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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Spring Mountain Dressage - T1

6/27/2012

 
Let me first attempt to climb over the mountain of self-doubt that is sitting in front of me.  

I am already trying to ditch an elephant named Fear.  Now I find that a ginormous mountain has actually been blocking my view.  How have I not recognized that there has been this mountain in front of me?  You know the song, We're going on a bear hunt.  We're gonna catch a big one.  Uh-oh!  A swamp!  Can't go under it, can't go around it. Guess we're gonna have to go THROUGH it!  Splish, splosh, splish splosh ...

That's how I feel about Mt. Self-doubt.  Can't go under it, can't go around it. Guess I'm gonna have to go OVER it!

It is so much easier for a perfectionist like myself to believe the scores of the more critical judges.  Sure, change that 6 to a 5.  That 7?  No way, must be a 6 at most.  Heck, it's probably closer to a 5.  That 4?  That's probably right on the money.

I am making it my goal right this very minutes to accept the good scores as readily as I do the low scores, and this particular test might finally be proof to myself that the judges are truly marking it as they see it.  Judge Carolyn Doran gave me a 3 and an 8 on the same test!  Was she overly critical and overly generous in the same 45 seconds?  I don't think so.

First piton in position ...

So here is how I felt during the test.  We came in at A straight, and halted fairly squarely (7).  The trot off wasn't the best, but it was okay.  Trot circle felt good (7), and the canter transition happened much better than usual (6). The stretchy trot though was hit and miss (5).  Free walk was a little pokey (6).

And then Speedy took a deep breath and sighed.  Uh-oh.  It wasn't a sigh of relaxation.  It was more of an I think I'm done sigh.  My next trot circle felt labored (6) and I knew we were in trouble for the canter which ... just ... wouldn't ... come (3).  Right then I remembered some good advice: ride each movement.  If something goes wrong, focus on improving the next movement.  I know that our trot up the centerline is always solid so after we transitioned out of the canter between B and F, I sat up, put my leg on and nailed the turn at A.  I kept my eyes up and on the judge and smiled as we trot up the centerline (8)!

We scored a 62.500%.  The only other rider in the class scored a 64.167%, 4 points higher.  So while we earned a second place, we weren't too far off the winning score.  Click images to enlarge.
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Very close to first each time
Val
6/26/2012 11:05:45 pm

Well done! Keep on, keeping on.

Karen
6/27/2012 05:39:26 am

My eye is on first level ... :0)

Kelly link
6/27/2012 03:30:27 am

It DOES really help to remind yourself that even though one movement was not stellar, the next CAN be. Great Job :)

Karen
6/27/2012 05:40:10 am

EXACTLY! I am so glad I remembered that during the test. That's how we got the 8. :0)

Sarah link
6/28/2012 04:29:50 am

Wow - that is impressive that you had that moment of clarity and were able to lot loose all your marbles for the rest of the test! That is something that a lot of people have issues with. I'm glad your starting to be more accepting of the good scores along with the not as good - sounds like this judge really had it on the money - the scores reflect how you said it felt! =) good job

Karen
6/28/2012 04:37:56 am

Thank yo, Sarah. Kind and supportive as always. :0)

I like that dressage allows for goofs. Just because you get a 3 doesn't mean you have to finish with 3s. I'd rather not get 3s, but when we do, I know that we can get it back together.

That's really why I spent so much time at Intro. I wanted to work on improving of course, but I also wanted to work through show nerves too. Honestly, when I show, not much phases me. When we screw up, I am disappointed, but it never ruins the whole test. I've gone off course, had the judge make mistakes, had spectators spook Speedy, etc. Having spent so much time at Intro taught me a lot about dealing with the crap that can happened during a test. I encourage everyone who is considering showing to just get out there and do it. Show the baby level. No one is going to care, and it is a good place to practice for the "what ifs."

Karen


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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    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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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
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    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home