Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I showed this video to JL at Monday's lesson. While she agreed that I don't ride like this at home, she was quick to point out the many, and I use that term loosely, good points. The thing she most liked was that I rode him much better than a year ago when he was this high and wild at home. So while it's still an ugly video, it's a lot less ugly than what it all looked like this time last year. So here's the video for Training Level Test 1. It is better than the first ride, of that there is no doubt. I tried to lower my hands for this test, but I can see that I have reverted back to a very old habit; I didn't allow my elbows to bend at all, and I locked my wrists. Sheesh. I will say, it is much easier to relax your joints when you're not riding a jack hammer. I am not saying that Sydney is to blame for my poor riding, but he sure didn't make my job easier. The good thing is that ugly as it is, the ride doesn't look as bad as it felt. I still hate to show it to you though. Our score for Training Level Test 1 was 56.875%. I can't wait to see what we'll be able to score when we both relax a little.
Judy
8/28/2013 12:13:05 am
Loved the video! It certainly shows Sydneys potential.
Amanda
8/28/2013 12:41:53 am
Sooooooo much better than the one you posted yesterday! Sydney looks like one tough customer, but when he's on he's gorgeous. He clearly prefers your hands down and you did a great job making that correction from the first test to the second.
Aw! Sydney is a happy mouthed lip flipper! I love those! You can certainly see his potential here. Those expressive steps must be hard to ride along with. I also love how he's listening to you, even when he's throwing a fit. Check out his ears during your second canter transition. "What's that, Mom?!" He seems to be saying. The confidence isn't quite there, but the attention is.
I think this test looks much better than the Intro C - Sydney looks like he is really trying to do what is asked of him. Going around the perimeter - before you go in to begin the test - he looks very nice!
Holy crap, Karen. You did a fantastic job with with him! it looked like he was going to bolt several times, and you kept your cool and had him back in line in seconds. You severely don't give yourself enough credit.
Val
8/28/2013 05:53:27 am
Very noticeable improvement from test 1. Just imagine what you will be able to do by the next show! 8/28/2013 08:29:20 am
There were several nice saves in there. He really was trying - you two will get there. :D
Karen
8/29/2013 09:16:12 am
Once again, and again, and again ... thank you for the advice, encouragement, and support. Alas, all riders share the frustration of realizing we ride worse when we need to ride our best (ie, when the horse needs more hand-holding), and we ride our best when the horse just does what he's supposed to! Those trail rides really really really paid off, I think. Smart thinking and great riding - not many people can make that amount of improvement from one test to the next! Great job and he sure is a handsome boy =)
Karen
8/31/2013 12:39:09 am
Thanks, Sarah. :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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