Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Maybe I should title this post, FINALLY. Speedy has always wanted to go behind the vertical to escape the contact, but finally, I understand how much leg I need to use with him to encourage him to step up to the bit and take it.
We had a great schooling ride on Sunday. He's been working really nicely for the past few months, but it finally dawned on me that the reason our scores have gone up so dramatically is because I finally have him in front of my leg. It's not like things are perfect; he's now trying to get a bit heavy, but at least there is something in my hand to work with. When I rode this weekend, I really focused on the inside bend. We did a lot of leg yielding, and I discovered that Speedy can leg yield to the right with some skill, but to the left, yikes. We stink! His right side is his more hollow side, and he really likes to blow through his left shoulder, which makes the leg yield to the left pretty difficult. I finally got really tough (consistent) on that outside rein, and did he ever throw a fit. I stuck with it though until he finally realized that my inside leg meant move OVER not just forward. Since he's learned to move forward with leg, I think he's trying to use that as a bit of an excuse to blow through the shoulder rather than move more sideways. It's okay; he'll get it. With the CDS Championship coming in just a few short weeks, I don't want to over-work anything or try too much that's new. I actually have a strategy, I'll share on another day, but for now, I am trying to school through our sticky spots in order to improve our overall impression. I am pretty pleased with where we are right now. Hopefully we can continue to improve a little of this and that so that we show up sharp and ready to wow those judges! 9/11/2014 11:24:04 am
Speedy's more forgiving, but with Sydney, definitely. If I start to "pick" on Speedy, he gets resentful. If I help him to feel successful, he really puffs himself up and shines. That's what I am trying to get out of him. :0)
jenj
9/12/2014 09:04:16 am
Man, keeping them in front of the leg is HARD. Constant struggle for me too! 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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