Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Hubby and I visited Home Depot over the weekend because a dressage court with two long sides, one short side, and one open side just wasn't gonna cut it. I bought a few more poles, remeasured the thing, and now have a legitimate 20 meter by 40 meter dressage court. The 100 meter tape measure that I bought last spring has finally been put to good use. I think I have 14 of the poles, which are 6 feet in length, and run $2 - $3 each depending if they're on sale. I bought the poles over a year-long period, four or five at a time. They've been left out in the arena the whole time I've had them, and all of them are still in good working order with no obvious cracks or split edges. For less than $45, the poles have turned out to be a pretty good investment. I used the new configuration on Sunday and Monday and loved it! I know it's not pretty and the large rocks serving as markers are hard to see, but even so, it's a great place to work. I do have cones labeled with the letters, but after last week's windy weather, I discovered that six inch cones aren't heavy enough to withstand a breeze. I found them scattered all over the neighborhood, and I am not even sure that I found them all. When I really feel the need, I can always set up the A, K, E, H, C, M, B, and F cones to make a real (short) court, or I can set up 2/3 of the court by eliminating the A end or the C end of the letters. With Saturday's show quickly approaching, I am feeling some pressure to get the trot circle to canter arc to stretchy trot circle combination workable. Sunday and Monday's rides showed me we have a long way to go. I am hoping that by Friday we can get it a bit smoother!
Amy
11/8/2011 06:23:50 am
Have you got your ride times yet for the show?
That's great! Just this morning I was getting frustrated with working in a very make-shift 'arena' (square markers laying flat in the long grass) that's slippery, sloping and cut up to boot. 11/8/2011 09:34:25 am
Kelly - thanks. I really wish I had a 60 x 20, but this is fabulous, and I am not complaining. And after the little rain we had over the weekend, the footing has been fantastic with no dust! Having a more defined space in which to ride is really showing me where some of our holes are. Without a border, it's hard to know if the outside shoulder is drifting. 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
|