Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Last thing on the clinic, I swear! (Well ... there might be one more thing!) I was so excited for Monday's lesson. I actually felt as though Sydney and I had taken a huge step forward. And it's only partly due to the clinic; JL herself played a big role. She has been working very hard to help me help Sydney rebalance himself so that we can pick up that right lead canter nicely. The key has been to keep a steady feel on the outside rein while not letting his haunches escape to the outside. When I rode on Sunday, I started out with Susanne's exercises. After doing the walk work, I went right into the up, up, sit exercise. For those of you working on your two-point, consider trying this exercises as it gives you a moment to release your muscles in the sit phase of the exercise. Even so, up, up, sit is hard work, but it is amazing how it helps the rider maintain a softer rhythm. After that exercise, I juggled my way around the arena, and then I did some seat massaging. That's the one where you land your seat bone in a different spot. By the time I had run through each of the exercises, Sydney was super relaxed and ready to canter. As I shortened my reins to prepare for the canter, I was shocked to realize that we were tracking right, his more difficult direction. All of the exercises that we had done had worked to soften and balance him so much that it felt like we were on his better direction. I decided to go for it and was rewarded with a solid right lead canter that was free of bucks and squeals. Holy crap. When I got to JL's on Monday for my lesson, I told her about the exercises and asked if I could just show them to her and then go straight to the right lead canter. She agreed of course, and was quite pleased with how much better put together we were. So there I was juggling and dancing in the saddle. Sydney gave lots of happy snorts and played the good pony. And just like I knew he would, he picked up a lovely right lead canter. I was grinning from ear to ear. JL was really happy with our work. She tweaked a few things here and there, like my tendency to over-ask for the canter, but overall, Sydney and I had finally reached a place where there was no drama. After all of the smoke and bombs of the last few weeks, a drama free ride was a deep relief. Before we finished, I brought up one finally point of Susanne's: the rider's shoulders must always stay above the pelvis. I know this is a problem for me. Occasionally, especially at the canter, I get left behind. JL had a brilliant solution. Instead of just thinking about keeping my chest over my pelvis, she had me think of not letting my chest and belly over extend. If you're sitting down, lean back, that's how I over-extend. During the canter, your pelvis kind of scoops forward. If you let it, your spine will allow your head and shoulders to stay behind the motion forcing you to whiplash your shoulders into place. That's what I've been doing. She had me think instead to stop my hip angle from over-opening. As Sydney cantered, I followed with my seat, but at the last moment, I resisted at the top of the stride and kept my hip angle from over-opening. This kept my shoulders and chest above my pelvis and kept me from "whiplashing" back into position. His canter got nicely uphill and super quiet and the downward transition to trot was really smooth.
The whole lesson only lasted about a half an hour. Sydney was relaxed and happy and cantering both directions without falling in or bucking or rearing. Before I ever grouse about a lesson again, I am going to give it a few days to allow the information to actually sink in. And if you ever get a chance to audit one of Susanne von Dietze's clinics, I strongly suggest you do it. All I can say is ... wow.
Sandra
10/24/2013 02:05:08 am
Sounds like a great success! Congrats! It feels so good when you make such a break through and get that deeper level of connection! Well done! 10/24/2013 09:50:45 am
It WAS a great break through, Sandra. Thanks!!! :0)
Val
10/24/2013 05:45:23 am
Those exercises are great! My teacher also teaches wacky things to do in the saddle and Harley gets all loose and fluid in his movement. The braces just melt away. 10/24/2013 09:52:37 am
I know your own teacher works on your body and the resistance we are all hold. I'd love to hear about some of her exercises, too. Well, maybe when baby is a bit bigger. :0) 10/24/2013 09:55:50 am
You are too kind, Teresa. Most of the time I actually feel like a weeble wobble trying to fool the world into thinking that I am really a dressage rider.
Martina Peterson
10/25/2013 08:18:35 am
It sounds like you are learning so much and achieving your goals and I can hardly wait until next years shows. love mom 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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