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

Now That He's Mine, What Do I Do With Him?

12/2/2014

 
Meeting Imperioso
His Background

I wrote a check to hold Imperioso with the promise that I would be back within two days with cash and the trailer.

As soon as we started the drive home, I got on the phone with Debbie Davis of Sport Equine, the trainer to whom I had sent Sydney. While she was pretty busy for the month of December, she agreed to take Imperioso for a month of training with the understanding that her daughter would be doing much of the work. That was fine with me. I really just wanted someone to ride him five days a week for a month. Nothing gets horses broke faster than consistent, daily work.

For the rest of the afternoon, I made phone calls back and forth between Debbie and Noemi trying to arrange all of the details. We finally worked out a plan, but unfortunately, it meant I was going to do a lot of driving the next day, alone. Hubby was going hunting with the dog and BFF had already promised her hubby that she would paint the inside of the chicken coop - priorities, you know!

I hit the road by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, headed north to Exeter, a small town just east of Visalia. While it's an easy, flat drive, it still took an hour and a half. I pulled the trailer around to the front of Imperioso's pasture and met with Noemi. We spent some time chatting, signing a bill of sale, and exchanging paperwork and cash. Then we took some pictures. 
Picture
Look at Noemi's smile! She really loves this horse.
Picture
He was convinced that I was hiding treats from him.
Imperioso didn't exactly beg to get in the trailer, but with a little encouragement from behind, we had him loaded up within a few minutes. As we were saying our goodbyes, he started to fidget a little, and I got a bit worried. Hauling an upset horse can be a bit disconcerting, but the second I touched the gas, he stood rock solid. Even at the lights, he never moved a muscle.

My next stop was even farther north - Clovis, another hour and a half on the highway. Imperioso rode like a veteran, for which I was very grateful. Each time I came to a stop light, I rolled my window down and listened intently for any signs of trouble. I've been hauling horses for a long time and can actually feel, and hear, any bouncing around. But there was no need to worry.

I pulled into Sport Equine with a relaxed passenger. Not having any idea how he was going to unload, I did ask Debbie's staff for some assistance. My biggest fear was that he would come barreling out as soon as I opened the door. I had someone hold the door closed while I went in and unlooped his rope from the Blocker Tie Ring. When I gave the all-clear, someone opened the door. 

Imperioso just stood there. Yah for thinking horses. I gently tapped him on the chest like I do for all of my horses and said simply, baaaaaack. As he neared the step, he cranked his head around to look. He took some little steps as he sought the edge, but he continued to back up quietly as I gently tapped him and repeated my command. 

My trailer sits high with no ramp. It's at least an eighteen inch step down, so I was really proud that he trusted me enough to reach for the ground. As soon as his hind foot hit the dirt, he calmly finished stepping out. Once he realized that he was definitely not in Kansas, his eyes got very wide, and he took a quivery breath. 

And then he spooked hard at something covered with a blue tarp. And even though he took a huge leap, he stopped quickly and never even put tension on the lead rope. I just stood there and let him get his wits about him. I followed one of Debbie's boarders out to the large pasture that is to be Imperioso's home for the next few weeks. He blew and quivered as we passed by a lot of different things, but the worst thing he did was to simply stop in his tracks or press into me. 

Each time he stopped, I just stood there letting him think about things, and then I gave a gentle tug on his lead rope. He followed me willing, if a bit too closely. That's okay; we can work on that.

The pasture he is to live in is huge, just like the pasture he came from. Even so I was a bit worried about taking off his halter. I wasn't sure if he would bolt for home or kick out. As I should have known, when I slid the halter off, he simply stood there looking around. As soon as he saw his neighbor, he trotted over to get acquainted.
Picture
He loved the neighbor, but he also kept looking at me.
After half an hour of watching this kind of excitement … I decided to head on home, a two and a half hour drive. By the time I got home, more than eight hours had passed. It was a long day of highway miles in the slow lane.
Picture
I think this is his worried face.
I threw Imperioso a flake of hay and a scoop of feed that Noemi had sent with him. I sat on a bucket a few feet away to eat my lunch and hang out with him while he checked things out.
Picture
I've never been so happy to be bored.
Imperioso will be at Sport Equine for the month of December. A great part of Debbie's training program is that owners are encouraged to visit to either watch the trainer work, take a lesson, or do a combination of trainer rides/owner rides. The lessons are included in the price of the training. I am hoping to visit three or four times during the last half of the month to ride him and see what I've got.

So that's it for now. Well there is one last thing. While Imperioso is a strong and regal name, it doesn't roll off the tongue easily. So, he definitely needed a barn name that didn't stray too far from his Zweibrücker name. His name starts with an I, his sire's name starts with an I, his grandsire's name starts with an I, and so do the rest of the stallions in that line. His barn name had to start with an I too.

With that, may I introduce you to ...
Picture
Meet Izzy
Amanda link
12/1/2014 11:12:21 pm

I used to lease and show a gelding by Ideal so I'm interested to see where you go with this guy!

SprinklerBandit link
12/1/2014 11:18:16 pm

Glad you're getting along already. :-)

Tracy link
12/1/2014 11:39:08 pm

What a smart, solid guy you've found!! And of course, I love his new barn name :D

Austen link
12/1/2014 11:42:56 pm

What a sweet name for a pretty boy! He seems obviously raised well. Can't wait to hear what you have under saddle!

Kelly link
12/2/2014 12:05:54 am

Good plan! Enjoy your new handsome guy :)

Lauren link
12/2/2014 12:28:40 am

Great plan! So excited for you :)

lytha
12/2/2014 12:33:54 am

Look at those ears. Linda TellingtonJones would have something to say about it, but I don't want to get your hopes too far up; ) (And it might be quackery.)

When my mare arrived, she trembled in fear almost constantly, just from simply being here. And the snorting. And gasping to breathe. Your Izzy is so much better adapted to life's changes, already.

I do love a brown horse with black legs.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2014 09:11:07 am

I've read some of LTJ's stuff, but I can't think of anything related to ears. Is it the shape, how they're pointed, or their color? Does it mean I have a devil in brown clothes, or is he destined for the Olympics? :0)

lytha
12/2/2014 10:35:56 pm

Ah, I found a link: http://www.lindatellingtonjones.com/Print/articlePHttouch.htm

Karen
12/2/2014 02:12:05 am

He looks lovely! Congrats!

emma link
12/2/2014 03:19:28 am

sounds like a solid plan for bringing Izzy into work :)

Sarah link
12/2/2014 03:54:39 am

Yay Izzy! Glad he got all settled in and can't wait for the training progress reports! Very smart move to let a trainer sit on him for a 30 day refresher.

jenj
12/2/2014 04:32:25 am

D'awww, what a cutie! Glad he's settling in so quickly, and it sounds like you'll both have a great first month of getting acquainted. So exciting!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2014 09:12:25 am

Thank you for the kind comments. I feel that leaving him with a trainer was a smart and productive thing to do. I'll get him back just after Christmas and in time for my birthday. What a great gift! :0)

Jodi link
12/2/2014 12:18:48 pm

He is so handsome! I'm really happy for you and am looking forward to hearing about his progress.

Jennifer
12/2/2014 01:51:51 pm

He looks happy! I love Debbie good choice!

Teresa link
12/3/2014 06:39:17 am

Congratulations! I love everything about this horse- how he's put together, his colour and his temperament! I think that you will have a lot of fun.


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

    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