Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Why am I keeping my hands so high, and when do I get to lower them? These are the questions JL helped me answer at Monday's lesson.
I guess I should call this post, FEELINGS. That seems to be my word of the day, week, month. It's all about feel. Before I started the lesson, I explained that to the right, I think we've got it (by George). I could FEEL Speedy pulling me along as though he had a hold of my hand. When I asked for a halt, it was sharp and his head stayed down without popping up. Yep, came JL's response. That's right. To the left was a different story. I couldn't get that feeling of being taken by the hand. Speedy really wants to drop behind the vertical, or hide, as JL describes it. To "fix" our left circle dilemma, JL had me work on BENDING Speedy through the rib cage. OHHHH ... That's where the problem has been: he hasn't been yielding to my leg pressure. I goosed him pretty firmly with my spurs until he started yes ma'aming my leg. Then JL had me tip his nose in and yield, yield, yield. When he still wasn't bending through all the way, we picked up the canter and ROCKED the rein. And that's when we got IT. He finally took me by the hand and carried me along. We worked on a few other ideas that created several AHA moments. When he wants to be forward, I am going to let him carry me by sitting tall and leaning back. This will balance the teeter-totter (my own visual). Pretty soon he's going to realize how much work that is. When he does, I am going to ask for him to slow down and trot UP. And that's where I will be able to lengthen and shorten his stride. We had a really great lesson. I am finally, FINALLY developing a feel. JL didn't have to coach me at every stride. I can now FEEL when he isn't active behind, and I can FEEL the difference between being heavy in my hand and taking my hand. Two very different FEELINGS. Maybe I should have called this post, Feelings, as in "Feelings, nothing more than feelings." - Morris Albert
lytha
10/17/2012 12:37:27 am
you make me miss my old dressage trainer so much! if only i could find a knowledgable trainer here. isn't it ironic, that in germany, i find only crap for dressage trainers? i suppose i'm not looking in the right places, but i thought it would be easier.
Karen
10/17/2012 08:52:18 am
I am surprised, Lytha. Who would have thought? I was in Scotland in 2011 and found a great place to go for a two hour hack. I follow them on Facebook and know that they run a great training & schooling barn. I would think that Germany, of all places, would provide at least that.
lytha
10/17/2012 04:37:45 am
hey, my friend sent me photos from her trainer's farm clinic with a visiting PK trainer. I thought you'd enjoy the photos: http://www.cadburyfarm.com/farm-photos/
Karen
10/17/2012 11:09:05 am
Those were GREAT photos, Lytha! And that is EXACTLY what my trainer is having me do - keep my hands up to keep his head up! Thanks for sharing. Oh, and what a GORGEOUS indoor. :0) Comments are closed.
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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
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