Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I do a lot of my writing over the weekend, so sometimes life happens after I've written a post. Of course, that doesn't change the good things that have already happened, but it makes a published post feel a bit like a lie. Yesterday, I told you yet again how awesome Izzy is, but on Monday, I sighed in frustration. My soft as butter and oh-so-willing partner had sent in a replacement who was not up to the task. It wasn't necessarily his fault, but it was still disappointing.
It was windy and blustery - the perfect day for a horse to show his tense side. I could feel Izzy vibrating under my hand. I almost didn't even bother to ride, but then I reasoned that the only way to teach him to relax in stressful situations, like at a show, is to school during stressful situations. I started him on the lunge line doing very simple walk to trot to walk transitions. I didn't want to get him any more wound up. I just wanted him to see that it was okay to move forward, but that coming back to a quiet gait was what I really wanted. He started to let go of some his tension, but not all of it. After ten minutes of that, I rode. His back was tight, but at least there was no bolting or spooking. He would soften and lower his neck for a stride or two, but then it would snap back up. We did lots of walk to trot to walk transitions, changes of bend, and ten-meter circles. He never just let his breath go completely, but he did take a breath here and there and let it out. So you know what, as disappointing as it was that he reverted back to a tense horse, he kept it together and tried really hard to be a good boy. He's still awesome! It's hard when they go back a bit. I've realized that Carmen is always going to be reactive and things that get her up will probably always be a problem. BUT I'm now using these as opportunities to teach her how to work through it anyway. It is getting better but it's not easy and can really test your perseverance. 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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