Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
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. 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. 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.
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! 11/25/2015 07:50:17 am
He never put a toe out of place. Monday? Toes were flying! :0) 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! 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) 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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