Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
We had a great time at the beach over the weekend, but only because we're just easy going travelers. We had all kinds of snafus, but we stuck it out and enjoyed ourselves in spite of the wackiness! So what went wrong? First of all, out hotel was in complete remodel mode. The place was a total construction site complete with boarded up areas, sawing, hammering, dirt, etc. I wish I had taken pictures, but we were so stunned by the condition of the place that it completely slipped my mind! The front desk was located in a portable trailer out in the parking lot! Given that it was the 4th of July at the beach, we knew there wouldn't be any available rooms elsewhere, so we stayed, but not without demanding (and receiving) a serious discount on the room! We tried heading to the beach on Friday as soon as we had checked in, the room was that unappealing, but we couldn't find a single place to park. And we looked. For a long while. Since the beach was a no-go, we drove inland a bit to one of Santa Barbara's many parks. We had the dog with us and knew that a hike would be good for him. Once we finally found the park's entrance, we were shocked to see the entrance closed and locked. Fortunately, just down the road, there was a small turnout that we used to park the truck. We did get to hike, but it was frustrating to be turned away yet again! After a third turn-away, a deli that we really wanted to try was closed for the holiday weekend, things started to improve. We ultimately made it to the beach, and we enjoyed a number of delicious meals. Santa Barbara is a gorgeous city, but it's better enjoyed on a quieter weekend! And to keep this equine related … we got home in time for me to spend the afternoon out at the barn turning my boys out and giving them a refreshing bath. We've had at least 7 days straight of over a 100 degrees, and we have a week more predicted. Welcome to summer in California!
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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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