Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() A very mellow fellow ... A few other things I noticed or observed at the show … 1. The Warm-Up… this is still a tricky one for me. Speedy isn’t hot, at all. In fact he’s a pretty mellow fellow who thinks he’s tired after twice around the arena. He doesn’t need to be lunged. He doesn’t need the edge taken off. He doesn’t worry about the hoopla and is in fact, quite content to sit and watch the world pass by. In short, he thinks shows are about eating the goodies he gets when he’s finished. So what’s the trouble? The trouble is that I never know how long I really need to warm-up. For us, warm-up is about warming up our bodies. We both need a few minutes to stretch and get our blood flowing. I also need a few minutes to remind Speedy G about rounding up a little (we’re still at the little stage) and to accept the bit with some obedience. And…that’s…it. So how long does that take? I am finding that all I need is about 20 minutes. Too much? Not enough? I don’t know - that’s the trouble! 2. The Judge… I like the judge. I like to be judged. I want to develop a relationship with the judge. This strikes me as quite funny since at my first show I couldn’t even see the judge. I simply saluted into a void. It wasn’t until about the fourth show that I realized the judge waved back! After a few shows, my perception expanded beyond the letter markers to include the judge’s station. I am still completely unaware of anything outside of the actual dressage court, including people. I genuinely can’t even see them. I am pretty sure it was Coach who instructed me to ride forward at the end of the test to address the judge in some way. I had been flippin’ a u-turn and high-tailin’ it outta there. Address the judge? Why would I even want to do that? I was already afraid of getting kicked out for being an idiot! But I did it. As I enter the arena, I now stop at the judge’s station. I wait quietly until she looks at me and I politely give her my rider number and clarify which test I am riding. Each time, the judge acts pleasantly surprised that I have done so. Am I onto something? Is this an unusual thing for riders to do? At the end of my test, as I continue forward, I also thank the judge for her time and usually receive a very warm, “you’re welcome!” I like the judge. Without judges, how would we ever be able to test what we’ve learned? Thank you judges! 4/18/2011 09:29:25 am
Hey! You did talk about warming up! Still not sure what the answer is. My problem is opposite because he gets hotter as we go. Like you said though we need to at minimum warm up the muscles. Not sure If I'll ever figure out the perfect amount. 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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