Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Saturday is the GEAHS Spring Open Dressage Show, my second show of the season, and my first rated show of the season. With the show quickly approaching, I've been doing my nightly homework once again. I have a bit of an advantage for this show since I have seen the dressage court and warm up arena. When I practice the tests in my head at night, I can actually picture THE dressage court in which I will ride the test. For last month's show in Ojai, I had to use my lesson court as the visual aid. Having the show in my backyard also reduces some of the stress that comes with driving two and a half hours. Not to worry, there's plenty else to worry about, like the thought that of all my friends might come to watch.
And I'll be honest ... it wouldn't break my heart if Speedy G and I qualified for this fall's RAAC. Saturday's show will be my first opportunity of only four to earn a qualifying score. Last month's 73.5% didn't count as it was a schooling show and not rated. Scoring the required 65% sounds easy, huh? In an effort to NOT burn him out, I took Speedy G for a relaxing trail ride on Sunday afternoon rather than do more work in the arena. We ambled along the trail munching on wild oats and other plants. He was being very lazy so I insisted on some trot work to wake him up. And when we got to the three hill-climbs, I let him do a hand gallop that was really more of a "lope." And bless his nearly-all-growed-up-self, when we made the turn for home, he behaved like a real gentleman. His reward for remaining in control was a true hand gallop along some dicey trail. Fun, fun, fun! I hope to squeeze in two or three rides throughout the week including a lesson on Wednesday evening. Hopefully that's enough to be ready for Saturday's show ... Comments are closed.
|
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
|