Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Third Time's the Charm

8/5/2019

 
Third Level is certainly proving to be a challenge. Not that I am surprised. We have yet to sail through any of the levels easily. I am not frustrated by our pace though. In fact, after last weekend's show, I am a bit encouraged.
Picture
Trying to use those corners.
Our recent internet interruption meant that I couldn't share how we did at the recent CDS-rated show in Tehachapi. Before doing that show, I had accepted the fact that I wasn't going to earn my Bronze Medal this year, nor was I going to qualify for my favorite show of the year, the Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC). And frankly, I was okay with that. 
Picture
Definitely struggling, but oh, so close!
It's no secret that we are clearly a "developing" Third Level team. Our scores prove it. In our defense, we've only been showing at this level since June. And as everyone already knows, I am not one of those who show a level below what I am schooling. I'd never get anywhere with that approach. Instead, I school it at home, and then show it to the judge. I rely on the judge to let me know in which areas I need to focus.
Picture
I am in love with this shirt!
My parents, whom I haven't seen in a really, really long time, decided to visit for this show weekend. Surprisingly, I wasn't at all worried about them driving 500 miles only to witness a train wreck of a show. My stepmom reads my blog enough to know that we're struggling. Entering at A with a well-groomed and neatly braided horse was enough to put a smile on her face. I wasn't so sure about my dad. He did ask if he could hang my ribbon in his billiard's room though so maybe he thought the whole thing was actually better than watching paint dry. In any case, they didn't make me nervous at all. In fact, maybe they gave us a reason to shine. ​
Picture
I let him run "au naturel" at home, but he sure cleans up nicely.
Before I rode my first test, we sat through a couple of other rides as I explained to my parents the basic dressage rules, the layout of a dressage court, and what they should be looking for when I rode. I have to give them credit; they truly listened and seemed interested in understanding the sport. And we all know how boring it can all seem to an uneducated audience.
Picture
I LOVE how determined he gets.
Our first test of the day, Third Level - Test 1, rode better than any other test this year. I always know when I am finally getting the directives when I feel like the test is going in slow motion. Does anyone else experience that sensation? When I first start a level, the movements seem to come hurtling at us in fast forward. Not this test. I actually felt like I was able to prepare for each movement.
Picture
We earned a 7.0 for this flying change.
My husband went and collected the score sheet, something he's never done before. When he asked me what score would make me happy, I rolled my eyes and said any score in the 60s would be awesome. I think he might have been more proud of that 63% than I was.
Picture
We're not the best Third Level pair out there, but we sure look cute doing it!
I was really excited about our score sheet. The judged awarded us a 63.243%. We had one single score below a 6.0, a 4.0 for the first flying change. The judge noted that it was late behind. Aside from that score, the rest were really good. We earned a 7.5 for our collected trot down centerline and a 7.0 for our final centerline. We earned three additional 7.0s for our halt to rein back, a 10-meter canter circle, and best of all, a 7.0 for our second flying change. Insert huge first pump for that sucker.
Picture
Final halt - 7.0
Having that 60%-plus score gave me a real sense of accomplishment. It wasn't a USDF score, but it did count for a lot of other programs within my own GMO, the California Dressage Society (CDS). Every perceived success, no matter how small, gives just that little bit of momentum toward the next effort.

Here's the video.
Not to spoil things for you, but the second test wasn't nearly as good as the first one. It wasn't terrible, but we fell just three points shy of a 60%. I'll tell you that story tomorrow.
Tracy link
8/5/2019 12:38:15 pm

WOOHOO! A 7.0 for a flying change -- you and Speedy are really putting it together! :D

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/6/2019 06:31:04 am

Slowly but surely! LOL

Marlane
8/5/2019 03:06:05 pm

Well done you deserve it !!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/6/2019 06:31:20 am

Thank you. :0)

Dom
8/5/2019 03:14:53 pm

Congrats on the 63%! I know how hard you've worked :) That 7 on the change must have been quite the ego boost. It's very sweet your parents came out to show their support too. Adorable! Out of curiosity, how does Speedy score on his gaits in general? I ask because I have a student (at a much lower level) whose horse is very willing, supple, and obedient. Their geometry is always very correct and the judges seem to like them over all, but the horse always loses some points on gaits. I don't think she's a bad mover by any means (and would probably do really well in appropriate breed classes) but I think the judges here in NJ where there are a lot of fancy warmbloods and sporthorses in the sandbox are not impressed with her. Since Speedy is an "off" breed, but in a different part of the country, I'd be curious to hear if you have any thoughts on the subject!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/6/2019 06:38:21 am

Thanks, Dom. :0)

I pulled all of our tests from Third Level to see what we generally get on gaits. We had a few 6.0s and a few 7.0s and quite a few 6.5s. Before I looked, I would have guessed that our average was around 6.5. I think that's been true since the very beginning.

Interestingly, I know the judges here in CA are the same judges that I see other riders in other parts of the country being judged by. At least in part. On that note though, it always feels like judges on the east coast are far more generous than judges here. I read about a lot of lower level riders getting 8s and 9s, but when I watch their videos, I know judges here would give them 5s and 6s.

So who knows? I HOPE judging is fair and consistent across the country. It's supposed to be, but like you, I wonder. I post a lot of videos, so you can compare Speedy's gaits (6.5) with your client's horse's gaits. I think Speedy's 6.5 is probably pretty fair. He's quite supple, but not big and fancy.


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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


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