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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

More Trail Rides for Sydney

1/5/2014

 
Picture
Riding along the Kern River
In fact, we hit the trail three days in a row! On the last day of 2013, I gave both boys a "day off" and simply hacked around the neighborhood. Sydney was very relaxed. The next day, the first day of the new year, Lousiana joined me for another ride. Since we started out in the afternoon, I schooled both boys in the arena before she got there. We then re-saddled and rode the neighborhood loop again, but this time we did the whole thing.

Since Lousiana had the week off, I invited her to join me for a real trail ride the next day, day 3 for Sydney. We trailered over to the Kern River, a three mile drive, and parked at the entrance to the Panorama Preserve (a section of the river set aside for trail riding and hiking).

Both horses were a bit fussy while we saddled, but we were right on the edge of the oil field and there is a fair amount of traffic. Once we entered the preserve, both horses settled down really quickly. Sydney was so brave that I spent the next two hours riding him almost entirely on the buckle!

We did a fair amount of single track trail that wound through the trees. We also crossed one of the bicycle bridges that can be pretty scary for most horses. Sydney strode across it confidently. We also plodded through deep sand, climbed small whoop-de-doos, and even rode alongside the river. Sydney was brilliant until we arrived at Rancho Rio (one of Bakersfield's largest boarding facilities with close to 200 horses).

As soon as he saw the stalls, he got rather anxious. The facility is huge, so we walked to the far end where the big arenas are situated. Louisiana held both horses while I hopped off to use the restroom. I really wanted Sydney to stand near the arenas since I hope to show him there in the spring.

By the time I got back on him, he was relaxed and walked happily back through the property and out onto the trail. We had hoped to cross the river and ride back on a completely different trail, but the city had just let water into the dry river bed from the canal, so the water was frothy and rushing. Neither horse wanted anything to do with it. I can't say that I blamed them.
Picture
The view through two furry ears just can't be beat!
We were still able to use a different trail for the way back, although it criss-crossed our earlier route. We were able to do a nice long trot alongside a wide section of the canal where Sydney was quite ratable and happy to slow when asked. 

We crossed another one of the bicycle bridges, this time with Sydney leading. The trail after the bridge is as wide as a vehicle, but it has a steep bluff to the right and drops off sharply to the canal on the left. It can be a bit scary because when a horse spooks, there's nowhere safe to go but forward. 

Sydney did spook pretty hard at some birds rustling in the trees, and he looked to the left, but my smart boy realized that forward was his best bet. He stopped immediately and waited for me to tell him what to do. For the rest of the ride, he was quite the happy camper. 
Picture
Sydney marching along along with Lousiana riding Speedy G.
It is obvious that Sydney enjoys trail riding. Unfortunately, I do work full time, and the "real" trails require a short trailer ride. I would really like to get out to the trails at least a couple of times a month, but Louisiana has taken a second job which makes her time limited. And truth be told, I am not sure that she really likes trail riding enough to spend her rare day off hacking through the trees. We'll see how it goes.

Either way, Sydney and Speedy had a great couple of days! 
Sandra
1/5/2014 12:34:40 am

What an excellent day on the trail!. Varro now LOVES our trail days. I am lucky enough to live 4 miles from "the paved road" and have literally 100s of miles of dirt roads (trails) to explore. I think Varro has finally figured out the trails are meant for relaxation as he very rarely spooks anymore :-) Wish we lived closer so we could ride trails together!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/5/2014 01:24:33 am

You DO have some excellent trails. I've ridden MANY miles in the Ridgecrest area and points farther north. You have a nice variety of single track and jeep roads, but not so many wooded areas. ;0)

Angela
1/5/2014 12:43:57 am

That looks like a great trail. It sure is nice to have a second rider with two horses :-)

I noticed Speedy G's bridle and was wondering if that was your dressage bridle or a different one. I am interested in trail riding more with my "new" horse and I'm in the market for some tack. Perhaps you wouldn't mind sharing some of your endurance expertise, again. What do you think about bridle/halter combos or keeping a rope halter on under a trail bridle? Thanks

Angela
1/5/2014 01:02:30 am

OK, I might be answering my own question. I just found 'tack' under the More Adventures on the right side of the page. :-0

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/5/2014 01:19:29 am

First off, I LOVE rope halters, especially under a trail bridle. I've used a variety of combinations. Speedy's trail bridle is the Zilco Snap-on head stall (http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Zilco_Deluxe_Snap-On_Trail_Bridle_Headstall_Stainless/descpage-ZDTBSS.html) with the matching halter (http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Zilco_Deluxe_Trail_Halter_Stainless_Steel/descpage-ZDTHSS.html).

For many years I rode with just that bridle over my rope halters. I switched to the matching helper because Zilco is easier to clean, but for safety, the rope halter is best. :0)

Sydney is going in his Micklem mostly because I don't want to buy yet ANOTHER bridle just for use on the trail.

I also rode with a thin lead rope (no snap) attached to the halter. I would either do a half hitch tie to the front of my saddle to keep it in place or loop the tail of the lead rope through my fanny pack. If you really want photos of what I mean, I could probably "stage" something. :0)

Trail riding is a lot of fun for sure, even though I don't make enough time to do it. It just seems that there is always more dressage schooling that needs to get done.

Hope to see you on the trail this spring!

Angela
1/5/2014 03:45:01 am

Thanks! e-shopping today :-0)

Hannah link
1/5/2014 09:47:46 am

Yay, Sydney getting braver! Good work.

(It's so strange looking at snowless pictures right now!)


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
    • 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