Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I am giggling as I write this. Ooh, Speedy G, is a funny, funny boy!
Friday's lesson was about getting some activity behind quickly, and then moving on. My homework for the week, other than to stay in the saddle, was to get the activity, do the work, and be finished. I think Saturday's ride took all of 8 minutes! I got on Speedy and did my regular one lap warm up, but I kept my legs on him and didn't let him lolly gag. He knew something was up because once we hit the long side he kept trying to break into a trot. I pat his neck and thanked him for the effort but whispered, not yet. Once we were back to where I like to start from, I gave a firm bump with my legs, and said, let's go! Speedy shot forward like a missile. We did half the circle, and I asked for a prompt halt. He gave it, and then I gave a softer bump to ask for forward again. He again responded like a rocket. We did this exercise for a few minutes before I finally asked for a short canter. Once he was definitely going forward, I tracked left and asked for some sideways off my inside leg. He was a bit reluctant at first, but I gave a solid halt halt and clearly said, MOVE! After that one piece of resistance, he was committed to trucking around the circle without any more lip. I asked for a quiet halt and he snapped to it. Yes! I let him walk a moment and then changed direction. He responded immediately to my leg, but was a bit slow to soften to the inside rein so I did a small circle and then moved him out. It took one or two small circles before he was willing to move away from my inside leg with a reasonable bend, but once he did, the ride was over. This exercise won't be the solution to every problem, but it sure has his attention for right now! We'll see how he does later this morning.
Sandra
7/7/2013 04:38:11 am
Excellent description of this ride! I can't wait to try it on my next ride!
Karen
7/7/2013 05:31:00 am
Speedy didn't want to soften today, but he was responsive to my leg. Hopefully you get a good reaction, too! :0) 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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