Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Here is the part of the story in which you will be shaking your head and tsk, tsk, tsking me. I'll just put it out there: I wasn't very happy with my Introductory C test, and yet I earned a fantastic score. It was a 67.000%. Wow, awesome, nice! Except I don't feel that way. I had the same judge as the day before which made the whole thing even more confusing. She gave me seven 7s, a 7.5, and even an 8 for our halt. We also earned a single 5, a single 6, and a pair of 6.5s. Every collective mark was a 6.5 as well. The scores would suggest a fairly lovely test. I wish I could feel happy about it. Wah, wah, wah - shut the hell up, you whiner! I know that's what you're saying, and I deserve it. I think the problem is that it's been quite a while since I've ridden an Introductory Level Test so I've forgotten that the expectations are lower than they are for Training Level. I have a hard time processing that my 7.0 canter at Intro is a 6.0 canter at Training Level 3. My 8.0 halt at Intro is closer to a 6.0 at Training Level. You get the idea. I know I should be proud of that test, but it's hard to feel that way when I want to be a successful Training Level (and beyond) rider. I wonder how Grand Prix riders feel when they have a successful Fourth Level ride? Okay ... whining is over. So how did I place? Well ... if you'll remember, I was the only rider in all of the middle third of California who qualified AND went to the RAAC at intro. I got first place. I hope that next year more riders will consider going to the RAAC for Introductory Level. It really was fun, and they give you lots of cool stuff. For being in first place, Speedy earned a beautiful neck ribbon and an awesome cooler. We also participated in the Honor Round which required that he and I do a victory "gallop" in the covered arena as our name and placing were called out. I was worried that he would freak out about the neck ribbon so we kept it to a trot. Part way during the victory lap, he caught site of the ribbon on his chest and gave it the one-eyed ogle as he crabbed down the long side. I managed to finish the lap without any ill effects. We then had to pose for numerous photos, one of which will be in a future edition of the CDS monthly magazine. Lori Ovanessian, a wonderful photographer, shot Speedy at the trot, and then two more of Speedy in his ribbon (the better photo is with her awesome camera). The last photo is one showing the lettering on the cooler. By the way, I bought a new dark gray coat for the RAAC and was really pleased with the color. I think it looks nice on a gray horse.
But on to more import things. Here is the score sheet for the Introductory C Test. There is no back page so don't think I cheated you when you see only two pages, the cover and the scores. Collective marks fit on the same page as the actual test scores. Click to enlarge images. Lovely pics! Blue looks so pretty on Speedy! You already figured it out - expectations are lower for Intro classes, therefore higher scores than training level. I watched this happen to my daughter when showing 2nd and 3rd level. Great prizes :) I would compete in the RAAC's in Intro if I lived in your neck of the woods!
Karen
9/7/2012 10:47:10 am
Indiana must have a GMO. Is there something similar to our regional amateur show? We also have our GMO's (CDS) championship show. The regional show is fun because it is for ammies only.
Val
9/7/2012 11:08:25 pm
Gorgeous pictures!
Karen
9/8/2012 01:17:30 am
Thank you, Val. :0) 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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