Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
You know how the weather can be just too bad to ride in, but not so bad as to keep you home? That's what we had yesterday. I left for the barn at about 3:55, my regular time. By 4:15, the sky was getting black and the wind had started to gust ferociously. Just when I was grabbing Speedy's halter, rumbles of thunder could be heard approaching. Well, drat! I will ride in bad weather, but it looked as though a pretty fierce-looking storm was about to move through. And it did. There was spitting rain, jagged bolts of lightening, howling wind, and booming thunder. The whole thing lasted just over an hour. My riding window after work is pretty tight. By the time I could see that the storm was passing, there wasn't enough time to ride. Instead of riding, Speedy got turned out for the first time since February. He was rip-roaring around his stall because of some flapping tarps, so I took the chance that he was less likely to get injured on the lunge line than while crashing around his pen. I used my cotton rope line that is at least 30 feet long and let Speedy warm up a bit. I asked for some trot and canter in both directions. Once I figured he was listening, I gave the okay for the gallop. He was pleasantly surprised to say the least! When he was finished, I let him just wonder around the arena to his heart's content. It was his first turnout since his mystery lameness this past February. While he was turned out, I cleaned Sydney's Micklem with the Higher Standards Soap (Don't forget to leave a comment about that; I'll be drawing on Sunday evening.) I brought Speedy back in and turned Sydney out as well. I had really wanted to ride. I had a lesson on Monday, but then work obligations kept me from the barn for both Tuesday and Wednesday. It's now Friday and I am itching to get in the saddle. Today is predicted to be clear. Hopefully I get a good ride in as Speedy and I are going to a show this Sunday, our first together since last July!
TGIF, everyone! 5/24/2014 06:41:51 am
Of course, pasture would be the best option, and for many years I was able to do that, but here in Bakersfield, quality (safe) pasture is hard to find. I have posted a video of my barn's layout here: http://www.bakersfielddressage.com/around-the-barn.html 5/24/2014 06:49:42 am
I also just realized that from i what I wrote, it sounds as though Speedy has been locked in his stall since February. Oops, not the case. Since we thought his injury was a collateral ligament, he couldn't be turned out so I hand walked him for 30 consecutive days (15 - 30 minutes). After that, I rode him nearly every day bareback for another 30 days at the walk. For another couple of weeks, I rode under saddle, but we still walked. It's only been the last three weeks that we've returned to trot and canter work. 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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