Blog Archives

Go Or Don't Go?

3/30/2018

I usually plan out my show schedule for the whole summer. I take into consideration our vacation plans, when the school year ends, and when it stars up again. I try to make all four of the shows that are in Tehachapi (an hour and a half away), RAAC, and one or two other USDF shows if the budget allows.

Last summer, I was broke, so the planning was made a lot easier. We had bought a new house in October so my show budget was pretty small. I am not as broke this year, but I am a lot more busy. Which brings me to the go or don't go: I have a show entry sitting in front of me that needs to be postmarked by tomorrow.

I got a raise this spring although I won't see it until probably June. On the other hand, I am taking two courses from the University of Phoenix which is costing $600 a class; ouch. The show entry is $500, and I'd have at least another $125 in gas and meals. I sleep in my living quarters so at least there's no hotel bill. I have it in my budget if I want to go, but it is a lot of money.

Oh, the places you'll go!

The real reason I am struggling with whether to go or not is time. I just don't seem to have enough of it lately. I am a little over halfway done with the first class, and it is taking me way, way more hours to complete the course work than was advertised. And I am "good" at school. It's what I do all day long.

The course ends on the Monday after the show. I have the final project completed already which means I'll be less busy the final week of the class. I just don't know for sure that I'll be finished with the rest of the work by the time I'd need to leave on Friday. On top of that, I am not sure how many afternoons I'll be able to commit to Speedy for schooling and show prep.

Ribbons are so nice!

There's one last thing to consider. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, is completely booked up for the month of April. If I go to the show, I can get a lesson and show coaching. If I don't go to the show, I won't see her until some time in May.

No lessons for a month?

My gut is telling me that it would be a lot healthier for me to not go to the show. I am still dealing with frequent migraines, and added stress is not really helping.

But still ... why do all this work if I don't get a chance to show it off?

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Counter Canter

3/29/2018

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I am adding to my let's work on this list. Number one on the list is the simple change. It is getting better, so I must be doing something right. In fact, when I rode Speedy on Tuesday, I did a line of pretty decent simple changes down centerline. We cantered three strides, walked several strides, and then picked up the new lead. Doing them out in the open seemed to help.

Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, has a good tip for picking up the counter canter. She suggests cantering out of the arena. In other words, if you're on the rail, position yourself so that you could actually canter out of the arena if there were room. It's a great visual to get your seat and aids in the correct position for a change of lead.

The next thing we need to tackle is more counter canter. Speedy can do the 20-meter half circle. In fact, he can hold it for the whole circle as long as I don't change direction. I am having trouble with the 3 loop serpentine from Second Level Test 3 because you have to change direction.

3 loop Serpentine without a change of lead.

When I asked for it on Tuesday, I couldn't get Speedy to change direction; he was committed to turning left. When I made the loop shallower, like in First Level Test 3, he started to figure out what I wanted. One problem I have is that my arena is short. That means my first and last loops have to be 15-meter circles so that my counter canter loop is 20-meters.

When we couldn't get it on Tuesday, I scrapped the serpentine and did lots of simple changes to work on his balance. When I ride today, I'll go back to the three loop serpentine, but I'll start them very shallow to see if that helps Speedy loosen up a bit.

Chemaine also gave me a couple of other tips: open my outside rein a bit to draw his shoulders around; bring the outside rein back a little to keep him sitting (like in a turn on the haunches; and finally, push his haunches around to sort of pivot his body in the direction I need him to go.

I'll keep you posted.

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TuffRider Baroque Dress Boots - Follow Up

3/28/2018

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Just over two years ago, I bought the TuffRider Baroque Dress Tall Boots. You can see my original review here. A few weeks ago, someone wondered how they were holding up and asked me to do a follow up review. I thought that was a great idea until I had a zipper blow out last week. Whomp whomp.

Zipper Blow Out

Even with the zipper failure, I would still buy these boots again. I ended up with the TuffRiders after my Ariat Volants fell apart. I paid nearly $500 for the Volants and got less than three years use out of them. You can see that post here. For $500, I expected more than two years and nine months of wear. The Volants literally fell apart.

On the other hand, the TuffRiders look good for a year and a half of wear. They're dirty in these photos, but they're completely undamaged with the exception of the zipper.

Would be show ready with a quick clean up.

Unlike the Volants, the sole has remained tightly attached, and there are no tears or splitting in the leather. They show plenty of wear of course, but I school in them nearly seven days a week. I don't put them on until I am ready to ride, but if I ride both horses on the same day, I don't take them off between rides.

The one area where I did notice some wear was in the color on the toes. Our summers are quite hot; last year we had nearly 70 days that were in the triple digits. Our winters are also quite mild with far more sunny days than rainy. My boots are in the sun far more often than not.

Slight fading

With all of that exposure to the sun, I wasn't that surprised to see the color fading slightly. And really, it's not terribly obvious. You have to look closely to see it.

I have enjoyed these boots, especially for $161.95. They were super comfy right out of the box, and they never gave me a single rub or blister. If you're looking for a budget friendly boot, I'd recommend the TuffRiders.

When I went back to the Riding Warehouse to buy them again, I saw that TuffRider still makes the Baroques, but they have since come out with a similar version that has a few more bells and whistles. That review coming soon!

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Now THAT was a Leg Yield

3/27/2018

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Facebook has been reminding me of what Izzy and I were doing last year at this time. We were still regular riders on the struggle bus, but the good moments were coming more frequently. We could pick up the canter going both directions and the shenanigans were happening less and less. We put in a lot of miles over the summer, and by fall, things were really starting to come together.

March 2017

I don't think I've had a bad ride on Izzy since before Christmas. The last real doozy of a ride that I can remember was the first time I got on him after being so sick last fall. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, rode him the next day, and they had a come to Jesus kind of ride. Since then though, our rides have all been really productive.

Completely relaxed.

When I rode on Sunday, he was so rideable that I was throwing in some of the elements from Second Level. We picked up the counter canter, did some canter to walk transitions - those are effortless for him, shoulder in, and the 10-meter half circles. I still can't get his stride to lengthen, but his back is definitely getter looser.

One thing that really helps his back to let go is the leg yield, especially when I insist on a BIG move over. We did a few of them in each direction. All of a sudden, he gave a leg yield that was huge, balanced, and absolutely effortless. There is no doubt in my mind that it would have scored a 10! I have never ridden a leg yield that felt like that.

This boy is so talented. If I keep working on him, I'm going to have a second star in my barn. Look out, Speedy G. Izzy's on his way!

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Joke's on Me!

3/25/2018

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This must be the season for baring it all. A few weeks ago, I shared that post about my fear of being a hack, this week, another let it all hang out.

I've been doing this dressage thing for quite a while now. I did my first show back in the summer of 2010. Holy Moly, has it been that long? Since I'd never shown before, and since Speedy had only ever done endurance, we started at the very first step - Introductory Level A.

Our very first show.

We had great fun, but I wanted to move up a level. You've heard this story a thousand times. Making it to Training Level was my all encompassing goal. Once we hit Training Level, I wanted to get to First Level. That's where I thought you became a legitimate Dressage Rider. Making it to Second Level wasn't even on my RADAR.

Our last First Level show.

From my lowly perspective, Second Level riders had to be amazing. You could only get there if you had a fantastic horse and you yourself had an amazing seat. HAHAHAHAHA. Boy, was I ever stupid!

Fantastic horse, not a fantastic rider, but it's Second Level!

I guess what I am trying to say is that if I can make it to Second Level, YOU can make it to Second Level. I am living proof that the riders at Second Level don't have to have an amazing seat, although I am sure it would help, and an average, plucky horse can get the job done. He doesn't have to be a fancy warmblood.

My plucky horse. Not for sale.

All of this occurred to me on Saturday while I was riding Speedy bareback with just a halter. We were hacking out around the neighborhood after a week off. It had rained nearly all week, and I thought some time off after our debut at Second was warranted. Since I can just hop on him bareback with a halter after a week off, that means that he is amazing. Just saying.

So there we were tootling around with the lead rope draped loosely when my plucky and amazing Second Level horse launched forward. I said he was amazing, not perfect. I grabbed wildly for my rope and managed to bring him back to a walk, but I was unbalanced and knew I was coming off. Cringing, because I knew it was going to hurt, I dug deep and tried to stay on anyway.

Instead of hitting the dirt, I landed on my feet with Speedy's lead rope in hand. I had to laugh. There I was, proof yet again that Second Level riders are no better than that endurance rider giving Intro Level A a try.

Oh, Third Level, where are yoooou!

6 Comments

Second Level Debut - Things I Learned

3/23/2018

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Moving up a level is always hard for me because of the new scores I'm likely to receive. It's not like I finish each level with amazing scores, but walking away with high 60s or low 70s makes you feel good. Knowing that the likelihood for a mid-50 score (at the new level) is pretty high can be a bit demoralizing. First thing learned.

I didn't get that mid-50 score at Second Level though, at least not yet. We're a little better than I give us credit for. Another thing learned.

PC David Perkins

You know that confessions post I wrote a while back, the one where I admitted that I was terrified to ride in front a home town crowd? When I halted and saluted at X at the end of test 1, I was shocked to hear a huge round of applause. I was stunned. It dawned on me that they don't see me as a hack (okay, maybe one or two do) but rather as one of the family. Knowing that so many people were truly rooting for my success gave me all kinds of warm fuzzies. Lesson learned.

Everyone but Izzy. PC David Perkins

The 20-meter half circle from S to R or V to P doesn't touch C or A. Just thought you'd like to know. Good thing Chemaine pointed that out before the test. A good thing to learn ...

PC Gordon Walter

Speaking of geometry, I also learned that when you make a 10-meter half circle at A and ride the counter canter back to E, you ride the shoulders toward E. That's another good thing I learned over the weekend.

PC Gordon Walter

Second Level is harder physically for Speedy than First Level was. He's going to need to do some canter sets to increase his fitness. I've already been hammering away at the treadmill, but I might need to do a few more sets myself. We showed on a cool spring day. What's going to happen when it's 90? Glad I learned that early in the season.

PC Edyta Grzybowska Grant

The biggest thing I learned is that I take this too seriously. I really need to lighten up a bit. I say that, but actually putting it into practice is hard to do. I'll work on it it though.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Second Level Debut - Test 2

3/22/2018

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When starting a new level, I don't generally hunt down my score from the first test before riding the second one. The score doesn't matter at that point because I am already riding to the best of my ability. Reading that I suck isn't going to help any, so I'd rather get all the news, good or bad, at once.

After finishing my first ride, I knew it was pretty well done. I didn't have much time between tests though, so I didn't bother to check the score. It was what it was. Never did I imagine that I had earned a full 5% higher than I was hoping for. I am serious. I was hoping to score as high as a 57%. Breaking 60% was my pie in the sky goal. We obliterated that goal with our 63%.

Still a work in progress. PC Edyta Grzybowska Grant

There were two rides between our two tests, so I didn't even bother going back to the warm up. There was nothing I needed to fix, and I was worried about wearing Speedy out.

As we trotted up center line for the second time, I knew we were in a bit of trouble. He was a lot less enthusiastic the second time around. By the time we got to the canter work, I was working really hard to keep him cantering. He was pretty sure he'd had enough. He's such a rock star though that as we turned down center line for the final time, I felt him push off and give me all he had. He went from a string of 6s at the end to a 6.5 for his last score.

I have to say, those half turns on the haunches were legit. I haven't see video of us doing those since last summer when we first learned how to ride them. I can see that movement being one of our strong suits, and since they have a double coefficient, all the better!

We definitely have a lot of room for improvement (ahem, simple change at B), but the test looked a lot better than I ever imagined it would. We earned a 61.282% for our effort. While not as high as the first test, the score still exceeded my expectations. We only had two 7s, but again, no 4s and only one 5. I'd say our Second Level debut was a success!

Speedy's Arabian Horse Association registered name is G Ima Starr FA. He has lived up to his name time after time. I really don't think there is anything this horse can't do. I love him to pieces!

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Second Level - Test 1

3/21/2018

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You read about our warm up yesterday. Here's what happened the next day.

With all of my eggs riding in Speedy G's basket, I gave him a modified bath (legs and belly only), braided (they looked AMAZING, but I forgot to take photos!), and headed over to the Gardiner Ranch.

Oh, but before that, while I was cleaning my everyday boots because my nicer boots are really hard to zip up, I had a zipper blow out. Crap. I threw them in the trailer anyway hoping they would make it through the day. They didn't. I zipped them up and down a couple of times to assess the damage, and they seemed okay until I walked a few steps in them. Fortunately, with the help of a friend (thank you, KM!), we were able to get the other pair zipped up.

Speedy hanging out, ready to go.

Even feeling super confident in my partner's ability to carry the day (I Got This!), I was still feeling anxious. I did my best to shrug it off though and made it a point to visit with friends and check out what the Golden Empire Arabian Horse Society (GEAHS) had put together for the day.

A few of the many spectators who showed up for the day.

Not only was there a free barbecue lunch, but the club had a silent auction and buckets filled with goodies for awards. At the lunch break, Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables rode a Freestyle to entertain the crowd. I didn't get to watch it as I was doing my warm up, but I heard the music and applause.

When she was finished, Chemaine zipped over to give me a few last tips before my test. She reminded me to get Speedy moving without throwing away the contact. Check and check.

Here's our Second Level Debut, Test 1.

We earned a 63.485%, good enough for first place. It was hard though. No big surprise, but my sitting trot definitely still needs work. Last May, when I rode with Hilda Gurney, I couldn't sit at all, so I am pretty happy that I was able to sit as much as I did.

When I watched the video on Monday morning, I was shocked at how easy Speedy made it look. He looks like he's been doing this his whole life. What the heck? He is an amazing partner.

I don't know how well these scores will hold up with the next judge, but there is no way I am going to complain about eight 7s my first time out the gate and no 4s. Was it just beginners luck?

We have a lot to improve on for sure, but I am so relieved to have that monkey off my back. Now that we've actually shown at Second Level, I don't care how long it takes us to get it right. Just knowing that we're in the right neighborhood takes a lot of pressure away.

And I wasn't the only rider in the class. There were two of us!

Test 2 up next ...

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Second Level Debut: Warm Up Ride

3/20/2018

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But first, a little bit of a backstory ...

I've had migraines since I was a little kid. As I got older, they got worse like they sometimes do. For the most part, they had been manageable with the right prescription ... until last summer. My insurance plan took my prescription off the "approved list" and substituted it for a less effective generic.

Me on the left, Grandma, little sister to the right.

Over the summer, the headaches got worse, so I did some investigating. I got my eyes checked - new glasses were ordered, and I tried a bunch of different migraine medications. None of them worked. About 2 weeks ago, I got a migraine that lasted for 10 days. I missed a number of riding days and lived in excruciating pain. On Wednesday, I saw a neurologist, and on Thursday I had an MRI.

Even in pain that was so severe that I contemplated a lobotomy, all I could wonder was if I'd feel well enough for Sunday's show. The whole yeah my arm is broken, what does that have to with riding? thing. No, I can't see past the ring of fire that is searing my eyeballs, but my horse knows where C is. You get the idea. Once an entry is paid for, I am showing.

Fortunately for me, the neurologist got the pain under control, and by Friday I was feeling closer to normal. On Saturday, a group of us met at the show venue for a Ride-A-Test type clinic with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables.

Preparing the ring for the dressage court. PC Gordon Walter

If you'll remember, I shared this post about being the local hack. It was written tongue in cheek, of course, but there was definitely an element of truth to it as well. So there I was already feeling way out of my depth, and then on top of that, my brain was so fuzzy that I could barely tell you my name.

Chemaine finished up with her first student and called me in. It had been more than six months since I'd schooled in an actual dressage court, so I really wanted to work on some of the trickier movements from Second Level: the three loop serpentine with simple changes at the center line and the 20-meter counter canter half circles.

I am not going to lie. I cried. I was just so overwhelmed by all that I needed to fix that I felt defeated before I had even heard the judge's bell. My brain just couldn't get the whole left lead, track right thing. I don't know how Chemaine keeps so positive when she's faced with such a pathetic mess.

Who wouldn't want to show here? PC Gordon Walter

But. I am not a quitter. I learned that while riding hundred mile endurance rides. You suck it up, you grit your teeth, you get it done. Chemaine finally got me to use my outside rein to balance Speedy, and suddenly, our counter canter was balanced, and our canter to walk to canter transitions were a bit clearer.

The next morning, as I was driving to the show venue, a song by Jarrod Niemann came on the radio. I have an awesome horse in Speedy G, so when I heard the chorus, I knew it was going to be okay.

Girl I got this
Don't got to think too hard
It's a can't miss
I know right where to start
Yeah the only thing I'm needin' is a girl to play the lead
In this cool movie that I'm dreaming up right now
And if you're down with that
I got this
Yeah, I got this

And Speedy? He's definitely got it!

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De-Winterizing My Pony

3/19/2018

4 Comments

I don't clip my horses over the winter. Nor do I blanket them. That means they get pretty wooly over the winter. There are many great things about living in California, but the one thing I really like is that winter in the Central Valley is quite mild. We have so many warm and sunny days that I can hose my horses off at least once a month without worrying about hypothermia. That keeps the funk from getting really gross. But still ... they get gross.

Speedy pre-clean up.

Over the past few weeks, I've been helping Speedy shed his polar bear coat. Every day I scraped off piles of hair, determined to get him at least somewhat slicked out for Sunday's show. About ten days ago, I decided to tackle his feathers. Those things were longer and thicker than most girls' pony tails.

They almost touch the ground.

For a horse that's not draft at all, I have no idea why he grows so much foot hair. I had to use scissors to cut away the first layer. It took an hour to slowly clip away the rest. They're not beautifully smooth, but no one will see the clipper lines. Last weekend, I tackled his tail and head. I don't mind a bushy tail through the winter; it actually serves to keep their butts warmer. For show season though, I like it trimmed up.

Super bushy!

Some time ago, I bought one of those mane thinning combs - mine came from Germany. I love that thing. It makes thinning manes and tails so easy. I did his tail in less than five minutes.

So much better.

After a quick shampoo of Speedy's belly and legs in the morning morning, he looked pretty smart for Sunday's show. I haven't had time to sort through all the media, but a friend shared a couple of photos.

Photo by David Perkins

More to come!

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About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse and occasional trail horse. He is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

July 2017 - Photo by Sue Dockweiler

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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand Zweibrücker gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Stuff I'm Working On ...

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3:

CDS Championship Qualifying
Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%
Score 3:
Score 4:
Score 5:

CDS Ruby Rider Award
Training Level Scores:
Score 1: 70.179%
Score 2: 72.600%

First Level Scores:
Score 1: 66.093%
Score 2: 68.750%

Second Level Scores:
Score 1: 63.485%
Score 2: 61.282%

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award
Score 1 -
Score 2 -
Score 3 -
Score 4 -

2018 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USE
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2018 Pending …
4/14-15/18 El Sueno (***)
5/12-13/18 El Sueno (***)
5/27/18 Tehachapi (*)
6/24/18 Tehachapi (*)
7/22/18 Tehachapi (*)
8/11-12/18 RAAC (Q ***)
8/26/18 Tehachapi (*)

2018 Completed …
1/14/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/10/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
2/24/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)
3/17/18 Hurtado Clinic (t)
3/18/18 GEAHS (*)
3/31/18 Hurtado Clinic (c)

Go Or Don't Go?

Counter Canter

TuffRider Baroque Dress Boots - Follow Up

Now THAT was a Leg Yield

Joke's on Me!

Second Level Debut - Things I Learned

Second Level Debut - Test 2

Second Level - Test 1

Second Level Debut: Warm Up Ride

De-Winterizing My Pony

About the
Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

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About the Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

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About the
Writer & Rider