the rest of his body. I don't know if it's too quick to make a judgement, but we haven't had a right lead canter bauble since we got back from the clinic. I've got five more weeks to decide, but things are definitely looking up.
I can hear how much more happy and relaxed you are now that you have a plan of action -- I know I'm just reading and not actually talking to you at all but it still sounds like a world of difference!
Karen, you're too sweet!! Thank you. :)
Sandra
10/25/2013 01:32:18 am
Great post! I haven't even thought about goals for 2014! I think this might be a good time to ponder some! I'm headed over to read that post now for some guidance. I will say that now that I have retired from the military I have ridden everyday and have made STUNNING progress. I should now move on to some goal centered riding rather than just frequency riding! 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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