Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Both of my horses live turned out in large sandy paddocks. They have enough room to play and gallop but not enough room to get up any real speed. Because of this, I never have to turn them out. I do let both of them out in the yard - one at a time, to graze and to give them a change of scenery. On Wednesday, Izzy got a wild hair and galloped through the trees leaping and bucking like his butt was on fire. I could feel the ground shake beneath my feet. It was the first time in all the years I've owned him that his size scared me a little. If he let that energy out while I were riding, I think I'd poop my pants. After one particularly furious buck, I put him back in his paddock. I didn't need him hurting himself by crashing into the lounge furniture or a parked car. Then I let Speedy out. It must have been one of those days because my old man put on a show of his own. After a gallop under the trees, he pranced past me in the loveliest passage. Of course I couldn't get my phone out fast enough, but I did catch the tail end of his woohoo moment. Dude looks pretty sound to me. Adrenaline and joy will do that. Happy New Year!
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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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