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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Sitting Up = Better Riding

3/27/2014

 
I already wrote about the need to sit up and lower my center of gravity. Sydney gave me an excellent chance to put all of that together on Sunday afternoon.

I am not sure what got his panties in a bunch, but as soon as we reached the "scary" end of the arena, he tensed, whirled, and reared when I hauled him to a stop. It wasn't that I particularly wanted to have that conversation with him, but I grabbed the moment with both hands and went for it. I sat deep, exhaled, and lowered my shoulders.

We spent the next 30 minutes discussing whether or not he should rush and be heavy on his forehand, or better, simply listen to my aids and be more relaxed. He chose to relax, but it took a lot of work on my part.

What I ended up doing was using Chemaine's voice to coach myself through the ride. Every time I felt myself tensing my core above my belly button, I let out my breath and imagined a heavy sack of potatoes. Immediately, my center of gravity dropped and my seat felt much freer.

As Sydney tried to rush the corner, I told myself to close the outside rein and outside leg. As we continued on the circle, I was able to feel when I could be neutral. That moment was followed by the need to open the outside rein while still maintaining contact as I asked for flexion with the inside rein and leg.

And round and round we went. Fortunately, Sydney doesn't get bored with an exercise like this. We worked the circle for more than a few minutes until he really started to get even between my aids. I laughed out loud and remembered to praise him a lot.

We took a walk break, and then repeated the exercise to the left. What I really started to feel was that he isn't trying to run off and dump me. Instead, he's just very unbalanced and running to keep from falling down. Each time he rushed, I reminded myself that my job was to help him lift his front end. I sat up, gave two squeezes with my outside hand and added leg.

Eventually, we repeated the exercise at the canter. To the right, I opened the outside rein and asked for flexion with the inside rein when he wanted to fall in, but then closed the outside rein when he wanted to fall out. To the left, I really just needed to ask for inside flexion; he doesn't fall in that direction.

I am sure many of you think I must be an idiot: how hard can all of this be? This horse is much more difficult to ride than any other horse I've owned. Frankly, he's just a lot of horse. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn on him however, as he doesn't let me fake anything. 

The good thing is, I am making tons of mental connections right now and developing a level of feel that I would probably not have achieved on Speedy. I wake up each day eager to ride because I know I am getting closer and closer to having a really fancy horse that I can actually show off!
Judy
3/27/2014 12:08:03 am

And thanks to Speedy for needing his "vacation" and allowing you to focus so thoroughly on Sydney!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:12:13 am

Things always work out, don't they! :0)

lytha
3/27/2014 12:18:01 am

speaking of the scary end, someone lay a leadrope on a fence yesterday while i lunged my horse, and she went quite nuts about it, and finally someone asked "why is your horse behaving like that?" and i said, "oh, lead line on fence" (laughing) and the lady immediately went and took it away. hey! i said, "no, it's no problem!" but this is germany, and potential threats are usually avoided/removed, not worked around. next time i go up there i'm bringing lots of surprises to decorate the entire arena with. lead ropes, and such: )

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:13:16 am

How kind of them, but you're right. It doesn't help you fix the problem. Sometimes I leave a coat or vest on the rail just to "test" the speedy pony; Sydney doesn't give a hoot about stuff like that!

L. Williams link
3/27/2014 12:56:29 am

I may need to borrow this :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:14:32 am

But of course! Just remember that you get what you pay for. :0) My two cents might be out there, but they may not always be worth spending!

Sarah link
3/27/2014 04:24:54 am

Sounds like you're getting repeat "aha!" moments from that lesson with Chemaine. You seriously are getting your money's worth out of that! =) Remind me - do you regularly longe/side rein/bit-up Sydney? I've been adding more of that in to my weekly routine with Hemie and its helping me work on (and better see) specific elements of imbalance (shoulders, hind end, etc).

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:16:13 am

I have, but no, it's not a regular thing. I don't really like to lunge, and Sydney doesn't react well on the line. I am pretty sure he was lunged just to wear him out. He is much better now that he's been with me a while, but the lunge line is a source of stress for him. I should work on that this summer.

Katharine Marie link
3/27/2014 04:59:05 am

Very interesting - I'll have to try that on my next ride! Lots of interesting moments!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:17:09 am

Just my take on how I am screwing things up. :0)

Lauren link
3/27/2014 06:25:12 am

I definitely don't ever think you're an idiot!

Bakersfield Dressage link
3/27/2014 11:17:51 am

Well, I certainly try not be, but I do have my moments. But thank you for the vote of confidence. :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.
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    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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    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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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