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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Show Report: Part 2

2/14/2012

 
Sunday's show was fun.  I already wrote about it here.  We weren't awesome, but we did put in a solid effort.  I also have to point out that just two weeks ago at the Ride-a-Test, we were a disaster.  This show was our first real event since November's rated show, so overall, I am pretty pleased with how we did.  You probably haven't seen it yet, but I added a new page under the Showing Dressage link that lists every score from every test that I've ridden.  It's really for my benefit, but if you take a look at it here, you will definitely see that we're moving up the levels (slowly, remember I'm enjoying the beauty of being a beginner) and our scores are improving.

Yeah, yeah.  Get on with it!  How did you do?

Okay, here are my score sheets.  First, Introductory Test C ...
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Nice score and I actually "earned" the blue ribbon.
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So what do I like?  Quite a bit, actually!  The two eights are wonderful as are the sevens for the collective marks, especially the marks for rider position and effectiveness of aids.  Speedy will never improve if I can't use my aids correctly.  So those sevens mean my position is improving which in turn is helping him earn eights!  I also love that the judge didn't use my old friends, Hollow or Braced.  I hate those guys!  Although Resistant might be their very close cousin!  And did you notice how many times she used the word LOVELY?  I did - three!  Those were compliments.  Gotta love that.

Here's the Training Level 1 score sheet ...
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I am always happy with a 60.0%.
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If you're still with me, bless you.  It can get tedious reading too many details about one low level amateur.  But here goes ...  Same likes - the eight, lovely transition, and some beautiful moments.  Our problems were in the canter.  And really?  I am not upset by that.  We're working hard and we're showing improvement.  I liked how I handled the right lead canter (movement 11): Speedy took off cross-cantering, but thanks to help from Judge Mary (L Graduate), I knew to fix it.  I brought him back to trot and re-cued for the canter.  He got it right by the time we were back to A, but the five shows that he was still fussing about it.  And the nose wagging, well that's me tugging and him ignoring my attempts at a half-halt.  And one more ... I was disappointed about the stretch as we've worked hard on that at home.  He started to stretch, but as we approached the top of the circle, he started running a bit and I had to take up the reins and we fell apart for the last part of the circle. The good thing was that I did get him rebalanced and our 8 on the medium walk shows that.

Overall, I am pleased.  We went to a new venue alone (as usual).  We put it in a respectable performance.  We got more experience.  And I am not a terrible rider.  This is totally self-congratulatory here, but I am rather proud of my ability to do this on my own and still have fun at the same time!
Mia
2/14/2012 06:50:40 am

You are a good rider! Congrat's on the 7's for rider position. Very well done.

I was wondering what a judge would see as worse... Speeding during the stretchy circle but stretching, or same tempo but less stretch. Ava does it well at home, but I'm worried about her doing the same as Speedy did once at a show. I was planning on going for the stretch and if she speeds, and won't listen to the seat then we'll just speed. But I wonder which way would be penalized more harshly?

Karen
2/14/2012 10:46:37 am

Mia, you are so supportive! Thank you. I try to be as honest as possible about my abilities, but I know that I am very self-depricating and my own worst critic. I am probably a better rider than I give myself credit for. BUT ... I am very cognizant of the fact that I have MUCH to learn. :0)

I think you raise a valid point about the stretchy trot - stretch, or tempo? I am going to guess that stretch is the better option even with the speed. The movement's directives specify forward and downward stretch. I think I would rather have fast stretch than slow with no stretch. In Speedy's case, he was going for forward with no stretch. That wasn't worth it so I shortened my reins and tried to rebalance him. I lost points for the stretch, but we got them back as we transitioned to the walk. Here's to getting BOTH!

Val
2/15/2012 04:39:46 am

Those are some really good scores! You had an awesome day!

The stretchy circle is not our strong suit at shows, even though Harley can stretch to the ground at home. He will even stretch in the canter. There is always a certain level of tension in our ride at shows, so I feel that we never really show off our best ride, but I guess that is how it works unless you have a horse that loves to show. Some of them do. It sounds like Speedy is getting the hang of it!

Karen
2/15/2012 10:46:22 am

That's very nice of you to say, Val. Thank you. I am happy with day. As you say, it's hard to get what you can do at home at a show. I definitely don't have horses who like to show. I wish I did. How much fun would that be?!

Montoya, of the super flaxen mane, LOVED endurance races, so I know there must be horses out there who LOVE to show.

Sarah E. Schulman link
2/16/2012 01:13:51 am

Fantastic job! Looks like you didn't have any surprises at the scoring, which is always good.

Karen
2/16/2012 10:52:20 am

I was happy, and no, no surprises, other than the eights! I never take those for granted! :0)

Kelly RGF link
2/22/2012 02:05:23 am

Sorry to batch-comment all at once ... things have been so hectic around here that I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS and well done! There are some lovely marks and comments there. I'm sad to see that your next show is not until the end of March - I'm really enjoying following along :o).

I don't think the stretch vs tempo thing is an either/or situation - I would expect to get a 5 no matter which one was missing. When my horses rush they tend to come above the bit and go hollow, so I know for us that if they were speeding we wouldn't be getting true stretch anyway. I would aim for keeping the tempo and gradually asking for more stretch as he becomes more balanced and supple.

Karen
2/22/2012 10:21:08 am

I agree. I think the point of the stretchy trot is to get BOTH. I think it probably comes little by little. I hope so anyway. :0)


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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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
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