Wherein the Canter Goes to Sh*t!

02/26/2012

I came home from Saturday's ride and stopped in the bathroom. I glanced up and saw this. I cracked up laughing. Yep, Sydney. I heard you!

This is my toilet paper butler. He holds the really spare roll. You only grab his if the cupboard is bare because without him, you'd be ... well ... up Sh*t Creek without a paddle.

Here's what he normally looks like.

Sydney was terrible on Saturday. Sigh. The trot work was great, the canter work was not. I literally wrestled with him for the better part of an hour over the damn right shoulder. I did every exercise I know to make that circle. Ultimately, I got it, but it took way too long and I think Sydney might think he has a new trick up his sleeve. After riding, I hiked on over to JL's and ran it by her. She called it Sydney's Trick of the Week. I asked for a lesson on Sunday instead of Wednesday to FIX THIS RIGHT NOW! She agreed.

I hope that as you read this I'll be fixing the on-again, off-again right shoulder blow out. My lesson is at 4:00 p.m. PST.

Do you remember this? What I actually do ...

I was so there Saturday afternoon ...

Sydney has started another naughty trick. This is the one where he jerks away from me when I turn him out. It started with a little joyful head toss, but the next time he flat out jerked away. The last time I turned him out I was ready for it. I wrapped the lead rope around his neck and JERKED him as he tried to bolt. Whoa. That got his attention. I know this is yet another issue I now have to work through. There will now be daily lessons on how we stand while the halter comes off. Yuck.

Comments

Val

02/26/2012 9:28am

Sydney's behaviors are reminding me of a person who is so dead set on rejection that they sabotage themselves. Didn't you say that he has moved from owner to owner a couple times? It is like he is saying, "Here are all my naughty things. I just know that you will not be able to stand this one. Ditch me and get it over with." Little does he know, you are far too experienced and far too determined to let that happen. Unfortunately, you do have to work through his challenges, which I understand is not fun, but I am sure that before long he will realize that you are not going to give up on him! Keep up the good work. Your dedication is commendable.

Karen

02/26/2012 9:55am

Thank you so much, Val. Your comment almost made me cry.

I think you are 100% correct. Sydney's personality has transformed completely over the last 6 months. He started out pretty compliant, but not warm or friendly at all. Recently, he has started to really watch me closely. His eyes are on me all the time while he's in the barn. And they're soft and friendly. He loves to rest his muzzle in my neck or hair, and he ever so gently lips at me.

If I take Speedy G out, Sydney whickers at me when we come back in. I know it's at me because he comes to the gate quickly in anticipation of his turn. He enjoys being saddled and can't get the bridle on quickly enough. He wants to work, I know he does, but I do think he's turning to what he knows, avoiding what he thinks will be difficult work by escaping.

I know he wants to be relaxed and happy. I can see it around the barn. I don't think he trusts me yet to make his under saddle life relaxing and happy. Your insight is very encouraging.

While I am frustrated, I do like him a lot and very much want to make his life a better one. I am not into passing on horses and do stick to it. In the end, every horse I've ever owned has come around, and I've had some difficult ponies. I hope Sydney will give me the chance.

Thank you!

Erica link

02/26/2012 12:54pm

I totally agree with Val. And it is extremely refreshing to see someone sticking with a horse that seems to have one issue after another. It is too bad that horses have become a thing that get dumped when they "don't work anymore."
Keep on trucking!

Karen

02/27/2012 4:34pm

Thanks, Erica. I am feeling discouraged right now, but I am pretty sure we can work this out. I genuinely appreciate your atta girl. :0)

So What is This Blog About?

Classical dressage in non-traditional ways, sound equine health practices, and endurance inspired tips that work in any barn. In the end, all of this works together to produce a somewhat balanced dressage rider!

Photo by Sara

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime rider who began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed numerous 50, 65, and 75 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, as well as five, one-day 100 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. This is my view of the dressage world.

Email Karen Here

Welcome and thanks for reading!

The Horses I Ride:

Speedy G

... went from being my endurance horse to being my trail and dressage horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

Photo by Edyta

Sydney

... went from being a New Zealand syndicate's race horse, to a trainer's hunter/jumper, to finally being my dressage horse. He is a 2002, 16 hand, New Zealand Thoroughbred. His New Zealand racing name is Pick A Card.

Photo by Edyta

Stuff I'm Working On ...

2012 RAAC Qualifying
Score 1 - Intro C 65.500%
Score 2 - Intro C 69.500%
Qualified

Score 1 - T1 62.50%
Score 2 -

2012 CDS Plate
Score 1- Intro C 63.500%
Score 2 - Intro C 63.750%
Score 3 - T1 61.667%
Score 4 - Intro C 69.500%
Score 5 - T1 62.500%
Finished

USDF Training Level
Rider Performance Award
Score 1 - T1 62.50%
Score 2 -
Score 3 -
Score 4 -

2012 Show Season
This list is a work in progress ... and like last year, things come up, but I plan to do as many as possible. To check on our progress, click here.

Show Rating
(*) CDS
(***) CDS/USDF/USEF
(s) Schooling
(t) Ride-a-Test
(c) Clinic

2012 Show Season Pending ...
6/9/12 Clovis (***)
6/10/12 Clovis (***)
6/24/12 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/12 Tehachapi (*)
8/5/12 Hansen Dam (s)
8/26/12 Tehachapi (*)
9/1/12 RAAC (***)
9/2/12 RAAC (***)
9/23/12 Tehachapi (*)
9/30/12 Hansen Dam (s)

Completed ...
10/30/11 Clovis (***)
11/12/11 Bakersfield (*)
11/12/11 Peggy Klump (c)
1/28/12 Bakersfield (t)
2/12/12 Hansen Dam (s)
3/31/12 Santa Barbara (***)
4/1/12 Santa Barbara (***)
4/21/12 Betsy Shelton (c)
4/29/12 Hansen Dam (s)
5/12/12 Bakersfield (***)

Dressage Scores Explained
0 – Not Executed
1 – Very Bad
2 – Bad
3 – Fairly Bad
4 – Insufficient
5 - Sufficient
6 – Satisfactory
7 – Fairly good
8 – Good
9 – Very Good
10 - Excellent

Dressage Credentials Explained
"L" - USDF Learner Graduate, unlicensed (used often for un-rated schooling shows).

"r" (recorded) - USEF "r" judges are licensed to judge through Second Level.

"R" (registered) - USEF "R" judges are licensed to judge through Fourth level.

"S" (senior) - USEF "S" judges are licensed to judge all levels at national (USEF) shows.

"3*" (formerly called "C" for candidate) - USEF 3* judges can judge CDIs on a limited basis.

"4*" (formerly called "I" for international) - USEF 4* judges can judge CDIs with few limitations.

"5*" (formerly "O" for official) - USEF 5* judges can judge Olympic Games and world championships.