Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
First, the good. Hubby and I had a very relaxing time at the cabin this weekend. Having time to unplug from the internet and cell phones does a lot to rebalance you. We spent Saturday hiking, napping, and drinking by the fire pit. Photos included. ![]() We started out at about 7300 feet. The trail is only a mile and a half long, but it's a steady climb to reach the peak. This particular peak used to have a fire lookout, which took advantage of the amazing 360 degree view. Check out the flag; the wind was howling up there and the temperature was in the mid 40s.
And then there was some bad. Both boys got new shoes on Tuesday. When I rode Speedy that afternoon, he felt slightly off, but I attributed it to being a bit tender footed. I skipped the barn on Wednesday to run some errands, but turned him out on Thursday before I rode Sydney. We left for the cabin on Friday so I didn't get to the barn until Sunday afternoon. I saddled Speedy and walked him to the arena. He dawdled behind me which isn't too uncommon, but he was really non-compliant as I tried to position him next to the mounting block. From the first step I knew something wasn't right. I hopped off and led him on a straight line. Yep. Lame, lame, lame. I untacked him and jogged him out on the gravel driveway. Definitely lame at both the walk and trot. Speedy is never lame. I am hoping it has to do with the recent farrier work. He was sound the weekend before getting new shoes, so I am hoping a nail "quicked" him or he developed an abscess. Not like those are good things, but I can't think of anything else it might be. There is no wound, filling, heat, sensitivity, or anything else to suggest an injury, and given that I noticed the soreness immediately after shoeing, that seems the most logical place to start. I've left a message for my farrier. And finally, the ugly. After I tucked Speedy back in his stall. I rode Sydney. The ride was fine; we continued working on the right lead canter. Nothing miraculous happened, but it felt like we were getting somewhere. Just as I was thinking about finishing up, Sydney lurched forward, and I knew he had pulled a shoe. My farrier is really going to love me now. First, a lame horse, and now a shoeless horse.
I left a second message for him ... sheesh. (Farrier has since called back and hopes to be out on Wednesday.) 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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