Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Not a Schoolmaster, But a Teacher None-the-less

9/17/2012

 
Picture
Same photo as yesterday.
I posted photos from after Saturday's ride, but I didn't give any riding details.  

Sydney was actually a champ.  We started out in the arena with RM and Bounder who is looking quite good for an old man.  RM had him pleasantly cantering around the arena.  I told her I was a bit jealous.  I am almost ready to start cantering Sydney again, but I want to wait until this upcoming show is behind us. No sense in starting something new.  Wouldn't want to borrow trouble between now and Sunday.

We worked on getting a nice bend and moving off my inside leg.  He wants to be heavy and hang on me, but rocking the inside/outside rein helps lighten him up.  After our arena work, I threw on my reflective vest and repeated our trip around the neighborhood.

We walked past the dogs with only a watchful look.  The dogs obliged me by not barking, but it was good to see that Sydney didn't panic just because they could have barked.  I liked that he just gave them a look, but he kept marching forward.

At the corner where we lose sight of the other horses, we bumped into the woman who owns the property that I've been riding on.  I stopped for a minute to chat with her while her dogs ambled around us.  Sydney ignored the dogs but was anxious to keep walking so I planted my inside hand on my thigh and let him pace around my inside leg switching the bend every few turns.  It helped settle him down, and it gave me a preview of how he might behave on Sunday.

We continued along the gravel road to the neighbor's property and made it down the whoop-de-do with a very free and swinging walk.  Sydney was so relaxed that I kept thinking about asking for a trot.  That calmly forward mentality came as a surprise to me.  Fear is a very powerful emotion.  Has he been nervous, or have I?

The last two times we rode this route, I could feel his tension in my seat which kept me thinking whoa, whoa.  This time, I could feel his back swinging free and loose.  The motion said forward, forward, but in a very relaxed way.  Was I more relaxed?  Is that why he was so free in his extended walk?

He marched forward all the way through the property.  As we approached the end, he did get a little tense as the neighbor dog barked at us through the trees.  I made a very concerted effort to remain relaxed.  I leaned over and patted his neck, without tensing my legs, and gave him a verbal good boy.  The tension left, and we moseyed on our way.  

We passed by the property owner, who was returning from her own walk. She waved good-naturedly, and complimented Sydney's relaxed demeanor. The entire rest of the walk was done with zero tension.  He looked like a dead broke pony - his neck was low and swinging, and his ears flopped lazily.  

We have a long way to go, but I know were are on the right path. Sometimes I wish I had a nice solid schoolmaster, but if I did, I would have missed out on the lessons that Sydney has taught me.  For now, I'll take what he has to teach me.

Judy
9/16/2012 11:48:06 pm

I love the mutual learning you two are doing. Horses are amazing for their ability to teach us not only about themselves, but also about ourselves!

Karen
9/17/2012 10:29:16 pm

Very true!

Val
9/17/2012 12:19:53 am

That is great!

Angela
9/17/2012 01:36:57 am

With all your past experience in endurance and, yes, dressage, you’re not so “green on green.” You have a deep reservoir of both skill and knowledge that is helping you create a great partnership with Sidney, and, as you wrote, he is assuming a “teacher role” too! Here are too many more, mutually enhanced lessons. (Clink)

Speaking of lessons, I have one today…I hope Deb doesn’t go hoarse…:o

Karen
9/17/2012 10:31:26 pm

Angela - we had ad lesson last night, too. I am really looking forward to bringing Sydney up on Sunday. I feel like the show is going to be a good way to gauge how much Sydney actually trusts me. :0)

Kelly link
9/17/2012 04:08:51 am

Sydney is a handsome guy! Sounds like you are schooling all the right things - including getting him out and about in prep for the show atmosphere. Many riders tend to leave out that step - or don't have a way to ride out of an arena.

Karen
9/17/2012 10:35:32 pm

When riders first get their babies ready for endurance races, everything is about acclimatizing them to the atmosphere and little to do with "winning." With Sydney, I have had so much to work on that show prep took a back seat. Now that I feel safer on him, it's time to stat doing more of the acclimatizing so that I can start taking him to events.

This first show is a very mellow environment. I've been there a zillion times so my stress level will be as low as it can get. I hope that helps Sydney feel more relaxed.


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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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