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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Best. Horse. Ever.

3/4/2016

 
I truly have the World's Best Horse. I know everyone thinks their horse is the best, but they'd be wrong. Sorry. While Speedy can irritate me like no other, when it comes right down to it, the boy is an absolute saint.

Last week, when I shared that we were really focusing on the sitting trot, The Fabled Christmas Pony suggested I ride Speedy bareback - if he'd let me. I ride Speedy bareback now and then, mostly when we just want to tool around without any real focus. I thought about it though and realized that now that I have a different feel for the sitting trot, it might be worthwhile to try it out bareback. 
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Tacking up is so much easier when no saddle is involved.
I've been riding Speedy bareback for a long time. In the beginning, he would not trot when I rode bareback. It didn't matter if I used the whip or my spurs - no way was his response. Early on, I suspected that it made him uneasy that I wasn't perfectly balanced. I don't know if he thought he was going to get in trouble if I fell off, but he refused to trot.

As I got more and more balanced, I could coax him into a trot, but it was always just a jog. I always appreciated this about him though as I knew he was never going to bolt and dump me.

Both time I got on him bareback this week, we started with some suppling exercises at the walk, including stepping over a line of poles. After we were both warmed up, I asked for a trot. I followed Chemaine's image of tucking my seatbone and pulling my belly button to my spine. Thank you, Fabled Christmas Pony! I can't believe how much easier it was to sit his trot now that I have the motion. 

Rather than just trot in a circle, I rode the ten-meter trot circles from First Level, Test 3. We repeated the exercise at least five times, stopping for a quick walk break each time. After working that exercise, Speedy started to offer some trot lengthenings on his own, something he normally does when I school in a saddle. The difference was that he never offers a bigger trot when I am bareback. I am certain that he felt more confident in my ability to stick with him and not unbalance him! 
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Bareback is not so great on your breeches though (BEST use of the new selfie stick!)
After working on the sitting trot, I decided to give the canter a try. If he hates toting around an unbalanced rider at the trot, imagine his dread at being asked to carry the same rider at the canter. Except this time, he picked up the canter with hardly a question.

Chemaine had me use the canter as a way to loosen my hips by letting my legs swing (or pump) during the canter stride. I was thrilled with how easy it was to do bareback. To the right was much easier as Speedy is happy to balance on the left/outside rein. To the left was more of a challenge as he doesn't want to bend left. It took me a few tries to get him to let go of the left rein, but once he did, I was able to swing my legs to the rhythm of the canter without gripping.
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Bareback on a shedding horse is kind of gross. And to think that I grew up doing it in shorts!
Speedy was such a saint to let me work on ME. I never worried that he was going to take advantage of the situation and duck out from under me. He went where I pointed, and we even got some truly lovely halts between the two 10-meter trot circles. That halt has a double co-efficient on the test.

I had the most fun riding him bareback this week. I laughed during the canter work and enjoyed the feeling of looseness that I was able to achieve. Speedy is truly an awesome boy to just go along with the program. I am lucky to have him.
jenj
3/4/2016 07:50:55 am

Awww, what a good guy!

I always ride bareback with a half-pad, because, well, horse hair.

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/4/2016 12:44:58 pm

How do you keep the half pad from slipping out? I am NOT that balanced. :0)

Austen link
3/4/2016 08:04:00 am

I find sitting the trot easier bareback than in the saddle, but I have to be careful I keep my legs long and draped. If I'm not careful, they'll creep up Pig's shoulders! Oops! That said, it's a great tool for feeling out hollow spots in the horse's back and really getting a good feel for seatbones. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/4/2016 12:46:41 pm

Keeping my legs draped is as important as sitting which is why I am really doing a lot at the canter. I can feel the swing which is sort of self-correcting. :0)

emma link
3/4/2016 08:26:43 am

what a good pony!!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/4/2016 12:47:02 pm

He is! :0)

Teresa link
3/4/2016 10:33:10 am

you are right- Speedy is an awesome pony. It sounds like a lot of fun!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/4/2016 12:51:12 pm

He can be, but I have to watch out for his grumpy days - lol! :0)

Val
3/4/2016 11:08:07 am

Awesome!

Bareback riding helped me figure out that my saddle didn't fit either of us bc it was so much easier to ride bareback. It can be great a tool.

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/4/2016 12:52:18 pm

Hmmm ... interesting. Bareback is "easy," but I am much more effective with stirrups. :0)

SarahO link
3/4/2016 02:07:27 pm

Well done for both you and Speedy!
Neither me or my horse has enough balance to go bareback at anything more than a trot so I'm super impressed =)

I find it interesting that you use canter to correct your seat for trot - I found it harder to sit the canter than to sit the trot. Maybe just depends on the specific horse's gaits?

SarahO
3/4/2016 02:10:26 pm

Oops, I meant we can't go faster than a walk bareback

Jodi link
3/4/2016 04:28:51 pm

It's so cool to have a horse like that. What a good boy! Also, I'm still laughing about your creative use of the selfie stick.

ColbyJazzmus link
3/8/2016 09:36:54 pm

I am THRILLED it worked out for you! I get the sense Speedy is a bit like Jazz, and I so hoped it would help you out like it helped me. Kudos to you for trying it and SUCCEEDING! You're such a dedicated rider and blogger, and you've been such an inspiration to me that I'm so happy I was able to give a little something back! :)


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.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    My favorite breeches!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

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    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
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    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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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
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    • 2021
    • 2020
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    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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