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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

OMG

5/21/2013

 
I can finally see it. Over the last month, I have had a number of people tell me how much more like a dressage horse Speedy now looks. I just couldn't see it. Until now.

This first picture cracks me up. Look at how scrawny his neck is! And his butt is so bony and thin! And he has a pot belly!!!!!
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Warm up walk at our very first show in 2010
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Warm up walk in 2013
The biggest difference I see in his trot work is the size of his butt! He also looks stronger in his back and withers.
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Trotting in 2010
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Trotting in 2013
I know this isn't a fair picture of his canter work back in 2011, but it does demonstrate what every canter departure looked like: he either launched into it or bucked and kicked.
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Cantering in 2011
Picture
Cantering in 2013
It's been very, very hard watching others score better and move up through the levels faster. I've been dealing with the green-eyed monster of late. I've refrained from mentioning it before because jealousy serves no purpose. Now that I can actually see that we have indeed made progress, however slowly, I feel proud of the influence I've had on Speedy's body and brain. We are making progress even if it is not at the same rate as everyone else.

I definitely owe a big thank you to my trainer. I am so glad that she embraces the ideals of correct work. Our solid foundation will definitely pay off as we move up!
Tracy link
5/20/2013 11:04:23 pm

WOW! Those pictures are definitely worth more than a thousand words -- what a difference! Speedy looks great and it's nice to see all of your hard work in such a tangible form. Congrats!

Karen
5/21/2013 10:29:40 pm

Thank you, Tracy!

Lori ovanessian
5/20/2013 11:33:44 pm

That is awesome Karen! Great attitude and that's what it is all about. So glad you see the reward in all your hard work. Wow, what a big difference. 😃

Karen
5/21/2013 10:30:23 pm

Photos certainly reveal interesting "truths" don't they? :0)

Angela
5/21/2013 12:24:40 am

There is no doubt that you have worked very hard and achieved great results!
I think these pictures are valuable training tools because they give the visual benchmarks of correct and not correct; During my lessons I hear a lot of "make him rounder," "drive him up, "more bend"...
And while I know what's suppose to happen, and I am gaining the skills to make it happen, seeing a 'before and after' is priceless! It definitely validates the reason why self-carriage, collection, balance and all that must come first. While it's not the most fun (for me) to work on, it is the solid foundation that must be laid. Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate the visual lessons. Seeing is Believing and definitely worth more than the same (1000) words being repeated over and over and over again... :-0

Karen
5/21/2013 10:37:08 pm

Preaching to the choir, sister! I am SICK of working on "the basics." I want to do fancy stuff and race through the levels, but alas, it can't happen. I know that If I try to take even one little shortcut, my little house of cards will tumble to the arena dirt. And so, like you, we soldier on!

Jennifer
5/21/2013 12:26:13 am

I'm so glad you looked at old pics. Except for his cute face he doesn't look like the same horse. Great progress!

Karen
5/21/2013 10:31:21 pm

It was your idea so thank you!!!!!!! I had been looking, but I finally found some old enough to show a big enough difference for me to recognize.

Melissa K
5/21/2013 01:59:47 am

Nice job documenting this, it really does tell the story. I am seeing similar things with my gelding - though not quite as dramatic because we are not yet at your level.
Both Speedy and my Chance started out looking like Endurance horses typically do, and then end up looking like dressage horses do...

Karen
5/21/2013 10:33:03 pm

I have never looked at an endurance horse and thought he needed a better top line. Now, that's where all of my focus is. :0)

Liz link
5/21/2013 02:02:51 am

Beautiful!

Karen
5/21/2013 10:33:27 pm

Thanks!

Kelly link
5/21/2013 04:40:52 am

Amazing progress! You have much to be proud of and you are seeing your scores increase. Aren't you glad you have those pics to look back at?

Karen
5/21/2013 10:34:51 pm

Photos can be just as helpful as lessons. I tend to get photos in spurts, but I study them carefully to see what we can improve. This is the first time I've been able to see what has already improved!

Lauren link
5/21/2013 05:59:22 am

HUGE difference! You should be so proud!!

Karen
5/21/2013 10:31:45 pm

In both of us. :0)

Mia link
5/21/2013 10:11:46 pm

You've made great strides! Your seat and position is 100x better. You horse no longer has the inverted look he used to have. He's using his back and hind end far better than he used to. His whole back end looks rounder. His hind hoof is well placed beneath his body in the now shots.

And don't compare your journey to others. It really is just about the journey and not the destination.

I'm really debating mentioning this... but, he's consistently broken at the 3rd vertebrae in the majority of the "now" shots. He appears braced (muscles under the neck are larger then the ones along the top). It's probably because you were at a show (tense atmosphere), but if he normally carries himself like this then it will be incredibly difficult for you to move on to First Level. If he's normally not that way then don't worry about it. It takes a while for the training to stay in place when the horse is in new situations.

Over all, you have improved tremendously!

Karen
5/21/2013 10:43:51 pm

Oh, you are correct, Mia. That is why we are trying so hard to get him to STRETCH forward. Speedy tried everything possible to resist being truly engaged back to front. His go to maneuver is to break at the third vertebrate and drop behind the vertical. We have been working on getting his poll up since the beginning. Like you say, it is often times better at home because I can school through it, but while I at a show, It's hard to do what I need to get his poll back up and his back out in front. Stretching forward is definitely a big part of what he needs, and we're working hard on it. :0)

Mia link
5/21/2013 11:29:03 pm

I have the same issue with Ava. it's very frustrating!


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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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

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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
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    • 2015
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