Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
My scores don't reflect how I felt the rides went. Introductory B was 55.625% and Introductory C was 57.50%. When we left the show grounds at 11:30, the highest score posted was 60%, so my 57 seems pretty good. I was actually relatively pleased with both rides.
Since last year, I have memorized my tests to avoid having to find a reader. It didn't help for this day though! At the corner near F, there was a dripping sprinkler that spooked Speedy a bit as we entered at A. That fussiness and spook caused a moment of confusion so when I tracked left at C to make my 20 meter circle at E, I got a wee bit lost and went off course. Ding! The judge rang her bell and sent me back to to E to make the circle. Two points lost. While it wasn't a perfectly ridden test, and I didn't bend my elbows as much as I needed to, Speedy G was reaching forward under himself with his hind legs and trying to listen. The judge did dink him quite a bit for being so "braced", but I know it was a better test than we've been doing. When we halted at X and saluted, I rode forward to thank the judge and started my turn to exit. The judge stopped me and quite loudly told me that I was riding a very nice horse and that she liked him a lot. Well, my goodness - a fine compliment! Test C went much the same way. Our canter transitions were still fussy and sticky, but we did ultimately get the canter going both directions. Interestingly, as I was picking up the canter at A the second time, I heard the bell ring and wondered what was wrong. I knew I was on course, but I figured I must have done something wrong. I pulled Speedy to a walk and headed up the center line to discuss things with the judge. As I got close enough to hear her, she said that I was to pick up the canter between A and F. I told her that I was cueing for the canter. Oops! She suddenly realized that she had gotten confused and had rung the bell in haste. She apologized and asked me to start again at E. It wasn't a big deal to me, and it didn't seem to affect Speedy at all. We walked over to E, picked up the trot and continued with the test. My mom was there to watch and offered to video both tests. When I have a few minutes, I'll get them processed and uploaded. Even though the scores don't scream "success", I am pleased with the rides we put in.
Mia
7/24/2011 10:54:18 pm
Congrats! That's so neat the judge complimented you on your horse. :) 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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