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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Made It By a Hair

8/25/2015

 
While our first test left something to be desired, like 1.5 points, the First Level Test 3 Green Horse class was certainly an improvement. It wasn't like we went in and kicked a bunch of butts, ours was the only one in the class after all, but Speedy was much more malleable and focused. 

This photo says it all. I had no idea at all that other riders were in that warm up end of the arena, and I don't think Speedy did either. He didn't even flick an ear that direction.
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First time in the LAEC Equidome.
While I had been in the Equidome before, Speedy sure hadn't, so I was a bit concerned about how he was going to react. I shouldn't have worried. He was far quieter and more relaxed in there than he was in the large oval where our first ride had been. It was really nice riding inside though. It was quiet, cool, and they played some lovely music that was quite soothing.
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Video still shot - Enter working trot (6.0). Just by the way, that boy has a serious badonkadonk!
Right from the start of the test I knew it was going to go well enough. Speedy was really listening to me and trying (there is video down below). I liked our entry and halt, and I think the first trot lengthening was slightly better than the score indicated. You watch and be the judge.
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Video still - First trot lengthening (4.5 - nearly sufficient)
Chemaine did give me some good exercises for improving the trot lengthenings. The first thing I need to do is keep my hands much lower, and we need to practice doing them for a longer distance. Speedy is showing me that he isn't strong enough to carry the lengthening across the full diagonal. With a bit more practice, we'll both get it.
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Video still - 10-meter trot circle (7.0 for both!)
Of the skills introduced at First Level, the 10-meter circles (and half circles) are definitely our strength. Speedy nails those every time. He finds them easy which is why we practice them a lot. When he gets fussy doing leg yields at home, I'll switch up the work and go to something he likes. He does these well so we do them for fun. I even think these look good on the video.
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Video Still - Working Canter (6.0)
I spent a lot of time this month working on the trot to canter transitions, and I think this photo shows the improvement. Yeah, his head still pops up a bit, but I like that his croup is getting lower, and he's trying to sit down a little. 
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Video still - 15-meter canter cirlce (6.0)
Just like the trot lengthenings, the canter lengthenings need more work as well (no photo). It's funny because it feels like Speedy is zooming down that long side, but when I watch the video, I can't see a difference in stride length at all. I've heard my jumper and event rider friends say the same thing. That is definitely something I'll be working on.
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Video still - right lead at the start of the loop ...
The single loop that includes a bit of counter canter is showing improvement though. I am getting Speedy closer to X which means making the loop deeper. It's a tough one to practice at home because I don't have a 60 meter length court. Even so, I am going to start working on deep loops to help improve his balance over all.
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Video Still - at the top of the loop (7.0)
The left lead canter is a bit harder as he hangs on my left rein and has trouble moving over onto the right rein. This makes the loop more challenging as he wants to take the bend away.
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Video still - left lead single loop (6.0)
Not only are the trot to canter transitions really improving, but so are the down transitions to trot. While the quality of this video still is really poor, I like it because it happens at the exact moment of the canter to trot transition, I had to look at it in slow motion about five times to catch the transition. It was that smooth.
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Video still - this transition to trot is scored with a trot lengthening and return to working trot. The score for all three was 6.0.
And to finish it all off, we had a pretty decent halt, although you'll see in the video that my fan club startles him a little with their enthusiastic applause! 
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Video still - halt (7.0)
When I looked at the score sheet, I was pretty happy. We earned fives 7.0s one of which had a coefficient of 2, but our total score was still only a 61.765%. Good enough to count towards my USDF First Level Rider Performance Award, but not as high as all of those 7.0s would suggest.

Click images to enlarge.
And now ... the video!
Since I was in a class of one, I did get a lovely blue ribbon. At first I found it puzzling that I was the only one in the Green Horse class, but then I realized that this was a pretty big show and many of the horses and riders there had more experience than Speedy and I do. The Green Horse class was for horses who had five or fewer blues at their level.
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There wasn't a lot of interest in the Green Rider class either.
Tomorrow ... How We Missed the Mark Completely!
jenj
8/24/2015 11:04:05 pm

Congrads on a really lovely test! You guys look great!

emma link
8/25/2015 03:01:13 am

woo hoo - congrats on making it happen!!

Val
8/25/2015 03:02:59 am

Great ride!

There is so much more canter in that test than the previous ones. It definitely takes it up a notch. You guys look awesome!

Austen link
8/25/2015 07:08:49 am

Huh. The Green Horse classes are a great idea. I wish there were more of those!!

I have an issue with the canter lengthening, too. I think the issue is that it's not supposed to feel like they are rushing, but more "bounding" it's less "forward" and more "up" and "springy'. When I get it, I feel like Pig is shoving his withers up into the saddle and really leaping. I imagine it looks much like a deer. The more forward and "going" feeling usually results in something more flat and scattered. Much less "dressagy" (Had enough "" yet?! ;p)

The canter loops are so hard when you have a small ring to practice in. Since he's so good at the 10m circle you might just make the last half of the loops that in in true canter 10m circles instead of the 20 m they are supposed to be. (or 15m?). That will give you more room in the middle of a smaller ring to practice the counter loop. You can also try half 20 meter circles, which might be a little much for him at first but really help you get a feel for his balance point.

Tracy link
8/25/2015 07:40:59 am

Yay! So glad you had (at least one) good ride!!

Michelle
8/25/2015 07:54:28 am

Congrats on a beautiful ride! Loved the trot to the right canter transition as it really was so smooth. LAEC is where my barn is located, so I know that the acoustics of the Equidome sometimes really spooks even some pretty experienced horses. Kudos to you and Speedy for remaining calm and focused in the "Dome".

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/29/2015 12:30:08 pm

I wish I would have known you were around! LAEC is a great facility. Boarding there must be great exposure for your horse. Those horses get to see EVERYTHING!


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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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
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    • 2015
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