Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Speedy hasn't had a dressage ride since October 2nd, almost two months ago. He did pack me around the neighborhood once right after that, and I did have that fun bareback ride on him last month, but aside from that, he's been too lame to really ride. I have finally resigned myself to the fact that Speedy probably won't ever show at Second Level. Every time I get him schooling the movements, he re-injures himself in his stall or turn out. It's the same old injury that has plagued him for several years - he whirls and paces the fence when he loses a buddy (even though other horses are very nearby), and then he tweaks something in the right front foot. I've given up taking him to the vet because without a standing MRI, the vet just can't diagnosis it accurately. Whatever it is (farrier thinks bruising), Speedy presents as accurately lame for one or two days and then the lameness slowly fades over a ten day period, and then he's sound again. For the past two months, we've had a few horses go and come and go again. Each time Speedy got sound, someone would leave triggering the cycle all over again. It's frustrating because he choose the one horse that he adores and ignores everyone else. He currently shares space with Willie who has gone and come back. Even though the two boys share a fence with three other horses, Speedy goes nuts whirling and pacing if Willie is out to be groomed or with the farrier. For the past several weeks, Speedy has been accompanying Izzy up to the arena where he waits tied to the fence. He's also been led around the property with Evelyn aboard. I've been watching him closely, and last night, I decided that he once again looked sound enough for a real ride.
I saddled him and hacked around the neighborhood. Even after so many weeks (months) without being worked, he was perfectly behaved. We ended up on the old golf course where I decided to see just how sound he really felt. I asked him to pick up a trot which he did happily. We trotted around for a minute or two and then rolled into a nice little canter. He was sound both directions at all gaits. I texted Chemaine and told her to add Speedy to this weekend's clinic schedule. If you're local, contact me if you'd like to audit or come over for a ride with Chemaine. Hopefully I'll be riding both horses, but if not, Speedy will at least be part of the action as he hangs out with Izzy keeping him company. |
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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