No Goals, But it's All Good

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. 

Speedy looks pretty good in Izzy's navy pad - I think it shrank!

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.