Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Izzy has had some really good experiences hand walking this past week. If you'll remember, I had to resort to a bit of Boot Camp work when he had a little fit about leaving Speedy behind. I think we have kicked that issue to the curb. Since I had a three day weekend (thank you, President Lincoln), Izzy got to spend quite a bit of time walking around the neighborhood. We've gone from him walking on my heels, screaming hysterically, and bonking the back of my head to him hanging back at least four feet. When I walked him on Sunday, he hung out at the very end of my twelve foot lead rope. He stills spikes his head when he hears or sees something interesting, but now he knows to be interested far out of my personal space. Once I have him where I want him, I won't expect him to stay ten feet away. Right now though, my goal is to show him that nothing is going to eat him if he's off on his own. I want him to feel confident enough that he doesn't need to press his body into me to feel safe. Right now, he seems well on his way to becoming that confident horse. On our way home, something did startle him from behind. He gave a little jump and a small scoot, but he was far enough away from me that he didn't touch me. I heard the commotion though and turned around to see his butt tucked under as he swung his head to look at the monster that was after him. I am okay with being startled. Just don't knock me down while you're dealing with it. I am liking this horse more and more every day!
Judy
2/10/2015 11:17:23 pm
He's so gorgeous! He does appear to be part giraffe when startled.... What a pretty boy! I don't think enough can be said about the bonds we forge with horses when we simply spend time around them. The time I had to spend hand walking Guinness when he was rehabbing his feet went a long way into creating his trust in me. Before that time, I don't think he truly looked to me for guidance and support as "his person." Now? He's the horse who comes looking for me when he gets loose at shows, and is content to follow me pretty much anywhere. I appreciate that trust so much. 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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