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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Tomorrow - New address

2/28/2011

 
I want to thank everyone for visiting this site and reading my blog.  I hope you've been finding the stuff I write to be half-way interesting.  Even if no one is reading, I am enjoying the writing.  Yesterday was such a great day; I wrote blog posts all morning and then rode in the afternoon.  Again, two of my favorite things, riding and writing.

So ... I hope you'll come back tomorrow and visit again, but you'll need to go to www.bakersfielddressage.com.

I hope to hear from you!

Blog Topics

2/27/2011

 
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Baskin and his mom
Baskin's mom has given me quite a few blogging suggestions.  She pointed out that there are probably far more dressage beginners in our area than there are "advanced" riders.  And without a strong dressage presence in our community, these interested riders realIy have no one to go to for answers.  I have to agree with her.  Not that I have any answers, but maybe together we can pool our resources and figure it out!

When I first started thinking about showing dressage, I seriously couldn't find anyone who could/would help me figure out  EXACTLY what clothes and tack I would need for a schooling or rated show.  I rode in tights.  Giraffe print tights.  I wasn't even sure what the difference was between tights and breeches.  And to be COMPLETELY honest, I had to learn about English tack in general.  I didn't know what was meant by a snaffle bridle, caveson, flash, pelham bit, double bridle, all purpose pad, half pad, and a bunch of other words that sounded like they were in English, but I certainly didn't know what they meant!  THANK YOU Wikipedia!  Ask me sometime about Hi-ties, cruppers, scoops and sponges.  Those are words I get!

I was also completely baffled by show premiums and actually had to ask a show secretary how to fill one out!  I have filled out more than seventy-five endurance race entries so I know I am not a complete idiot ...  But show premiums?  A whole new game.

So back to Baskin's mom and her suggested blog topics:
  1. Where to find reasonably priced dressage clothes
  2. Detailed descriptions of the clothes that are permitted for schooling shows and what exactly is required for rated shows 
  3. How to fill out a show premium (I have since learned that is a fancy way of saying show ENTRY!)
  4. Which memberships are needed to show (see here for a brief overview)
  5. What tack is "legal" for rated and schooling shows

And now a few of my own topics:
  1. How much I actually spent last year on putting together my show wardrobe 
  2. An honest accounting of how much I spend in 2011 to attend shows (not counting the cost of lessons, or regular horse care expenditures).  I have up to 13 shows on my calendar; seven are schooling shows, four are 1-star shows (CDS rated only), and two are 3-star shows (CDS, USDF, USEF rated).
  3. A look at some of my favorite "gadgets" (NOT training gear, just cool things to use around the barn)

If you have a topic you'd like me to dig into, please comment!  I probably won't know the answer, but I love to research stuff.

More Changes ...

2/26/2011

 
The site's web address will still be: www.bakersfielddressage.com, as of March 1, 2011, but I've made some cosmetic changes!  Under the Equine Community tab you'll find Kern River CDS, as well as links to some of our local favorites.  Most everything else is still the same, for now!
Today's 20 Mule Team 35/65/100 Mile Endurance Ride ...

Several friends are in Ridgecrest right now riding 35, 65, or 100 miles at the 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride.  Brrrr!  
 
Good luck to them! 

I first did this ride in 1997.  I rode, what was back then, the 60 miler on a mare I had named Sassy.  I later did the 100 miler on Montoya DSA in 2000, 2001, and 2002.  I did the 65 miler on her in 2003, and then went back in 2004 and did the 65 miler again, this time on Mickey Dee.  I didn't go back to that ride until last year when I rode the 35 miler on Speedy G.

Here are some photos of my ride at 20 Mule Team last year.  If you're really interested in reading about last year's ride, scroll down below the slide show and click the read more link.

20 Mule Team 35/65/100 Miler


Read More

New Web Address - New Name! (March 1, 2011)

2/25/2011

 
The website is undergoing a wee bit of a change.  The new web address will be www.bakersfielddressage.com.  I wanted to host a site that includes ALL of Bakersfield's "dressage-type" riders.  That means those who are thinking of dabbling, those who just school, those who show lower levels (that's me), and those who show more advanced levels!  I'll have the new address up and working March 1, 2011.  By the way, Kern River stuff can be found under the Equine Community link above.

Bookmark the address - www.bakersfielddressage.com

Welcome, and let me know what you think! 

Bad News ...

2/25/2011

 
Picture
I hate to break it to you, but I have the world's best farrier.  I know, I know.  You no doubt feel that you have the best farrier.  We may just have to agree to disagree!

Thursday was shoeing day.  
My farrier always calls or texts to remind me and to check to see if our appointment time still works for me (seriously!).  He comes on time (no, I am not exaggerating).  He treats my horse sweetly (He's been known to share his granola bar with Speedy!).  He always sends a text, or a leaves a voicemail, telling me how great my horse was for his "pedicure" (love technology).  Today the farrier even sent a picture of Speedy's new feet with his text!

The photo above is the day before shoes.  Speedy is at just under six weeks.  These are his hind feet.  Look how thin the shoe is!

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This is his left hind hoof.  Notice how worn the nail heads are and how smooth the rim of the shoe is!   We ride a fair amount (about 15 days out of the month) and our ground is pretty hard.

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Here's what they looked like when my farrier was finished.  This is the right hind hoof.  The shoe is nearly double the thickness of the one from the day before!













Are you convinced?  No?  I didn't think so!  Farrier's are worth their weight in gold and if you've found a good one, you're probably willing to do anything to keep him!  I know that I adore mine!

<<Previous

    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.
    ​Welcome to my dressage journey.
    Picture
    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy 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.
    Picture
    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    About Izzy

    Izzy 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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    My favorite breeches!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    I love her stuff!
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    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
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    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
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    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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:

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

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
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    • 2021
    • 2020
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    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
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    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
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