Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
It's been almost a year since Speedy has been to a show. Sometimes I get a bit disappointed that we still haven't made it to Second Level, but Speedy doesn't really care, and I am just glad that he's sound and healthy. Since he injured himself in turnout last March, I've taken my time getting him back into work. I started working him in July, but I started with two weeks of gentle lunging. That progressed to a few minutes a day of trot until we worked up to walk/trot rides of 20 minutes or so. In August, I introduced a few minutes of cantering each day, first doing it on the lunge line. Not once has he taken a wrong step or had even the slightest bit of filling. Now, mid-September, Speedy is back in full work. We have started doing canter lengthenings, canter to walk transitions, and 10-meter circles. And surprisingly, we're right back where we were. And if anything, we might be even more ahead. His canter is getting really balanced. Over the last seven months, his top line has definitely suffered, but he didn't get fat, and I was able to keep his cardio fitness at a reasonable level. He never huffs and puffs during our work, but I am careful about how much I ask him to sit. Collection is hard when your butt muscles have almost disappeared. There's a USDF show at the end of October that I was aiming for, but I realized it falls on the same weekend as a family wedding. No one is going to let me miss that. I am not sure I'll have a lot to choose from after that, but it makes me feel good that Speedy is ready to show at First Level right now without any reservations.
I think a lesson with Chemaine Hurtado is definitely in our near future. I'll be curious to hear what she thinks about our comeback prospects. |
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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