Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Speedy and I had a pretty slow show season in 2016. In fact, we didn't actually make it to any shows during the calendar year. Good thing for us the show season actually starts in the fall. In October of 2015, we went to a show and earned four very nice scores in the high 60s at First Level. I was certain that our 2016 season was going to be a roaring success. Nope. It wasn't. It was one thing after another with Speedy. In the spring he suffered a small bowed tendon which the vet only called tendonitis, and then throughout the summer he soared himself by pacing and fence walking. Before I knew it, winter had arrived and our show season was over. My GMO, the California Dressage Society (CDS), has a number of rider incentive programs, but the Rosettes Award is my favorite. To be eligible, riders must earn 5 scores at or above 60% at rated shows during one season. Each year thereafter, each score over 60% at a rated show earns a "rosette" which is presented on an engraved plate. The plaque can be purchased from CDS. The certificate, also from CDS, is only taped on and will be removed once I need the space for more plates. I love this plaque because it's a great way to look back on the progress we've made.
Our first plate came from Intro and Training Level. The next two were also from Training Level, but the * indicates scores of over 70%! The last two plates are from First Level. As lofty a goal as it may be, I would love to get a plate this year with Second Level scores. I know Speedy is capable of Second Level work, we're already schooling some of the movements, but I don't know if he'll stay sound enough to make it to a show. No matter what happens, I was certainly delighted to add another plate to our plaque. And who knows, maybe Izzy's name will be up there this year! 1/31/2017 12:38:05 pm
Thanks, Leah. Just about any carrot stick works for me. :0) 1/31/2017 12:41:17 pm
I agree - it is a great program for motivating us lower level riders. And who knows, maybe the top riders like it too. I am not sure that any of the other GMOs have anything similar. I love having a GMO that is so big. I am not terribly motivated by what USDF offers because my GMO is so great. Not that I am biased or anything, :0)
jenj
1/31/2017 10:18:44 am
This is such a cool way of rewarding riders! Comments are closed.
|
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
|