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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Izzy Meets His Dressage Trainer

7/17/2015

 
Not that he'll get to see her that often, but I do have some plans to ride with Chemaine more often than before. It's a good thing he liked her!

Yesterday, KG and I loaded Izzy for his first lengthy field trip - it's a two and a half hour drive to Moorpark. He's getting really good about trailering. Most of the time he now climbs right in, but occasionally he still pauses a moment to make sure that I really want him to get in. As long as he hops in, I can deal with occasional pauses.

He was really quiet for the whole ride, but when we unloaded him, he had the typical "we're not in Kansas anymore" response. His head shot up as high as he could get it, which is already pretty dang high, and his eyes about bugged out of his head. He whinnied and cried and tried to bump and crowd me.

We put him in one of the turn out areas which was about the size of a large round pen, He had two neighbors, and KG and I stayed with him. After giving him a few minutes to pace around and look, I decided to put him to work a little. I sent him trotting around me until he started to refocus on me. When we walked back to Chemaine's barn, he was a tiny bit quieter. We popped him into a stall and left him while we went to eat the sandwiches that we had packed.
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Chemaine and KG hanging out in the shade.
When we took him out of the stall, he was slightly less excited, but still pretty high. I put him in the cross ties to saddle him, but he had a hard time standing still. He fidgeted and wiggled, but he kept it together and let me finish up. Once he was saddled, I walked him over to the dressage ring so he could get a look at everything.
Picture
Not relaxed, but definitely thinking!
While he was still whinnying and and wiggling, He did take a few moments to nibble the few blades of grass he could find. This made me very happy. A horse can't relax when his head is sky high. Any time they drop their head, they are able to relax, even if it's just for a moment. I also lead him around the dressage court so that he could at least use up a little of the nervous energy.
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Again, he kept it together.
Once Chemaine had finished up with the lesson she was giving, we took a few minutes to chat about what I hoped to achieve with this lesson. First and foremost, I wanted Chemaine's opinion about Izzy's ultimate suitability as a dressage horse. I wanted to know if he had any physical limitations that I hadn't seen and more importantly, did his brain seem like it could get the job done.

I also asked her to check my saddle fit - a quick assessment suggested it was fine. I also asked about his bit - that also looked fine. I just wanted to rule out any tack issues that might be causing him to be naughty.

After that, Chemaine got on him. As he can do with me, he balled up and got a little bit light in front. Chemaine was very reassuring and got him moving forward. I was happy to see that she was doing what I've been doing. She put her arms forward to give him some room, but she didn't lengthen her reins. She also bridged one of her reins (more on that tomorrow).

Just like with me, he tried to bolt, but instead of bringing his head around in a circle to stop him, she gave him a good hard jerk of the rein and said, NO! In fact, each time he tried to be a bit of a bully, she jerked the rein and repeated the NO! Within just minutes, he quit trying to be a jerk.

I've been really reluctant to give a hard jerk as Sydney was prone to rearing. To deal with the rearing, I pulled him hard to the side so that he wouldn't go up. Watching how nicely Izzy responded to the firm, but quick correction was really encouraging. 
Picture
Chemaine had just gotten on him and was still working on getting his attention.
I don't know how long Chemaine rode, but it was no more than twenty or thirty minutes. First she worked on letting him go forward, and then she worked on getting him softer to the inside rein. They did a lot of canter work and changes of direction. Everything was about going forward, relaxing, and being soft. 

Once he quit being a jerk, I forgot to take pictures. She had him looking so fabulous that I couldn't wipe the grin off my face! He was really fancy. Chemaine especially commented on how nice his canter is - he's naturally uphill. After schooling him for a bit, she laughed and said she was having run riding him and asked if I didn't maybe want to leave him with her! 
Picture
Chemaine enjoying MY horse! How happy does that make me!!!!
Tomorrow, my time aboard!
Sarah K link
7/17/2015 12:38:47 am

Wow! So cool to have your trainer praising your horse (says a lot about the work you are doing and what you see in him!).

Can't wait to read about your time in the saddle!

Jan link
7/17/2015 12:47:49 am

It's always nice when someone else enjoys your horse! And good to know you're on the right track when you're working at home!

Have you had him checked for ulcers? Hear me out- a horse came into our barn to be restarted because the original barn that started him screwed him up (he has a similar amount of time under saddle as Izzy). He was nervous, excitable and always on edge. He's relaxed considerably in the month or so he's been here with a consistent schedule and quiet, no nonsense training, but he still carries a bit of an edge. Trainer had him checked for ulcers using a succeed test and he came up positive, so he's just starting his treatment. Over the winter, Trainer's 4* horse tested positive and his attitude towards dressage improved considerably after they started treatment. Izzy seems like such a want to please kind of guy that it might be worth ruling out.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/17/2015 04:33:21 am

I haven't had him checked, Jan, but that is something I've suspected with other horses. Right now, I am changing things slowly and one at a time so that I know what is being effective. Next time he sees the vet, I'll be sure to ask him, but given how quickly he packed on pounds and how enthusiastic he is about his food, ulcers aren't high on my list of worries, but it's definitely an easy thing to check for. :0)

Val
7/17/2015 02:15:17 am

That is the best of compliments!

SprinklerBandits
7/17/2015 02:26:37 am

That sounds awesome!! :-) Bummed about the lack of media, but I have totally done that too. What fun.

Sarah link
7/17/2015 02:59:04 am

YAY!! What a great thing to hear from her. =)

Kelly link
7/17/2015 03:47:13 am

Wonderful :) You have a winner there!

Lauren link
7/17/2015 04:47:46 am

Excellent!


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

    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 the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home