Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
It's Monday; I think we could all start the week off with a warm fuzzy. Yesterday, I galloped Sydney. No, not the kind of gallop where you lengthen for a few strides and then bring it back. I mean balls to the wall, freakin' GALLOPING, and it was insanely awesome!!!!!! This doesn't take a lot of explanation. Captain Awesome was feeling super relaxed and listening to my aids, but he also needed to wake up a little bit. I pushed my hands forward, lightened my seat and said, GO! We made several laps around the arena slowing only slightly for the corners. As his hind legs coiled underneath him, I was astonished by the height we achieved as his front legs came up and forward. It was completely fantastic!
I've galloped many horses in my lifetime, but I've never really galloped a thoroughbred before. And even as Sydney showed me a few new gears, I could tell he had a lot more in there. Someday, when we have more room, I want to really see what he can do! 4/29/2014 10:40:19 pm
At our lesson on Monday, Sydney spooked during the canter and shot forward, but I just smiled and brought him back to a more sensible pace. Knowing what his bigger gallop feels like in a controlled way makes it much easier to ride when it's less than in control . :0) 4/29/2014 10:41:11 pm
It was fun! My arena is pretty big, but I'd sure like to give him a go somewhere longer. :0) 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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