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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Thole Farms: the Warm Up

8/16/2016

 
It took us twelve hours to do one schooling show: more than an hour to load and unload tack, six hours of driving, and four hours at the show itself. I think I got my money's worth!

Best friend and I loaded Izzy up at 6:30 a.m. for the nearly three hour drive to Thole Farms in the Ventura area. He loaded without issue and unloaded just as quietly. He stood lazily tied to the trailer and even munched the hay hanging in his hay bag. We both stared in amazement; in just two months he's figured out the trailering part of showing. Best friend and I headed down to the show office without a backward glance.
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Thole Farms - office is around the other side.
When I first started in dressage, I went to every show alone. Now that best friend is retired, it is amazing having her help. While I am dressing or grooming, she's right there ready to lend a hand. She hands me water bottles, dusts off my boots, holds my horse, fetches whatever, and cheers me on when I am discouraged. She teased that she is now Izzy's human goat - his comfort companion. When I said that she could take photos as well as video, she insisted on a raise.
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While it doesn't look like it right now, he really does like her.
Izzy has now done four schooling shows. For the first show's warm up, he was very quiet, but he was also alone. For the second show's warm up, he was a fruitcake. He was somewhat better at last month's show, so my goals for this show were twofold: have a relaxed warm up and no 4s at the walk for the tests.

It's not a great video, but here we are in the warm up. 
We also did some trotting, but I focused entirely on softening his poll and neck. I kept everything super slow and never let him jig or get heavy in the bridle. When he tried to brace or lean on my hands, I half halted until he softened to the rein. Sometimes that meant that the trot became a walk and the walk a halt.

Here's another video clip - look for the trotting horse and rider.
I was actually really pleased with the walk work. The quality wasn't fabulous, but he actually walked! That's a huge improvement. And while the trot work also has a lot of room for improvement, he kept his marbles in the jar and listened to me the whole time.

Well, there was one little moment ...
Picture
It looks sooo dramatic!
It was actually the silliest spook. We were walking along quite nicely and then we weren't. Here's the video (if it starts from the beginning, scroll forward to about 40 seconds):
Silly boy! Aside from that goofy moment, most of the warm up went quite well, if a little slow pokey. Eventually, we'll be able to get in there and actually do some real work. For now, this is the kind of warm up that an Introductory Level horse needs.
Picture
I am feeling so encouraged!
Tomorrow: Intro A and a talent for piaffe!
jenj
8/16/2016 07:33:48 am

Hahaha, SO DRAMATIC! What a funny guy. You guys look great!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/17/2016 06:00:19 pm

Drama is definitely his middle name. I am trying to change it to Steady. :0)

lytha
8/16/2016 08:38:48 am

Yesterday I was asked to help out at a horse show, my neighbor with the fancy arena asked. I HATE CREWING. I wanna ride. But this is my chance to see how things go at a German horse show, so I should do it. I don't expect it to be fun, Germans don't have a sense of humor. Maybe if I do this, I'll be re-invited to her arena which I last saw in May. When my horse can use all 4 legs again....*sigh*

Thought of you this weekend as we were in North Germany and they are so proud of their warmbloods. I saw a semi with Zweibruecken written on it: )

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/17/2016 06:02:44 pm

Do it! Helping at a show is a great way to meet people.

I don't think many (if any) of our Zeibrückers are imported. I think they're all just "approved." I wouldn't mind seeing some "real" ones though. :0)

lytha
8/21/2016 04:44:19 am

I don't know if your friend and helper reads blogs, but if she read mine from today, she'd feel even better about herself, I think, and the help she was able to give you.

I did it, and don't regret it because now I know I'll never again.

Micaylah Strukelj link
8/16/2016 12:11:34 pm

I need to find me a human goat!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/17/2016 06:03:52 pm

They are totally worth their weight in gold, so if you do find one, find out what she likes to eat. They keep coming back that way. Mine adores Cheetos. :0)

Elinor link
8/16/2016 01:09:35 pm

Hey so those are some great improvements in just 4 schooling shows! Trailering nicely and keeping it together in the warmup! :) Sweeeeet!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/17/2016 06:05:04 pm

You can definitely appreciate the importance of those tiny steps forward. They may be little, but they still count. :0)

Teresa link
8/16/2016 04:50:23 pm

Izzy and you are rocking this show thing. good job!

Bakersfield Dressage link
8/17/2016 06:06:34 pm

My plan is to just go, go, go. We're doing a schooling show or other away from home event every other weekend for three months straight. We'll take a break in the late fall, but for now, my plan is to just put miles on him (literally!).


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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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