Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
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? 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...
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. 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!
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. :) 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! 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.
Karen Sweaney
11/5/2011 12:58:38 am
Val - 11/5/2011 05:50:14 am
Hi Karen, 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 ...
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! 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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