Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Spiral In

1/25/2016

 
My last lesson with Chemaine was all about getting and maintaining a bend. As I get better about helping Izzy maintain the bend, it won't be as easy for him to use his neck as an escape vehicle. His current method of avoiding work is to fling his head in the air, and then run off. He usually jogs away now instead of bolting, but it's still not an appropriate response to work.

Over the past two weeks, I've been repeating the spiral in exercise, and I am getting definite improvement each day. Spiral in is pretty much the same no matter what your focus. In this particular version of the exercise, I am keeping the outside rein pretty solidly locked down as I ask for inside bend and softening on the inside rein. To achieve this, I am "bouncing" the inside rein and then letting it go, but not so much that he becomes counter flexed.

To the left, this is all relatively easy as he already wants to bend left and carry his haunches left. Tracking right is much more difficult for him because his body doesn't want to bend to the right. He avoids stretching through his ribcage by carrying his haunches to the outside.
Picture
No under saddle photo, but you can see the saddle marks!
I've been chipping away at this issue steadily over the past ten days. I started off by just insisting he carry his haunches to the inside by opening my outside rein and bringing it back toward my hip. Oh, boy did he ever throw a fit the first day I schooled this. From there, I slowly started to ask for inside bend as we spiraled in. The smallness of the circle actually helps establish some bend.

With Izzy, the spiral in to the right started to feel like half passe because it took so much outside leg to keep his haunches to the inside. And as I slowly increased the bend, I had to also really ride the shoulders to keep them from pivoting to the outside. When I got it in my mind that it was almost like a half passe, it got easier to ride because I just thought about pushing his body to the right.

Once he can make a 10-meter circle and keep the inside rein soft, we spiral back out. Since his haunches and shoulders want to fly all over the place, I have to really focus on a steady outside rein to keep the shoulders and haunches aligned so that he has to truly leg yield out on the circle. I think we were both caught by surprise when I really got his inside hind to actually step forward and over.

This spiral in and leg yield out exercise is also helping the canter departures. The more control I have over the inside bend and the placement of his haunches, the more I can control the canter. On Sunday, I had to remind him a few times that he doesn't get to run through my aids, but after that, we got the best left lead canter departure we've had to date.
Picture
His lovely canter (sorry about the repeat photo)!
He has a lovely canter, we've all seen it, but keeping it to a steady rhythm has been difficult for me. At our last lesson, Chemaine got after me to get really strong through my core and INSIST on a half halt. To help me get the feeling of the aid that she was looking for, she had me think about cantering in place for several strides. If I did that with Speedy, he'd fly in reverse, but Izzy is so forward that I really need to capture that energy so that it doesn't just shoot forward and escape.

I've been using that idea this week, and it is really helping. I've been able to half halt more rhythmically which prevents him from galloping away on his forehand. I also got a really nice right lead canter, but of course, tracking right requires a whole different set of aids.


To the right, it's not about getting him to half halt, but rather keeping him bent to the right from nose to tail. What I felt on Sunday afternoon's ride was the need to get him soft on my inside rein so that he had room for the canter. I know that doesn't make any sense, but when he leans or grabs that inside rein, it forces me to hold him which means he can't push up and into the contact.

I worked with him for several long minutes at the trot insisting that he stay bent and soft. All the while, I kept quietly asking for a canter. I could feel him shifting, trying to find that moment of balance. He finally picked up the right lead, and while it was a bit wild and wooly to start, he ultimately let go of the tension and allowed himself a right bend. All of a sudden the right lead canter was balanced and easy for him. He even stretched down while he was cantering and did it with the lightest contact. 

Step by step, this horse is really starting to impress me. He's not easy exactly, but he is very talented and likes to be successful. I can't wait to see where he is a year from now. Just one year ago, he was in the midst of a traumatic leg injury, was on his third living arrangement in a month, and was being trailered regularly for the first time in his life. He's come a long way since last January!
jenj
1/25/2016 06:10:46 am

I got dinged big time about keeping the bend too. Seems I love to let go of my inside rein (as a "reward") the moment I get Taran to a good place. Holding on - but NOT PULLING!!!! - is SO HARD sometimes! And yes, you are making fantastic progress with Izzy. Sure it's slow, but that's OK - it's happening!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/25/2016 05:47:05 pm

Izzy loves to bend left, but right is a different story. For me, the inside bend has always been a bit of a challenge. I either have too much or not enough. LOL! :0)

Hillary link
1/25/2016 06:34:22 am

I can't wait to see where this year takes you guys!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/25/2016 05:47:35 pm

I feel the same way!!!! :0)

Teresa link
1/25/2016 06:48:05 am

He's starting to figure out what to do with all his bits. I like how you help him to figure it out without trying to truss him up. :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/25/2016 05:49:39 pm

Thanks, Teresa. :0)

I am trying, but I don't always guess right. Chemaine always says she likes the way I think, so I must be plunking along okay. When I get really stuck, she's always available for a phone call or text.

Tracy link
1/25/2016 06:49:19 am

I can only do so much spiral in/out at a time, because I get dizzy, lol

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/25/2016 05:51:57 pm

I start on a pretty large circle, but I spiral in pretty quickly, 3 - 4 circles. But you're right if you spiral in too long and focus on the center of the circle, it's EASY to get dizzy. :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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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