Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
After getting Sydney nice and supple on Saturday, I woke up on Sunday and today with a very sore back. My shoulder blades are on fire and my lats are aching from using my back to tell him to lighten up. I think the soreness means I am doing something right!
I repeated the suppling work on Sunday and was thrilled that it all happened much more quickly. I got on him and told him that I meant business, and it felt like so many different puzzle pieces just fell into place. I didn't worry about him bolting, feeling pressured, or checking out. It all made perfect sense. I was doing work that would help him be more comfortable, so I stuck with it. I insisted that he get light in my hands while still moving forward. At the trot, life got really great for him. It was only when I wanted to work on the canter departures that he got tense again, but I took it as an excellent opportunity to show him what I wanted. Our departures didn't miraculously get perfect, but I walked away from the ride with a whole different sense of feel, and I think he did, too. I have a lesson with JL this morning, and I am eager to show her what I am feeling.
jenj
9/1/2014 04:43:25 pm
It sounds like you've finally got Sydney figured out... like you've got HIS number instead of the other way around! Good for you! Comments are closed.
|
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
|