Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I came home from Saturday's ride and stopped in the bathroom. I glanced up and saw this. I cracked up laughing. Yep, Sydney. I heard you! This is my toilet paper butler. He holds the really spare roll. You only grab his if the cupboard is bare because without him, you'd be ... well ... up Sh*t Creek without a paddle. Here's what he normally looks like. Sydney was terrible on Saturday. Sigh. The trot work was great, the canter work was not. I literally wrestled with him for the better part of an hour over the damn right shoulder. I did every exercise I know to make that circle. Ultimately, I got it, but it took way too long and I think Sydney might think he has a new trick up his sleeve. After riding, I hiked on over to JL's and ran it by her. She called it Sydney's Trick of the Week. I asked for a lesson on Sunday instead of Wednesday to FIX THIS RIGHT NOW! She agreed. I hope that as you read this I'll be fixing the on-again, off-again right shoulder blow out. My lesson is at 4:00 p.m. PST. Do you remember this? What I actually do ... I was so there Saturday afternoon ...
Sydney has started another naughty trick. This is the one where he jerks away from me when I turn him out. It started with a little joyful head toss, but the next time he flat out jerked away. The last time I turned him out I was ready for it. I wrapped the lead rope around his neck and JERKED him as he tried to bolt. Whoa. That got his attention. I know this is yet another issue I now have to work through. There will now be daily lessons on how we stand while the halter comes off. Yuck.
Val
2/26/2012 01:28:18 am
Sydney's behaviors are reminding me of a person who is so dead set on rejection that they sabotage themselves. Didn't you say that he has moved from owner to owner a couple times? It is like he is saying, "Here are all my naughty things. I just know that you will not be able to stand this one. Ditch me and get it over with." Little does he know, you are far too experienced and far too determined to let that happen. Unfortunately, you do have to work through his challenges, which I understand is not fun, but I am sure that before long he will realize that you are not going to give up on him! Keep up the good work. Your dedication is commendable.
Karen
2/26/2012 01:55:00 am
Thank you so much, Val. Your comment almost made me cry.
Karen
2/27/2012 08:34:46 am
Thanks, Erica. I am feeling discouraged right now, but I am pretty sure we can work this out. I genuinely appreciate your atta girl. :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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