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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

The Good ... The Bad ... and The Are You Kidding Me?!

1/29/2012

 
Quick post-publish edit: I added some Edyta photos at the end.

The ride-a-Test.  How did it go?  I'll start with the Are You Kidding Me?! (in no particular order):
  1. Sydney did not, I repeat, did not have a melt down.  In fact, we warmed up in a nicely plowed area, adjacent to the dressage court, that had no fence.  And we cantered!  With no safety fence!!!!!
  2. I left ALL my riding clothes, boots, helmet, gloves, and Speedy's pad in my car at the barn, which was 35 minutes from the venue.  Yep.  Really.  After unloading both ponies, I opened my trailer door to get Speedy's pad and looked around in a completely baffled state of mind.  Where was the pad?  And for that matter, where the hell are my clothes and boots?  Well, crap.  Apparently, (said with one eye brow cocked) somebody (ahem) left everything sitting on the back seat of the car.  Did you panic?  Nope.  I simply walked around and borrowed the most basics items possible.  I had worn a decent pair of jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt that coordinated with the fleece vest I was wearing so I borrowed a pair of half chaps and two different helmets.  I had a cruddy pair of old Ariat Terrains in the trailer so I popped those on instead of my rubber boots.  Nothing like "showing" in jeans and funky footwear! 
  3. Speedy reared several times during the warm up.  Speedy reared during the test.  Speedy was high as a kite.  Sydney was not.  Go figure!
  4. Erica, from Of Academia and Horses, whom I finally got to meet, has to think I am a complete idiot!
  5. I did not fall off, bail off, or look stupid while riding!

And now The Bad ...
  1. Speedy G would not soften that neck of his.  He was braced through the whole test and refused to stretch over his top line.  Being higher than a kite has a way of making one's neck and back stiff.
  2. Sydney wasn't very soft either.  He has an excuse though.  He pretty much looked like a giraffe for the entire ride.  Although, sneaking in a good here, Judge Mary did give him an 8 for the free walk.
  3. Speedy G was a complete idiot at the trailer, but I knew he would be.  When he's alone, he'll stand there for days on end.  With a pal, forget about it.
  4. Sydney had a tough time concentrating with Speedy G screaming and hollering for him.  I am certain that Speedy was telling him horrible things about death and dismemberment or at the very least, things about vaccinations and wormer.
  5. Judge Mary pointed out that my thumbs need to be UP.  Doh!

And finally, there was The Good ...
  1. Both boys loaded into the trailer as though they had done so hundreds of times together before.  They haven't.  Not even once.  I hadn't yet loaded them both together.  This was to be their maiden voyage.  I am glad it worked out.  They stood at the trailer, albeit on opposites sides, happy companions shooting the breeze.  Except for when Speedy took it upon himself to scare the bejesus out of Sydney with his tales of horror!
  2. I rode both tests error free.  I had them memorized and had no trouble riding each movement from memory.  Good for me!
  3. Sydney picked up the canter going both directions on the correct lead and did it fairly softly.  He scored a 6 on the right lead canter, our more difficult side, but then earned a 7 to the left with the remark, little more balanced in this direction.  Good for him!
  4. My elbows were bent!
  5. I met some really nice people.
  6. I genuinely had fun!

And there you have it: The Good, The Bad, and The Are You Kidding Me?!
Picture
Both boys at the trailer - love 'em both!
Click photos for a larger view and to see the captions.
nowthatsatrot link
1/28/2012 11:21:05 pm

When I was showing greenies I used to say, "Nobody cried and nobody died, so it was a good day!" Ha ha. ;P If you ultimately had fun and everyone came back in the same shape they left, count it a success!

If you had to forget your clothes for one "show," at least it was a low-key event like this! I usually keep a set of spares in the dressing room, but one time I forgot to re-pack after clearing my trailer to haul a friend. I showed up to a clinic without a pad and some other items. Thankfully, one of the boarders at the host barn had a spare to lend me, and it even matched my shirt!

Hopefully now you got the big "oops" for the year out of the way, and the rest of the season will go off smoothly!

Karen
1/29/2012 07:54:59 am

I feel good about the day. If anything it has inspired me to work harder! :0)

Erica link
1/29/2012 12:44:42 am

You're no idiot! I have DEFINITLY had those show days where everything seems to go haywire. Forgotten bits, boots, gloves, half chaps, face oil, show bow, water, water buckets, Hunt cap...It happens to the best of us. I've learned from my mishaps and make extensive lists now (I often include "brain" and "self" haha).
For the first time hauling both boys out, I think it was a great success! Dealing with two beasts the first time can be a little trying on time/horse management.
I look forward to seeing you more! (and thank you for catching me. BEFORE I cruised right in front of the judge!!!) I am sure we will meet again in the very near future!

Karen
1/29/2012 07:57:33 am

Glad you don't really think I'm an idiot! :0)

I've taken two horses to many, many endurance rides. This was just the first time these particular two have been together somewhere. All's well that ends well! Now THAT'S a Trot! put it well - nobody cried and nobody died. It was a good day. :0)

AareneX link
1/29/2012 04:36:06 am

I have to laugh: Speedy still looks like an endurance horse, even in an English saddle. Look at the photo of him tied to the trailer, looking for the vet and the start line!

Hooray, you survived. The rest is gravy.

Karen
1/29/2012 08:46:06 am

Oh, he was looking for something alright. Probably the FINISH line!

Karen

Melinda link
1/29/2012 09:26:07 pm

Holy crap! The rearing pic is very impressive.....

Karen
1/29/2012 09:30:17 pm

It's not me! Although Speedy gave some himself. I hope they didn't look like that though. This rider excused herself from the test. Naughty ponies!

lytha
2/6/2012 10:56:28 pm

that speedy g photo looks like baasha in my icon, wow. we should put them together in a field and see if we can pick out which is which. from a distance. speedy's got the better tail and the pinker nose.

Karen
2/6/2012 11:11:45 pm

Lytha - gray Arabs do tend to look alike. I'd hate to lose Speedy G in a field of Baashas because I probably couldn't find him! Although he does come when I call so maybe a bucket of treats and a Speeeeeedy call might entice him back to me. But then again, with a bucket of treats, every gray Arab would come running. :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.
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    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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    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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  • Home
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