Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
A few months ago ago, Izzy couldn't pick up a canter and hold the lead. If he did pick up a canter, he certainly couldn't make a 20-meter circle. In fact, there are a lot of things that he couldn't do a couple of months ago. In our I want it now, and I am entitled to it world, I have to keep reminding myself of all of the things that he can do today that he couldn't do a few weeks or months ago. I am slowly realizing that Izzy is not going to wake up one day and be a finished dressage horse. I think we will always struggle because he seems to be happy with the status quo - I can canter, why does it need to be good?
What I feel in our daily rides is that his level of resistance is slowly becoming less dramatic. Instead of bolting to the left when he doesn't want to canter right, he throws his haunches around or locks his neck. Instead of bucking or throwing in a rear, he sucks back and locks up his neck. Instead of jacking his head straight up while locking his jaw, he grunts or squeals and locks up his neck. He holds a lot of tension in his neck. We're working on it. I just keep reminding myself that nowhere is it written that I deserve anything or that it will come easy. Izzy is making steady progress though, and I'll just keep working on it. We went to a schooling show yesterday. While he didn't bring home any fabulous scores, he proved to me once again that he's worth the wait - recap tomorrow.
jenj
8/15/2016 11:32:46 am
Slow and steady is the name of this game for sure! 8/15/2016 11:17:20 pm
I can't wait to hear your results! I'm currently working with a late started arabian mare so I am enjoying your trials and triumphs with Izzy! It's encouraging to just continue pressing on! It does get better eventually! 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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