Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() This is really a follow-up to a post that I wrote last week. My first 2011 show is on Sunday ... I am making a SERIOUS effort to have both of my tests memorized, and I mean M-E-M-O-R-I-Z-E-D! I carry the damn things with me everywhere. I talk them through to myself at breakfast, driving to work, and before I fall asleep at night. Interestingly, the night-time practice has been the most ... productive. It's quiet, the TV is on SUPER low, and I am relaxed. And since I am lying down, I can actually lightly move my fingers and seat bones as I visualize the tests. This is Test C. I feel pretty good about it. The trick to this test (for me) is WHEN to canter, and then get him BACK to trot by A. He wants to canter late and not stop! If it were up to Speedy G, we'd canter 5 or 6 circles before dropping back down to the trot. And, I have to do the whole thing again going the other way! Welcome to walk, trot ... CANTER! (my "thoughts on the movement" follow the instructions.) A ... Enter working trot rising. Always the same X ... Halt through medium walk. Salute - Proceed working trot rising. More of the same C ... Track right working trot rising. Again, one way or the other B ... Circle right 20 meters. Don't miss the circle A ... Circle right 20 meters developing working canter in first quarter of the circle, right lead. Prepare to canter after A Before A ... working trot rising. Trotting by A K-X-M ... Change rein, working trot rising. Get ready to do the other side E ... Circle left 20 meters. Repeating the circle A ... Circle left 20 meters developing working canter in first quarter of the circle, left lead. Prepare to canter after A Before A ... working trot rising. Trotting by A Between F & B ... Medium walk. Straight ahead B-H ... Free walk. Cut across H ... Medium walk. Gather your reins Between C & M ... Working trot rising. Use the corner to trot A ... down centerline. Almost done G ... Halt through medium walk. Salute. DON'T stop at X, keeping going. Whew, done! Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI 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. About Speedy GSpeedy 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.
About IzzyIzzy 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.
National Rider AwardsState Rider Awards
State Horse Awards
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
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