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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Top Dog, or Who Gives a Damn?!

3/14/2013

 
Guess who is going to be riding at the show this weekend.

....

No, not him, but that would be cool. Nope, it's California's very own Hilda Gurney. I am not one to get star struck; I wouldn't recognize Tom Cruise if he knocked on my front door. I am just not that into famous people or fancy cars or expensive brand names. 

I am, however, seriously into watching top riders do their thing. I hear it everywhere; watch good riders ride, and emulate what you like. I haven't found that particularly easy to do as I ride in a "non-dressagey" community, and I don't hit very many (if any) BIG shows. 

When I saw that Hilda Gurney will be somewhere that I'll be, I knew that this was my chance to watch someone who knows what she's doing. She's riding four times on Saturday, and I have each ride highlighted on my day sheet. She's riding Wintersnow, Miciah, and Gulliver. What a great opportunity to watch a great rider.

This brings me to another show-related topic that I've been mulling over. Do the big riders, such as Hilda Gurney, feel that we peon Training Level Adult Ammies are really just gumming up the works of their show day? I really hope not as I've never felt as though I wasn't anything but welcome at the rated shows (20!) that I've done over the past three years.

I bring this up because it is a well-known problem in the endurance world. There are three main echelons of endurance riders: the FEI riders that most of us never meet or interact with (kind of like the Grand Prix crowd); the 50 - 100 mile endurance riders (kind of like the Second - Fourth Level rider); and the Limited Distance crowd (kind of like the Intro, Training, and First Level people). 

For many years, there has existed a persistent "looking down upon" attitude toward the LD riders. The common idea was that anything less than 50 miles was not endurance so anyone riding distances shorter than 50 miles shouldn't refer to themselves as Endurance Riders. The AERC rule book even defines an endurance event as one that is at least 50 miles in length.

As you can image, many LD riders are offended by this interpretation of what makes an endurance rider an actual Endurance Rider. I never really cared what distance people rode as long as they followed common trail courtesy, treated their horses with respect, and followed the rules. But, I do understand the argument. I've run some 5Ks, but I've never considered myself a marathon runner. 

I'm a long time member of the Mind Your Own Business club. Who cares what everyone else is doing? is generally my motto, but I do get irritated when people put on airs or claim to be something they're not. In the endurance/LD argument, I tended to keep my opinions to myself, but overall, I felt that if you're an FEI rider who has traveled the world, woot! woot! for you. If you're like me, a Steady Edwina who finished near the back of the pack on a 50 mile course, git-R-done. And finally, if you're an LD rider, ride your 25, kick back in the afternoon, and watch the 50 milers straggle in. Toast them with your cold beer, and smile.

And what does this have to do with dressage, exactly?

Well, I am afraid that I am the LD rider of the dressage world. I feel like a dressage rider, but am I? Do I have to ride "50 milers" (compete at Third Level) before I can make that claim? 

I never profess to be more than I am, which is a low level rider on an ammie-trained horse. Even so, do those Fourth Level Riders simply tolerate the Introductory and Training Level riders? I worry that when I get to Second Level (it might happen!), I'll look around and wonder what in the hell are those Intro/Training Level riders doing?

Please don't let it be so ...
Virginia
3/13/2013 11:47:57 pm

Hi Karen, lucky you to be able to watch Hilda ride! She judges frequently at the KDA show, and I usually try to be there some days to hear her comments in the materiale classes or critique the YR equitation. She is awesome.

I used to ride endurance (yes, I did one 50, so I guess that qualifies me...), so I know of what you speak re LD vs End. No need to worry about whether you will be like the DQs who look down their noses at the "LD" dressage competitors. You are paying your dues with your two, and learning a ton along the way. I'm sure you won't forget that we all have to start somewhere. It's always nice to be able to recognize how far you've come, but those who are humble about their accomplishments never take them for granted. And someday when you are 2nd level, you can give a word of encouragement to an Intro rider and make her day with your kindness. :)

Enjoy the journey!

Karen
3/14/2013 11:56:17 am

Thank you for the kind words, Virginia. My trainer says that no one who has been "there" ever laughs at a beginner because they remember all too well what it's like.

Not too long ago, a jump class was starting after my lesson. I was working on an effective pulley halt. I was so focused that I hadn't noticed that all the riders had lined up in the middle of the ring and were watching me. I was so embarrassed by the scrutiny! My trainer quickly pointed out that they were watching me only to reaffirm what they'd already learned. They were using my lesson as a "freebie" tune up for themselves.

My trainer reminds me often that true students of classical riding never make fun. I can't see myself as a DQ, and I am pretty sure most people find me kind. Thank you for assuming the best of me. :0)

Austen link
3/13/2013 11:56:55 pm

I wondered this myself when getting started in riding dressage. Volunteering at nearly every local rated show has really helped me dismiss this feeling. I've found (at least in my area!) that the pros/upper level riders are pretty happy to have a lot of lower level riders out.
Lower level amateurs keep the sport chugging along. We are the life blood of professional riders/instructors. We pay them for their expertise, and fill up the show rosters (thus making shows profitable enough to continue). If any DQ could consider an intro/training/1st level rider to not be a "dressage rider", I would discount them. Clearly they don't value their sport, only themselves. I haven't even mentioned that the lessons learned in Intro/Training/1st Level are the very basis of dressage and necessary fundamentals for the upper levels. Learning these levels and being comfortable in them is of the utmost importance!

From what I've heard, Hilda is a treasure. I can't wait for you to share what you see! Good luck this weekend!

Karen
3/14/2013 11:59:52 am

Hilda has judged me a few times, and was very kind each time. I am very eager to see her ride. What I really want to see is how she manages her horses: their stalls, feed, etc. I promise to try and get some decent pictures. :0)

Thanks for the solid point of view, Austen!

Lauren link
3/14/2013 02:09:10 am

Every pro I've talked to loves Ammies and loves beginners. Sure, they may not know the ropes but where would the sport be without amateurs and people learning the ropes? No way to progress forward without us!

Karen
3/14/2013 12:01:03 pm

I know that, but do they? :0) So far, it sounds as though I've got nothing to worry about. Thanks for the input, Lauren!

Val
3/14/2013 11:58:12 am

I admire Hilda Gurney, because of her accomplishments with the thoroughbred, Keen. I am still blown away by that, even though her career includes countless other accolades.

Karen
3/14/2013 12:02:04 pm

I can't to watch her in person. I love seeing her clinics on TV! :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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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
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