Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
When I halted and saluted at X at the end of my first test, I was very pleased. Our figures felt good. Speedy G wasn't bracing in his neck like he has been doing, he felt relaxed, and he kept a nice steady rhythm. When I saw my score sheet later that morning, I was even more pleased. There were no fives, and we even scored an eight for our medium walk! My Collective Marks had more sevens than sixes, and the judge's further remarks were, Many nice movements shown! At times horse stiffens back and proper connection in bridle was lost. These are much better comments than we've received in the past.
When I got home, I pulled out my score sheet from August and was very pleased that my scores had gone up for several movements, none of my scores went down, and the judge's remarks suggested that we had fixed some of our earlier problems. I know you're sensing the "but ..." that's coming. Here it is: as I watched the video, my little heart sank. Why weren't my elbows more bent? Why was my rein so loose? And where in the holy heck did that chair position come from? Cue the let-down sound track ... dun dun dun DUN. I know I am very critical of myself, probably too critical. But the truth is that false rah rahs won't help me learn. If I truly want to improve, and I do, then I have to honestly evaluate my riding. We were better. I know that. I just wanted it to be a lot better. Here's the video of Introductory Test B with the judges's scoresheet after. Watch and judge for yourself. Oh, my final percentage was 65.625% which was my goal for the day. Why am I disappointed?
Cha Ching's Mom
9/27/2011 11:38:01 pm
Why must you be so hard on yourself? You are progresing so well! Please just give yourself a pat on the back!
Val
9/28/2011 10:27:44 pm
I am going to second Cha Ching's Mom. Enjoy your success. Celebrate the 66%!
Kendal
9/29/2011 04:00:59 pm
I third Ca Ching's Mom. I also second what Val said, and believe you me, I totally relate to the elbows thing. I was noticing in the video that when you get stiff Speedy gets above the bit. When that happens to me, I notice on my vid that I see my reins moving alot, and my mare doesn't have a place to settle into the contact. This week I am working on softer, less straight arms too :)
Karen Sweaney
9/29/2011 10:34:13 pm
Kendal, Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
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
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