Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
The decision has been made regarding which horse to show on Sunday. Izzy was always my second choice, so I am relieved that Speedy is sound and "ready" although ready is obviously a very relative term. Speedy hasn't been shown in a year and a half, and his schooling during that time has been very intermittent at best. Not by my choice of course, but a variety of lameness issues have just plagued the poor guy. Fortunately, none of them have been life threatening or career-ending. Irritating is bad enough. I put Speedy to work last night. He's now been ridden three times in three weeks - he's just coming back after a sore back/hock/stifle. I don't imagine we'll lay down any super great scores on Sunday, but I'm hoping we can at least break the 60% mark. After running through the elements of the First Level tests, the one area I know we struggle with is the return to working canter from the canter lengthening. He'll lengthen his stride just fine. It's getting him to sit back down that's the problem. This is no surprise though as it's the same issue we have at Second Level. Collecting his canter is our current hurdle. I am not overly worried about the scores though. I am just happy to finally be able to show him again. Wish us luck, and I'll let you know how it goes.
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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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