Bakersfield Dressage
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

1st Show of the Season - Part 1

3/18/2014

 
Picture
Saturday evening, lesson finished.
My first show of the season opened with a lesson from Chemaine Hurtado. Riding with Chemaine makes me so hungry for more traditional dressage lessons. Don't get me wrong, I so appreciate what my own trainer is helping me do, but she'd be the first to tell you that she's not a dressage trainer.

The hunter/jumpers don't use their seats or other aids in nearly the same way as dressage riders do, so that is one area of my training that I am missing out on completely. Chemaine worked with me on weighting my inside seat bone and stirrup, especially as we approached the corners. We also worked on opening the outside rein to encourage Sydney to move his shoulders out.

Chemained tried to keep the lesson focused, but I still felt a bit overwhelmed by all the new information that she gave me. I have so much to learn. Sigh … There was one exercise though that I really grabbed onto and was able to apply immediately, however awkwardly. 

The exercise was a suppling exercise, something that Sydney really benefitted from. As I crossed the diagonal at the walk, I asked for a bend but rode straight toward the letter (a shoulder fore). In more technical terms, "The inside leg remains active at the girth. The outside leg is slightly behind the girth to prevent the haunches from swinging out. Maintain the bend and proceed down the long side bringing the forehand off the track. Once the shoulders and forelegs have left the track, increase the outside rein aid to prevent the horse from over-bending to the inside."

We did the exercise in several different places in the arena. We did it down the long sides, of course, across the diagonal as I mentioned, and even down centerline. Once I understood the exercise, I was able to use it during Sunday's tests to keep Sydney focused on me as well as to help us make the 20-meter circles at B and E.

I've known what a shoulder fore and shoulder in are, but this is the first time that someone has shown me how to use them while schooling my horse. Now that I see how to use a shoulder fore, I can see how this will help loosen Sydney up and help me have better control.

Chemaine also showed me how to use this exercise to make crossing the diagonal easier. As I approached the corner, she had me change my weight aids (switch to the inside seat bone)  and then change the bend. Tracking right, she also instructed me to open my outside rein while still maintaining contact to encourage Sydney to step into the left rein rather than cutting the corner.
Picture
Watching White Birch's owner school her lovely gelding (left) on Saturday afternoon.
I just realized that I kind of forgot to share a few details that will help explain why working with Chemaine on Saturday afternoon felt so successful. I first took Sydney to White Birch in December. He was so nervous that I wasn't able to leave the A end of the arena (pretty much where I stood to shoot this photo). When we went back in late February, we were able to school more of the arena, but it took Dr. Schacht holding us in place with the lunge line. For this visit, Sydney walked right in and was happy to school wherever I asked him. In fact, we did most of our work way down there at C in front of the judge's booth!

It could simply be a result of familiarity or me being more relaxed. I hope it's actually because I am becoming a better rider. And that's where my frustration comes from. Chemaine is a great instructor, but even she couldn't fix all of my problems in one lesson. It's clear that I have several areas that need some quick improvement.

While we were working on opening the outside rein, Sydney started rushing and running off. Chemaine was very patient, but I told her that when he is that strong in my hand, I simply don't have the skill to use both reins at the same time while weighting the inside seat bone. I need to use the bucking strap to hold myself in balance while I either soften with the inside rein, or ask him to slow down with the outside rein.

As Sydney started careening around the circle at C, Chemaine needed me to open the outside rein, flex the inside rein, and weight my inside seat bone. I just couldn't do it well enough to get a nice turn. She agreed that Sydney needs me to be a better rider, but she wasn't trying to discourage me. She was just pointing out what he needs.

I asked her to hop on him so that I could see what he can look like as well as watch how she handled his nervousness. Of course, he didn't look at all nervous with her aboard, nor did he get heavy in her hand. In some ways this helped me feel better as most of the work lies with me, not with him.

I got back on, and Chemaine asked me to really focus on two things: I need to sit much deeper, kind of like a sack of potatoes; and I need to not lean forward. By sitting heavy, she didn't mean to dig into his back, but rather encouraged me to lower my center of gravity. If I can keep myself from leaning forward, I'll help Sydney to lighten his front end so that he isn't struggling with my weight and his.

Sorry for all of the rambling. This stuff bores me to read, but right now, I am writing to help process what I learned. I was able to put into practice some of Chemaine's tips the next day at the show. I know you're dying to know how that went, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow!
Desirea
3/17/2014 11:56:01 pm

You're doing well and Sydney is progressing. We all have our trials. Each lesson lately for me has been a lesson in how to not collapse my left ribcage when turning left. I may have had a breakthrough yesterday after reading a couple of suggestions in a book called 5-minute fixes to improve your riding by Wendy Murdoch.

I have a lesson this afternoon with my trainer Debbie so cross your fingers I fixed it or am on my way to becoming more aware of a good fix.

I have a leaning forward problem too probably from riding racehorses years ago or maybe because I sit hunched over a computer working all day now. Maybe I need to mount my monitors up high on a wall so I quit leaning over.

Sack of potatoes, that's funny, Debbie tells me constantly to ride with my bones not my muscles. I'm working at it. I'm also working to not schlump over the way a cutting/reining horse rider does (I do have a quarter horse I trained as a reining horse that I ride as well and that's a different story.)

Good Luck & I look forward to finding out how you did at the show.

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/18/2014 11:11:33 am

I do know of Debbie, Desirea, but thanks for the connection. :0) I've met her several times and know that she is liked in your area, but a weekly trip to Tehachapi after a long work day is not really in my cards!

I know I lean forward because of a decade and a half of endurance racing. We lean to stay off their backs and help our own knees and hips. It's been a tough habit to break.

I don't have a notebook of notes, but I do have over 1,000 blog posts. When I need to revisit something, I use my website's search option and I usually find what I am looking for. It's not a very portable system though. :0)

Thanks for your feedback!

Karen link
3/18/2014 02:46:54 am

Actually, the rambling helps. The idea of lower my center of gravity is key, here, I think. My first instinct when trying to canter is to slack the reins, lean forward and drum my heels. I've been told that is not very dressagy. Sitting back seems to me to be sitting down on his back, but now I can think about lowering my center of gravity and moving him forward from there.

So very different from how I used to ride.

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/18/2014 11:13:02 am

For so many years I tried to stay off my horses' backs while we did 50 and 100 mile rides. It's tough to think about sitting deeply now. It's a very hard habit to change.

Desirea
3/18/2014 03:01:11 am

I have a couple of notebooks of diary notes about my riding plus a notebook where I take notes from the books that I read. I drive my trainer crazy when I bring these things up in lessons because I'm constantly asking about stuff.

Sometimes just the right words and the right metaphor finds a place for me to then feel it in the saddle. I hope that's clear.

Desirea
3/18/2014 03:03:35 am

Sitting back makes sense to me because it's driving from behind which is what every trainer over the years has told me for riding. Even on the racetrack when I was out of the saddle, I liked to keep feeling the weight run down my back and into my heels because you don't want to feel the ground in your face if they stick their toes in and duck back. Still happened but the key to sticking that duck back was to keep your weight down your back and into your heels.

Desirea
3/18/2014 03:32:20 am

This website might help, the book I mentioned earlier is from the person that developed this: http://www.murdochmethod.com/category/murdoch-minutes/

Hannah link
3/18/2014 04:39:47 am

I enjoy the rambling! People who write entertainingly about their horses/riding/lives are pretty easy to find (and I appreciate them); people who can write coherently about the technical aspects are rare!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/18/2014 11:06:40 am

Your comment made me laugh out loud which is a very good thing as I have had a really crappy day. I hope I am at least somewhat entertaining and occasionally coherent. :0)

Tracy link
3/18/2014 11:51:49 pm

Sydney is really challenging you to step up as a rider... but I feel like you really enjoy that about him! And you are definitely improving, just keep at it and I bet at the end of the show season you'll look back at these posts and feel like they were a million years ago, instead of just a few short months!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:36:02 am

I sure hope so. :0)

Amy
3/20/2014 03:14:41 am

Sounds like an awesome trainer! Great post!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/25/2014 10:36:27 am

She is that for sure!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
    Third Level: 63.514%
    Third Level: 62.105%
    Fourth Level:
    Fourth Level:

    2023 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    2023 Show Schedule
    TBD

    ​2023 Completed …
    Pending

    2023 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    Qualifying Training Level
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:
    Score 1:
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    Archives
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home