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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Finally a Photo

9/16/2012

 
Picture
Me riding Sydney.
It's been almost a year since I've had a photo of me on Sydney.  And it's not like there were that many before the last one.  After I finished my ride, I tracked down RM and Ineke, who is staying with RM for a little while, and talked them into a little impromptu photo shoot.  Ineke is a photographer so I know my little point and click Canon was subpar, but she still managed to get a nice shot.  RM did her utmost to get Sydney's attention, but it wasn't easy!
Picture
There were lots of wiggles, side steps, and me trying to reposition him.
The smiles were real.  Ineke kept telling me to hold Sydney still.  That's hard to do when half a ton wants to graze.  The whole time I was trying to keep his head above his knees, RM was flinging her arms in the air, banging the fence, waving sticks, and doing anything BUT catching Sydney's eye. Speedy on the other hand was fascinated by her theatrics and kept trying to get closer to her!

The whole thing was quite comical, hence the smiles.  SEE!!!  I do smile.
Judy
9/15/2012 11:48:50 pm

Nice picture! Except I can't see your face under your helmet visor!

Karen
9/15/2012 11:53:47 pm

Did you click the photo to enlarge? If so, and you you still can't see it too clearly, all I can say is sorry. When it's this stinking hot, I need everything I can get to shade my eyes and protect my face. :0) At least the highs for next week are only supposed to be in the mid-90s. That's certainly better than the 100s. I can't remember the last time I gave a shiver ...

Angela
9/16/2012 02:39:01 am

Both of you are gorgeous, especially when you smile!

Karen
9/16/2012 05:39:50 am

I know of an equally gorgeous pair who good money says will kick our butts on Sunday! :)

jennifer keneman
9/16/2012 09:49:15 am

Oh my goodness he looks soooooo good!!!! Gorgeous both of you!

Karen
9/16/2012 09:51:58 am

Thanks, Jennifer! Hopefully he shows as well as he looks. :0)

Val
9/16/2012 11:53:56 am

He is very handsome!

Karen
9/16/2012 12:31:34 pm

Thanks, Val. More than pretty, he's a real sweetheart. :0)

Angela
9/16/2012 03:03:27 pm

Hey now, that’s WAY too much Pressure for a rookie like me! However, I really appreciate both your confidence and complements. I have been hitting some pretty steep road blocks lately and my poor trainer seemed to go hoarse during our last lesson from continuously calling out:
“Inside leg, outside reign, HALF HAULT, inside leg, outside reign, ROUNDER, inside leg, outside reign, CHANGE YOUR DIAGNAL, inside leg, outside reign, SHORTEN YOUR REIGNS, Inside leg, outside reign, CLOSE YOUR FINGERS, inside leg, outside reign…”

With all my fumbling about while in saddle, Will even hit a wall and had his first true “temper tantrum.” I think for my sanity, Will’s sanity, and my husband’s sanity, I'm just going to focus on sitting up straight on Sunday. Well, maybe I’ll try to keep my feet in the stirrups too. :o
Seriously, right now, I need to just lighten up, smile, and have fun!

Karen
9/16/2012 11:02:09 pm

That is so funny, Angela! I will say that i have had many of those lessons too. I have heard "shorten your reins" at least ten million times. For now, my trainer is somewhat satisfied with my position so most of her comments are aimed at fixing my aids. I hear lots of "almost," more leg, lean back, more leg, lean back. :0)

I know just how you feel about sitting back. As an endurance rider we learned forward. That was a hard habit to break. I also had the same goal for one particular show: sit up and bend my elbows. That's not a bad goal! You'll do great!!!!!!


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I 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.
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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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 showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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    • 2021
    • 2020
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    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
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    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
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