Kasandra Lassagne, my working student, competed this weekend at the Youth Team Show at Devonwood, in Sherwood Oregon. I am supper proud of her and her horse Ace. The show followed a four day Youth Dressage Camp that was hosted by Devonwood. She was privileged to receive a scholarship for the camp from our local Southern Oregon Dressage Club, State of Jefferson.
Tinkerbell debuted at Third Level at this show. You’ll see some blunders, but even with those in the test, she scored a 65.455% and won the class. Just think what her scores will be as the training continues and she becomes more solid. Please disregard the added entertainment in the filming. I was disappointed to see there wasn’t a professional videographer at the show. So, a dear friend borrowed a tablet, which she didn’t know how to operate, in order to capture my rides.
This talented youngster is GREAT minded. Cisco can have a week off, saddle up and ride right off. He currently stands 14.1, but is still growing. Professionally started and has 60 days under saddle. He is 1/2 Arab and 1/2 Cob, registered and has lifetime nominations in the Arab registry.
September always brings the Oregon Dressage Society State Championships. This year I had the privilege to compete Tinkerbell, a 6 year old Oldenburg mare, belonging to Catherine Ulrey of Salem OR, at First Level.
A Grand Entrance
On Friday, we showed Second Level Test 2, Tinkerbell’s 3rd time of competing at Second Level. The overall test went well, with us falling apart at one point, earning just a 4 when she lost her lead in the counter canter. She still received a score of 68.077%.
https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11C4tqckr8c
Then the Championship Classes were on Saturday and Sunday. We competed for a First Level Title in the Open Division. Saturday we rode First Level Test 2 and scored 65.938% Sunday we rode First Level Test 3 and scored a 69.118%. For the championship is averaged between both tests. We ended up 9th overall.
June 2015 brought yet another show for Tinkerbell. This time we stepped up the expectations and debuted at Second Level. Of course when one signs up for a show, you have no control of how the secretary will schedule the classes. Guess what? The first test of the show was a Second Level Test 1. We pulled off a 65% and were second in the class!
Tinkerbell
The second test of the day was First 3. Tinkerbell earned a 69% and first place.
On Sunday, we rode Second Level Test 1 again and earned a 67% and First 3, earning a 73%, winning both of the classes! I was so proud of her! She also earned the High Point Oldenburg award for both days of the show!
Tinkerbell Performing Medium Trot at Tulelake
Tinkerbell’s well earned awards
Tinkerbell made her 2015 show debut at the Central Dressage Classic I & II in Powell Butte, OR on June 13th and 14th.
Tinkerbell on a walk with her owner, Catherine Ulrey of Salem, Oregon
She showed First Level Test Two and Three on both Saturday and Sunday. Here are the scores: Saturday First-2 62%, First-3 70% and Sunday First-2 64%, First-3 70%. Notice a pattern? Tinkerbell seemed to need the first test of the day as warmup and then she showed relaxed and lovely in the second test of the day!
Off Tinkerbell’s back in the warm-up
She came home with one First Place and Three Seconds! Pretty proud of this young, green mare!
I’ve desired to ride like Stephen Peters or Edward Gal, but now my goal is ride and look like Charlotte Dujardin. What incredible harmony between she and her horse!
Charlotte hosted her first symposium in the US in March 2014. I didn’t get to attend, but the following bullet points were taken down by someone who did! I’m paying full attention, Susan Peacock!
I recently read an article in which the author interviewed Robert Dover. Dover is a 1996 Bronze medal winner in Dressage. This statement stuck out to me: “art (of dressage) ends where violence begins”.
Horses are such incredible athletes and do amazing things for humans. If each discipline would embrace this statement, so many horses would be happier in their jobs. Watching harmony between a horse and it’s rider is a beautiful picture, no matter what the discipline.
The fall weather was great for a horse show in Southern Oregon. However, as one can expect with horses, not everything goes as planned. Tinkerbell was entered into three classes on Saturday, October 11th and two classes on Sunday, October 12th. Her owner, Catherine Ulrey, came from out-of-town to help, watch and enjoy her mare.
We hauled to the show grounds on Friday, set up and schooled. Tinkerbell became quite relaxed as she acquainted herself with her new surroundings. We settled her in for the night and left to feed and settle ourselves. We arrived early Saturday and took Tinkerbell for a walk before braiding. We still had some time to kill before tacking and warming up for our first ride. We left the mare to happily munch on some more breakfast.
When we returned to her about 25 minutes later, it was apparent that something was a miss. She had bonked her head and cut it open. Not a big cut, but bleeding. The USEF rules don’t allow a horse to be shown if there is any blood present. I appreciate this rule, as it protects the animals. Tinkerbell certainly had hit her head hard enough, as well, that she was uncomfortable, probably touting a headache. Needless to say, we scratched out of all our classes on Saturday.
Sunday being the new day that it was, started fresh. I had missed the Dressage Rider Test for First Level on Saturday. I really wanted to make it up, so we scratched from our First Level Test 1 class and did the Rider Test. It went pretty well for my first attempt at it. We scored a 65.6%. Next we competed at First Level Test 2. Tinkerbell came in second, with a score of 63.6%, missing first by one point.
We were able to pick up one more ride later in the day. It was First Level Test 3. I had never practiced the test on Tinkerbell, nor had I schooled her at counter-canter. I also hadn’t ridden the test in a year. It’s a good idea to bring along a test book to a show. You just never know what you may need to review. I practiced the counter-canter during my warm-up. She was great! In we went to the competition ring. Of course, it was the best test of the day and we didn’t get it on film! She scored a 67.5%. Again coming in second, one point behind the leader.
Catherine and I are very proud of Terrific Tinkerbell. For no more schooling than she has had and to arrive at her first Rated show, we think she did really great.
Here is the video of First Level Test 2.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvuJLoURc9c&feature=youtu.be
WOW! What an honor! Tinkerbell and I have been selected to be a demo rider at the Fall Symposium for the Oregon Dressage Society. We were selected for the category of: “Picking and Developing Dressage Prospects”.
I applied a month or so ago to be a demo rider at the symposium. There was a large application to complete and video submitted. Tinkerbell and I were first selected as 1st Alternate. I received a call this weekend and someone had to drop out, which allows me to ride! Catherine Ulrey, the breeder and owner of Tinkerbell is very proud of her young mare. We are very excited and honored to be riding with Debbie McDonald and Janet Foy.
You can check out the details for the Fall Festival at the link below:
http://www.oregondressage.com/2014-FF.html