Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Riser pad is still working. Sydney got Sunday off, but he did get some work on Saturday. I already shared how hot it has been, just like nearly everywhere else, but Sydney still likes to work, hot or not. I haven't been brave enough, or committed enough, to share this, but maybe if I write it and hit publish, I'll be more committed. So here it is ... I really want to take Sydney to the final Tehachapi show at the end of September. We're not ready to be competitive, and it would only be Intro A & B, but I want to see where we are. Is he going to be relaxed at the show grounds, or will all of the old tension come back? Am I going to be relaxed, or will I grab hold and freak him out? If I can't even take him over to JL's with confidence, I certainly can't take him an hour away. So when I got to the barn on Saturday morning and saw that JL's place was Grand Central, I decided that Sydney needed a mini-field trip rather than ho-hum it around my own arena. I saddle quickly and walked over like I would for a lesson. The barn was buzzing with activity, but Sydney remained relaxed and never batted an eye. Just to be safe, I started him on the lunge line before hopping on. There were no shenanigans, and he was very relaxed. I rode and made sure to chat with everyone the whole time. Horses came in and out of the wash rack, in and out of the arena, and cars drove by. JL brought her young horse out to work, and Sydney barely flicked an ear at him as they cantered around. Yippee! He was a perfect angel the entire time we were there. I know he's been there many times before, but it has been a place of tension for him for most of those visits. To see him, and me, be so relaxed gave me some confidence. The last Tehachapi show is in 6 weeks. I think we can be ready to at least show up and ride the tests. My only goal is that he be relaxed and enjoy himself. I think we need a few more field trips, and one of them should include a trailer ride, but we're on the right path!
Val
8/14/2012 10:35:57 pm
I liked your idea to test him out at the busy lesson barn. I think that taking him out for a walk/trot test would be a perfect way to introduce him to showing.
Karen
8/16/2012 11:25:28 am
But even walk/trot makes me nervous! Do you hear me whining? :0)
Angela
8/15/2012 01:59:13 am
Well, since you wrote it, now you have to do it! The September show in Tehachapi!!
Karen
8/16/2012 11:24:23 am
You are right!!!!! It's written ... it's done. :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
|