The Gifted Fund

Beverly Zimmer

USDF Region 3

Suddenly Submission: Surviving Second Level Hell

My mare, "Eurythmic" (a.k.a. "Carly) came to me as a barely broken freight train with lots of bumps and jiggles. Simply getting on the horse was a feat in itself. Getting run away with was a daily occurrence. There were days when I'd go to the barn to ride, and then leave after taking one look at her, and deciding that I wasn't in the mood for her abuse. Still, this was the lovely being I was blessed with and I stuck it out for years.

I am a professional artist and my business often fails to supply me with enough money for training, or at times, simple survival. With what knowledge I had, I mimicked what I saw and managed to muster up a lower level dressage horse. With our rough beginnings beginning to fade, I was having a great time with my somewhat obedient horse. So I decided to show. With year-end Championships in her level, I realized that I had an awful nice mare that deserved to be given a chance. Still, there was the money issue. Prior to receiving the Dressage Foundation grant, I had four lessons with various trainers in two years. Carly's tests were high scores, but always reflected on the lack of submission. Basically, we got from "X" to "X" only because Carly allowed it to happen. I never felt like I was truly the pilot. Add a seasonal change and I had a "hell hath no fury like a mare in season". Talk about lack of submission. I knew it was just going to take time and determination. Even with all the chaos in my riding, Carly earned the A'Dashi Adult Amateur Championship in Training Level, the High Score Award, and a third place in First Level. Not bad for a locomotive with an attitude!

My venture into Second Level was lonely. I still had no training. I was using my tests as "tips" on what to work on, etc. Our tests were unpredictable. Who invented the haunches-out, anyway? I was doing my half-turns at the walk like a western horse. At this time, my business and personal life were falling apart at blinding speed. I was on the verge of losing my home, but still I showed. I had to; it was the only thing keeping me sane. Even the great news of the Dressage Foundation Gifted Fund Grant seemed to pale in the stress I was enduring. So, the house went. I because very attached to my gooseneck and decorated it like a bedroom. I showered where I could, peed in the stalls, and did my sculpture in a friend's garage. I know this is sounding so romantic, but the beauty of it is that I never lost my focus, no matter how bad things got. By the time I received the grant money, it was the height of season in South Fl., and no trainers had time for me. Luckily, John Zopatti fit me in his busy schedule. Even after one lesson, I had words to describe what I was trying to achieve, and a road map to get me there. During my trying times, I had begun to ride very rudely. I lost my temper with Carly during every ride, and that would set her off and we'd be in a fight. During my early training with John, I was aware that the session was going great, with no blow-ups. Of course, this is because I was on my best behavior as well. I was periodically badgered about curling my shoulders. I had cemented my shoulders in this protective position, armed for the worst when that horse blew! I'm working on it.

Time changes everything. During one of the final shows, Barbara Marks told me to "SLOW DOWN! That mare is too big and powerful to do these movements at your frantic pace". It's so strange how you can work and work and work on things, not feeling like you're getting anywhere and then BAM! There's this epiphany! Somewhere along the line, Carly decided that "auto-pilot" didn't have to be full force ahead. She became stronger, and more willing to collect. Great, of course she responds after the show season!

Now that I felt I had something to work with, I was very eager to resume my training with John. Each time I have a lesson, things are ten times better than before. I have a true communication with Carly and she's allowed me to introduce half-passes at the trot and canter. Oh yes, and we fixed those walk pirouettes. Re-training them was easy. When I had introduced the half-pass, Carly took a liking to this movement and has proven to be quite an over-achiever in the crossover action. By doing a tiny half-pass in a circle, I was able to keep her bent correctly and keep her hind legs active. John prefers me to keep the circle big in schooling as Carly gets a little stuck behind.

A lot of the trouble I had with Carly was, of course, her not being through. Her trouble begins with the huge amount of tension in her neck. She an extremely sensitive mare, and somewhat of a worrier. It has taken a lot of finesse to work her out of the tension. Sometimes it's a matter of stretching, and sometimes, I honestly believe it's emotional. Recently, I was warming up and she was tense. Then, the neighbor's stupid dog ran into the ring and chased us in a playful way. Carly shook her head and jumped around a little. I gave her the reins and she went for the dog. The dumb thing just kept jumping up, trying to play with us. Carly half-heartedly struck and lunged at the dog, then backed off for a response. She quickly became bored with the mutt and snorted, shook off, and went back to work in a totally different way. I continued to warm her up in a long frame and she was stretching, reaching, and bouncing her back more than ever. Where did my stiff, cranky mare go?

When silliness isn't part of our routine, sometimes the stiffness can be worked through by leg yielding and then counter-bending and circling in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, once I work through the tension, Carly is round and through and a dream to ride. I always keep her mind active. The better the warm-up, the more collection I can ask of her. Dressage is getting really fun right about now.

Our recent training sessions include exercises to introduce Carly to flying changes. Instead of half-passes, we are going from counter canter, to leg yielding, with a simple change at the rail. I'm excited to show third level next season, so we've got to get these figured out. OK, OK, I cheated. Simple changes are getting too easy. During my lesson with John, he told me to tap her at the rail and then ask for a change. So I snuck in the big FC, instead of the simple change during practice. The tally over one week of practice is: about 20 buck and bolts, around 10 changes in front ( but not in back), and alas, three beautiful, controlled flying changes.

Although Carly is super sensitive to the whip, brushing the top of her croup with it to bring her more underneath herself is proving to be very effective. Normally, her reaction is correct in that she tucks her butt in and really activates the hind legs.(picture) Of course, we have the other reaction as well; straight up in the air with the hind end! Taking these exercises home and working on them like crazy has changed her frame at warp speed. With her understanding the differences better, my half-halts are softer, and I can use them to engage her, slow her down, and energize her with ease. Ahhhhh, suddenly submission!

Still, with all of this dressage education and meaningful riding, here are days when I have no idea how to reach this mare. Some say that's the drawback of showing mares. During the Heidelberg Cup last April, people, who knew Carly's ability, approached me. "What's going on? That mare is on her own agenda!" My only reply was that it "wasn't her weekend". Part of accepting this quirky mare is accepting that there will be these moments. There will be days when I'm just not connecting with the horse. My perfectionist attitude never used to let me say, "it's okay", but it really is. I won't be arrested for a bad ride. This is a farm animal that I'm riding in a dirt pen and anything can happen. It's okay! This acceptance does not stop me from being a fierce competitor; it helps me to appreciate every performance.

The past year was one of the most trying ones of my life. I was re-introduced to severe loss and feelings of personal failure. Continuing to show and train through all the turmoil has been my guiding light and sole source of self-esteem. If I wasn't sure before, I am absolutely certain now that my passion for dressage is the core of my progress and my passion for my art is the vehicle. I am so thankful for the "Gifted Fund" grant, and equally thankful that I have a good report with John Zopatti.

After all was said and done for the 2004 Florida show season, "Eurythmic" and I were awarded First Level Champion and third place in Second Level for the Markel Adult Amateur Championships. In the Gold Coast Dressage Association, we received Open Warmblood Champion, First Level Champion, and Reserve Second Level Champion. I also received a huge sculpture commission. Things are pretty good right now and I've moved out of the horse trailer.

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