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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

TMC Mid-Summer Dressage Show - Part 1

7/29/2014

 
I really wanted to use Sunday's show to work on my own relaxation. My goals were two-fold:
  1. ride as well as I could while not worrying about anyone else's scores
  2. really enjoy the day 
I have to say, mission accomplished! I didn't care what anyone else scored, other than wishing them well, of course, and I found myself laughing throughout the day. It was fun without a moment of stress or worry.

For both tests, I entered at A focusing on my ride and thinking about how I wanted to execute each movement. In the past, the tests always just flew by in fast forward which always left me playing catch up. With more experience, I am finding that I am able to ride much more in the moment which is certainly helping to improve my scores.
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Speedy G braided and waiting to be tacked up.
Aberdeen, Speedy's new trail buddy, went up with us, and after checking that I truly didn't need help with anything, she went and hung out with an acquaintance as well as a few other people to whom I had just introduced her. That left me free to focus on my horse and get myself mentally prepared for my first test. I suspect her "disappearance" was very deliberate, but I appreciated it.

I was actually saddled ten minutes too early, which turned out to be a blessing as there was a glitch in the schedule. It turns out my first ride time was fifteen minutes earlier than I thought. Had I been on Sydney, the earlier time would have been a problem, but with Speedy, I simply shrugged my shoulders about it. He hardly needs a warm up.
Picture
Speedy in the warm-up. All riding photos by Cecile Audinet (used with permission).
The purpose of the Training Level Tests is to confirm the horse is supple and moves forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit. We've got that, but what we need now for First Level is more forward thrust and better bend for the lateral work.  First Level's purpose is to confirm that the horse has developed the thrust to achieve improved balanced and thoroughness and to maintain a more consistent contact with the bit.

As I rode Training Level Test 2, I kept the ideas of forward thrust and inside bend in my mind and tried to get as much as I could from Speedy. At the test's end, I was a bit disappointed as I know we've ridden the test better. I felt that by asking for more thrust, we sacrificed some rhythm. I also felt like my half halts weren't going through in the corners which negatively affected the bend.

Here are some photos. Some show me with a solid position, while others show areas of needs to improve.
Picture
I mostly like what I see here. We're doing a good job.
Picture
Eh … My position is okay, but Speedy's canter is flat. Maybe it's just an awkward moment.
Picture
This is much better, but my position has gone a bit wonky.
Picture
Still working on that inside bend, especially to the right.
Picture
Slightly behind the vertical, but I really like his reach here and his back seems round and lifted.
At the show Speedy and I did a few weeks ago, I thought I rode this test better, but I scored a very low 61.250% on day one. This time, I knew the test wasn't our best, but the judge awarded us a whopping 67.679% and the comment, "confident partner." 

The judge is a licensed "S" judge, which means that he can judge all levels at national shows, so I don't know if my scores were a tad higher since this was only a CDS show and not a USDF-rated show or not. Interestingly, the judge at the last show (USDF-rated) is an "R" judge which means he can only judge through 4th Level. It just goes to show that you never can tell. 

Here is the score sheet.
Picture
Look at the second movement: 7.5, active, well bent. We got heavily dinged a few weeks ago on that same movement; we had no inside bend and needed more activity. It would seem as though our work over the past two weeks is paying off.
Picture
The stretchy trot is our nemesis, but look at the slew of sevens. That just blows me away! I love the comment at movement fourteen, steady bend and energy. And that's to the right!
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It's hard to ask to ask for more than a very steady test. We'll probably never get comments of "brilliant ride," or "fancy mover," but I'll definitely take steady! 

And even though I didn't feel that this was our best work, I heard that the score earned us the Adult Amateur High Point which has a $50 cash prize. Not a bad way to start and end the day!
Judy
7/28/2014 11:57:31 pm

Congratulations!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 01:16:48 am

Thanks!!!!!

Austen link
7/29/2014 12:16:41 am

Whoa! Awesome score!! I've noticed that S judges tend to give slightly higher scores than R or r judges. Probably because they have seen more and are less nitpicky about things. At least, that's been my experience.

As for asking for more push, you guys certainly look like you're on the right track. :) I've noticed that because my horse isn't naturally gifted in the collection department, I have to be really proactive when it comes to sitting with him and riding in balance (and riding to maintain the balance) when I ask for more push. Otherwise, the wheels fall off. I've also found that that level of riding in balance is hard for me personally to find when posting, and I tend to have to sit to get into that zone.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 01:12:36 am

I agree about the judging. I tend to score better with the S judges or the L graduates. Both seem less picky as you say. But since we have schooling, CDS, and USDF shows, that also affects the scoring as more is generally expected at the USDF level. Either way, a nice score is nice to see. :0)

As far as the "push," Speedy loves the bigger movement across the diagonal or down the long side, where he can be straight. We're struggling with maintaining the balance in the turns, but isn't that the name of the game? :0)

The part I have trouble with is the timing of my aids when asking for MORE while posting (sort of like you said). Speedy doesn't really squirt forward, so it's not like I am getting left behind, it's just trying to coordinate everything all at the same time. The one tempis scare me - that takes REAL coordination. :0)

Austen link
7/30/2014 12:48:17 am

Omg! Tempis! Ha! I once got two clean changes within two strides. I wouldn't call them twos, though. I'd call them a "lucky mistake" ;)

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/30/2014 03:23:16 am

LOL!

Jenifer Slabaugh link
7/29/2014 12:27:55 am

Wow, great scores! He looks great in those pictures, too.

What shirt are you wearing in those pictures? I need a good "jackets waived" show shirt.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 01:14:57 am

Thanks, we're always a work in progress. :0)

It's just the Kerrits Ventilated Shirt. I have two of them and really like them for showing. They don't get all wet and sweaty, and they wash up pretty well, too. (http://www.doversaddlery.com/kerrits-venti-s%2fs/p/X1-200494/)

Tracy link
7/29/2014 12:35:44 am

Sometimes just being really confident gives off such an impression! Congrats on a awesome score!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 01:15:46 am

I hadn't really thought of that, Tracy, but I'll definitely keep that in mind at the RAAC. :0) Thanks!

Amanda link
7/29/2014 12:37:27 am

Nice! It's amazing how much relaxation and having fun can really help.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 01:16:26 am

It's certainly better than being tense and worried which is NOT fun! :0)

Sandra
7/29/2014 01:48:58 am

What a great test! I loved the photos too. When compared to photos last year I can see a tremendous improvement in the both of you! What an inspiration!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 09:24:57 am

Thank you, Sandra. That seems to be the theme of the day: visible improvement. I had no idea it was so obvious to see. ;0)

I am truly grateful for all of the kind and supportive comments today, that's for sure!

Lauren link
7/29/2014 01:52:55 am

Congrats! Y'all look lovely in the photos :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 09:25:58 am

Thank you, Lauren, but I am sure you know how many funky ones there were to get even two or three acceptable ones. I can't wait for the day that photo after photo looks good.

Katharine Marie link
7/29/2014 02:33:49 am

Wow - you both look great!! You definitely deserve all of those sevens!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 09:28:18 am

So sweet of you to say, KM. It's easier to pick about the bad movements and agree with the fives than it is to agree with the sevens! I always assume the judge just feels a teeny bit sorry for me as he whispers the seven to the scribe! :0)

jenj
7/29/2014 04:25:28 am

Wow, from the pics it looks like it was a really lovely test! You two look very polished, relaxed, and forward. Fantastic ride, congrads!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 09:30:47 am

That's funny because I thought the same thing. It is so weird how the pictures show us doing better than I was feeling! Not that it was perfect ride, but the photos were a bit surprising for sure.

Thank you so much for the kind words. Believe it or not, I was feeling slightly down about the ride as it didn't feel as good as it was scored. All of the positive feedback I've received today as been very humbling and much appreciated. Thank you!

Paola link
7/29/2014 07:51:46 am

Great score! And you deserve it; you two look fantastic!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/29/2014 09:32:34 am

Paola, you've convinced me! Thank you so much for the atta girl! Bloggers are such kind and supportive people. I wish all of you lived down the road so that we could all hang out and ride together. :0)


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.
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    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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    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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