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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Riding for Fun?

11/4/2011

 
No complaints today.  I really love my horses and what they do for me.  Last night I had such a fun ride on Speedy G.  It wasn't fancy, but it was lighthearted and he tried so hard to be a good boy.  What's not to love?

Instead of the same old practice, practice, practice that we frequently do, I decided to shake things up.  We walked the perimeter of our large arena as usual, but rather than going to my 20 X 20 meter schooling square, I asked Speedy G to boogie around the arena perimeter again, but this time at a brisk trot.  He was a bit puzzled, but then he got into it.  After a lap or two, I asked for the canter and just let him rock it out.  After going about half way, he started flicking his ears at me as if to say, wait a minute, shouldn't I be doing this more slowly?  I answered in the affirmative and asked him to shorten his body a bit and come onto the bit.  He did so willingly so we made a nice circle and came back to walk.

Speedy was delighted.  As soon as we started walking he dropped his head and stretched deeply.  I could hear him saying, ahhh, that feels good!  After a bit of walking, we changed directions and did the whole thing again going the other direction.  The whole exercise took about 15 minutes tops, but Speedy did it with no fussing, bucking, or kicking at my leg.  I'd say that was a very good first ride after the show.  Who says we can't ride just for fun?
hammerhorses link
11/4/2011 08:25:59 am

I love to ride "just for fun" - but I would be happy to just have a horse I can ride right now...

Kelly RGF link
11/4/2011 10:12:33 am

I hope no one says that! I think fun, 'free time' rides are the most important kind of rides. That sounded blissful just reading about it.

What different kind of things are there to do with horses in your neighbourhood? I remember you went on a tikki-tour around the roads the other week. What about beaches or farmland? Do you ever jump? (Maybe not if you only have dressage saddles!)

Karen Sweaney link
11/4/2011 10:38:00 am

Hammer Horses - any word on the new pony? Being only 5"3 myself I don't mind riding small horses. When I bought Sydney I was actually looking around at pony sport horses. Keep us posted!

Kelly - having spent my entire life trail riding and endurance racing, the arena work is my choice. I have ridden EVERYWHERE including the beach, desert, mountains, plains, river bottoms, trails, etc.

I have moved my horses to a non-trails area, but if I want to trailer to trails, it would take me less than 10 minutes. We have a large trail system just across the river. I am just so driven to get better at dressage that I don't really want to leave the arena anymore. :0)

I try to keep it fresh for my boys, but we do work pretty regularly on the basics. A quick gallop was just a lot of fun and I know Speedy G enjoyed himself. Even though it was for fun, I was hoping that if we galloped long enough, he would start to feel relaxed and happier to come onto the bit. I think it worked!

I started a series of endurance photos that you can check out by doing a topic search. I also have a photo gallery that shows pictures of us camping or competing at endurance races. Now that fall has finally arrived (literally today), we'll probably do more trail riding as the arena will start to get wet. Our river bottom has excellent drainage and can be ridden even in the rain.

Karen

Val
11/4/2011 11:13:41 pm

That does sound like fun! Harley likes a little bit of jumping, too. Does wonders for his canter. :)

Hammerhorses link
11/5/2011 12:33:17 am

The pony still has a big lump on her tummy (we think its an abcess) so her current owner is taking her to the vet tomorrow. If everything is as we think and it gets taken care of, she'll be coming up on the 12th. I'm very excited about her! BUT, I'd still like something to ride in the meantime!

Karen Sweaney link
11/5/2011 12:39:56 am

I can't imagine not being able to ride. I always have at least two horses and the real reason is that there is always a back up. It's kind of an expensive plan, but so is therapy. This way I get therapy and exercise all at the same time.

Keeping my finger crossed for you!

Karen Sweaney
11/5/2011 12:58:38 am

Val -
Galloping - fabulous. Jumping - not so much. Logs, ditches, other stuff on the trail, yep. In the arena over a small cross-rail that will come down if we bump it, terrifying! I am glad someone likes to do it though because I love to watch the jumpers!

Karen

Hammerhorses link
11/5/2011 05:50:14 am

Hi Karen,
Thanks for the good wishes! I WILL have 2 horses I can ride - in another year. I have an excellently built and tempered yearling that I'll probably hop on for some walks or trail rides this time next year. He's a REALLY nice horse - we're not sure of his breeding but think the best of Quarabs and that about sums him up. I need to do a new post on him!

Karen Sweaney link
11/6/2011 12:11:44 am

Hammer Horses - please share! I love Arab crosses! Someday I would like to have a warmblood Arab cross. I love the Arabian personality and flexibility, but would love to see it crossed with something that could produce a more substantial hind end. Someday ...

Kelly RGF link
11/7/2011 09:46:48 am

You really have ridden everywhere! Endurance took you to a lot of places. I wish we had trails, but there's not really anything like that here.

I really liked the endurance photos - can't wait to see more!

Karen
11/7/2011 09:51:36 am

Kelly - that was the thing I most loved about endurance racing. I was able to ride in some of the most fantastic places ever. Much of the country we rode in was either private, or a pretty remote area of public forests and certainly too far for me to hike to!

I am glad you liked the photos, I have a billion more, but I've tried not to overwhelm everyone! :0)


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.
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    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.
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    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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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
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home