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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

More Easy Exercises - Still Day 1

11/25/2015

 
I rode Izzy later in the day, and to everyone's surprise, he was relaxed and super willing. He wasn't heavy in my hand, he didn't try to blow through my aids, and nothing was hard for him. Chemaine mostly just watched me ride and offered things here and there to help me fill in the gaps or firm things up.
Picture
Photo by Edyta
Izzy was being so cooperative, that we didn't do a lot of new stuff. We worked on some baby leg yields where the purpose was to just show him that he could cross over with the hind leg. Chemaine didn't fuss too much if we weren't straight or if we were over-bent (see photo). It was more about moving the hind end around.
Picture
Baby leg yields, but check out that cross over!
Picture
Riding the leg yield on Izzy is much easier than it is on Speedy.
The one exercise that I really liked for Izzy was the serpentine. I've been doing these at the walk already, so Chemaine just gave me other variations to do while on the serpentine, especially at the trot.
  • Change the bend - this is easy to do because that's what a serpentine lends itself to. This is where Chemaine had me focus on her bend changing exercise: Firm up the outside rein, sit on the inside seat bone, flex the inside rein to soften if needed, that rein becomes the new outside rein. Sit on the new seat bone, flex the inside rein to soften. Repeat.
  • Walk at X. Instead of riding the serpentine all the way through, Chemaine had me do a walk transition at X using the "Compression" exercise from yesterday's post. 
  • Halt at X. This also requires the "Compression," but it really gets the horse thinking about half halting.
I already know I am going to be doing a ton of these serpentines, especially since there are so many ways to change it up.
Picture
Green bean doing his thing. - Photo by Edyta
What Chemaine most liked about the way I rode Izzy on Sunday was that I had him much more mentally engaged. Even though he was being a really good boy, I wasn't giving him the chance to look around or focus his attention elsewhere. I was always asking him to change the bend or move his hind quarters or soften to the inside rein.

Monday's ride was a different story, but we still had an awesome day!
jenj
11/25/2015 07:42:28 am

Some really lovely moments!

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/25/2015 07:50:17 am

He never put a toe out of place. Monday? Toes were flying! :0)

Amanda link
11/25/2015 09:05:35 am

He's looking so elegant and grown up lately!

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/25/2015 09:42:53 am

Over the past couple of weeks, he seems to have matured mentally. He's looking more ... grounded. I am sure it hasn't actually happened in two weeks, but it's definitely been noticeable. I HOPE the trend continues. He's also been a bit quieter in his stall. Maybe he has hit a new maturity level. I can only hope!

Teresa link
11/28/2015 04:15:07 am

You two look really together in these photos. I'm happy that he was feeling cooperative. Those are the times to build on and will become more frequent

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/28/2015 06:37:29 am

Over the past few weeks, he has shown a new level of maturity. It's weird how it was so sudden. He still fusses at things and tries to run though my outside rein - literally, but he is definitely starting to be a big boy. :0)


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    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.
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    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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    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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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
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home