Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
On Monday I took Sydney on a non-lesson field trip to Cha Ching's barn for a morning ride. After schooling Sydney in the arena, we went on a short trail ride to see how Sydney would do. He was a bit wide-eyed, but he took it in stride.
Cha Ching's mom shot some video for me. The bad news? I still can't remember to consistently bend my elbows and shorten my reins. The good news? As soon as I do, I get a much softer horse. The video shows us as we're just beginning to work. As we got going, we did improve. What I love is how steady he looks. Even with me struggling to get that good contact, he just keeps on working while waiting for me to figure it out. I do see a lot of good things happening in the video: my leg position has improved markedly, and I am finally sitting up straight. For so long I have fought that endurance seat which is more forward. Once I keep my elbows bent and learn to shorten my reins, we'll be ready to move up the levels. Here are some clips from the first ten minutes or so. (Many thanks to Cha Ching's mom for the video and the much appreciated bits of advice!)
Val
8/9/2011 11:17:57 pm
Sydney has some nice spring in his trot!
Sara
8/10/2011 12:18:45 am
You two look great!! 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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