USDF Region 4 Championship

I had tried numerous years to qualify for the Region 4 Championships and was never successful until this season with Duna.  To say I was excited would have been an understatement!  The requirements for the Championship Class include riding the highest test of the level, riding the test to memory, and riding without a whip.  The only requirement that posed a problem for Duna and I was the no whip rule.  Duna has two very different trots, one that is forward and flat, and one that is forward and active.  Without the whip, it is nearly impossible to get her to engage her hind-end and give me the active trot that all the judges love.  That is precisely what happened at this show.  However, the side judge (there are two judges for a Championship Class, one at C, as is standard, and one at B) was absolutely breed prejudice, something that can be common in dressage though we had not experienced it this season until this show.  I am not trying to sound like I'm whining or pointing fingers.  There were 19 horses in our class, and this judge placed all the warmbloods high and all the "off-breeds" low.  When I got to the comment section on my test to see what in particular this judge didn't like or wanted me to work on, there was only the picture of a smiley face.  It felt as though someone had kicked me when I was down.  Nevertheless, I was still so very proud of my DunaBug!

Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of my ride.

Training Level Test 3:  C Judge - 63.600%;  B Judge - 57.600%;  Average - 60.600%