tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post1400373389618485146..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: The Kwintus Chronicles: Showtime!Jami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-11741394544841693112010-07-26T13:51:45.021-07:002010-07-26T13:51:45.021-07:00whoops - looks like there are 3 tests in each leve...whoops - looks like there are 3 tests in each level at third and fourth level... I'm working on third level movements but have not looked at tests because... well that is a year away and I don't want to freak myself out! grin.Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54977532828593761692010-07-26T13:39:08.197-07:002010-07-26T13:39:08.197-07:00Hi Francesca! So many questions and I am no exper...Hi Francesca! So many questions and I am no expert! We have an Intro level (2 tests) - walk trot only. Training level (4 tests) - walk, trot, canter, large figures, straight lines.<br /><br />Then there is First Level through Fourth Level all with 4 tests in each level. They start with the easiest and progress so the 4th test is the hardest... then of course there are the high levels you mention! PSG, Grand Prix etc.<br /><br />At Second level the judges are looking for more of everything, more collection, impulsion, straightness ... I've been told I will get marked off greatly for not being straight in 2nd level! <br /><br />My tests have shoulder-in, travers, renvers, 10m circles at trot and canter, medium and collected trot and canter, rein back 3-4 steps, simple changes, counter canter and turn on the haunches at the walk, free walk... <br /><br />I think that is it...<br /><br />The fee per class is $35. There are a lot of office fees etc. Two classes each day for a 2 day show is running me about $225 total. That is a show with not very many extra fees. Another one I'm interested in would be probably $350... ow ow ow.<br /><br />The USDF bronze medal is a rider award. You can get the award if you ride one horse or many. When the rider recieves two scores of 60% or better in First, Second and Third levels. The scores have to be in two different tests and by two different judges. Then you are recognized with a bronze medal.<br /><br />They have a silver medal award too but *ahem* that is so far ahead I have not contemplated it! Grin.Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-53813015658689572262010-07-23T01:18:02.273-07:002010-07-23T01:18:02.273-07:00Hi Shanster: your comment has given me the perfect...Hi Shanster: your comment has given me the perfect opportunity to ask about how American dressage showing works. How many "levels" are there, and what movements are required in each level? I'm guessing you probably have three levels, each level having loads of different tests, before moving on to the international tests (Saint George, the "Intermédiaires" and then Grand Prix), but I'd love to know more about each level. What will you have to do in 2nd level? <br /><br />Is showing expensive over there? Here the inscription fee isn't too bad, but then of course getting there can involve hefty transport costs.<br /><br />Oh, and what is the USDF bronze medal award????? I'm curious about all these things.Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08295915944350449468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-41050616333292806932010-07-22T15:24:29.431-07:002010-07-22T15:24:29.431-07:00Congrats! Sounds like you had fun and you were pl...Congrats! Sounds like you had fun and you were pleased with your performance and THAT is what is important!! Pix are awesome! <br /><br />I'm getting ready for my first ride at 2nd level in 3 weeks... gulp. I worry so much about memorizing those darn tests!<br /><br />I think I show more to see where I'm at and how I'm doing from an objective source. I don't think I'm very competitive, tho' I enjoy taking my mare out and seeing how we do. I don't LOVE showing cuz it's expensive and usually so hot out... I only go to a couple shows a year.<br /><br />I'm hoping to get my scores for the USDF bronze medal award in a couple shows this summer. If it doesn't happen, we'll try again next year!<br /><br />Cheers and looking forward to your next event -Shansterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04397551985965117012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-84441407111782631522010-07-19T23:53:01.255-07:002010-07-19T23:53:01.255-07:00Stilllearning: taking a youngster anywhere require...Stilllearning: taking a youngster anywhere requires a lot of courage! I don't know if I'll ever take on a youngster again. But who knows...<br /><br />Mommyrides: what a lovely story! Is your daughter horse-crazy? I wonder if she'll be into dressage later... It seems rare for young girls (even rarer for young boys) to be interested in dressage, show-jumping is usually what they gravitate towards. My daughter, Olivia, was definitely the odd one out when she fell for dressage, all the other kids in her riding lesson found flat work really boring. Thanks for telling the story about riding the test with your baby, and the announcer's loudspeaker comment! It made me smile :)Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08295915944350449468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-17717871255854386222010-07-19T14:13:33.743-07:002010-07-19T14:13:33.743-07:00Congratulations Francesca!! You did it and you sur...Congratulations Francesca!! You did it and you survived to tell about it. I'm so proud of you and Kwintus!!<br /><br />I used to show at schooling dressage shows in Arizona. I did it more to evaluate where my horse and I were in our training compared to the last show/test we did. It was also nice to take her someplace new and see how she would react to all the different sights! <br /><br />My favorite show was not our best but by far the most fun! I was 7 1/2 months pregnant with my daughter and it was my last show before her due date. The announcer was a wonderful older English gentleman who asked me about the baby. When I told him that I was having a girl and her name would be Kyra he remembered this when it was my turn to ride and announced that Lynn was riding her horse Miss Kitty and accompanying her was her baby girl Kyra!! It was so sweet and Kyra, now 5, loves to hear how she "rode" a dressage test with mommy before she was even born!! <br /><br />After the show my riding friends surprised me with a baby shower. It was a wonderful day and now a warm memory. And I have absolutely no idea how well I did!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58743160644643476222010-07-17T12:53:25.376-07:002010-07-17T12:53:25.376-07:00You're still being braver than I am! I've...You're still being braver than I am! I've been taking my youngster to visit friends instead of trying to show this summer. I much prefer "getting the bugs out" in a friendly atmosphere, and at less cost :)<br /><br />---stilllearningAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-86119034460994015982010-07-17T07:35:32.457-07:002010-07-17T07:35:32.457-07:00Thanks, stillearning :) I'm sure you're ri...Thanks, stillearning :) I'm sure you're right about having to just go out and do it. I've been looking to see what other shows I could do over the next few months, but there's not much left around here. The next two I could do I won't be able to (make sense!?) because I'll be settling my daughter into University in the UK. And then the only ones after those are in the German part of Switzerland, so if I'm nervous for the ones in the French part of Switzerland, Lord help me facing the competition down there!!! The standard is WAY higher! And I don't know whether I'd even get into them as there are kilometre restrictions for tests at my level. We'll have to see what comes up.Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08295915944350449468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-8333228532235147832010-07-17T03:33:04.603-07:002010-07-17T03:33:04.603-07:00Congratulations on your successful outing! Great a...Congratulations on your successful outing! Great account, it felt like I was there.<br /><br />I suffer from similar show nerves. Sometimes you just have to face them down and go showing anyhow, even if it's more fun afterwards.<br /><br />--stillearningAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-75128815491306176482010-07-16T08:30:01.707-07:002010-07-16T08:30:01.707-07:00Hi Jami! It would have been fun if you'd been ...Hi Jami! It would have been fun if you'd been there! We must find a way to ride together someday.<br /><br />Hello Anonymous: I had a lovely ramble through the low foothills of the Jura mountains on Mr Kwintus this morning. We swatted lots of flies! I'd love to hear about your hay fields because I'm sure they don't look anything like mine. That's the beauty of Equestrianink: we're all from different places, sharing different experiences. Show me your hay fields and I'll show you mine!!!Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08295915944350449468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-80818211531386455242010-07-16T05:57:45.829-07:002010-07-16T05:57:45.829-07:00Wow! Somehow my ramble through the hay field on my...Wow! Somehow my ramble through the hay field on my chubby stead while swatting flies doesn't sound too interesting to post about. :)<br /><br />GREAT PHOTOS. They added a lot and I was glad you figured out how to add them.Alisonhttp://alison@alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-16057254685461340002010-07-16T05:57:20.123-07:002010-07-16T05:57:20.123-07:00Wow! Somehow my ramble through the hay field on my...Wow! Somehow my ramble through the hay field on my chubby stead while swatting flies doesn't sound too interesting to post about. :)<br /><br />GREAT PHOTOS. They added a lot and I was glad you figured out how to add them.Anonymoushttp://alison@alisonhartbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-51444706648469257852010-07-15T21:47:16.002-07:002010-07-15T21:47:16.002-07:00Cesca, what a wonderful account of your show. I lo...Cesca, what a wonderful account of your show. I loved reading it. I felt like I was there. I'm glad you posted all the pictures, too. <br /><br />So when is your next one?Jami Davenporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-52981268588273726002010-07-15T09:34:03.528-07:002010-07-15T09:34:03.528-07:00Merci, Sib! Maybe we can go to competitions togeth...Merci, Sib! Maybe we can go to competitions together. I hear you've got quite the "killer instinct!".<br /><br />Linda: Thanks for reading my long post - I got a little carried away while writing it. Actually, writing about the competition was much more fun than doing the competition! As for my book, "Mucho Caliente!" (it's a romantic comedy set in Ibiza), you can find it on Amazon.com :), or on Barnes and Noble.com. It's also available as an ebook or on Kindle if you like electronic. I can't seem to get into ebooks, despite having bought a reader about a year ago. <br /><br />34° celsius must be way up in the mid-90s, I'll have to find a converter on Google and let you know :).Francesca Prescotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201599087106798500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-55912726423085039132010-07-15T07:38:33.170-07:002010-07-15T07:38:33.170-07:00Francesca - I am so proud of you. It takes a lot o...Francesca - I am so proud of you. It takes a lot of nerve to do something you are so obviously scared of, and you did it! Wonderful.<br /><br />Plus - you are a hilarious writer, and I'll read every one of your posts (and books, where can I find your books?)<br /><br />Good job all around (and hugs to Kwintus) and how hot is 34 degrees in farenheit?Linda Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948970237555890150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-83998882408250744072010-07-15T04:37:22.165-07:002010-07-15T04:37:22.165-07:00Bravo Bravo, :-) Vous êtes magnifiques tout les de...Bravo Bravo, :-) Vous êtes magnifiques tout les deux <br />:-) .... And i hope that we will share a lot of happy days like that very soon...<br /><br />Bisous Bisous <br />SibSibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530686742886570324noreply@blogger.com