Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
HAHAHA! I crack myself up. Although, now that I think about it, it's only funny if you've ever had to do suicides - you know, those things that basketball and hockey players do where you sprint/skate across the court, touch the line, sprint back, touch the line, repeat until you vomit. I ran track in high school, so our version was 100-meter sprints. Yeah. Suicides. Speedy and I did a bunch of them in the arena over the weekend. Often times, when I am done riding, I'll pull Speedy's saddle and bridle while we're still in the arena so that he can roll and cool off. He loves to scratch and get a drink when we're done, and quite frequently, he'll get a wild hair and go ripping around the arena, kicking up his heels. If I hang out with him, the turnout time is even more fun. Speedy is pretty vain and enjoys showing off. If he thinks I am not watching closely enough, he blows hard to get my attention, tosses his mane and then gallops straight at me, rearing or turning quickly to launch a kick my way. He is ultra careful and never gets close to me - he just enjoys having me play the game with him. One of my barn owners was doing some tractor work and agreed to drag the arena for me if I would dismantle my dressage court. It's not fancy, just a bunch of six foot fencing poles laid out in a 40-meter x 60-meter rectangle. In order to smooth out the ruts that get created down the long sides, I have to drag the poles out of the arena. It's a fair amount of work, but it needs to be done about every two months or so. After I pulled Speedy's saddle, I started dragging the poles out one by one. The first short side is easy, but once I get to the long side, it's a lot more tedious as I have to pick up each pole and carry it 20-meters to the fence line and then walk back 20-meters to the next pole. Dressage suicides, people. Speedy was "helping" as he usually does when I do this job, so I started jogging out to the pole with him trotting along side. I picked up the next pole and jogged back. Speedy kept pace with me. In fact, he stuck by me for almost every pole. By the time I got to the more distant short side, his energy level spiked and he went rip-roaring around the arena, bucking and snorting. Of course, when he was done playing, he jogged up to me with his tail waving, and asked if I had had as much fun as he did. He's such a character! Now I just need to put the poles back. I am pretty sure Speedy will be up for more suicides!
Wendy
12/21/2015 05:50:31 am
Love a good after-ride frolic time! Sounds like you have a great relationship with Speedy! :) 12/21/2015 06:33:26 am
Arabs are like that - at least the ones I've owned. Mine have all loved to play with me. Every Arab I have owned has come when I called their names and will follow me like a dog. Speedy will actually get resentful if he doesn't get enough play time with me - turnout alone isn't enough for him. He wants/needs the interaction with me. He's definitely a fun horse to own. :0) 12/21/2015 03:12:54 pm
Thanks. :0) He does love to play, and it doesn't matter what game it is. One of his newest tricks is to grab my zipper and yank it up and down. He also like like to grab the whip and carry it off. He plays tag, chase, rear, and on and on. He's a fun one for sure. Arabs are often times like that, so I am sure you're mare would enjoy games too. :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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