Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Ambitious title, I know. If it was that easy, we'd all be riding wet noodles, but my trainer helped me get there on Monday.
When I showed up for my lesson, JL gave me a sight for sore eyes look. It had been a few weeks since my last lesson. I immediately told her about Sydney's stiffness issues from the last two days and asked what I could do to get back on the right track. As always, she came up with a series of exercises, and an explanation, that had us back in form by the end of the lesson. With a week off, Sydney had definitely gotten stiff and braced. JL felt that there was probably some anxiety as well. Not that he could tell us, but he probably felt a little pressure about getting back to work. It was as if he didn't think he would be able to do what I was asking of him. As if in demonstration, I asked for a trot and got a stiff as a board in answer. Right away JL started with some suggestions. Rather than ask Sydney to work over his back and round up, she broke the lesson down into very small parts that Sydney could do.
I really dig Captain Awesome! This is EXACTLY what I've been working with on Guinness. He carries all of his tension in the base of his neck/shoulders and is quite opinionated when asked to loosen up there and allow his back to lift all the way through. Love your breakdown, and glad it's working to keep Sydney moving forward! 4/25/2014 10:03:54 am
I actually did some of these exercises with Speedy, too. I really love my trainer. She always has great ways to work on whatever problem I bring to her. :0) 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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