Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I haven't looked at my calendar to be sure, but I think Speedy's little hoof issue put him out of commission for two and a half months. Dr. Tolley did clear him for regular riding two weeks ago, but I was too sick to ride. So actually, the hoof thing was really only a two-month set back. Whatever. He's green-lighted now! While I was sick, I made it out to the barn once and that was with my husband driving and the timer set. I had permission to feed a couple of carrots, stroke a few noses, and get back in the truck. When we got home, I took a two-hour nap. I tried to go to the barn on Saturday, but after grocery shopping, I found that I was so exhausted that I needed another two-hour nap. On Sunday morning, I exerted zero energy as I waited for the day to warm up. I wanted to make sure that I could get to the barn. Speedy was certainly glad to see me; Izzy couldn't care less. Since Speedy is the more dependable of the two, I felt safer hopping up on him in my less-than-fit state. After a rough groom - my lungs couldn't handle a full brush down, I saddled him up and headed up to the arena. It's amazing how such an old routine can feel brand new when you've been away for a while. My smile got bigger and bigger as I trod that familiar path. After doing an abbreviated version of my stretch routine, I climbed aboard. After nearly three weeks out of the saddle, I felt a bit wobbly up there and was doubly glad I hadn't opted to ride the big brown horse! We spent twenty minutes just walking. You can do a lot at the walk however. We did some leg yields, haunches in, and turns on the haunches. When I felt that he was as supple as he was going to be. We did our first trot under saddle; it's been more than two months since we've done any trot work.
Speedy was quite game for the work. As we crossed the diagonal, he automatically offered a small lengthening. I giggled the whole way. We finished off the ride with a rein-back. Since he did it so nicely, I patted his neck and got off. Speedy will need a few weeks to get back into fighting trim, but since I am still not 100% either, we can get there together. Oh, and when I got home, I took yet another two-hour nap!
M
12/13/2017 11:23:38 am
So glad to hear you're back in the saddle! 12/27/2017 07:30:32 am
Thank you, Tracy! It's been a long couple of months. :0) Comments are closed.
|
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
|