Schooling and Showing

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!