How I memorize dressage tests

This year I have not had any errors during my tests (furiously knocking on wood). This is a major improvement for me because I used to go off course in at least 1 test per show when I first started showing dressage with T-Bone and even a few times with Hampton. And these were TRAINING level tests.

But I have finally found a system of memorizing the tests that really seems to work for me. It helps to know what kind of learner you are. I am a visual learner (thus why I am a visual journalist), and I also learn by doing. I do not learn well by simply hearing things. I don't like a reader for my tests because I find it distracting. But some people find comfort in having that security blanket. Even if you do have a reader, I encourage you to still memorize your test. In case your reader messes up. Happened to me, true story. :)

So anyway here is my system.

3 weeks before the show: Look up USDF test sheet. Read it over several times. Imagine riding the test in my head as I read each movement. Start practicing (on the horse) different elements of the test. For example, shoulder-in to renvers from Second3. Or all the canter work from Second2. You get the idea.

2 weeks before the show: Watch videos (hello, you tube) of people performing the test. I try to find tests in which the rider scores really well, so that the vision in my head of that test is a good one. I will watch a video of day for 3-4 days. Seeing the test performed really helps cement the pattern in my head. Caution: Make sure you do look up the correct test on YouTube. Some videos are old and use the old USDF tests.

1 week before the show: Practice riding the test. String all elements together. Find weak areas and work on those. I may watch additional videos if I am still unsure of parts of the test.

Day of show: Read over test again. Close my eyes and visualize riding the test. Accurately. In my head, we look like JJ Tate with wonderfully bold gaits and nailing every movement. hahahaha. derrrr. (not really what we look like in reality).

During the test: SLOW. DOWN. TIME. This has helped me tremendously. Ride as if time is moving slow. I used to rush through movements, cut corners and in general be sloppy just because I felt hurried to get everything done. The judges want to see you RIDE well, not just whip out the movements. So take your time, use the corners and prepare prepare prepare for the movements.

After the test: Hampton lobbies for new rider.

The important thing for me is to study the test, then put it away for a day. Then study/practice some more. Then let it go for a day. Keep coming back to it. The key is repetition (for me, not the horse) and SEEING the test. I also do not really memorize using the letters. I tell myself things like "canter in the corner after the judge" or "free walk the short diagonal." I try to memorize the general pattern, not so much the letters. Although you do need to make sure you are accurate in accordance to the letters.

How do you memorize tests?

Sending Sexy Back

 Sexy Rexy report [Aka Boots with the Furrrrr]

He started out gangly and awkward. And somewhat aloof and almost depressed.

First ride

Rex went home to St. Louis this week. He was such a fun summer project and I was a little sad to see him go, but happy that he has such a cool owner and a great home to go to where he will be spoiled well taken care of and understood for his somewhat sketchy beginnings in life.

Left a much more confident horse with some riding miles. Gained weight, too!

He of course was an angel for his owner when she came for a test ride. Hopped right on the trailer and arrived home safe and sound. His owner has reported that she has already taken him out for a spin on the trail and he has been delightful. I'm not surprised. He is a good egg.

He really came out of his shell, too!

Out on some gorgeous trails with his owner already!

So now Hamps is back to being the only child.

I'm thinking I'll take on another project next spring. Perhaps a sale horse? ...

When DQs try to jump

Additional photos are cropping up from last weekend. We don't look QUITE as bad as it felt.

airborn

So here I am getting just a touch left behind but I'll take it. Better than jumping up his neck when he was wanting to stop and examine every jump we came to. More importantly, I need to release more. His mouth is open a bit. While I don't think I jabbed him in the mouth, I think he went to stretch better over this jump but instead ran into my hands. Bad Karen.

And can we talk about my lower leg?! Maybe the best I've seen (for me) over a jump! This is probably a result of me 1) Not jumping ahead and 2) Sticky spraying the shit out of my saddle and boots.

Here's another. I am a little more "perched" in this photo. This is because I do not relax my thighs and knees and instead pinch with them over jumps. My heel could be down more and again, I should release better. My armband is sliding down my arm, adding to my already classy stadium round.

Bad news, guys. My helmet cam did not turn out the way I had hoped. I think I need to try to put the camera somewhere else (maybe on top of my helmet?). It was very shaky and did not pick up any of Hampton's ears or a very good view of the approach to the jumps. Not saying I even HAD good approaches to the jumps but you know what I mean. I did download it, but it almost made me motion sick. Argh. SO ... I'll have to do another mini trial to try the helmet cam again I suppose. Oh darn! :)

(Photos used with permission)

Horse Trials results and roundup

.... alternate title: "True Life: My horse suffers from the Slow-Mos."

So Sunday was our first horse trial since November of 2012. We have done very VERY little jumping this year. So I entered the Starter division (2'3") so things would be easy. So I thought.

Dressage was Intro Test B. I felt a little stupid doing a walk/trot test, but then remembered that there are former Rolex winners, professionals and other really good riders showing in the division so then I didn't feel so bad. The atmosphere was a busy one. But Hampton was basically asleep the entire time. He was so calm! It was about 93 degrees so I am sure that had something to do with it. You will see in our photos how much he was sweating. And I only warmed him up for 5 minutes.

 

 

I remembered how to do a 20m circle.

The test was mistake-free and fluid. I would say that we could have been more forward (again, Hampton was BORED and HOT) but I was happy. There was 18 people in our class and we ended up 3rd after dressage with a 31. (A 69%). I was happy with that!

Love his classic "falling down neck" here. Good horse!

I kept him low and swingy and steady.

After both getting good drinks, I changed saddles and bridles and we headed up to do our stadium round. The course was uncomplicated and I felt we could handle it. I did not warm up very long, due to the heat. And maybe that was a mistake, I don't know. But we started stadium and Hampton was all like "WHAAAAAAAT?! Hamper no jump obstacles!" It was like he was 4 years old again and green as grass. He had to peek at EVERY. DAMN. FENCE. I was growling at him, smacking with the whip. Pony club kicking. Gritting my teeth. He never did get rolling. He knocked one rail (amazingly). I was just happy we got around. He jumped so beautifully last fall and it's like he forgot what the game was. He never locked on to one fence.

Notice the drunk sailor approach.

EVERY FENCE had trolls under it.

The fences were not that spooky. He has seen things like this before. I mean maybe he is just rusty? He didn't act sore or anything, just bewildered as Dressage Ponehs Do Not Jump Thingies! I'm not even going to talk about my equitation because at this point whatever gets the job done. It was not pretty, however. George Morris would have smacked me right off my horse.

After that my confidence was a bit shaken for XC but I knew that the open terrain would maybe help me out a bit and keep him more forward. Plus he has always been pretty happy to gallop around natural obstacles.

We waited in the start box. 5 ... 4... 3... 2. 1.... and we were off and a blistering dressage canter.

No problems here. Whew.

He got a little looky at the scary BN fence to the left of this one. But once he figured out it was this one we were jumping, he locked on and went. I felt some relief at this point and thought I had my horse back.

This jump was after a small down hill. Sailed over.

Some brush was added to this fence. A small peek here, but no biggie. Then I felt the gas tank drain.

He wanted to study this fence and maybe have brunch on it? I dunno but I had to put my Mean Girl Pants on and cowboy him over. He did jump it, but from almost a stop. I knew I was in trouble now that ALL forwardness had vanished.

This jump was at the top of a big hill so we really had no hope despite smacking him with the whip. He stopped and I didn't want him to leap over this one so I reapproached and he jumped it fine. Argh.

This one we approached again like a drunk ass sailor. But I sat down and kept my leg on and we did jump it!

He locked onto this one. No problems.

Another drunken approach.

And another drunken approach.

Fence 11 was a slanted gait which we barely made it over. So ugly and embarassing.

Coming home.

Not too bad of a fence but he never did lock on to this one either.

So ... we will be doing another mini trial this year that is for sure. We are not eventers but I feel like this is something he should be confident in doing. And normally he really enjoys it! He is quite capable of this level, and BN too. I think we were just out of practice and perhaps I didn't warm up enough. I was just scared of over heating (both me and him).

Even though I didn't have the horse I'd hoped I'd have, it was really a blast. I don't think it was a negative experience for him, I just had to ride the crap out of him. I don't have any idea where we placed. We left before I went to see scores (it was so. hot.). But after a rail in stadium and a stop XC I knew we were out of the ribbons anyway.

I do think I need a different bit for XC. I have a modified gag at the moment and I need something I can rate him just a bit better with. He gets really strung out and I need to be able to bring his neck UP way quicker. Any suggestions? Other than that ... We just need to jump more. :) Like maybe more than once a year. haha.

And YES that is a helmet cam on my head! :) Hopefully it worked and I'll have that video up soon!

One twerk forward, two twerks back.

My birthday is tomorrow and I was recently reminded how old cranky clueless I am to pop culture when I did not know was twerking was.

Trust me, I know now.

AnyHOO.

Now that I have been brought up to date on the goings on outside of the horse world, I bring you updates on both boys.

His score of 63% in second level at the August KDA show was the second highest score of the show! (if that tells you anything about how that judge was scoring)

Hampton has been doing quite well lately. I started him on a joint supplement: Vetri HA. 
He has been on it for about 2 weeks and I think it has made a difference. He warms up better (not as stiff) and in general is looser in his way of going. Today's ride started out super. We had a great rhythm and connection going, resulting in some super shoulder-in where I could ask for a more expressive outside shoulder. We also did medium canter to collected canter transitions. Those are MUCH better than just a month or so ago. They are getting faster and crisper. After leg yielding at the canter, I decided to try some changes.

Right to left, he pops out changes like a pro. BUT ... left to right has gone to the shitter. Several times he did not respond at all. A couple of times he swapped in front but not in back, resulting in kicking out when I "reminded" him with the whip that needs to switch his hind. Once he switched in front only and then ZOOMED around the corner. Argh. It was U.G.L.Y. I wanted to get 1 clean change in that direction and then stop, but we were both just too hot and sweaty by that point that I gave up. (It's 90+ degrees here, even at 9 am when I rode). I HATE doing that. HATE it. But it was safer to just quit. I hate that I have now taught him to make unclean changes. I was much happier when he would just buck through them, but change clean. I need to fix this and don't want to keep practicing it wrong.

Barf. It is very rare that I end a session with Hampton on a disappointed note. But today was one of those days. He also ended up a bit dehydrated after our ride (his skin was tenting), so I gave him a tube of Stress-Dex and he had a wonderfully long drink at the automatic waterer. Poor guy. You really have to be careful in this awful humidity.

We may go school cross country on Saturday (a big maybe) and next weekend we are doing a horse trial! Our first of the year. We need to get out of the sandbox more. I was a chicken and entered Starter, even though I know we can do BN. But we have not jumped all summer so .... looking to just have fun and let him open up his stride.

***

Sexy Rexy is going home soon! He is now at a point where his owner can continue with him. He has blossomed into a wonderful horse. He is steady in the contact, although not 100% on the bit all the time just yet. He steers, hacks out in the open field with no issues, trail rides, walks over poles, and is just in general a good creature. I'll be sad to see him go - he has been a fun project this summer.

Steady in the contact now! yay!

awwwws!

Sorry for the novel!

Happy twerking!

$kaddlebred $how

After riding my two boys on Saturday, I headed to the KY state fair for some weirdo ... umm "people" watching and best of all - stake night at the World's Grand Championship saddlebred show.

I have not been to this show since I was a teen, but I still have friends who go and my old trainers (who used to have Morgans but switched to ASBs) were also there. He made sure to poke fun of me and my dressage riding. He said the only reason women ride dressage and do "that sitting trot" is because, and I quote him, "their husbands are too old and tired." I had a good laugh, but secretly wanted to dare him to a sitting-trot challenge. haha.

It is a different world than dressage, that is for sure. Even though I grew up in this world, now that I have been an outsider for so long, some of it really blows my mind. I watch these people ride and think "Some dressage could really help you solve that problem!" ... like when your horse is going sideways down the rail, or has to be run into the canter. Things like that. But then I remember it's not WRONG riding, it's just different. And I really do miss it. 

If your horse tosses a shoe during the class, they stop the class for you and you have 5 minutes for the farrier to tack it back on. This pair excused themselves instead. In my experience, this usually means their shoe was illegal (weight or length of toe).

The show was a blast. So many nice horses ... EXPENSIVE horses. The saddlebreds are doing something right. They draw a GREAT crowd - and charge you to get in! And they draw great entries and it is competitive. People are not afraid to get beat here, like in some other breeds and sports. Even if you get a 5th place, you may still bring home a couple grand. However, in order to even have a chance in hell at winning at a show like this, you are looking at AT LEAST a 6-figure horse. Not joking. And then the cost to board, train, show ... I mean I would have to marry an extremely filthy rich doctor or something. The likes of Carson Kressley and William Shatner also exhibit and own saddlebreds. The sport is all about the show, that is for sure. 

At the end of each championship or "stake" class, they strip the horses of the saddles. Supposedly, the horses are also judged on conformation but I think it's just tradition.

Ladies 3-gaited world's champion

Carson Kressley

Carson shows Saddlebreds and was of course dressed to the 9s.

My jaw hit the ground when I saw this guy in a HELMET. This is very rare in this sport (I never wore a helmet as a kid when I rode my show horse). I wanted to shake this guy's hand!

One of the nicest horses I saw all evening.

William Shatner was driving around in his golf cart.

Beautiful Freedom Hall. The shavings are dyed green.

Ringmasters

Roadster pony

Sorry for the crappy, blurry photos. One day I'll actually learn how to use my camera indoors. Ha.

Favorite bloggers series: Amy & Steady

SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Hampton, me, Steady and Amy at Octoberfest. 2011 I think? SO FUN!

If you are looking to expand your blog horizon, I urge you to check out Amy's blog - linked above. Amy is not only one of my favorite bloggers, but I also consider her a friend. We have hung out several times outside of blogger land and she is hilarious, kind and quite smart. She is also superwoman because on top of riding, she also has 3 really awesome kids and numerous other projects she maintains. Amy is a darn good rider and what she has done with Steady, a OTTB who raced for quite a long time, is stunning. You should go through her blog and see the transformation! Amy is an inspiration and I miss her dearly. We don't get to see each other much anymore since I moved to Kentuckeh but I'm sure we'll end up at the same show again soon!

 So go check out her blog if you haven't already.

:)