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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Whip It

4/10/2017

 
To say I am hard on whips is an understatement. And to be more accurate, it should be said that I am careless with whips, a much truer characterization of my whip handling behavior. 
Picture
This is what they look like after getting trod upon.
As I get more adept at carrying and using a whip, I find that I am finally keeping it out from under my boys' feet. When I first started carrying a whip, I found it quite awkward and would simply chuck it when I got too frustrated with wielding it. "Chucking it" simply meant dropping it in the middle of the arena where it got cantered upon or at the very least, pelted with dirt.
Picture
This is my favorite one.
My whip wielding skills have advanced over the past year or so, and I now find that I don't even realize it's in my hand. When I decide that it is no longer needed, I have begun dropping it alongside the mounting block so that a) it ceases getting trampled upon (although at this point, who cares) and b) I know where it is when I am done riding. Honestly, the search for my abandoned whip has used up more time than I can tell you.
Picture
I now have to watch him very carefully because he is quickly losing his hesitation about entering.
I have been using my downtrodden whips without complaint for some time now. And really, as their condition is completely of my own doing, complaining about their state of being seems a bit whiney. I even use them (without embarrassment, I might add) in lessons with my trainer.

I could probably go on for quite some time using them ripped and torn and flopping on the end except that I am scheduled to ride in the California Dressage Society's Adult Amateur Clinic in a few weeks. I've participated in the clinic before. Each CDS chapter is allowed to choose one member to participate in its region's AA Clinic. CDS has three regions: North, Central, and South. My chapter participates in the south.

So what does the clinic have to do with my crappy whip? Well, the truth is that Hilda Gurney is this year's clinician. Hilda's barn is located in the Ventura area which is where I do most of my showing, so she has judged me more than once. I've also seen her show her horses many, many times and am always impressed with her rides. So, my whip ... no way I am taking one of them to ride under Hilda's watchful eye.
Picture
The new whip!
Over the weekend, I finally caved and perused our always friendly Riding Warehouse's whip selection. I landed on this gel handled version and thought it was worth a try. I am not sure the gel will hold up to repeated visits to the dirt, but at $12.95, it won't be the end of the world if it joins my family of misfit whips.

So, lessons with Hilda Gurney. Let's hope Speedy stays sound, Blue Truck keeps running, and I don't break any appendages in the next few weeks.
Exploringdressagebiomechanics link
4/10/2017 06:31:55 am

I have that gel handled whip and I really liked it until the gel handle got a small puncture and oozed gel anytime I squeezed my hand. You might want to be extra careful with it until your clinic is done!

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/10/2017 07:11:38 am

Good to know! I have a gel handled scraper that I love and that thing takes a beating. I didn't know the gel could leak. Thanks for the heads up! :0)

Olivia link
4/10/2017 10:52:41 am

I also really like these whips but had one break and ooze goo all over my gloves so definitely be more careful with it.

lytha
4/10/2017 12:01:24 pm

On my last week at the big barn I observed a friend doing liberty work with her Warmblood with nothing on him, only a little riding whip (Gerte) in her hand.

I had to laugh cuz it was one of the many, many pathetic, broken tipped things, but this one was also lacking its nylon in the middle, so she was holding a white spaghetti stick partly.

I said, "Nice whip!" as she passed me.

She laughed. As I said to her, 50 % of the good whips departed this barn when I left. Cuz I took mine with me. Good that I'd duct-taped them at the handles so no one could dispute it. Good tools are sometimes a priority, but often not!

In my past, I just wanted a little rubber wrist loop so I could not accidentally lose it, or I could attach it to the breastcollar.

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/11/2017 05:53:40 am

Pretty funny, Lytha! I've even lost my crops with the wrist loop. I've been much more careful with my whips lately, so maybe I won't completely ruin this one!


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.
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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