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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Tehachapi Cool Mountain Dressage Show - The Warm Up

8/29/2016

 
If you would have asked me on Saturday night how I thought Sunday's show was going to go, I would have said that I didn't even want to go. Why waste gas money when you know it's going to be a disaster?

Our ride on Saturday was terrible. Like knock down, drag down terrible. I spent 45 minutes trying every single thing I knew to get Izzy to let go of the bit. His jaw and poll were so locked that I had no steering and rode through bolt after bolt. All he could do was charge forward.

Eventually, after kicking his ass every way I knew how, I finally got off and threw him in the round pen and just sent him forward. I really wanted to just send him down the road, but a round pen by definition is ... round, so he kept coming back. To my dismay I should add.

After 5 minutes, I know because I timed it, he was heaving and sweating rivers. I got back on him and walked him for ten minutes hoping that he was at least thinking about relaxing.

After cleaning him up, I gave him a healthy dose of electrolytes with his Platinum Performance. When I turned him out into his paddock, I asked him to please just consider letting go of some of his tension.
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This photo is not from Saturday, but I wanted to report back on the new fleece half pad. It's working great, and I really like it, but if I order another one, I think I'll go with the medium. My last one was a bit narrow so my saddle sat on the fleece trim instead of inside it. This one is a large, but it ran bigger than I expected.
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I was a bit peeved when I untacked Izzy because my new half pad was dirty and sweaty. My girth was also soaked through, and I seriously considered scratching from the show. He was going to be a jerk anyway and my tack was already dirty ... somebody please call the wambulance!

I gave myself a stern, quit your whining! and proceeded to give my saddle and bridle a (half-assed) cleaning, but at least they looked presentable. I sent Best Friend a text letting her know to meet me at 5:30 a.m., and then I went home to try and start some positive thinking.
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Can't ask for more than this.
Since I am a bit of a Pollyanna, I was able to give myself an attitude adjustment. I was still peeved at Izzy the next morning, especially since he was a jerk as I was trying to groom and brush out his tail. As soon as Best Friend showed up, she got to hear all about how rotten he was being. 

And then he walked quietly onto the trailer. In the dark. With a grouchy owner. My heart softened immediately, and all I could see was my fabulous boy who just needed my help and encouragement.
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Gone is his chocolatey and dappled coat which has been replaced with gold.
When we arrived at the equestrian center it was chilly and we were alone. Izzy craned his neck looking at the horses in the corrals, but with Best Friend's help, he stood pretty still to be braided. We checked in, got his number, and headed for the warm up.

His nerves were all a twitter, but he never felt like he was going to lose it. He just couldn't keep his focus on his job. One of my Tehachapi friends said that if she hadn't known how old he really is, she would have thought he was just a four year old. That's good for me to hear because I think he should be acting like the eight year old that he is.

During the morning, several fans of Bakersfield Dressage made it a point to come and say hi and ooh and ah over my big brown (gold) horse. It was so nice to see them and even nicer to have their support. Having friends who root for our success is such a huge motivator for me.

Spoiler alert: Izzy did not show brilliantly, but many people encouraged me to stick it out with him; they were that impressed with his potential. I have trouble seeing it, but apparently Izzy oozes charm and has that certain sparkle.
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Tomorrow: Introductory Test A.
Leah link
8/29/2016 06:35:02 am

Sometimes when we're with the horse every day it's hard to be objective about progress (or perceived lack thereof). Yay for having friends and other people who root for your success and encourage you to keep trying! I haven't been a reader long but I've enjoyed following along in your recent journeys and I've seen improvements, so I can't even imagine how far you've come since the beginning of your journey with Izzy!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/3/2016 04:38:25 pm

Thanks, Leah. If you've seen progress, that makes me feel better. :0)

jenj
8/29/2016 07:15:50 am

I'm so sorry to hear that Izzy wasn't having it this weekend. It's really hard to keep a positive attitude through that, so kudos to you for going to the show and getting through it. Sometimes you just gotta keep on keeping on, even if it's not fun.

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/3/2016 04:39:01 pm

Yep. Keep on keeping on is my motto. :0)

appydoesdressage
8/29/2016 09:59:54 am

" I really wanted to just send him down the road, but a round pen by definition is ... round, so he kept coming back. To my dismay I should add."

That last sentence I have felt so many times in my life. I could feel EXACTLY what you were going through. That said, I am glad Izzy was not being as bad for the show. Looking forward to your additional write up!

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/3/2016 04:40:12 pm

Thanks! I am glad at least someone else knows what that feels like. it is frustrating for sure. Good thing the feeling goes away. LOL

Alanna link
8/29/2016 10:01:04 pm

Thanks for writing so honestly about your experiences. I'm getting ready to take my green bean 3 year old to her first dressage show and we are currently just working on putting in the miles...

Bakersfield Dressage link
9/3/2016 04:41:28 pm

Best of luck to you! I've said this to many people, but I the reason I share this stuff is so that other people feel better about their own journey. It can't get much worse than this. :0) LOL


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    National Rider Awards

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

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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