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Trainer Saves the Day

10/31/2018

Well that answers the can he or can't he question from the other day. If you don't have a trainer, and if you go through periods of huge self doubt, you really need to get one. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, really knows how to bring out the best in a horse and rider team without giving the rider false expectations.

She never came right out and said Speedy will be brilliant at Third Level, so quit worrying because in all likelihood he won't be. Instead, she helped me tackle the lateral work problem. The first issue was that Speedy was stuck on my inside rein and leg. As I started the trot half pass, Chemaine instructed me to ride a 10-meter circle while pushing him away from my leg. Then I went back to half pass, but every time I felt him heavy on my inside rein and leg, I repeated the 10-meter circle. We did a lot of 10-meter circles, but the exercise worked.

The next thing Chemaine helped me address was lightness. Speedy has been so heavy primarily because I am driving him to the bit. She laughed when she said that I've crammed him so far into the box that he can't get anymore into the box. She said I now need to let him go and see if he'll hold himself where he needs to be.

Taking a well earned break.

The exercise went a little like this: half pass, let him go, collect him, let him go. Repeat, repeat, repeat. And of course, the exercise worked. While the half pass didn't look brilliant, Speedy was finally soft in the bridle and moving laterally. I am sure he felt as relieved as I did.

Since my arena is short and wide, riding the half pass can be tricky as I run out of room. Chemaine gave me yet another new exercise that helps with the geometry while continuing the lateral work. It goes more or less like this:

tracking right, come down centerline, half pass to the right toward M.
as you near M, renvers through the corner to C.
come back down centerline on the same bend and half pass right to K.
At K, renvers again through the corner to A and repeat the half pass to M or move on to something else.

Of course, I couldn't keep my left and right straight, so it took Chemaine many minutes of patiently explaining which way was right, but I eventually got it.

The flying lead change from the video.

The last thing we worked on was the flying change. Surprisingly, the change wasn't the thing I felt we needed to work on; I've had those more or less under control. In fact, we got them without too much fuss. Chemaine, never one to leave me without something new to work on, suggested we put the canter half pass and flying changes together.

Guess what happened? Yup. Speedy and I got the flying change out of canter half pass the first time. I am not sure who was more surprised, me, or Chemaine!

Speedy wasn't a bit surprised. He knew exactly what he was doing.

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Enjoying it While I can

10/30/2018

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If I am frustrated and dejected with where Speedy and I are, I am on Cloud 9 with Izzy's progress. After nearly four years of work, Izzy has finally decided to join my team. My mom and her husband were here over the weekend and even she commented on how obvious it is that he loves me.

Relaxed is our new normal.

My mom is a generous soul. She knows how much I need to ride, so even though they had driven nearly the length of California over the past week, she happily agreed to sit on the mounting block and shoot pictures while I schooled Izzy.

Pretty darn straight. And check out his ears. Love.

As I rode, I described what I was working on. She loves horses and thinks dressage is pretty cool, but she doesn't yet recognize all of the movements. I am sure it didn't help that we weren't doing them spectacularly either. But even so, it helped her to know what I was at least trying to do.

Counter canter?

Right now, my rides on Izzy are no longer about teaching him how to be a good equine citizen. I am now schooling most of the movements from Second Level and even some from Third. The more complicated the movement, the happier he is.

Soft enough to let go for a pat.

Most days, I can now school the walk pirouettes, the counter canter, and the trot half pass. He loves it all. The turn on the haunches still throws him for a bit of a loop, but if I start it big, he really starts to sit for the second or third stride, and suddenly it's a full pirouette.

Turn on the haunches.

The counter canter hasn't come easily, he loves to throw in a flying change, but he now understands it. I simply have to reassure him that I won't let him fall. As long as I have a solid hold on the "inside" shoulder and remind him to stand up on it, he relaxes into the counter canter and holds it easily. We can now do a full lap around around the arena without losing the lead. The flying change is next!

I love how thoughtful he looks.

None of what we're doing is fantastic. His stride is still a bit short, but he's begging to stretch, and he is 100% with me. He doesn't check out anymore, and he wants to work. He's enjoying himself, and he genuinely likes what we're doing. I can't tell you how grateful I am that I stuck it out with him. There were many days that I wrote for sale ads with every intention of posting them.

Those days are gone; I've finally decided to keep him. Check back with me next week though. I am enjoying this version of him while it lasts!

6 Comments

Can or Can't

10/29/2018

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This is the first time that I've wondered whether Speedy can actually do the work I am asking of him. From Intro through Second Level, I knew he could do the movements. How hard is it to do a stretchy trot circle or lengthen your stride just that little bit more?

Go, Speedy, go!

Over the years, plenty of doubters have questioned whether or not Speedy could move up the levels. He's an Arab, it will be too hard for him. His back is too long. His back is too short. His croup is too high. His neck is set too low. A lot of doubters.

All along, I've defended him saying that every horse can walk, trot, and canter. That's really all that First Level asks for. For Second Level, we finally needed to stretch ourselves a bit. It wasn't easy; we had to dig deeper than we had before. Even so, we got it together and came out of the season with more "wins" than I ever thought we'd get.

Chemaine Hurtado (owner/trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables), Speedy G, and me.

Now we're schooling the movements from Third Level. The changes are coming; I am definitely feeling what we need to do to make them happen. They're not easy, of course, but Speedy's getting the idea. Over the weekend, he actually threw in a change before I asked for it which means we're making progress toward a new and different problem.

It's the lateral movements that are killing us. He just can not get the half pass at trot. To the right, we've got something that looks passable, but it's practically in slow motion. To the left, forget it. He simply will not soften on the left side.

Chemaine said something the other day that really stuck. When I can get the correct bend, I can get out of the way so that he can bring his haunches around for the half pass. That idea is what helped me get any sort trot half pass to the right, and the canter half pass? Forget about it. I can't get anything.

Speedy's attitude about most everything right now.

Right now, I am beating myself up. Am I asking for too much? Are my expectations simply too high? Does he need more strength? Am I going too fast? Was Second Level the best he can do? And the hardest question I ask myself, can he even do Third Level?

Thanks for the photos Mom!

The whole thing is made even more discouraging since Izzy's trot half pass, walk pirouettes, and walk to canter are all already better than Speedy's. Izzy is far more talented, but it all comes with a lot more drama.

I really want to get Speedy to Third. He deserves it. I just don't know if he can do it.

10 Comments

Via Arte

10/26/2018

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I try to keep things on topic here which usually means all things equine. Occasionally I wonder off though and share about a vacation we've taken, or I'll write about my dogs. I don't consider that to be too off topic though as horses and dogs just go together.

Last weekend, my husband and I headed over to Bakersfield's annual Via Arte, an Italian street painting festival. Bakersfield's event is always held at the Market Place, an upscale, outdoor shopping and entertainment center. A large section of the parking lot is cordoned off where artists, both local and visiting, transform the asphalt into works of art with chalk.

Photo from Bakersfield.com

The school where I teach is one of the only schools in Bakersfield that employs a real life artist, as opposed to me with my rudimentary kindergarten ability to draw. My teaching credential says I am qualified to teach art to kids, but who are they kidding?

Thank goodness for Miss K. She's an amazing art teacher, and our students love her. Do you know who Miss Frizzle is? Ms. K dresses just like her except her dresses are art and holiday inspired and well, just better. Ms. K and her team enter a lot of chalk art festivals as professionals, no adult ammies here. As often as not, she'll report back having won the people's choice award or even best in show.

The Magic School bus's Miss Frizzle ... or is it Ms. K?

When we got to the festival, I dragged my husband past each artist's spot scanning the crowd for Ms. K. When I finally spotted her resting in the shade, I squealed in delight. She had done the BEST piece of art.

Cool, right?

Ms. K explained that the original painting, done by Domenichino in 1602, was of Giulia Farnese, the pope's mistress. She is pictured with a unicorn which represents virginity. The painting is entitled, A young Lady and a Unicorn. Via Arte's theme for 2018 was Italian art. I think Ms. K and her team nailed it.

Ms. K always includes two secret images in her work, a Mickey Mouse and a goldfish. I found the goldfish pretty easily, but I needed help for Mickey. Check out the unicorn's hooves and the base of the mane. Did you find them?

Hey, not so far from equine related stuff after all.

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A Change in Tack

10/25/2018

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A year or so ago, we tried putting Izzy in a double bridle to see if that would make things more clear (and more comfortable) for him. It was an amazing success for about three days. Of course the wheels fell off the bus very quickly, but the whole experiment gave me some good information in general.

The double bridle is a great tool - just not the one we need right now.

Now that Speedy and I are tackling Third Level, we're finding things to be hard again. I can't get him sitting enough, or soft enough, or pushing powerfully enough. During one particularly tough ride, it occurred to me to stick him in one of Izzy's ported bits. I didn't, but at that moment I realized why riders use a double bridle at Third.

When Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, came for my most recent lesson, we talked about how Speedy was bridled. She agreed that a double was likely in our future, but not yet. We both agreed on that. I suggested adding a flash, and she agreed.

One of the ways he's been "getting away from me," is by gaping his mouth hugely to avoid the contact, especially when asking for the flying change. He's always opened his mouth a little bit when he's being fussy, but it was never enough for me to clamp his mouth shut with a flash.

Last show of the season. No flash.

Chemaine put it this way: I've always been very nice to Speedy by riding him in a loose cavesson with no flash. Coming from an endurance background where comfort is king, I've never chosen my dressage tack based on what is "normal." Even though a flash is pretty standard for most dressage horses, I didn't use one. I reasoned that if Speedy didn't need one, why use it? I always figured that if you use all of your tools from the start, you run out of options pretty quickly. Well, now Speedy needs a flash.

He actually looks kind of cute in it.

From the first ride in the flash, I had much better control, and Speedy wasn't able to avoid the contact. I could see him really thinking about things rather than trying to just bolt through it all. For now, I have the cavesson and flash set as loosely as they can be while still doing something, but I am certain both will need to be tightened.

I'd rather wait as long as possible before moving to a double bridle, and If I am the only rider doing Third Level without one, it won't bother me in the least. I am sure Speedy won't mind either.

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We Won Something!

10/24/2018

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For starting out the season feeling woefully unprepared, Speedy and I did pretty well in the awards category. We've already received some of the goodies from our various "wins," but others will take longer to get here.

Tehachapi Mountain Chapter's Annual Awards Banquet

In mid-October, we attended my CDS chapter's awards banquet. The Tehachapi Mountain Chapter might be small, but they put on a great summer series of CDS-rated shows with generous awards. At the banquet, Speedy and I were named the 2018 Second Level Adult Amateur Champion.

Go Team Speedy!

Last year, I kept track of points, working towards winning TMC's First Level Championship; we ended up Reserve. While I was maybe a bit disappointed - come one, who doesn't like to win? - placing second in that year's Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) felt like a win enough that I was really happy being reserve. This year, as green as we started at Second Level, I didn't think we had a chance at winning this year's RAAC or TMC's Second Level Championship. To win both at Second Level felt pretty good.

The trophy also came with a $100 check.

No one gives a speech when receiving their award at the TMC Awards Banquet- no one wants to sit there that long, but if I could have, I would have thanked my trainer, Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables. I think there are a lot of trainers who wouldn't have let me make the move to Second Level out of fear of me making them look bad.

I get it. My performance is a direct reflection of my trainer's teaching and coaching skills. Especially so when I use her logo on my saddle pad and walk around with her logo bedazzled on the back of my shirt. I am a walking billboard for Symphony Dressage; she needs me to represent.

Even though we didn't get any 70% scores this year, I know that because of her teaching and coaching, she turned a First Level horse and rider into a confirmed Second Level team. And under her experienced eye, I know she's going to get Team Speedy ready for Third Level and a Bronze Medal.

Tucked away in my reading room.

Doing well for myself is always on my mind, but the truth is that I want to do well for her. I have so much respect for Chemaine's teaching that I want to be the student that showcase's her talent as a trainer and coach.

Thank goodness that she's okay with me just being mediocre.

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It's All About the Bend

10/23/2018

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We would be complete and total rock stars if I could remember to get a bend and if Speedy would offer a bend. It really and truly is about the bend. I should clarify; it's all about a soft bend.

I had a lesson with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, a week or so ago. Before she got to the ranch, I warmed Speedy up with some walk and trot. I had given him three days off after a bareback with a halter ride, so his attitude was much improved.

Horse Expo in Sacramento - 2017

I told Chemaine what I was struggling with: Speedy was feeling anxious about the flying change, so he was bolting through the set up (the change of bend). Chemaine listened thoughtfully, and then I suggested she ride him. I love it when she rides my horses because it gives me an idea of how I should ride my horses.

Horse Expo - back when we were trying to develop more thrust with his poll up.

Chemaine got on him and very quickly came up with a solution. Instead of asking for the change, she set him up for it, but then just rode the canter counter. She did several laps that way. Here and there she changed the bend and got him soft on the new inside rein, but her seat said hold the lead you're on.

When she felt that he could give her the new bend, soften, and relax, she asked for the flying changing, and got it. I got on him and worked through the same thing. Instead of asking for the change, I only asked for the bend. She made it look easy of course, but going back a step to improve the counter canter really worked.

My new plan is to focus on getting a softer change of bend wherever I want in the arena. And when I feel that Speedy is soft on the inside rein, that's when I can ask for the flying change.

We're always working on being softer on both reins.

It's amazing how much better things go when I actually use a half halt the way it's supposed to be used. The changes are there, I just need to set him up for them correctly.

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Bringing the Barn to Work

10/22/2018

6 Comments

Well hello there. I guess this means I'm back. It was a long week, but the migraines have (mostly) subsided - I hope. Even though I took a blogging break and a few days off from riding, the one thing I really couldn't do was miss work. That pays the (equine) bills after all, so I struggled through the week.

I did manage to at least bring the barn to my classroom though as any pony time makes everything better. In the afternoons, my kiddos worked all week on some science stations where they explored activities that had to deal with conserving Earth's resources. In one of the stations, the kids had to build a model of coal formation. The model required dead leaves (easily found right outside my classroom door), rocks, and "sediment."

You mean I actually get to get rid of some rocks and dirt?

My students were actually quite impressed to work with ranch dirt. When it came time to pour it into the model, everyone insisted on getting a turn to pour. Kids are so funny.

I run a very relaxed classroom where kids sit at tables instead of desks and where movement around the room is encouraged. Fifth graders simply can't sit for too long of a period before they erupt - sometimes literally.

I do a lot of small-group instruction in a space that is not large enough for 31 kids. That means my students meet with me in an area that we've carved out of the front of my classroom. There's not room for a table, and since my "small" groups sometimes number 15, we usually just sit on the floor - myself included.

Oh, have I got a use for you, monthly bucket!

At 47 years of age, sitting on the floor for 30 minutes at a time is no longer easy. If you're my age, you get it. If you're not yet approaching 50, you'll understand in about 20 years. My knees and hips just couldn't take it any longer. I love the intimacy of sitting so close to my kiddos though. When we're all at the same level, the instruction is much more personal, and kids contribute more to the discussion.

They are actually quite comfortable.

I had a year's worth of Platinum Performance buckets stacked in the feed room. It didn't feel right to toss them as they are good, sturdy buckets, so I brought them to school. I used a few of them for storing PE equipment, but I had a bunch left over. After one particularly painful morning, I glanced at the stack of unused buckets and came up with a plan.

The kids love them!

With the help of one of my students, we covered the Platinum label with a bit of contact paper that was buried in a back cupboard. Some of you might remember my post about hoarding all of the things. You never know when something might come in handy! With the label (mostly) covered - my helper was only 10, and I am not particularly crafty, the buckets make pretty cute little stools.

They have been a roaring success. The students love them, my knees love them, and they take up virtually no room once stacked and stored in the corner. And the best part is that if one gets broken, I can replace it easily as I get a new bucket every month. Thank you, Platinum Performance!

"Leggings" from the Riding Warehouse.

I have one last barn to work story. Since I sit on the floor every day, my work wardrobe runs on the casual side. On top of that, I teach PE daily, and frankly, kids are just messy. Last week I wore white shorts and ended up dropping a loaded rubber stamp right on my pant leg. They now read correct and return in bright blue. The kids thought it was funny. I had to agree.

A month or so ago, I bought that burgundy wrap (above) for a dress that was getting too big (long story) and realized it went great with my sleeveless blouse. With the mornings being cooler, I thought it would look great with a pair of leggings that I don't have. I glanced up at my Horze Full Seat Tights and thought why not?

Not gonna lie, I got a ton of compliments on the outfit. No one could tell they were riding pants. And the best part? They were the most comfortable pants I have ever worn to work, especially while sitting on a bucket.

If you can't be at the barn, bring the barn to work.

6 Comments

Finding My Reset Button

10/15/2018

4 Comments

Unfortunately, my reset button is not as easy to find as is Speedy's. All I have to do with him is go for a walk and maybe do some hand grazing. Button reset.

Sucks to be me right now.

Over the weekend, my migraines made a hugely painful comeback. Without sharing too much, I've been seeing a neurologist regularly, I've been through a battery of tests, and I am on a variety of medications. The neurologist has signed me up for a recently approved injection for migraine prevention, but it's not here yet.

Before you ask, yes, I've asked him about that, also that, and surprisingly even that. There isn't a cure for migraines; believe me, I've asked, and what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.

So as I battle through this round, please excuse my radio silence. Hopefully I'll be back in a few days.

4 Comments

Speaking of Colic Season ...

10/12/2018

2 Comments

Izzy's water intake has definitely fallen over the past week. I had been adding a lot of water to his trough each afternoon, but the past few days, the water level hasn't dropped much. I am not worried about it, but I like to know what's normal.

He is really turning out to be a love bug.

Since Izzy has really mellowed over the past year, he can now be trusted to stand tied at the trailer alone. The trailer has never moved in all the time I've been at the ranch, so it's a convenient place to tack up. As a bonus, it's pretty weathered, so I don't worry about him banging into it or scratching the paint.

Now that he isn't anxiously pawing or flinging himself about, I can hang a filled hay net as well as leave a rubber feed pan. I've also started leaving a freshly filled two gallon bucket of water for when I am done riding.

He loves a quick drink after he demolishes his LMF.

After he eats his LMF Senior, he always drinks down the bucket of water and waits for me to bring him more. This was something I taught my endurance horses: fresh feed and water were always within reach. Speedy simply expects there to be hay and water along with treats when he's tied up anywhere. I make sure to be consistent about it because they then start to eat and drink out of habit.

It's sort of a Pavlovian thing. Maybe you can lead a horse to water and teach him to drink?

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About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently schooling Third Level in preparation for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

March 2019

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

State Awards

CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

Ruby Rider Award, 2018

2019 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USEF
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2019 Pending …

5/11-12/19 - Cavaletti Clinic (c)
5/26/19 - TMC (*)
6/15-16/19 - El Sueno (***)
6/22-23/19 - SCEC (***)
6/23/19 - TMC (*)
7/13-14/19 - El Sueno (***)
7/28/19 - TMC (*)
8/10/19 - RAAC (Q) (***)
8/25/19 - TMC (*)
10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)

2019 Completed …

Qualifying Scores for 2019

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Third Level Scores:
Score 1:
Score 2:
Score 3:

CDS Championship Third Level Scores:
Score 1:
Score 2:
Score 3:
Score 4:
Score 5:

Working Towards:

CDS Sapphire Rider Award
Third Level:
Third Level:
Fourth Level:
Fourth Level:

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level -
Third Level -

Trainer Saves the Day

Enjoying it While I can

Can or Can't

Via Arte

A Change in Tack

We Won Something!

It's All About the Bend

Bringing the Barn to Work

Finding My Reset Button

Speaking of Colic Season ...

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About Speedy G

About Izzy

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