Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
It's a good thing I am getting a lesson on Tuesday; I really need one. I am hauling Izzy down to Simi Valley to meet up with Chemaine Hurtado, my trainer and fixer of all dressage problems. When I saw her last, she helped me finally get a right lead canter on Izzy. I shared a great video of how she helped make that happen; here it is again. That lesson was just about a month ago, and during that time, I've been able to pretty consistently pick up both a left and right lead canter and ride them without any flying changes or cross cantering in the rear. Sounds great, right? The problem is that Izzy is getting really opinionated about having to pick up the lead that I am asking for. He has started kicking out as soon as I send my outside leg back. After he kicks, he's tries to bolt into the lead and gets really pissy when I give a strong half halt and insist that he roll or jump into the lead rather than bolt or fall into it. I need a lesson with Chemaine because I am not 100% sure I am reading the situation correctly. It feels like he's being sassy, but in my experience, if something isn't going correctly, I am probably doing something wrong. I need her to point out where my mistake is. On top of that, I have finished treating Izzy's sarcoid, but man does his sheath look ugly. I haven't posted an update because I am waiting to see if it is going to heal up soon or need to be seen by the vet. It's definitely looking better each day, and the swelling is gone, but the skin still needs to heal. He lets me wash it and poke at it, so it's not like it's too painful to touch. In fact, the other day, he let me pull a pretty big scab off. He flinched at the final pull, but then he want back to grazing.
So, is his sheath so uncomfortable that cantering is painful? It could be, but he's working at the trot just fine, and when I turn him out, he bucks and gallops and whips around enjoying his freedom. Once he is cantering under saddle, he works just fine. We'll see what Chemaine has to say.
lytha
3/20/2016 10:07:55 am
As an endurance rider in my former life, I love the look of a soaking wet, lathered horse. Work it, Izzy! 3/20/2016 06:14:20 pm
Yes, Izzy is rather large. My best friend's husband calls him B.A.H. - big ass horse. ;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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