Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Not all of the time of course, but lately, he's been putting on his big boy pants. After I rode Speedy through all of those (attempted) flying changes, I hopped up on Izzy for a second lesson in the same day. I told Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, that I really just wanted some feedback on how he was moving compared to our last lesson in ... early June? Turns out, she couldn't say enough positive things. It was after our last lesson in June that I decided to move Izzy into the dressage legal bit for good. It wasn't easy, and it has taken months for him to relax the same way he did in the ported bit, but I feel confident that the worst of the drama is behind us. Here's a quick minute of some trot work. We then played around with some leg yields and even a bit of half pass. I finished up the ride with a bit of canter, including counter canter from Second Level. Then I asked Chemaine to get on him. While I love getting a trainer ride for both of my horses, what I really wanted was for her to feel how much more relaxed he has become. Her feedback tells me what to work on next. Plus, when I watch Chemaine ride, it gives me a good model to try to emulate when he gets sticky or tense. This horse has never been easy, but it has been very rewarding bringing him along. He makes my heart sing. Usually. Okay, sometimes.
Just kidding!
Marlane
10/4/2018 03:17:13 pm
Just so great to see how far you have come. To see Izzy striding out and bringing his head to the vertical. Plus listening and not spooking. The bit issue also. It wont be long now. 10/7/2018 03:55:32 pm
Thanks. He's definitely been slow to mature. While I do get frustrated at times, it's been fun learning to ride a horse like him. None of my other horses have ever lacked confidence like he does. I've always had cocky horses who could back it up with bravery. Izzy's cocky with no courage. LOL Comments are closed.
|
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
|