Not-So-Speedy Dressage

Tehachapi Cool Mountain Dressage Show - Intro A Test

8/30/2016

I was too busy to watch this test until yesterday afternoon, and you know, it's not half bad. I've been doing a lot of thinking about Izzy's scores over the past 5 shows (four schooling and this one, a CDS-rated show). He's definitely struggling, but Speedy and I had very similar scores at Intro Level. And while we also had GREAT scores at times, Speedy had/has his share of difficulties too.

Walking up centerline. Tense, but quite a hunk! His badonkadonk is something else.

What has thrown me for a loop was that Speedy's resistances were very subtle and quiet, but they created the same net effect - scores in the 58% range. We bounced around from 53% to 65% a lot. I would get one issue fixed, and then Speedy would come up with something else. We had a run of shows where he gave a gigantic spook during every test.

Before I wax any more poetic, watch the test ...

This was a California Dressage Society rated show with an R judge, licensed to judge through Fourth Level. That typically means the judging is a little more strict than at a schooling show, but not as strict as you would see at a USDF-rated show. We scored a 58.750%, just two points shy of a 60%.

As I watched the video, I was surprised at how non-awful it looked. Izzy's tension is obviously visible, but I need to focus on the fact that it's not as bad as it feels to me while I am on him. I probably need to find a way to embrace the tension and make it a more positive tension. I am desperately in need of a lesson.

It's hard to be frustrated with a 6. For so long, my goal with Speedy was to simply not have any 5s. Izzy only had two of them on the front of the test and no 4s!

If you've been following along, you know my goal at the schooling show we did two weeks ago was to not get 4s on the walk. We were only partly successful. For this test, we got a 5 and two 6s for the walk work. That's progress.

The walk is getting better.

The trot work also had some good moments. There were no spooks like we've had in at least two of the shows we've done. We earned a 6 and a 6.5 for our 20-meter trot circles.

A decent moment of trot work.

The judge's Further Remarks were absolutely spot on: Nice horse but a lot of tension today. Concentrate on suppleness and relaxation. Working on it, sir, working on it.

Tomorrow ... Test B.

Tracy link

8/30/2016 06:14:21 am

You can definitely see the tension, but you can also see the progress you've made this summer!

Bakersfield Dressage link

9/3/2016 04:33:31 pm

I am trying to see it, but it's tough. :0)

Leah link

8/30/2016 06:21:45 am

I find it simultaneously annoying and reassuring to get comments about things I'm already working on. On one hand, duh, I know, tension! (We have that problem too). But on the other hand, at least it's not like getting blindsided with something I wasn't even aware of as an issue!

Hooray for meeting your goals of not getting a 4 on your walk work. Especially under a tougher judge. Way to go!

9/3/2016 04:34:21 pm

That's exactly how I felt - glad I know what i am feeling, but yeah ... duh. :0)

jenj

8/30/2016 06:23:36 am

Poor guy is so tense, but you just sat there super chill. Way to ride through it, and not a bad score to boot! Well done!

9/3/2016 04:35:23 pm

I have to say that is the one thing I like best about my riding. I am almost unflappable and I don't even think about what the judge might be thinking. So yeah for me?!?!

Elinor link

8/30/2016 03:28:16 pm

Hands down, no question about it - improvement every time you two get out there! More than I can say for me and my green mare - we go up and down :)

SInce I ride SO well here from the couch at home ;) here's my unsolicited advice;
Time to get out of Intro A and B! Too much walking, which ceates even more tension for him, in those tests. He's proven to you that he actually can exist in the ring, without flipping over or bolting off - now channel the energy forward and see what Intro C can do you.
Ignore whatever the canter transitions will do in the beginning - it's the lengthier trot stretches that makes the difference. I think you're ready :)

Cheering from the sidelines!

8/30/2016 05:14:50 pm

Whether it's true or not, thank you so much for saying it, Elinor. You don't know how much I needed to hear that today. Just a few minutes before reading your comment, I had just gotten off the phone with my trainer. I asked her to tell me honestly whether or not I was the right rider for this horse.

She agreed that she could probably get him going more quickly than I could, but she recognizes that's not the journey I'm on. She did give me some suggestions though. One was to go back to the sliding side reins for a while to remind him that he can deal with bend and contact.

And like you suggested, she said I should also try to ride him more forward while still regulating his rhythm. That part is hard to do because he wants to drive himself straight into the ground. She said to lunge first and then try to let him go forward.

He has a great canter once we're in it, but getting there is usually a bit wild and wooly. I so appreciate your very positive advice - no offense taken at all. And from the little bit that I've seen of you riding your mare, you seem to be making great progress.

I post these videos, as humiliating as they are, so that others riders have some kind of yardstick with which to compare their own journey. It stinks to only watch 72% intro and training rides. I want to see someone else's 54%! LOL

Again, thank you!!!!!

8/30/2016 07:15:50 pm

I think we've all been there (or at least us amateurs at home) - wondering if we'll EVER ride this horse correctly. Ever develop it to its fullest potential. And so on.

And of course our trainers could do it so much quicker... But then again, it's NOT WHY we're doing it. The rewards are so much bigger when we figure it out by our selves. Or at least I think so.
I struggle just as much as you, and yes it STINKS to watch "smooth looking" vids of tests.... What I've done is going to a lot of shows, scribing, just looking, or going to watch friends. Usually there's PLENTY of horses at the lover levels to watch that are not having a particularly smooth day. It really helps seeing it somehow :)

From what I can tell, all the judges have really liked Izzy and can see his potential through all the tension. I bet you'll get through with this - you're a hard worker and super comitted to your horses, I can tell. Just need to continue on. Just like me... (48% something and bolting at Training Level.) Yep, we're a nice team!

9/3/2016 04:37:02 pm

Thanks, Elinor. You said exactly what I tend to see, but it's nice to know that others are seeing the same thing. And it does stink when it seems as though everyone else is having an easy go of it. :0)

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Tehachapi Cool Mountain Dressage Show - Intro A Test

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