Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Although I shouldn't say that quite so loudly, but I do so with the utmost gratitude and humbleness. It took only a few days before Speedy was sound at the walk, but it was the better part of a week before he was sound at the trot as well. I've hand walked him every day for two weeks, adding a short trot out down the blacktop each day. I meticulously noted a percentage or grade to indicate his soundness level. At first, he was grade three lame, obvious at the walk. But over the course of the week, his lameness was downgraded to grade one, and then I recorded his degree of soundness at 90%, 95%, 99%, sound with a (?), and then just sound at the trot. My farrier watched him jog out last Tuesday, and while he thought Speedy looked sound, I saw an unevenness to his gait. A few days later, he looked even. On Saturday and Sunday, I lunged him for a few minutes at all three gaits and he still looked good. I finally saddled him up on Monday afternoon, but I pulled my stirrups off. I wanted to get a really good feel for his soundness at the sitting trot. It also just felt good to be back in my dressage saddle with a super long leg. We did some free walk to start out, and Speedy felt 100% sound. His stride was long and even, and he was enthusiastic about moving out. I then asked for a trot which he offered willingly. The more I focused on my position, the less I worried about his soundness. It's easy to feel a lame step when you're trying to find one. I quickly realized that he felt good. I've cancelled my cancellation of the Christian Schacht Clinic, which means we're going (this weekend!). I did consult with my vet, of course, and he said to ride him. Since he improved so quickly, combined with the fact that we were never 100% certain it was the CL last year, the vet thinks there's no sense wasting time with a healthy horse until he proves that he's not a healthy horse. If he comes up sore, then we know there's something going on with that collateral ligament.
I really appreciate that my vet didn't over-react. We're taking a "cross that bridge if we get to it" mentality. 3/3/2015 09:09:09 am
Post number one - done! I didn't watch as many rides this time (too many friends to visit with), but I still learned a lot. Hopefully I can share something useful. :0)
jenj
2/23/2015 11:43:06 pm
EXCELLENT news!!!! So glad he's feeling better and that you can make the clinic. Looking forward to your writeup! 3/3/2015 09:11:11 am
You and me both. It would sure save a lot of wasted time and money. :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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