Category: Flying Changes

What Can You Do in 15 Minutes?

12/5/2018

... Besides renew your car insurance. When it comes to horses, the answer is usually not much. Speedy's a fun horse to ride because it doesn't take a lot to get him warmed up. He's very active throughout the night, and by mid-afternoon he starts pacing as he waits for me. That all means that I can usually get right to work without a lengthy warm up.

Welcome to polar bear land. No more shiny, silvery coat.

It seems that every time I start to doubt Speedy, like I sort of did yesterday, he comes out roaring to prove me wrong. Monday afternoon was the third day in a row that he had been worked. That's about his limit. He starts getting grouchy with too many consecutive days of work. He feels like I am picking on him. My plan for the day was to quickly revisit the outside connection created by inside flexion and then be done.

That expression. What does it even mean?

Since that recent epiphany I had, I've been ultra picky about feeling the outside connection while keeping him even in my hand. It's a work in progress, but I'm feeling positive effects, especially in the lateral work. So, I did a bunch of right/left flexions and then transitions within the gait.

I read an interesting article by Hilda Gurney that had been reprinted from the 1970s. In it, she explained that if a horse ignores your half halt, halt him all the way several times so that he learns to listen to the half halt. I did two or three of those, and suddenly I had a more forward, energetic horse that was (mostly) even between the reins.

When you know you're special.

Speedy readily picked up a canter, and after a quick come to Jesus meeting about the near corner, he decided that it was better to be soft in the bridle. Without a lot of fuss, we crossed the diagonal, and I asked for a flying change. He gave it without too much drama so I continued on in the new lead and then decided to ask for the other one.

I haven't done this yet as I am always too busy praising him for the first one to even think about asking for another one. Even so, we circled around and crossed the diagonal again where I had to tell him to wait for the new canter aid. He gets pretty ramped up about it and wants to just get it done as soon as he thinks that's what I want.

Even with a bit of rushing, he still gave me a clean change that didn't involve a bolt or a buck. I glanced down at my watch and realized that in only 15 minutes, Speedy had far exceeded what I wanted to accomplish that day. I hopped off of him, and slipped him some candies. He knew I was proud of him.

He's a bit of a stud muffin.

Take that GEICO; that is what I can do in 15 minutes!

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Ready to Feel Better About Your Own Riding?

12/4/2018

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I first started this blog back in February of 2011 because I couldn't find the answers to my dressage questions. I figured if I had unanswered questions, so must a lot of other local riders. After a bit of a stuttery start, I launched Bakersfield Dressage.com and soon after, this blog. My goal from the beginning was two-fold: First, I wanted to provide information about how to get started showing, and equally as important, I wanted to share what I learned while on my dressage journey. I think most riders feel that everyone else is way better than they themselves are. I am here to tell you, it's not true.

20 Mule Team 35 Miler - February 2010

Most of you already know that I started off at Introductory Level, Test A on my endurance Arabian. I had never shown before, nor had I ever taken lessons. Although that's not quite true. As a small child, I took a handful of lessons from my grandma who ran a small lesson/boarding barn. Outside of those few lessons, I was completely brand new to the world of lessons and showing.

From one of our very first shows - Introductory Level 2010.

So here I am, eight and a half years later, on the same endurance-turned-dressage horse, Speedy G. A number of years ago I changed my blog's title to what it is today: Not-So-Speedy Dressage. The moniker fits us perfectly. With Speedy as my partner, we've labored through each level, advancing slowly but methodically. We've been sidelined here and there due to injuries, but in 2019, we plan to show at Third Level with the goal of finally earning a USDF Bronze Medal; we're two scores away.

The next year, 2011, but still at Introductory Level.

Speedy has not had an easy go of things. He's had to learn all of the movements along with me. When things don't go well, I always, always assume the error is mine. If he won't do it, it's because I am not asking correctly.

When this past summer's show season ended, we started schooling some of the Third Level movements, especially those in Test 1. By the way, I've created links to all of the 2019 tests if you ever need to look at them. The movements introduced in Third Level, Test 1 include extended gaits, half pass at trot, and the single flying change. When I read the directives for the extended gaits - Utmost ground cover with lengthening of frame; I kind of laughed - the only thing Speedy can do to the "utmost" is beg for treats!

2018 - Second Level. Doing his "utmost" to lengthen his stride.

So where are we on our preparations for Third Level? Well, the simple answer is that I could probably/maybe eke out a score in the 50s if the judge squinted. The more complicated answer is that we are firmly in the Land of Inconsistent.

Some days, I frantically text Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, begging her to fix whatever is currently wrong with my riding and aids. Her task is monumental because my shortcomings rotate on an unpredictable schedule. Sometimes, it's my hands that are causing the problem, other times it's seat. It is more accurate to say that all of it is due to my lack of knowing what the heck it is I am supposed to be doing.

Like I said - who's driving that rig?

Sometimes, like this Sunday, Speedy and I are show moments of brilliance. We have a shoulder in that is now more forward. His travers is getting better, and since we need to ride renvers in a later test, I ride the movement off the rail asking for the haunches in both directions.

Speedy's rein back is getting quite nice, and he has even learned that it's four steps back and then forward. I haven't tried rein back to trot yet, but I have a feeling he'll get that pretty quickly. The hardest movement of the level, the flying change, is coming along. They're still a bit ... explosive, but he gets it. He's even arrived at the stage where he wants to throw them in any time I even tweak the bend.

A less explosive flying change.

In the end, it's really the journey that is the most important. I am frustrated often, but every once in a while, Speedy and I will ride a movement better than we have before. It is those moments for which I live. Third Level or Introductory, it's about finding those harmonious moments when it all feels easy.

We rarely get there, but when we do, the struggle is all worth it!

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Speedy's Back!

11/20/2018

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At least I think he's back. Two rides are probably not enough to say for sure. After three weeks of just hanging out, he finally seemed sound on Sunday afternoon.

This lameness happens about once a year in the fall. At least five years ago, I took him to one of California's premier equine hospitals, Alamo Pintado. After extensive tests, Dr. Carter Judy felt that it was either an injury to the collateral ligament or a deep bruise. My own vet confirmed those two options, while my farrier seems certain it's a bruise. Either way, the solution is the same - time off.

After many years of the same pattern, I think I finally have a reason for why it happens. During the summer, I am at the barn every day in the early morning. I am a teacher and have most of the summer off. Speedy knows my schedule and looks forward to my visits.

He heard the crinkle of the candy wrapper.

Once I go back to work in mid-August, I simply can't keep the same schedule. I try to be out there seven days a week, but it's just not possible. It takes a while for Speedy's anxiety to build, but eventually, it reaches a point where he can't contain himself. At the least little provocation, he paces and whirls. When his pasture buddy goes out, he screams and whirls until he comes back. If he runs out of hay in the afternoon, he paces until I get there.

In all of the pacing and whirling he does, he inevitably whacks his own front feet, usually the right one, and comes up lame. The soreness will be quite pronounced the first day, but over two to three weeks it simply fades away.

He's sure cute!

I've checked his soundness once a week. On Sunday, he finally felt even in his stride. I only rode for twenty minutes, but we did most of the walk and trot work from Second Level. Since he felt good enough for that, I asked for some walk to canter to walk transitions. And then, just because I could, I checked in on the flying change. There was a buck or two in the canter half pass (which could only be called such because we were cantering toward the rail but it was awful), but when I asked for the change, he gave it promptly.

My fingers are crossed that he really is sound and stays that way. I have all week to reassure him that life is still worth living and that he hasn't been forgotten. Arabians are just too darned attached to their people.

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More on Flying Changes

11/1/2018

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I had a lesson on Tuesday which renewed my faith in Speedy's ability to do Third Level. I need to quit being such a doubter. But you know how it goes, sometimes you do great in a lesson under your trainer's watchful eye only to crash and burn the next day.

Doing great under my trainer's watchful eye - moment of the flying change.

I am thrilled to report that when I rode Speedy yesterday afternoon sans trainer, I got an easy flying change at the end of the canter half pass! Not that our half pass is recognizable as such. It looks more like a beginner's attempt at a leg yield - more diagonal than straight, but who cares about that?

The thrilling part was that we got it on the first try with minimal effort on my part. Truth be told, I think he offered it before I had completely finished asking! Which leads me to hope that he might be ready to start offering changes at random moments during the canter as I lose my balance or shift my weight. Wouldn't that be awesome?

This video was during Tuesday's lesson, but it shows how well he can do a flying change.

As I rode yesterday afternoon, I reminded myself that if I am going to cram him into "the box," I need to at least occasionally "let him go" to see if he can stay there. We were both a lot happier. Self-carriage is a thing afterall; I need to let him do it.

Uphill?

My whole complaint this past of couple of weeks was that he wasn't sitting enough and softening. I think the photo above is proof that he can sit. If I can just get out of his way just a little bit and trust him to do his job, I think we might actually make it to Third Level.

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Trainer Saves the Day

10/31/2018

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Well that answers the can he or can't he question from the other day. If you don't have a trainer, and if you go through periods of huge self doubt, you really need to get one. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, really knows how to bring out the best in a horse and rider team without giving the rider false expectations.

She never came right out and said Speedy will be brilliant at Third Level, so quit worrying because in all likelihood he won't be. Instead, she helped me tackle the lateral work problem. The first issue was that Speedy was stuck on my inside rein and leg. As I started the trot half pass, Chemaine instructed me to ride a 10-meter circle while pushing him away from my leg. Then I went back to half pass, but every time I felt him heavy on my inside rein and leg, I repeated the 10-meter circle. We did a lot of 10-meter circles, but the exercise worked.

The next thing Chemaine helped me address was lightness. Speedy has been so heavy primarily because I am driving him to the bit. She laughed when she said that I've crammed him so far into the box that he can't get anymore into the box. She said I now need to let him go and see if he'll hold himself where he needs to be.

Taking a well earned break.

The exercise went a little like this: half pass, let him go, collect him, let him go. Repeat, repeat, repeat. And of course, the exercise worked. While the half pass didn't look brilliant, Speedy was finally soft in the bridle and moving laterally. I am sure he felt as relieved as I did.

Since my arena is short and wide, riding the half pass can be tricky as I run out of room. Chemaine gave me yet another new exercise that helps with the geometry while continuing the lateral work. It goes more or less like this:

tracking right, come down centerline, half pass to the right toward M.
as you near M, renvers through the corner to C.
come back down centerline on the same bend and half pass right to K.
At K, renvers again through the corner to A and repeat the half pass to M or move on to something else.

Of course, I couldn't keep my left and right straight, so it took Chemaine many minutes of patiently explaining which way was right, but I eventually got it.

The flying lead change from the video.

The last thing we worked on was the flying change. Surprisingly, the change wasn't the thing I felt we needed to work on; I've had those more or less under control. In fact, we got them without too much fuss. Chemaine, never one to leave me without something new to work on, suggested we put the canter half pass and flying changes together.

Guess what happened? Yup. Speedy and I got the flying change out of canter half pass the first time. I am not sure who was more surprised, me, or Chemaine!

Speedy wasn't a bit surprised. He knew exactly what he was doing.

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Fall Lesson

10/3/2018

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I know that this past weekend's lessons won't be the only ones I get this fall, but they were a great start. I told Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, that there were three things I needed to work on with Speedy.

Warming up.

The first was simply getting him sharper off my aids. We finished our show season winning the CDS Regional Adult Amateur Competition at Second Level. Since then, I've gone back to work, and I now have to ride in the late afternoon heat. Neither Speedy nor I really wanted to work hard at anything. We've been kind of coasting along. Now that the weather is cooling off, we need to get back into race trim.

The second thing I wanted to work on was the half pass at trot, but as it turned out, Chemaine had us working on half pass at both the trot and canter, something we had yet to start. Apparently, I've been practicing the trot half pass mostly correctly. All I really needed to do was look at a point before the corner so that my half pass went at more of an angle. They're still very rudimentary, but we have the idea down.

The canter half passes were barely even half passes. The main trouble was Speedy was convinced I was going to ask for a flying change. It took a while for him to figure out what I was doing; me, too for that matter. In the end, we got a few strides where he and I started to get it. My big take away from that part of the lesson was that I need a whole lot of bend before I can even think about asking for his hind end to step over. We'll get there.

Everything we're doing now is improving the canter.

The final thing I wanted to work on was the flying change - of course. Right to left we have down. I can get it the first time pretty much every time. The only thing I really need to work on is asking for it sooner and sooner with less drama. Here's video of the first time I asked. His change is so quiet that you'll barely see it, if at all.

Left to right is a different story. As I worked on them by myself over the past few weeks, I figured out that I needed to ride it differently than when asking for a change from right to left. The main problem is that he's falling in on the right shoulder which means he can't change. It kind of looks like this ...

He's almost got the flying part right!

Chemaine helped me fix a slue of little issues before I asked for the change. The first was that he kept trying to bolt as I changed the bend. To fix that, Chemaine had me keep on cantering as though all I really wanted was a counter canter.

So much drama, but so much try!

When he refused to soften to the inside rein, I just kept cantering without asking for the change. Eventually, I got a change in front, and later a change in back. To get it all to work, I needed Speedy to get soft on the inside rein, AND I needed a strong half halt to get the change behind. Here's where the pieces finally came together, albeit a bit disjointed.

In the end, I was able to put it all together and get the change, even if it wasn't as prompt as I would have liked. As soon as I came out of the corner, I changed the bend and started half halting, reminding him to be soft on the inside. The outside rein said no bolting, the inside rein said stay soft, and my seat said change. It took a big outside rein, but he finally got it.

That magical moment ...

We can fly - flying change, that is!

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Schooling the Flying Change

9/26/2018

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I am not an expert at flying changes. We can get them, but not reliably or even consistently. That's okay; I am patient(ish).

The problem with a movement like the flying change is that you either get one or your don't. Movements like shoulder in or medium trot can be improved while you're in the midst of doing them. If your shoulder in doesn't have enough angle, fix it and continue on. Same thing with the medium trot; half halt and go for it again.

Second Level Medium Trot. We still need to get the Third Level version of this.

The second I get on Speedy, I want to start working on the flying changes, but I can't because he needs to be suppled and in front of my leg. That means I need to do about a million transitions, some shoulder in, some travers and maybe a few turns on the haunches before I can even think about a flying change.

Once we do start the canter work, I can't just ask for a flying change either because I need to get him soft and on the outside rein first. If I've been diligent and correct in my aids, I can start to think about asking for the change after we've done a few simple changes through walk and maybe some counter canter.

Second Level Counter Canter

Speedy has a good work ethic, but if the task even smacks of drilling, he's out. Speedy likes things to be interesting, and he likes to feel successful. He doesn't appreciate being asked to do the same thing over and over. All of this means that by the time he's ready to give the flying lead change a try, he's been working for about 25 minutes. He doesn't think he should have to work much beyond 30.

Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, told me something funny the other day that I've really taken to heart. One of her clients asked why she couldn't do whatever it was until the second try. Chemaine laughed and said it was because she prepared on the second try but not on the first.

Well that explains a lot. With that thought in mind, preparing, I've been super careful about asking for the flying change. Speedy will only give me his best effort a few times which means that I can't afford to waste his time by not preparing.

On Monday, I got a crisp change. I changed direction, got the next one right away, and called it quits. I don't want to burn Speedy out or make him dread that part of our ride.

More days like this, please.

As long as I am patient, Speedy will get it, and he might even make it look easy. We've got all winter to work on it.

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Flying Lead Changes - First Lesson

9/17/2018

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Even though Speedy and I have been schooling the flying lead change, we hadn't had an actual trainer lesson on how to do them until last week. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, had talked me through the aids over the phone, but getting a lesson in real life is always better.

Chemaine teaches the horse (and rider) the flying lead change like this:

Get a balanced and connected canter - to the left for example.
Cross the diagonal.
Change to a right bend.
Leg yield towards the rail to move his haunches over.
Ask with the outside hand and leg.

Sometimes we got it, most of the time we didn't. And over the weekend, when I worked on it by myself a few days after the lesson, things went south pretty fast. On Saturday afternoon, I texted Chemaine with an urgent cry for help; I am pretty sure I've broken Speedy's right lead canter.

When Chemaine rode Speedy a few weeks ago, he wouldn't let go of the right rein. For this lesson, he wouldn't let go of the left. To encourage him to want to change, she finally had me do several things. The first was to keep the new bend while pushing his haunches to the rail on a counter canter. When he finally let go of the left rein (the inside rein), I could then ask for the change.

The other thing she had me try was to pick up the counter canter on a circle and do the same thing: new inside bend while keeping the haunches pushing out. It was hard, really hard. It's not magically getting easier either. Exhibit A - Like I said, I think I broke his right lead canter.

I have the feeling that I am going to be writing a lot about the flying lead change and how much we suck at doing them. Bear with me.

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Flying Changes

9/12/2018

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And they're correct! When we get one that is. After schooling them for less than a week, we get the change about 50% of the time. I am actually quite pleased with them as I haven't even had a lesson yet. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, talked me through the aids over the phone, so I've been working on it on my own in preparation for tonight's lesson.

His simple changes have always been a bit ... exuberant! January 2018

The interesting thing is that all of a sudden, his canter has gotten much more uphill, and the simple changes are getting crisper. I guess that's what happens when you raise your expectations. Getting my saddle adjusted has also helped.

Still spicy! May 2018

To be completely honest, I was thrilled beyond belief that we even got any changes the first time I schooled them. I was certain it was going to take all fall before we even got one flying change. It took about three asks before he gave me one. When we changed direction, he got it on the second try. I've never asked for flying changes before, so I was over the moon happy that we were able to get any on our first try.

A lot less expressive. August 2018

For Third Level, I'll need a flying change across the diagonal. For now, Chemaine suggested I ask for them in the corner. To set him up, I counter canter across the diagonal, half halting to get him as light in the bridle as I can. I change the bend to get him on the new outside rein, and then I switch my seat to the new lead.

He's not changing with my seat aid (yet). I have to do a strong half halt on the new outside rein and scoop with my seat. Chemaine explained it like this: It's being methodical with your aids, so the horse recognizes a canter transition when he hears one. Even if he's already cantering!

That way of thinking about it has helped a lot. The other thing she suggested was to keep cantering even if he doesn't change and just circle around and try it again. When he gives me one, we walk, and I give him a loud and enthusiastic good boy! He knows when he's done something right.

I am super excited to be schooling Third. Who would have thought?

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About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

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

Stuff I'm Working On in 2018 ...

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%

CDS Championship Qualifying
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3: 62.879%
Score 4: 61.970%
Score 5: 62.973%

CDS Ruby Rider Award
Training Level Scores:
Score 1: 70.179%
Score 2: 72.600%

First Level Scores:
Score 1: 66.093%
Score 2: 68.750%

Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 62.879%

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
Score 1 - 62.879%
Score 2 - 61.970%
Score 3 - 64.242%
Score 4 - 64.268%

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level -
Third Level -

2018 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USE
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2018 Pending …
Season over

2018 Completed …
1/14/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/10/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/24/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
3/17/18 Hurtado Clinic (t)
3/18/18 GEAHS (*)
3/31/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
4/14-15/18 El Sueno (***)
5/27/18 Tehachapi (*)
6/16-17/18 El Sueno (***)
6/24/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/28-29/18 El Sueno (***)
8/11-12/18 RAAC (Q ***)
8/26/18 Tehachapi (*)

What Can You Do in 15 Minutes?

Ready to Feel Better About Your Own Riding?

Speedy's Back!

More on Flying Changes

Trainer Saves the Day

Fall Lesson

Schooling the Flying Change

Flying Lead Changes - First Lesson

Flying Changes

About the
Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

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About the Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

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Stuff I Read

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