Aaargh! I’ve had it! I can’t do this. Maybe I’m just not ready to work on this. Didn’t Tracie say it’s a Second Level movement? Second [gulp]? When did I graduate? And why is dressage so hard?
Turn on the haunches? Ha. More like haunches turn around.
I can’t DO this!
I hate my body.
Hate it.
Hate it.
Hate it.
OK, let’s try again.
Walk, walk, walk…
Half-halt, rock her back, stop [good so far]
Look to the right…
Keep that outside rein and turn…
Aaargh! I lost her haunches again.
I hate my left leg.
Why won’t you stay put?
Why, why, why is riding sooo hard? Oh wait. Dressage. Why is dressage so hard? I think I’d much rather be playing in the sandbox. Oh, wait [dope slap] I am. A big sandbox.
I need a new strategy. I know! I’ll call upon my Spirit Guide, the T-Rex.
Inhale, exhale…
I feel powerful and determined.
I am woman hear me roar!
[Gales of laughter fill the air.]
13 comments
Comments feed for this article
October 2, 2011 at 1:13 am
Welcome to the October Blog Carnival of Horses | EQUINE Ink
[...] Cullen presents I’d Rather Play in a Sandbox at Confessions of a Struggling Dressage [...]
October 2, 2011 at 6:01 am
Jane
Love. This. You had me at “Wait, I AM playing in the sand box!”
It’s very confusing. When Hudson did the Futurity spin and bolt, I was on the buckle (reins in one hand), in a dressage saddle, never had a second of not being right with him. We were molded together. (Had a lot of seconds trying to find the reins though!)
So WHY, when I’m working on something easy, say oh, *trotting in collection*, I’m suddenly Barbie-armed, unsure if I’m deep and sticking, if my leg is right, my upper body stacked enough, etc.
Funny, Lee!
October 2, 2011 at 11:31 pm
dressage rider
Thanks.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten frustrated with DRESSAGE. Give me a spook and I stick like a burr. A simple turn on the haunches? Nope. Not happening. Personal and work stress doesn’t help.
October 3, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Shannon
Sometimes I hate playing in the sand box. It’s always full of cat turds. You have to fling all the cat turds out, which is time consuming and difficult. But then I remember how much I love building sand castles, and the turds don’t seem so bad anymore.
Just keep building your castles and fling the cat turds out as you go.
October 4, 2011 at 12:22 am
dressage rider
I like that! Uh, speaking of cat turds…I think my cat’s trying to tell me something. Excuse me.
October 4, 2011 at 9:47 am
Anonymous
Cat turds not withstanding, the sand box is easy, but the rewards are few. Dressage is hard because it challenges you. Nothing is more rewarding than facing and overcoming a challenge. And that’s why you choose it over the sandbox. And indeed, that’s why I can hear your inner T-Rex roar.
October 4, 2011 at 1:01 pm
dressage rider
[chuckle] Oh, how well you know me.
October 9, 2011 at 2:12 am
Erin
I think you were right when you said riding was hard. Not having a horse (or money for lessons) is the hardest thing for a wannabe rider. I can afford random lessons now and then, each time having to relearn the same things as last time. After about 4 years of sporadic riding opportunities, I think I can finally keep my stirrups! My silly heels have a mind of their own during transitions.
For now, I’ll be in my 3×3 sandbox playing with my plastic barbie horses.
October 10, 2011 at 2:16 pm
dressage rider
Hi Erin, Thanks for the smile. I agree that it’s hard to be a good rider when you don’t own a horse or have access to lessons. I don’t own a horse and my funds aren’t unlimited. Sigh. Regarding your stirrups in transitions (up or down?) first make sure they aren’t too long. Then make sure that you’re not pulling your leg upward or gripping. I lost my outside stirrup yesterday while cantering because I started to grip. I was able to fish it right back on though.
November 2, 2011 at 1:08 am
Erin
Sorry, I only just found this reply. Thanks for the insights.The stirrup issue is during upwards transitions and I know I pull my heel up – it’s something I’ve been trying to correct. I’ll put footage up of me riding the transition. I was having a lot of trouble the other day, so found it easier to just do it stirrup-less, but I know that isn’t really a solution. I’ve tried shortening their length, but my friend thought the issue was perhaps that they were too short. I have a lesson in about an hour… so I’ll have a fiddle and see what my instructor says.
I think a lot of it is mental as well. Because I’ve been trying for so long, I get nervous/come to expect it.
November 2, 2011 at 1:03 pm
dressage rider
Working without stirrups is a good thing. You’ll create a longer, stronger leg, deeper seat and better balance. I sometimes feel as though stirrups just get in my way. Have someone on the ground spot check the length. They should hit around you’re ankle bone.
November 2, 2011 at 4:04 am
Erin
I only lost my stirrup once in the lesson and it wasn’t even during the transition! She said they were all fine, but that I over think it too much. Now I have a week to practice at my friends place.
November 2, 2011 at 1:07 pm
dressage rider
Yippeee! The last time I lost mine was while cantering. Interestingly enough it was the outside leg and I was able to fish it back on. Usually, it’s my inside leg because the horse is glued to it. In response I cling back and my leg goes fetal pulling up my heel. Sigh. It never ends.