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I know some of you are wanting a Speedy update; I am, too. He was still sore on Thursday evening, but he is improving. I should know more this afternoon. In the meantime … I was looking through some older photos of Speedy G and found three where we are in the same trotting position in each one. Speedy's right foreleg is reaching forward in all three shots and we are traveling in the same direction. I thought it would be interesting to compare them. I was prepared to see some major improvement in Speedy's frame and way of going. Overall? There is definitely improvement from the first photo to the second photo, but then … I am not seeing as much of an obvious change as I was expecting. This first photo was from our first season schooling and showing dressage. He did most of a 55 mile endurance race a few weekends before this. Speedy has always had a nice, ground-covering stride. Working on the endurance trail no doubt helped developed that aspect of his way of going. 
July 2010 - 6 years old (Arabs mature rather slowly!)
I "quit" endurance riding in June of 2010. In this next photo, we had been schooling dressage exclusively for 11 months. His frame has obviously improved. 
May 2011 - 7 years old
In the third photo, I think his stride is longer than in the previous photos, his neck is definitely thicker, and I think he has more articulation in his hocks (when compared to the middle photo). I want to say that his back looks more lifted in this photo, but that could just be wishful thinking. In the first photo, Speedy looks so small! He could easily be mistaken for a pony. By the third and fourth photos, he has started to look more like a horse. I think I must be doing something right! 
April 2013 - 9 years old. REALLY?
Although this last photo doesn't share the same angle and direction of travel as the first three, I wanted to include it because it shows where we were at the end of the 2013 show season. His stride is definitely longer and more reaching here than in any of the other photos, and he looks happier. Maybe I am more giving with my hands? I also like how nicely developed his neck appears and he's not behind the vertical, something we struggle with. What do you see? Anything different (aside from the faults; I see those already)? 
July 2013
LOVE THESE! 2/1/2014 01:53:56 pm
Thanks for taking the time to share your observations, Austen. I really appreciate it!
Judy
1/31/2014 12:38:15 am
I can definitely see the changes! Awesome! I see a trend in the first three pictures towards an increasing sense of lightness -- without losing the commitment to the bridle, so good work! The fourth pic looks to me like you guys are starting to grapple with the problem of balance-versus-thrust -- I see a bigger step and actually I think a more level balance but I have a feeeeeeeeeling (*g*) that two strides later disorganization might have ensued if you didn't intervene with a half-halt or three. Which, y'know, welcome to the club! It is a cool new problem to have. :) 2/1/2014 01:58:14 pm
I remember this day very clearly, and I think it was from T3. We actually scored a 67% on this test (a USDF-rated show)! I don't remember that moment though. It may well be that we fell apart after this moment. I know we worked REALLY hard to deal with the issue you mention. Earlier in the day, the 1 loop serpentine got away from me, but for this test, I rode it like it was in slow motion. :0)
Val
1/31/2014 05:59:07 am
He does look like a larger horse!
Dom
1/31/2014 08:55:45 am
Steady improvement in all the right areas... just what you want to see! Great work with him. I'm sorry he's still sore. 2/1/2014 02:00:02 pm
Thanks, Dom. Hopefully we'll be back to work very soon. 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. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
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.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
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.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
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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