Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Schooling and Showing

7/15/2011

 
I have had some really good rides since the Moorpark Schooling show.  This is a good thing because on the drive home from that show I was about ready to throw in the towel.  And since it was a long drive, I had PLENTY of time for mulling over how far to throw that towel!

All I could think about was how I could be so STUCK with Speedy G after a whole year of work.  Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe were I was.  So I took a lesson on Sydney with Coach the day after the show, and I got the opportunity to watch her ride him.  It was really helpful to see her ride him so well.  Truthfully, it inspired me to keep on trying.  I rode Speedy G the next day using some of the things I'd seen her do with Sydney, and wow, much better ride!  She had me plant my inside hand on my thigh to steady the inside contact which also prevented me from pulling back on the inside rein, a habit of mine.  This forced me to really deal with the outside rein.  AHA!

And then, ever a glutton for punishment, I decided to torture myself by reviewing all the miserable scores I've received from the ten dressage shows that I've been to.  What?  These can't be right!  That's what I kept thinking as I read my scores over. They're actually very respectable.  They're not GREAT, well two are, but they also don't scream, LOSER!!!!  They're the scores of a horse and rider team making slow and steady progress.

Check 'em over.  Whadaya think?

Intro A/B 63.5%/63.5% - June '10 *rated (2007 Tests)
Intro A/B 59.0%/61.50% - July '10 *rated (2007 Tests)
Intro A/B 58%/55% August '10 *rated (2007 Tests)  These were just 10 days after a serious wreck that cracked my helmet.
Intro A/B 61.0%/60.50% - September '10 *rated (2007 Tests)
Intro A/B 60.0%/60.0% - October '10 ***rated (2007 Tests)
Intro B/T1 57.0%/56.522% - December '10 schooling (2001 Tests)  The first test was on a short course, which TOTALLY confused me, and I had NEVER practiced the training level test!
Intro B/C 71.88%/73.50% (show high point) - April '11 schooling (2011 Tests)
Intro B/C 53.75%/54.5% May '11 ***rated (2011 Tests)
Intro B/C 65.625%/60.50% June '11 *rated (2011 Tests)
Intro B/C 58.125%/58.0% July '11 schooling (2011 Tests)

Before I get any comments suggesting ... I don't know what comments this might generate, actually.  My point is that some people show a lot, at much higher levels, with much higher scores.  And some don't.  Recently I was reading Dressage Letters, the CDS newsletter, and I stopped on the show results page.  I've never read this page before, but I'm glad I did.  Most of the reported scores were by lower level riders, Training and First Level.  Most of the reported scores were in the high 50s to the lower 60s.  There were even some 40s, and of course a few 70s.  Why, this seems shockingly close to my own results!

I frequently read  posts from people that post their successes, without posting their failures or even their test levels.  When you only read about high scores and never about failures, it can leave you feeling like, well, a failure!  So I am posting my scores, as well as the tests ridden, in an effort to paint a clear picture of how a lower level rider progresses.  And I am posting ALL the scores, not just the good ones.  Did you see that 53.75%?

I think I need to quit being so dang hard on myself and admit that I am ... gulp ... a dressage rider.  And as a friend so eloquently stated, not a wanna be!
Val
7/15/2011 12:28:32 am

I appreciate your honesty and your transparency. Showing is only one factor in your dressage journey and by no means the ultimate yardstick.

Just to share a little bit about the frustrations of dressage shows. I entered a training level class when I first got my horse and the judge said "too fast". So in the next show, I really focused on slowing down our tempo and I thought that my horse was carrying himself much better. The next judge said "too slow". Both judges liked my horse, but I have learned to take feedback from trainers and coaches in person more to heart. ;)

Karen Sweaney
7/15/2011 08:15:41 am

Val - I love the feedback. Without being in a big show barn with lots of people to talk to, Facebook and blogging are my source for dressage talk!

Someone on Facebook posted something similar to your comment. Here is what I said to her: I agree. It is a very personal journey. However ... feedback from judges is very helpful for me, and I read the remarks very carefully. I have yet to disagree with any comment from a judge. And when I've received 4s, I knew they were accurate. It's harder to believe the 8s! :0)

Experienced riders know how they're doing (I think). They have a goal (I assume) and are riding towards that particular accomplishment. As a beginner, to dressage anyway, I enter at A and feel like it's been disastrous if my ride doesn't look like a "TV ride." What's unacceptable, acceptable, or very well done? I don't have enough experience to know if I am on the right path.

At my very first show I earned scores in the 60s. I had no idea at what level I was performing. Was I earning Cs and Ds, or were those "Honor Roll" rides (teacher speak)? Now that I have a handful of scores and something with which to compare, I would say that I am at grade level, and not at risk for retention (more teacher speak).

I've said this several times I know, but my biggest fear is looking ridiculous. Reviewing scores, and seeing that they are actually in line with the rest of the dressage world, gives me confidence and lets me know that I don't look ridiculous, and yes, I am on the right track. Have I mentioned that I am a bit of an overachiever? :0)

I would love to hear a judge's thoughts on judging.


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy 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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home