Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Dorkiest expression ever ... Speedy has been working hard. It's hot. Really hot, so while Sydney got ridden on Saturday, Speedy got turned out. On Sunday, still really hot, I decided to hack out down to the river. If all goes well and there are no issues, the ride takes a bit under 30 minutes. You would think that with all of Speedy's conditioning miles as an endurance horse that he would no longer have issues with things on the trail. I think he's out of practice. What a wuss! He has crossed the river at least 4 million times. Admittedly it's been a while, like at least a year. We did get in about three weeks ago, but it's not like we've been doing it consistently. It's a good thing that we've been practicing a serious inside bend with a strong outside whoa! rein. He did get in and he did walk around, but it was tense and scary. For him. I was laughing. When we did that loop a few weeks ago, the sprinklers popped up all around us giving my boy a good scare. Wouldn't you know it, but the exact same thing happened again! This time, while Speedy spooked, he knew that I wasn't about to tolerate any bolting. He danced around a bit, but then he let me do the navigating. We ended up being out there a little longer than a half hour, but there was a lot of shade and we finished early enough that the heat was manageable. I included the dorky photo to show the traffic-stopping vest that I use when I ride off property. Believe it or not, cars pass us much more slowly with the vest than without. It's ugly, but it serves a purpose. I am done with summer by the way. Let's get Fall going.
I hear ya...bring on Fall! We are finally getting some very much needed rain and cooler temps - what a relief.
Karen
8/16/2012 11:20:44 am
I actually bought this one in Scotland for just a buck or two at a flea market. I know they are available here, but they run close to $20 or more. Cars really do slow down when I wear the vest. I feel much safer in it!
Karen
8/16/2012 11:22:20 am
Although we have a river, most of the water is drawn off for irrigation. My horses live just above the weir so we happen to have some water to play around in. It's not a particularly safe river though so caution is needed. We have lots of quick sand!
Sharon T
8/15/2012 11:27:15 pm
I wear a vest much like that in the winter I'm walking the dogs in the evenings. Anything to help be seen is a good thing.
Karen
8/16/2012 11:23:47 am
I just joked to Hubby that I need to get one for Tobias as he is BLACK and invisible in the early mornings! I wear white when I walk him, but I should get one for dog walking, too. Good idea! 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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