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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

TMC Mid-Summer Dressage Show - Part 2

7/30/2014

 
Holy smokes! I can't believe the amazing feedback you all offered yesterday. I know we're improving, very slowly, but often times it feels like it's all in my head. I loved it that so many people could actually SEE the improvement just through some photos. That speaks volumes. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for acknowledging our progress.

My second test was less than a half an hour after the first so I just walked around on the buckle. Speedy would have been grouchy had I gone back to the warm-up. It was a toasty day, high 90s, and I just didn't want to burn up his last bit of energy.

While my score was very good for the first test (67.679%), I wasn't really happy with the ride, so rather than working on "go" and "bend," I decided to focus just on improving the inside bend. With the heat building, I knew that Speedy would get resentful if I kept insisting that he trot bigger and with more expression. It simply wasn't going to happen.
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Riding photos by Cecile Audinet (used by permission)
My score was a bit lower for Training Level Test 3 than it was for T2 (65.800%), but I was happier with how I rode it. My first loop at the trot was weak (5.5), completely my fault, but I fixed it for the second one (7.0). The judge noticed as well, better shape and energy. 
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Another very flat moment in the canter.
We didn't get nearly as many sevens for this test (ten as compared to seventeen), but this test only has 13 movements as compared to the 16 in Test 2. We did improve our halts though from the first test to the second. We earned sixes on Test 2 and seven point fives for Test 3.
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This one is better.
Even though our score was lower, I liked how Speedy felt for this test. He was listening better and was more receptive to my aids. I am also really happy about the canter to trot transition at C (right in front of the judge). We've earned a seven there the last three times I've ridden this test. Since that is a downward transition on a right lead canter, the side we struggle with most, I am happy to see such a solid score.

With that, here is the score sheet.
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I hate those fives!
The second half of the test rode better than the first. It looks like the free walk really helped him to relax.
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The judge really liked our free walk which is nice as it has a double coefficient.
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What kind and generous comments!
For Test 2, the judge said that we had a very steady test. I think a very fluid test is an improvement, but it could simply be the judge's way of saying the same thing! It's his final words that are particularly nice to read, consistently harmonious throughout. That's what it felt like to me.
Judy
7/30/2014 12:07:47 am

The two of you look so beautiful together!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/30/2014 03:22:22 am

Thanks, Judy. That's because I DIDN'T share the majority of the ugly pictures. :0)

Austen link
7/30/2014 12:54:58 am

Damn girl! That first trot photo is gorgeous! Frame that thing! You guys are seriously owning it! Sounds like just nitpicking to improve at Training, now. :)

From the canter photos (but just from the photos, so you tell me!), it looks like you're losing the outside shoulder a little. That can let your horse drop and weight his inside shoulder and flatten out your gait. I've really been working on guiding around the outside of my horse in canter circles (almost thinking "shoulder in" on the circle) and seen a lot more lift and push as a result.

Just an idea!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/30/2014 03:20:31 am

Good catch! I do lose the outside shoulder when we're tracking right. When I focus on making the turn with the outside rein and leg, he does lift his shoulders more. I am going to have to be much more vigilant of that now. Thanks for the tip!

And thank you for the generous praise. It's fun to be at a place where we're "peaking." Meaning, we have this level fairly well covered. Soon enough I'll be bringing in those 57% scores again as we tackle First Level. Although I've been schooling the new movements for a while so maybe we can start the level with scores already in the low 60s! :0)

Lauren link
7/30/2014 04:56:01 am

That first trot picture looks especially fantastic!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/30/2014 05:15:52 am

I am liking it better now after seeing it though yours and Austen's eyes. :0)

I have a hard time seeing the good points in our photos because I am so focused on picking out my flaws. The trainer I use over on the coast, Chemaine, hates it when I do that. She insists on finding the good things we do so that we can make the good even better. i am trying to adopt that strategy. :0)

I know you did a recent photo post that included some of Simon's not-so-perfect moments so you know what I mean. When I look at your photos on Simon, all I see is a happy, hardworking team that is in the middle of journey, not a disaster area (like I feel I have). I need to remember to appreciate OUR finer moments!


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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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