Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Loved it! Taz's Mom and I have been going to Equine Affaire for at least 10 years. In the beginning, Equine Affaire was fabulous. Over the years, it seemed to sparkle less and less until we started talking about not going. We just couldn't resist the annual trip to all-things-equine, so we kept going even though we didn't get quite as much out of it as in the past. When we heard that the event was being hosted by a new group, we were skeptical, but we decided to give the event a shot. We are so glad we did. We thoroughly enjoyed the Horse Expo and definitely plan on returning next year. We shopped, of course, and ate, of course! We even managed to sit through several clinics, both of which were very interesting. Eitan Beth-HalachmyThe first was a western dressage clinic by Eitan Beth-Halachmy. We went to this clinic purely out of curiosity. It was interesting, but I didn't bring home any useful ideas. I just wanted to see what it looked like. Click photos for larger views. Dr. Christian SchachtWe both loved Dr. Christian Schacht's clinic. He had three riders that he schooled through a variety of softening exercises. One of the horses was a four-year old who was quite fresh. The softening exercises included lots of change: bigger circle, smaller circle, canter two circles, trot two circles. The point was to always keep the horse's focus on the rider. Since young horses are easily distracted, the rider has to keep changing the idea. Anything the horse volunteers, like cantering or spooking, the rider should make the horse think the idea actually belonged to the rider. If the horse spooks right, say, yes, I wanted to go right. If the horse breaks into canter, say, yes, I really want to canter. It was a very interesitng ride. Dr. Schacht also schooled a lower level rider over poles. Here's a video of that part of his presentation. Again very interesting. More about the shopping in the next few days ...
lytha
2/6/2012 10:50:02 pm
what a funny guy, i loved it.
Karen
2/6/2012 11:12:43 pm
He was REALLY entertaining. AND he's GERMAN! Have you heard of him?
Marbaskin's Mom
2/7/2012 10:03:22 am
I remember seeing Eitan years ago! People thought he was crazy to train dressage movements for a western horse, and now it is almost universally acceptable. Makes for a better horse in any discipline!
Karen
2/7/2012 12:29:35 pm
He was riding a LOVELY horse who had even lovelier self-carriage. He was definitely a fine rider. 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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