Tehachapi Mid-Summer Dressage Show, Part 2

7/25/2018

I had one ride between my first test and second test so there was no time to go back to the warm up to fix anything. These afternoon rides are the hardest for us because it's so hot. Speedy is a happy enough guy, but he's also lazy in the heat. This creates a lack of forwardness which contributes to curling and being downhill. So instead of more schooling, which only serves to annoy the heck out of him, we stood and watched Chemaine Hurtado's ride (she earned the Open Point!).

First medium trot - 6.5

Not so long ago, I struggled with First Level's test 3. That thing is pretty hard. Now here we are at Second Level chipping away at its third test. Second Level is not easy, but I think its test 3 is comparatively easier than First Level's test 3. Again, it's not an easier test, but it makes a lot more sense than 1-3.

Second medium trot - 6.5

Even though my goal was no score under 6.0, we still earned a single 5.5. The rest of the test was filled with a long line of 6.0s, fifteen of them in fact. We earned ten 6.5s and a 7.0 for our final halt and salute. Our final score was 62.073%, which was higher than our score for 2-1. That always makes me happy.

I still love this braid!

After watching the video, I think the judge was very generous when he scored my halts. I've been schooling the halt to trot to halt which has made Speedy very "jumpy" in his once very quiet halts. As a result, he's super antsy about the halt because he's expecting me to goose him forward into the trot. That's definitely something I need to work on quieting down.

Second serpentine - 6.0

While I am delighted about ditching the 4s and 5s that we started with, there are definitely a few things we can work on. Our simple change is still not confirmed. Sometimes we get it great, other times not so much. The upward transition to canter is pretty reliable. It's the canter to walk transition that's still not.

An exuberant walk to canter - 6.5

While our season has seemed to progress from insufficient (we've had more 4.0s than we've ever had before) to slightly better than satisfactory (we're getting some nice 6.5s and 7.0s), I am actually quite pleased with what we've done so far.

We've earned seven scores in the 60% range. Those seven scores mean that we are now qualified for the California Dressage Society's Regional Adult Amateur Competition and the CDS Championship show. Speedy also has enough scores to earn CDS's new Horse Performance Award at Second Level; I just dropped the application in the mail.

Heading for our final halt and salute.

We're going to another two-day USDF show this weekend. I am feeling like I have a much better handle on Second Level, but you know how that goes. My goal continues to be to eliminate any score below 6.0. We'll see what happens. Either way, I am really pleased with the direction we're heading. We haven't mastered the level, but it's no longer so intimidating.

Here's the video.

Tracy link

7/25/2018 07:36:12 am

Only one 5.5!! THAT'S AWESOME! It's really cool to see how quickly your progressing through this level and improving so much each and every show.

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/25/2018 02:08:03 pm

Thanks, Tracy! It's funny to have such a puny goal, but getting rid of the 5s will really bump up my score quicker than anything else. :0)

Jan link

7/25/2018 07:47:51 am

Hey now, that trot is much improved from the last show! He's on the vertical and your hand looks softer. Apply the same logic to your canter and the canter/walks will come. When I ask for them, if I can't keep the pace, rhythm, and uphill balance from my seat alone, I am not going to get a clear and crisp canter/walk. In fact, if anything, I shake Penn off my hand and really lift my own shoulders before the transition to collect him to ensure I have minimal weight in my hand before I ask. Same logic for flying changes! Gotta create jump and sit to get a simple change or flying change. It's so hard, and takes a TON of practice to get right.

7/25/2018 02:15:17 pm

I totally agree. A month or so ago, I wrote about that very same idea. As I was riding, it suddenly occurred to me that the downward would be a lot easier if he wasn't leaning on my hands. I asked for a bigger half halt, and viola - a canter to walk transition. I totally understand what has to happen, but as you know it's a lot easier to get at home than at a show.

The transition is pretty good at home because I can wait until he feels light enough to get it. That doesn't work too well at a show when it has to be done on the centerline or at M. LOL

We keep working on it, and it is definitely getting better week by week. One thing that helps me is to count 1, 2, 3. I do half halts on one and two and then ask for the down transition to walk on 3. I was rushing the walk without preparing him. Counting reminds me to get him soft and sitting.

For the quality of the canter, Chemaine just had me start to ask for more softness on the inside rein by asking, asking, and then checking to see if he's soft by releasing the inside rein. Can I? If not, he's not soft. If I can, then he's on my outside rein. This is helping to get him to sit more.

Thanks for the feedback. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage