Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Forgive me if I get a little sappy here today. It's just that Speedy proved to me yet again why he is worth his weight in gold. The last time I had a halter on him was a week ago. I think my barn-mate turned him out once or twice while I was sick, and the farrier came out yesterday and re-shod him, but other than that, Speedy has had to entertain himself for a week. Even so, I tossed on a halter, clipped him to one of the cross ties (who needs two when your horse is so awe-inspiring), brushed off his back, and hopped on bareback. We spent the next thirty minutes wandering around the neighborhood looking for left-over winter grass and visiting with the neighbors. Speedy is just such an incredible fellow. He is so good that when we got to the Tanner's house, they have a bunch of small kids, he just parked himself on the lawn as the littlest girl ran to put on her sandals. Dad had said she could pet Speedy as long as she had on some shoes. I am not sure her little pink daisy sandals would have stood up to one of Speedy's ironclad hooves, but I didn't point that out. She just chattered about this and that as Speedy covered her little three-foot frame with kisses and nudges and nibbles as he nosed around for treats. She giggled and patted his face as he gave her the twice-over. How much more can you ask of a horse? We left little miss twinkle toes and continued on around the neighborhood. I have not felt so relaxed in a long time. I need to remember that every ride doesn't always have to be about collection, connection, impulsion, or straightness. Sometimes, it's okay to just meander down the road on your Steady Eddy. If you don't have a Steady Eddy, keep at it - he'll get there. Speedy was a giant pain in the ass for the first four or five years that I owned him. Now, he's worth way more than a blank check! Way back in 2009, you could have bought him cheap. This photo is proof that he wasn't always such a rock star at being tied to the trailer. Here we are six years later. My once insecure pony now glows with confidence and takes everything in stride. He is a very special horse.
I love this! And it also gives me hope. Arabians are amazing, amazing creatures and I sometimes wonder why I stick with mine when I could probably go find something made/less reactive but they're just extremely special horses. Like when my young mare hadn't been ridden in over 6 months and I could put a six year old on her back and she fell asleep. Speedy gives me hope that if we keep at it and put in the work, we'll get where you are too.
jenj
4/22/2015 12:50:50 am
Heehee, I can just envision him delicately checking out the little girl! What a sweet boy! 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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