Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Saturday's Lesson

7/18/2022

 
Our typical summertime heat has finally arrived. It's two or three weeks late, but no one is complaining. Our highs have been near or over a hundred degrees for at least a month, but our lows had held steady in the 70s. This past weekend, our lows climbed to 80. On Sunday, it was 90 degrees by 9:00 a.m. and forecasted to be 111.

I had a lesson on Saturday, but on Sundays, I like to record my ride to see how things are progressing. It was just too dang hot to mess with my Pivo and all of the crap that goes with it. We didn't even canter. All of that means I have no new media to go along with my lesson recap. You'll have to be content with old stuff.
Picture
December 2014, a few weeks after buying Izzy.
Now that we're back on schedule without missing lessons, I didn't have as many opportunities to break my horse. When Sean Cunningham, owner and trainer at STC Dressage, joined me in a Pivo Meet, I was prepared with two main objectives: schooling the simple changes and working on using my outside thigh for the half halt. Because it's horses, things didn't go exactly to plan.

After taking a few minutes to warm up, I put Izzy into a canter. He has a lovely flying change, and every once in a while he'll throw one in, but I just haven't been able to get it on my aids. I rarely even ask for one because it causes him so much anxiety. Instead, my strategy has been to focus on refining how we do a change of lead whether it be through the trot or a simple change through the walk.
Picture
September 2015
The way I learned to ask for the flying change of lead is to change the bend by applying the new inside leg while straightening the horse in preparation for the new lead. I use this same series of aids whether asking for a change of lead through trot or the simple change. Even though I am not asking for a flying change, I want to set Izzy up the same way so that once I do ask for the flying change, he'll know what I am asking for. Another strategy that I am using is slowly reducing the number of trot and walk steps in between changing the canter lead.

As I was crossing the diagonal at the canter asking for the change of lead through trot, Sean recognized the difficulty I am having. The moment I straighten Izzy, he braces against me. Sean offered a suggestion to help reduce the bracing. Instead of crossing the diagonal on a straight line, he suggested I make more of an arc so that Izzy stays on the true bend as I ask for the trot. Once he has the trot, I can can change the bend and then pick up the new canter lead.

While that is not the traditional way to do changes of lead across the diagonal, it does help keep Izzy soft and teaches him that there isn't a need to brace for the new lead. We played around with the variation a few times, and Sean felt confident that after just a few rides, Izzy should feel more comfortable allowing me to change the bend. Finding ways to both support Izzy and make things easier for him is a regular theme of our journey.
Picture
February 2016
Since it was hot, we moved away from the canter back to the trot work. While I wanted to work more on the half halt at the canter in order to get better softness for the change of lead, there was plenty we needed to do at the trot. The week before, we had schooled the shoulder-in to renvers to shoulder-in down centerline and quarterline. I worked on it pretty consistently all last week and was definitely able to get the first two parts of the sequence pretty solid.

One of the things I most like about not being in full training (says every poor adult ammie) is the opportunity to work on things by myself. Getting the shoulder-in down the quarter line without the support of the rail is tough. After analyzing my aids down the rail, I finally felt "it" and was able to apply the same aids down quarterline. Surprisingly, moving into the renvers is fairly easy now that I understand the aids. Being able to work on it by myself as homework helps me figure out what I need to do. And when I can't quite get it, I can ask Sean the very next week.

What's turning out to be a bit tricky is the last phase of that 1-2-3 series. Sean's feedback was really illuminating; he explained that this sequence shows how much control over the shoulder the rider really has. For the final shoulder-in, I lose a bit of control so it feels like Izzy drifts back towards the rail. it almost feels like we're going in reverse or doing the Moon Walk. While it's a tricky set of movements, it's definitely fun to work on.   
Picture
March 2017
I have gone through the I love this horse/I hate this horse cycle so, so, SO many times. While we're not showing, which is my heart really wants, I am very much enjoying the progress that we've been making all summer long. Because of this horse, I am riding better than I ever have, and I am learning so much. I have a lot planned for the next few weeks.

We're going to a CDS-rated show on Sunday, but I only entered one class, Training Level Test 1. I have no idea whether we'll actually make it in front of a judge or not. If all we do is have a another good warm up, I'll consider that progress. And then at the end of the month, Izzy and I are heading to STC Dressage for a three-day boot camp. I go back to work that next week. I have a lot of riding to get done in these next two weeks because August and September are my busiest months at work with means I won't get much riding done.

​As we used to say when I was endurance riding, you can rest when you die. Truth!

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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


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