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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Sunday's Show - USDF Introductory Level - Test B

11/1/2011

 
Sounds fancier than just intro b.  I am very proud of this test, but don't mistake pride in a job well done for big headedness.  We have a long, long way to go, but this was definitely a gigantic step in the right direction.  I know we had a good ride.  I don't need the judge to know that, but the validation sure feels good.  There were bobbles here and there, but for most of it, we had an elastic connection, and I now know what that feels like. Speedy's head wasn't cranked up in the air, and he was moving forward nicely.

I scanned the test so that you can read the judge's comments and see how she scored each movement, but before you scroll down, I'd like to share a "funny" that happened.  Before I do that, I should explain why I started showing more than a year ago even though we weren't ready.

Showing can be a nerve-wracking experience.  I knew it might be just because endurance races can be extremely stressful.  Horses die at those events (very few any more, but still).  I started showing way before we knew anything because I wanted to deal with all of the show anxieties before my scores mattered.  That first summer I showed, I went off course, had a judge make an error, saw a rider kicked, got to a show late, rode in the rain, and on and on.  Now?  I am not nervous, I know Speedy's not going to kill me, and I am not afraid of the judge.

So ... what happened?  As we were trotting around the outside of the dressage court on our warm up lap, a spectator took off his large straw hat.  Or, at least that's what I think happened.  In any case, Speedy did a lovely rollback on his haunches, and leaped INTO the dressage court.  It was perfectly graceful, and I sat it as though I was expecting it.  He came to a halt immediately and let me turn him around to see what the heck had happened.  The spectator(s) apologized profusely, and I just laughed and said it was far better to jump into the court than out of the court, immediate disqualification for that!  The judge of course instructed me to exit at A.  I think she thought I was going to jump back out the way we had entered!

In complete honesty, Speedy's little leap didn't faze me at all.  We exited the court and walked right over to the scary spot where he sniffed all of the spectators and made everyone laugh.  The judge allowed me a minute or two to settle him down, and then she rang the bell.  After all of these shenanigans, I wasn't nervous, but I was surprised at how well we ultimately did.

Without further ado, here's the test:
Picture
Picture
The standout parts (for me) are the lack of fives.  Not a single one on the whole page.  Almost as good is the number of sixes: one, just one lonely six.  And those eights - holy cow!  I almost passed out when I saw five, yes five eights, especially the one for rider's position.  

I forgot to mention that I did earn a blue ribbon, but I knew I would since I was the only rider in this class.  I was a bit surprised at that because it was a fairly large show.  There were two courts going for the entire show. SInce it was a three star event however, the caliber of rider was probably higher than I usually see at the one-star shows.  Maybe that explains why there were no other intro riders.  I like ribbons, but I like good scores more than the color of the ribbon.  Blue with a 72.5% is a good combination.  I think I earned it!

This test definitely proved to me that we are ready to move on to more canter work.  So from now on, we're doing Intro C and Training Level 1.  Until we can get the canter transitions to be a bit stronger, that's where we'll hang out.  We might be there a while, but at least we've had some definite upward movement! 

So once again, Go, Speedy, Go!
Mia
10/31/2011 10:43:05 pm

i'm so happy for you! To be honest, when I read that you were going to a 3-star show, I was afraid you'd be unhappy with your scores. But you knocked it out of the park! I think you deserve a big head for not getting rattled, not letting nerves undo you, and for proving you know your stuff!

I look forward to reading about your accomplishments at training level very soon. You're going to do great!

Karen Sweaney link
10/31/2011 10:47:22 pm

Mia - thank you for the encouragement! I have been to a few three-star shows so I wasn't too worried. I knew this one was pretty "local." I am still not up for the fancy three-star shows. We'll get there though!

nowthatsatrot link
11/1/2011 01:05:44 am

Congrats! That's an awesome score, "even" for Intro level -- and it's never "only Intro," it's still a big deal to get out and show, and still hard to get those 8s! Good job!

It sounds like everyone handled the spook well. Entering the arena before the bell rings can technically get you eliminated, too, but it's good that the judge was understanding -- I think thoat counts as extraordinary circumstances! I have jumped out of the ring before, on my boss's school horse that I was riding to give mileage... Whoops!

Val
11/1/2011 06:02:29 am

Wow! You should be very, very proud of yourself and Speedy! I am drooling over your eights. :)

Kelly RGF link
11/1/2011 08:05:47 am

Wow, your tests are so pretty! We don't get cover sheets.

And wow for your score, and an 8 for the rider! I'm so thrilled for you guys :)

Speedy is so funny, I couldn't help laughing when I read your fourth paragraph.

And I totally agree with you about just going for it with dressage. It's not like new riders or those beginning dressage are going to overface themselves or their horse, or crash/fall like they could in a jumping round. Nerves and just being used to everything is such a bit part of it.

Karen Sweaney link
11/1/2011 11:40:08 am

Now That's a Trot! - thank you. It's hard to do Intro as everyone is so over it, you know? I feel like it has given me an excellent foundation though for future riding. Speedy is ready to move on so we'll give T1 a try. Hopefully we don't get stuck in the low 50s.

I've seen horses jump out before and I always feel for the rider. What a disappointment. The judge didn't even comment about our jump in. I think she understood the circumstances!

Karen

Karen
11/1/2011 11:42:28 am

Val - thanks. We'll see what T1 brings us - probably a lot more 5s than 5s! :0)

Kelly - keep it coming! I am loving the cross-planet education! And, thanks! Do your scores go up to 10 like ours, or is there a different numbering system?

Kelly RGF link
11/2/2011 04:00:06 am

Haha, me too!

Our scoring is exactly the same, and the actual test sheet looks almost identical.


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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    National Rider Awards

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