Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Oy vey, Speedy G!
When that boy is on, he is so much fun to ride, but when he's not, like on Friday where we had a funky ride, he can be a handful. Rather than be too disappointed about it, I chalked it up to a not-so-great practice session. But that's what practice is - sometimes it goes great, other times … not so much much. Saturday was a whole different day. I warmed him up slowly. We did lots of walking while tracking right, but counter bent to the left. This horse needs that stretch to get himself working right. We then did some trot work down the long sides and across the diagonals. I am finding that Speedy really wants to canter before he trots. I've been okay with that. I suspect that he thinks cantering is easier, but if that is what he needs, it works into my over-all plan so I usually let him canter. Once he tires of the canter, we begin our trot work. Christian Schacht showed me a great exercise that involves teardrops at the end of the long side with voltes at E. This has become my favorite exercise. I am not sure that Speedy "likes" this exercise, but it sure does help balance him. On Saturday, after doing a few rounds of the teardrops, I went down the centerline rather then completing the teardrop. Speedy offered some really nice trot lengthening! As we approached C, I asked him to slow for the turn, and then sent him back down the long side in a lovely lengthened trot. As we approached the corner, I again asked him to slow and re-balance, which he did, and then sent him down the centerline again. It was such a fun ride. I know our lengthenings aren't anything special, but they are the start of something good, and I am appreciating what he is offering! I am definitely looking forward to showing him First Level! 1/15/2014 09:36:38 am
Although lengethings are relatively "new" for us, they are fun!
Carly
1/15/2014 05:18:10 am
I love lengthenings! Even when they're not great, they're so much fun to ride. 1/15/2014 09:37:49 am
And what's nice about them is you can definitely tell when you get one! 1/15/2014 09:38:53 am
We may not be doing perfect canter lengethenings, but both of my boys love trying! 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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