Grab Some Popcorn

5/20/2014

I haven't seen a video of my riding in quite some time. I still have a mental picture of this:

November 12, 2011

My leg has always been fairly good, but boy oh boy, did I struggle with my upper body, arms, and hands. I was over bent at my pelvis; my wrists were always "broken," and I had no bend in my elbows. I did have a great deal of enthusiasm and a tremendous desire to learn though, so I am not going to beat up on this lovely woman. For someone with zero professional help through three decades of riding, she has managed to come far in three years.

I was lucky to have someone around recently who shot a minute of me riding Sydney. It's not a great video, but it is enough to let me see how much improved I am over the last few years. My upper body is really nice, and I can now see my elbows bending and moving with an elastic connection. My wrists are no longer bent, and my thumbs are on top.

If you watch until 0:51, you'll see a lovely downward transition that shows us both being very balanced in our work.

Katharine link

5/19/2014 11:45:51 pm

Lovely transition indeed! :D

I also liked his stretching downward at the end - he looks so relaxed and balanced :)

Bakersfield Dressage link

5/20/2014 11:26:29 am

Thanks, Katharine. :0) He is very relaxed at home, but getting that away from home has been a lot of work!

Hannah link

5/20/2014 12:41:12 am

Verrry dressage. Well-done!

5/20/2014 11:26:49 am

We're getting there! :0)

Austen link

5/20/2014 01:09:01 am

Wow! You guys look awesome! I can't remember ever seeing Sydney's canter before. It's full of suspension! Must be so fun to ride. :)

5/20/2014 11:30:07 am

He does have an unbelievable canter, Austen. And yes, it is very fun to ride. While we can't do a true canter pirouette, we're not too far off. He really loves that gait and can carry a lot of weight on his hind end. I could just canter him all day - I always get a huge grin on my face as we school the canter, especially to the left. Now if only our trot work was as good ...

Sandra

5/20/2014 01:13:13 am

Those two riders are night and day from each other! Well done! You look amazing!!!!

5/20/2014 11:31:30 am

Very different, huh?! Riding a hundred miles takes a completely different skill set than does dressage. I feel a little behind the eight ball, but I am catching up. And thank you for the kind compliment. :0)

Lauren link

5/20/2014 01:33:00 am

You need to give yourself more credit! You are a lovely rider.

5/20/2014 11:33:32 am

Thanks, Lauren. I know I am not *terrible,* but I simply can't walk around saying what a great rider I am. Next to a nobody, sure, I look great, but stick me next to almost anybody else and my holes stick out quite clearly! :0)

Kelly link

5/20/2014 06:39:55 am

Great job Karen! You and Sydney are looking so good!

5/20/2014 11:39:54 am

Thank you, Kelly! He is definitely the hardest horse to ride that I've ever owned. He has forced to me to up my game - no gimmes here. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage