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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Hey - There's Video!

10/27/2013

 
A long video. Seriously, it's 9 minutes and some change long, but it's probably worth watching (once). I made it through one viewing, and I HATE to watch my own videos! If you watch it on YouTube, you'll have a bigger view. 

The original length was 21 minutes and that included powering on the camera to powering it off. I only cut out the repeated 20-meter circles and changes of direction. I realize this only cut out some of the boring parts, but I wanted you to know that I didn't splice together the "best" moments. This was our ride, honestly presented. Grab a bowl of popcorn and a beer.
Here's my take on what I see:

  • I don't look like a complete sack of potatoes any more.  If you're new here, I competed in endurance races (hundred milers included) for the better part of two decades. I never had a formal lesson until 2010. Dressage is a complete change from endurance racing!
  • The exercises feel great as I am doing them, but they don't come across nearly as rhythmical in the video, especially the juggling. I also see that I juggle much more with my right hand than with my left. 
  • I like riding the up, up, down exercise because I can feel my loss of balance; I don't need the video to see it. I will say that I am getting better at it in just the short few weeks that I've been practicing.
  • The land your seat bone somewhere else is hard to see, but it feels great while you're doing it. That exercise is my favorite one as it releases all kinds of lower back tension/stiffness while I am riding.
  • I was surprised to see so much head wagging, Sydney's, not mine. While I am riding, my contact is deliberately light so that I don't use my hands to balance during the exercises, especially as we warm up. I can see that I need more up and down in the juggling and less pull (dang it!) so that I don't wag his head.
  • I had never done the balance ball exercise before; this was my first attempt, and I did it right! When I saw other riders do it, their hands got closer and closer to their chests as their "ball" deflated (even the grand prix riders). Even while Susanne was saying, you're losing air, they just couldn't feel or see that their hands was getting closer and closer to their chests. The purpose of the exercise is to keep the sensation of forward in the canter. I still need to try it to the right.
  • I loved the right lead canter depart. I know you probably don't believe me when I say that you just saw Dr. Jekyll and not Mr. Hyde, but it's true. This was NOT the horse I rode a few weeks ago at the clinic. The good thing is that Hyde was who I used to ride every afternoon at home.  Dr. Jekyll now seems to be my regular mount while at home. That canter depart was not possible just two short weeks ago. We have definitely had a breakthrough.
  • I loved the left lead canter depart even more, the second one that is. JL has me thinking of asking for the departure in a way that no one should even see that I am asking, unlike in the first departure. I have a tendency to ask for the canter like I would if I were yee-hawing it across the plains being chased by bandits. That second left lead canter (in the video) was really nice!

We have a long road in front of us, and I know that, but I am feeling a lot better about things today. Even I can see that we're making progress. Yeah, it's slow, and we all know that I'd like it to be a lot faster, but at least we're not just spinning our wheels, mired in the mud. It may be that Sydney will never be a show horse. That's okay. I like riding him at home, and he's helping me learn to be a better rider.

And despite what I usually write, he looks like a nice horse to ride, doesn't he?!
Sandra
10/27/2013 01:13:40 am

Great video! It really helped me get a visual of the exercises you posted about. I have been working on the up up down and am getting so much better at it. Varro seems to be enjoying to too. Thanks for the inspiration!

Bakersfield Dressage link
10/27/2013 01:47:11 am

Thanks, Sandra. It is SO hard to post video. If I cringe to watch it, I know the rest of the world is going to pick us apart. Although, in my defense, I never claim to be more than I am, a lower level riding struggling with everything. Pick away, I say. :0)

Mary link
10/27/2013 11:06:22 am

I think you guys look just terrific! Thanks for sharing the video. He he really quite stunnning to watch.

Bakersfield Dressage link
10/27/2013 11:14:41 am

That's really kind of you to say, Mary. :0)

I ride at a really small barn, I am the only "regular" rider, so it's nearly impossible to get video or photos. For this video, I placed my camera on a mounting block and prayed that the wind wouldn't blow!

Sarah link
10/29/2013 08:58:22 am

Wow! SOOOO much improvement - undeniable with video evidence!! =)
And you already saw that I nominated you for Sunshine Award - and thank you so much for nominating me as well <3

Bakersfield Dressage link
10/30/2013 10:54:26 am

Thanks, Sarah ... we're getting there, or at least on the road to there!


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
    Email Karen

    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    October 2020

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    I love her stuff!

    National Rider Awards

    • USDF Bronze Medal - 2020 
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    • USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    • USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    • USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
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    State Rider Awards
    • CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
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    Ruby Rider Award, 2018
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    • CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2018
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    2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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    CDS Sapphire Rider Award
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    Score 1: 60.610% Bhathal
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    5 Scores/4 Judges/61%:

    Score 1: 
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  • Home
  • About
  • Horses
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Imperioso
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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