Six Weeks Till D-Day; Dressage Day That Is

Today, August 14, 2015, marks exactly six weeks till Panda and I enter the dressage arena at Texas Rose Horse Park and perform the most influential test of our lives. So you know, no pressure! But seriously, there will be many, much more difficult, and much more important sandbox dances to come in our career, but this one is the most important to date.

Instead of psyching me out though, it helps to put it in perspective for me. The first dressage test I ever performed back on March  22, 2014 in the Candy Cane eventing derby, was, at that moment, the hardest and most scary dressage test in my  life. Then, when I put my big girl panties on and went to my first Beginner Novice event at Pine Hill, July 5, 2014, THAT was the hardest and most important dressage test I have ever ridden. The same goes for when I rode in my first Novice event this past March and in my first recognized Beginner Novice horse trials, also in March.

When I look back to how big a deal I made out of each of those events, and how insignificant they were, I smile. I'm not embarrassed at all. Each of those events were such a big deal to me. They were giant steps outside of my comfort zone that helped me grow as a person and a rider. They all helped me to get to where I am now, qualified and entered into the American Eventing Championships. Beginner Novice or not, it's a big deal to me.

Hopefully though, remembering the bigger picture and what is possibly to come, this one simple 3 minute test in Tyler, Texas will not have me twisted in knots and beside myself with anxiety. If, one day, I want to be cantering down centerline in Kentucky, this dressage test will seem like such a tiny blip on the radar, it might get looked over.

I know though, that I will always remember it fondly as my first AECs. Every moment counts but if you lose sleep over them, it's much harder to enjoy them.

6 week look at what I'm excited for during the AECs:
Getting there.
Yup. Plain and simple. I'm excited for the road trip there and for unloading all Panda's crap and taking him for a walk. Must remember the deep breaths!

The Countdown Has Begun

7 weeks from today I leave for the American Eventing Championships. 7 weeks from today at this time, I will be there actually. You’ll probably find me crying about something I left at home that isn’t a big deal, like toothpaste or my extra extra pair of gloves that are used only for dressage rounds ridden on a Sunday in the rain.

That’s the kind of person I am. Stress leaks through my eyeballs in the form of tears either when it is building up or when it needs to be released. So to everyone I cry on or around, I’m sorry. I really wish I could control it.

This week the name of the game is collecting sponsorships. My teammates and I are very excited to be competing in the Adult Team Challenge that will take place alongside the AECs this year. This blankets us under a non-profit status which has helped us to collect a few so far. Our team is unicorn themed and we are going all out.

Riding Warehouse has generously sponsored us with saddle pads, sparkle crops, shirts, hats and more. Uncle Jimmy’s has given us more treats than our horses can think about eating in a 4 day period of time. Mars has decided that we can/should live off of Skittles all weekend long because you can’t have unicorns without rainbows. We’ve got a few more in the works but are so incredibly grateful for the support we have already been shown!

We also got a bit crazy and made t-shirts through the Booster website. Anyone and everyone can order a t-shirt and take part in the unicorn craze we  are hoping will sweep the nation.

Apparently  my brain is all about making this next 7 weeks as long and intimidating as possible. I was dreaming that I was at the AECs. I was running late and it was almost my dressage time. My trainer asked me if I had the test memorized. To prove I did, I started spouting out, “A, enter working trot rising. C, track left…” She stopped me immediately and said that wasn’t correct. Tears. Everywhere. As I hurried to look through some sort of pamphlet that I guess was supposed to have the test illustrated in it.

As is the case with most not-so-good dreams, it was just out of reach. I never could turn to the correct page to find the test. So I decided to watch the person in front of me. She happened to be my veterinarian who is also a dressage queen. As I watched her spin 10 meter circles in our Beginner Novice dressage test, tears. All of the tears.

Good news, somehow I stayed asleep to find out I did not get eliminated. Bad news, 7 more weeks of this. Bring on the AECs!