Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I rode Luke, the simulator, on Saturday and Sunday. My lessons are now on Mondays, which worked out great because I got to ride my own horse right after the simulator lessons.
I debated whether or not to tell my trainer about the simulator before I rode with her. Secretly, I wanted her to be wowed by my new seat and elbows. But then better sense prevailed, and I decided to tell her about the lesson so that she could help me continue with what I'd learned. I explained about needing to rotate my pelvis, the need for more movement in my elbows, the tightness in my wrists, sitting tall to stabilize my core, and most importantly, how I now knew what steady contact was supposed to feel like. As soon as I began our trot work, JL confirmed that everything was better. She actually seemed relieved. I am sure she was thinking, finally! That's what I've been telling her for more than a year! Just kidding of course, but she did like what she saw. Now that she knows that I know what things should feel like, her directions are clearer to me. When my body started to slouch, she encouraged me to lengthen my spine which I knew meant sit up and rotate my pelvis. She also liked the use of the word empty when referring to a dropped contact. When we got to the canter work, she didn't have much to say which is a good thing. We've been struggling with that for a while now. She liked how I was able to do small corrections in the bend without losing the contact with the outside rein. Yah for me! Since the canter work was so much better, we actually worked on the 15-meter circle from First Level. Our canter still needs work, especially the departure, but it was much better than it it has ever been. I have a ridiculously busy week (a lot like last week with the trial), which means I didn't get to ride on Tuesday. I had an afternoon appointment Wednesday which meant I got out to the barn for a minute, and I have another late afternoon meeting today, which means I won't even make it out to the barn. By Friday, my schedule will be clear again. I only hope that I can remember the feel from this weekend's work so that I can reinforce it over the weekend.
Karen
11/19/2012 09:53:23 pm
And there was the next day ... sometimes we 're strong, other times we're not. At least I know there are days when we CAN work on the smaller circle! 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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