Our championship show went...fine. But I was also pretty broken up about it.
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| My mom and grandma came and took pictures, but I don't have them yet, so here are some old pictures you haven't seen yet. PC: My mom |
See, we ended up getting a perfectly respectable 62% on 1-3, only one point off our high score for the season on that test. I came out feeling pretty good about it, I knew we wouldn't win, but it didn't feel bad. We ended up 5th out of 5, which, whatever. There were some nice 2nd level horses in that class.
But then I got my test. The judge's comments and some really harsh scoring made me feel like, at least in terms of what I can get out of Connor without my coach, I haven't made a shred of progress at all this year. I mean, we got 4/4.5's on both shallow loops, and that was with good geometry and impulsion, and no breaking. The judge had very little positive to say. Because I didn't feel bad about the test I rode, the harshness of the comments caught me off guard and hit me really hard.
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| My Grandma and her dog Linus in the bleachers before my test. |
I cried. I talked to JenJ a lot. I told my trainer I wanted to put Connor in full training/lessons next time she had availability. The judge made it clear that my riding was a big part of Connor's problems, and she's not wrong. I don't think she was wrong on any of it, and my trainer said the same thing after reading the comments while still being supportive of me and positive about what we would accomplish this winter.
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| Good pony hanging out before his class. |
As she is so good at doing, my trainer didn't say a word about the past at my next lesson after that show, but came out swinging with a game plan that she immediately put into action and restored my faith in myself and our Dressage journey. That's a subject for another post though.
Sounds like a harsh judge. We all run into those types. You guys are great - don't be so hard on yourself!
ReplyDeleteAww, sorry that judge was so harsh. It sure doesn't sound like you rode it poorly given you were only one point off your season high. I give you major props for putting yourself out there in a tough sport that demands perfection and scoring depends on someone subjectively judging you.
ReplyDeleteI know I lose a lot of marks based on my riding. I can see the positive difference when my coach rides Bridget! But, I think that's part of the nature of being an ammy, we learn with our horses and often do things imperfectly as we learn. I'm sorry the judge wasn't better at offering advice to help you leave feeling inspired and positive. You're both so determined and talented :)
ReplyDeleteDressage is so, so hard, and it's hard to know too how much the rider affects the horse. We all want to be the best we can, but this is a sport where a fraction of an inch in your hand/leg/seat/weight/pinky finger makes all the difference in the world. It's so frustrating at times, and so rewarding at others. Keep faith in your own abilities, and Connor and your trainer... it will get better!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand feeling like you've been run over by a harsh judge. Cry, feel sorry for yourself, be mad, and then come out swinging at the next one. You guys are tiny dressage rock stars!
ReplyDeleteDang...this breaks my heart. I saw the 2nd half of your test and only saw good things. After watching you at 3 shows this year, I could see all the progress you both have made and how hard you are working.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, some riders at Championships are clearing competing at the next level - so there is that to deal with.
Love that your trainer is the moving on type and ready with a plan!
You've made so much amazing progress this year! Don't let one harsh judge put a raincloud over your program. You and Connor both have LOTS to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteHard judges, man. :-( I think you're great and I have no doubt you'll be better than ever next year, but we put so much into this sport that it's flat hard to take getting smacked in the face like that.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely don't let that judges comments dig into you deep. You've made amazing progress this year as shown through your reflective and thoughtful writing about your riding journey. <3 You!
ReplyDeleteConnor is doing so well and really looks fantastic - thanks to your work. Sorry the judge was too critical without the blunting help of constructive advice. That is never fun (or particularly kind). You're doing great work tho and those are fantastic scores!!
ReplyDeleteJudges can be so disheartening sometimes...I had a super schooling show last spring with scores in the high 60s, and felt really confident going into summer, only to have multiple shows with sub-60 scores on what I felt were better/improving rides, with quite a lot of negative judges' comments, on both me and the pony. So now I have to figure out what's going wrong and where to go from here.
ReplyDeleteYou guys always look amazing, and I'm sure you'll look even MORE amazing coming out of a winter of awesome training!
You guys really are amazing and have made so many incredible changes! Don't let her get you down, it sounds like your coach has a great plan and you'll come back to your next show that much stronger!
ReplyDeleteI don't like judges like that. It is ok to critique but they have to show some positivity to encourage you to improve. You are doing fabulous, have no doubts
ReplyDeleteShowing is full of ups and downs and plateau's. It's not an easy journey by any stretch, BUT you know what I love? That you're taking responsibility for your role in things (and not blaming it all on the horse) AND you're channeling that into a positive plan for improvement <3
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