Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I've been trying to prepare since this past weekend, but last night I really wore myself out! Of course it was raining lightly, which is a good thing as we desperately need it, but it made loading a bit of a pain. Speedy gets really excited when he sees me loading the trailer so I had to let him burn off some of the steam that was building. There was no way that I was going to risk a pulled shoe or other freak calamity so I pulled out my 30 foot cotton rope lung line and let him work out his wiggles that way. He can get ripping around pretty good with 30 feet of rope. After he was done, his legs were covered with wet sand/mud. It was worth it though; he'll be quieter this morning for having worked off some of his energy. Last weekend, I gave Speedy G a partial bath: head, neck, and legs, but after his evening "turn out," I had to give him another leg bath. I also loaded my trailer with most of the other stuff that I need for an over night ride: the generator and gas can, the trailer batteries, saddle, show bridle, schooling bridle, pads, boots, helmets, shavings, feed, braiding box, and on and on. Since I've never been to a clinic quite like this, I really don't know if I should bring my show stuff or my schooling stuff so I am just bringing everything. I'll watch a few riders go and then decide how to dress both Speedy and myself. I also tackled Speedy's HORRIBLE mohawk. I've "hidden" it in recent pictures because it so awful. Over the winter, I've been letting some of his bridle path grow out. It's a section about four inches long that is currently sticking straight up about five inches. I decided to braid it, but it didn't turn out very well. It's better than it was, but it's still a bit of an eyesore. Pictures later, I promise. I also braided his forelock which always turns out well. I'll braid his mane just before I ride as the running braid is quick and easy to do. All in all, I was at the barn until six which meant that I was doing a lot of those chores in the dark with my headlamp, even the braiding. We'll see what that looks like in the light of day! I packed my riding clothes and food this morning and with any luck, everything will make it into the trailer. I am looking forward to the opportunity to improve on what we've been learning and to come home with some extra confidence for this year's show season. In case you missed it, here's the short video I shot of Christian Schacht at Horse Expo last year. See you on Monday!
Judy
1/26/2013 12:53:01 am
Be safe and have a terrific time! I can't wait to hear all about it when you get back!
Val
1/26/2013 08:08:20 am
I like how the trainer gave the horse time to figure out the exercise. I think you are going to have a great time!
Karen
1/29/2013 08:46:08 am
Thank you all for the encouragement and support! Comments are closed.
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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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