Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Well, we finally made it to a USDF show at Second Level. It was a week or two ago, but as you know, I haven't been feeling my best. Here's the quick version of what happened. There is a spoiler alert though - we weren't fabulous. We were barely mediocre. On Saturday, we earned a 62.879% for Test 1 and a 58.846% for Test 2. On Sunday, we earned a 57.576% for Test 1 and a similar 57.821% for Test 2. Low, but you know what? I'll take it. At least we showed up. Once again I battled migraines. Our Friday warm up went only so-so. I know our simple change still needs a lot of work, especially after the counter canter, so Chemaine helped me work through them. The whole time I rode though it felt as though I was in a fog. And that fog followed me around all weekend. Somehow I bumbled through my two tests on Saturday earning at least one decent score. I tried to forget about the pounding in my head, and to most everyone, I probably looked pretty normal. The truth was that I fluctuated from hey, I am standing up and walking to Oh my gosh I think I am dying as I sobbed in pain. Saturday evening was the worst. I was in serious pain and barely slept. I wondered how I was going to get through Sunday. As I've mentioned about 10,000 times already, I am not a quitter. I sucked it up and plowed through those last two tests. Having some great friends around really helped. Just like the day before, we had some solid moments (6.0s and 7.0s) and a few moments that made everyone wince (I finally earned a 2.0). Migraine or no, I am not that disappointed with our scores. We earned a lot of 6.0s and 7.0s. The movements that we know well earned us great scores, and the what the hell? moments were just blips. As soon as we improve in those areas, we'll be earning mid-60 scores quite easily.
While I wish I could have earned a 60% on Sunday, I am happy with the one good score we did earn. That single score went a long way toward helping me achieve some of my goals.
Our next show is a CDS-rated show in late May. After that we'll tackle another USDF show in mid-June. That gives me a good chunk of time to polish up that simple change and tweak the shoulder in. I am genuinely pleased with our progress and feel no rush to get through Second Level. I think we'll be here for a while. 4/26/2018 12:24:14 pm
Wow. Thanks! I have so much to fix with my own position, but Speedy is definitely getting a better and better medium trot. :0)
Proud of you! 4/26/2018 12:25:43 pm
Thanks, Elinor. :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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