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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

When Seeing Red is a Good Thing

8/26/2014

 
Be forewarned. I am over it already, so if I sound blasé, know that it is not out of arrogance, but out of humility. One good show does not make me any better than I was two weeks ago, although Chemaine hates it when I lowball myself. (Sorry, Chemaine. I am just not good at blowing my own horn.)

I was the first rider in ring 2 on Saturday. That can be either great, or a little unnerving. I felt like I was setting the stage for everyone else. If nothing else, the rest of the riders would reap the rewards after the judge saw us go as it's a near certainty that they'll be better. For the last two years in a row I've scored dead last in the RAAC class. Not just low, but DEAD last. TWICE. I hoped this year would put me at least in the middle of the field.

When I go to a show, I am truly riding to beat my last score regardless of where that places me against the rest of the field. I am not too terribly competitive against other riders, but I do want to kick my own butt. But last? I wanted to do better.

I finished Training Level Test 2 with a feeling of having put in a solid ride, but I knew it wasn't perfect. There were some bobbles here and there, although nothing went spectacularly wrong.

I had about 45 minutes until Training Level Test 3, so I took Speedy back to his stall and let him get a drink and hang out for a few minutes. I didn't have time to check my scores, so I had to wing my next test without the benefit of seeing what the judge liked or wasn't so pleased with in Test 2.

I left that test feeling like it too was fairly solid, but again, there were little hiccups here and there. I untacked Speedy, ditched my breeches for shorts, and walked over to the board to check my scores.

When I looked at the first score, my heart dropped into my stomach. My score was scratched out which I was CERTAIN meant that I had been disqualified for some reason. When I looked closer to see why, I realized that my score was written above the scribble, and then my heart took a magnificent leap. Was that right? I had scored a 70.179% at a USDF show.
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Hello!
Not only was I not dead last, I had just earned a personal best on a USEF test (I have another 70% at a USDF shows, but it was at Introductory Level and not recognized by USEF). My mission for the weekend was complete. I had earned a qualifying score for the CDS Championship, and I had ridden to the best of my ability. I was ready to pack it up and head home.
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Life doesn't get a whole lot better.
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My first 8 on the collectives, and it's for harmony. My weekend was made. I was in Heaven.
I couldn't have been more thrilled with a second place ribbon. And to make it even better, there were more than two riders in the class. I never place high so this felt pretty sweet. Then I checked out my score for the biggest class of the show. The Training Level 3 class had ten riders, which is pretty rare for around here. Our classes tend to have five or fewer riders, so this class was HUGE by our standards.
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Are you kidding me?
When I saw that "2" next to my score, I practically swooned! The score was pretty nice (68%), but the placing just stunned me. I actually am good enough to compete. I am going to treasure that red ribbon forever. It's the first time that I've ever really been competitive in a class.
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I think I can safely say that I have mastered Training Level.
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I love that there are no 5s or 6s; everything is a 6.5 or higher.
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I went to bed on Saturday night feeling satisfied with the world. Since coming back home, I've had a bit of time to reflect, and there are a few things I want to share, but I am going to wait until I've written about the classes on Sunday. I know we did well this weekend, but like I said, I'm over it and moving on. My 12 minutes of awesomeness have passed, and it's time to get back to planet Earth. I had a great lesson on Sydney on Monday night, which was a great reminder that I am not all that.
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Seeing red; I can live with that!
Sunday's rides tomorrow ...
Austen link
8/25/2014 11:44:06 pm

I'm with you. I normally don't care too much about my placing, but I do hate being dead last. That's the worst. But seriously, CONGRATS! Those tests and scores are amazing! An 8 for HARMONY? What a great score!! :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/26/2014 10:10:50 am

My favorite part was the 8. I could have finished second to last and been happy. An 8 for harmony says a lot about out partnership. Maybe others don't feel that way, but it meant a lot to me.

Angela
8/26/2014 12:02:30 am

AWESOMENESS!

Amanda link
8/26/2014 12:11:52 am

Congrats! There are some great scores there and nice comments!

Lauren link
8/26/2014 12:59:08 am

Of course you are good enough to compete you silly person!

jenj
8/26/2014 02:12:45 am

Congrads! Excellent scores and wonderful comments!

emma link
8/26/2014 02:38:04 am

wow congratulations! i love your philosophy about just beating your last score ... but you went above and beyond this time - good work!

Sarah link
8/26/2014 03:11:51 am

Congratulations! Wonderful job!! =D

Carly
8/26/2014 04:30:43 am

Great scores! Good for you and Speedy!!

Tracy link
8/26/2014 05:43:07 am

WOOOOHOOOOO! Congratulations!! That is so, so awesome :D

Kelly link
8/27/2014 03:08:58 am

Like you, I always strive to beat my personal best score...but when it earns you a second or first place, bonus :) Great job Karen!


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
    Email Karen

    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    October 2020

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    I love her stuff!

    National Rider Awards

    • USDF Bronze Medal - 2020 
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    • USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    • USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    • USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
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    State Rider Awards
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    Ruby Rider Award, 2018
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    3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    • CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2018
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    2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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    Score 1: 60.610% Bhathal
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    CDS Championship
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  • Home
  • About
  • Horses
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Imperioso
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2021
    • 2020
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    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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