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

A New Dynamic

5/6/2021

 
I've been working with Sean Cunningham, owner and trainer at STC Dressage, for about two months. For our first lesson, I was worried that he might fire me for not being good enough. He relieved me of that concern before I even got on. The next two lessons were about helping me get through the show at SCEC. With the "first date" awkwardness out of the way, I am starting to relax now that I have a better feel for his style of coaching.

​After the last lesson I took with him at his place, I hung around to watch my friend Valerie ride. For the first twenty minutes,I sat there a wee bit baffled. It didn't appear that Sean was even giving her a lesson. He just sat on his bench over-looking the arena, quietly chatting with Valerie through the Cee Coach. By the way, I love that thing and immediately bought my own set of Cee Coach Over-the-Ear Stereo Headphones so that I could not only hear Sean but talk to him as well.
Picture
Very relaxed.
As I listened more closely to Sean's end of the conversation, I realized they weren't just chatting. Sean was coaching her, but not necessarily giving her exercises to do. She was just riding as though she were on her own with Sean offering suggestions for how to get more and better movement from Cinco, Valerie's gelding. Watching that dynamic between coach and rider gave me permission to ride the same way.
Picture
I had another lesson on Saturday. Rather than wait for Sean to tell me what to do, I rode like I would at home. As I asked Izzy to stretch in the walk, I gave Sean an update. Izzy had seen the chiropractor who had pointed out that Izzy was sore in his ribs. Sean nodded knowingly. Since Sean has had me really ride from the inside leg to the outside rein, Izzy has been bending in his ribs in a new way. Ah .. that makes sense.

As I continued warming up, I also told Sean that my stirrups had started feeling too short, so I had dropped them one hole. It gave me a feeling of really settling into my saddle. Sean explained that my leg had gotten longer because Izzy is looking more and more relaxed. When Izzy is tight, I don't have anywhere to sit, so I've used a shorter leg to help me balance. Now that his back is starting to lose some of its rigidity, I can sit on it and let my legs relax.
Picture
Throughout this discussion, I had been asking Izzy to stretch and move through his body. Sean was very complimentary about what I have been able to achieve with Izzy in just a few weeks. He seemed genuinely surprised by how relaxed Izzy was looking. I laughed and told him that I while am a good student, it was really his feedback that was making the difference.

By that time, Izzy was ready to work. Unlike the last few lessons, I rode Izzy like I would have had no one been there to see. While it felt like Sean wasn't saying anything, afterwards I realized that he did talk to me most of the lesson. His feedback included things like move him a little off your leg, ignore the spook, a little more bend, and so on.
Picture
As I've thought back over the lesson, there were two things in particular that Sean pointed out. The first was about asking for the bend with my leg first. One of the things that I've heard Sean say to both Valerie and me is to keep the neck moving so that the horse doesn't get stuck in one place. That's great advice, especially for a horse like Izzy who will quickly lock his neck and poll. Flexing him gently to the inside and outside keeps him softer.

While that may be true, I have a tendency to really take an idea and run with it. Working along the quarter line, I flexed Izzy's neck back and forth in an effort to get him softer. Sean pointed out the bend needs to start with my inside leg because as we all know, the bend should be through the horse's whole body, not just the neck. In retrospect, that seems like such a simple concept. But no, I didn't connect those dots until they were very clearly pointed out to me. I am now putting my leg on at the girth to indicate that I want Izzy to bend around my leg, not just move his neck.
Picture
The second suggestion Sean made was to start asking for more power. Over the past few weeks my focus has been on maintaining a very steady tempo. Now that I am more aware of my propensity for asking for more, MORE, MORE, I've fixed that by asking for steady. Sean urged me to start asking for a little more, so that Izzy doesn't think he never has to work harder. But rather than ask for more and insist that Izzy hold the more, Sean suggested asking for just a few more powerful strides and then ask for Izzy to come back to slow and steady.

Sean explained that I need to keep Izzy sharp to my leg. Can I get reaction if I put my leg on? If so, get those few strides that say yes, yes he can, and then bring it back down. It's a process, so I just need to get a little more each time. It doesn't all have to happen this month.
Picture
Izzy's chiropractor said something interesting when he was out the other week. He said that riders will often no longer need a "trainer." What they need is a coach, someone that is more often on the sidelines offering feedback. While I have a lot more to learn (so, so much to learn), I think I am ready for this kind of guidance.

Riding with Sean is a different experience. but I really like the new dynamic.

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

    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