Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
While I enjoy reading about the non-horsey lives of my blogging friends, I tend to keep my own personal life fairly private. Writing about my husband and dog isn't really therapeutic. Writing about what I do with the horses is. Lately though, things with the horses have been stressful: Izzy's leg, Speedy's recent unsoundness issues (thankfully, resolved), and starting a green horse have all been hard on me. Writing about those things hasn't been fun. In fact, not much about being at the barn has been fun. I am not complaining; I am just recognizing when I need a break. I am pretty sure that's where my recent bout of bronchitis came from - too much stress and worry over things that are beyond my control. Hoping to help, my husband asked if I might like to head up through the Kern River Canyon for a hike and lunch. He assured me that the trail would be mostly level - not that I am out of shape, but I am still coughing. I thought a hike followed by lunch was just what I needed. So that's what we did. On Sunday morning, we drove up through the river canyon into the Southern Sierra Nevada for a hike followed by lunch at a brewery. It was a great way to let go of my recent worries while spending the morning doing something healthy and invigorating with my husband. I did make it out to the barn later that afternoon to ride Izzy, and I certainly felt better. I am pretty driven and focused which is great for accomplishing things, but it's also a double-edged sword. If I am not careful, my focus becomes too narrow, and I forget to enjoy all of the great things life has to offer. Sometimes, I need to hit the trail without a horse!
Dom
4/27/2015 01:05:35 pm
Thank you for sharing these, even if it's not your norm. Great shots and awesome-looking trail. Glad you were able to get away from all the horse stress for a bit.
Justine
4/27/2015 08:43:09 pm
Karen, I have a few horse blogs that I follow regularly but don't comment on. So today I just wanted to say thank you for writing about good and bad stuff; your consistent efforts and general horse knowledge are really inspiring! 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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