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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

And Now, Back to Speedy

12/3/2014

 
I can tell you right now that Speedy is not going to dig this whole new "Izzy the Zweibrücker" thing. He loves being an only child. In fact, he's gotten a bit spoiled in the last few weeks. He practically stamps his little hooves if I hang out in the tack room for longer than he thinks is necessary. If I leave his sight for more than two minutes, he starts singing at me, "where are yoooooouuuuuu?"

Little stinker …

So right now, I KNOW he is saying, "enough of this Izzy business, let's get back to SPEEDY dressage …"  

We had a very interesting lesson on Monday night. JL reminded me that Speedy knows the canter cue, but now we need to improve the canter. He gets the correct lead every time, but what he doesn't want to do is push off with his inside hind leg. He wants to claw his way into the canter and then run off. This is not pretty and it definitely won't get us to Second Level. [OMG … we just made it to First Level and look at me, I already have us moving up again.  Don't get too cocky there, Sweaney]
Picture
I'm ready!
The canter needs one main thing - a good, forward moving trot. When Speedy's hind end is really engaged, he rolls into the canter perfectly. When his hind end is trailing behind, he has to hoist himself into the canter which comes with the whole head flinging into the air thing - ugly!

JL's suggestion is to first get him in front of my leg. Don't worry about how he looks or where his head is … get his butt moving. Once he is active behind, I can start working on slowing down the front end so that it matches the hind legs. This is easier said than done.

After a number of attempts, I finally felt what she was talking about. If he's leaning on me, he can't roll into the canter. If he's sucking back, he can't pick up a nice canter either. My task is to get him right in the middle. So that's what we worked on: me developing a good feeling for the right trot. 

Once Speedy was actively forward, I couldn't stop him from picking up a balanced canter. He's so dang smart that once he figured out what we were doing, he kept offering the canter instead of waiting for me to cue him.  Again, he's a stinker!

That's all tracking left. To the right is another story. It is really hard to get Speedy on the outside, left rein. He really wants to hollow out his left side and throw his haunches out. JL had me tackle that problem by having him crab into the circle (Thanks, Sydney - you taught me how to ride that!) while softening the inside rein.

To be successful at First Level, our canter work really needs to get better. Both JL and Chemaine think out trot work is coming along nicely. Now, the canter is on my must master list.  I think we're getting there!
SprinklerBandit link
12/2/2014 11:46:46 pm

Hm, sounds familiar. I'm working on the same thing right now, only walk/trot transitions. Funny how many of the world's problems are solved by going forward.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:27:01 am

We have the walk/trot transitions (mostly), so I am frustrated that I can't apply that "trick" to get the smooth canter transition. Let me know if you figure it out. :0)

Lauren link
12/3/2014 12:00:09 am

I picture Speedy giving his new brother the stink eye when he gets there!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:27:32 am

HAHAHA!!!! I think you're right!

jenj
12/3/2014 12:25:41 am

I feel like we're comparing lesson notes! A better canter is on our "must have for first level" too!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:28:00 am

When you get the answer right, let me know what it is!

Austen link
12/3/2014 12:36:34 am

Ah! The canter issue is similar for me, sort of. Guinness likes to be light on the outside left rein, with his haunches in and his shoulders falling out or in, depending. I have to focus on taking a heavier half halt with the outside rein than I think I need to keep his shoulder and hind leg connected. That helps a ton!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:29:44 am

I need to get Speedy's haunches IN tracking right. Why can't they just be STRAIGHT?????? :0)

Shirley
12/3/2014 01:22:47 am

I just melted when I got to thanks Sydney! EVERY horse has something to offer us!!! Wendy parted with Bella, it wasn't easy, sometimes, they need a situation that has more to offer THEM.
I just loved that footnote today.....:-)
Christian argues the benefit of buying a schoolmaster...the premise being that the horse won't perform the movement correctly, unless you're asking correctly, not always the case! A more difficult ride, TEACHES you to RIDE!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:31:30 am

I know how Christian feels about schoolmasters, which encourages me when I continue to bring him hard to ride horses. I am all about the learning to ride EVERYTHING. I don't want to be a trainer, but I do want to know HOW to do it. No push buttons for me (say the very poor :0).

Tracy link
12/3/2014 01:58:16 am

I have to constantly work with Miles to get him moving in front of my leg too. And it definitely affects my canter departure and tells me right away if I'm being successful or not!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/3/2014 10:33:42 am

The trouble with Speedy is that he "seems" to be in front of my leg, but he's really good at just going fast with his front end and letting his hind end drag behind. So to ride him, I am constantly slowing down his front end and squeezing forward his hind end. It's hard to tell when I am being effective! :)

Austen link
12/3/2014 10:43:13 pm

Is it easier to feel when he has real impulsion (vs just going fast) when you're sitting the trot? When I'm sititng, I can feel when Pig is engaged properly because there is a "place" for me to sit. His back has a spot that lifts me up with him.


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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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