Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
After last week's not-so-great work and a bit of a temper tantrum during Saturday's lesson, Izzy came out feeling pretty good on Sunday morning. In fact, as soon as I pulled up he started hollering at me. Because I don't speak horse perfectly, I couldn't be sure whether he was saying, come ride me or come feed me. Since his breakfast was sitting in his feeder, I am inclined to think it was the former. He was genuinely a different horse from the day before. Sean Cunningham, owner and trainer at STC Dressage, likes to remind me that if the day after a less-than-perfect ride, Izzy is a willing partner, I am doing something right. Since I didn't fight with him on Saturday, he didn't expect to fight on Sunday. For the most part, our rides over the past six months are pretty ho-hum. Occasionally, we get some great moments, but most of the time we're just putting one foot in front of the other as we constantly strive to make the basics our strength. As I watched video from Sunday's ride, I was really happy with how steady he is becoming in the movements. Here are a few clips that show his workmanlike attitude, especially in the lateral work. As I continue to school the basics - transitions and lateral work, our performance at shows will only improve. We're still not showing anything above Training Level, but as soon as we get the show anxiety taken care of, we should be in a position to earn some really solid scores. That's the plan anyway.
Speaking of which, we're doing a Training Level test at a USDF show on Sunday. Comments are closed.
|
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
|