Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I didn't really say a whole lot about it, but Speedy and I were supposed to go to a two-day USDF show this past weekend. We didn't go. The trailer was loaded. The truck was loaded. As I was pulling out of the driveway heading to the ranch to hook up, I saw a missed call from the ranch owner. Speedy was lame. I am very much a glass half full, find the silver lining, make lemonade sort of girl. After hearing that Speedy was lame, I shrieked. I cursed. I cursed at God. I tried to cry, but the tears wouldn't fall. I thought I might vomit. I wanted to. Instead, the anger just burned and seethed in the very pit of my gut. There was no silver lining. The disappointment turned to a deep bitterness that enveloped me, squeezing me until I thought I would suffocate. I tried to find a rational explanation for my anger. It was just a show. There will be others. There will always be others...
But what if there aren't'? And that's when I understood my anger. Speedy isn't a machine. He won't be my partner forever. And in all likelihood, he won't be my partner for much longer. His Cushing's Disease, despite my best efforts, will progress. I will be faced with painful decisions. Decisions that I am already making in my head. I can't let my heart make them. I can't even open my heart because the second I try to, the tears fill my eyes, threatening to fall and fall and fall. Speedy and I aren't done. There is so much more that I need from him. For him. This Bronze Medal that is so close, it's for him, not me. Speedy doesn't owe me a single thing; it's I who owe him. Just one more show. Please.
jenj
2/17/2020 06:52:29 am
Cushings is truly a beotch - I was angry too, but mostly just sad because it just wasn't fair for Taran. Feel free to PM me if you need to commiserate. 2/17/2020 07:10:10 am
Thank you, jenj. You know exactly how I feel. And you're right, it's not fair to our horses. :0(
Cheryl
2/17/2020 02:03:22 pm
Oh no. You have both been working so hard! Best wishes for this lameness to resolve quickly. 2/17/2020 02:15:38 pm
Thank you, Cheryl, I truly appreciate the hug. We have the same feelings towards our own dogs. I think people who care for their animals as family members all feel that way. In some ways, it's worse with dogs because they never live as long as horses. I am sitting here looking at my black lab's gray whiskers. At 8 years old, he's definitely middle aged. If only they all lived as long as elephants. 2/24/2020 05:29:48 am
Thank you, AarenaX. I know you know the struggle. :0) 2/24/2020 05:30:39 am
Thank you, Laura. He'll get through this one, and hopefully the next although let's hope there isn't a "next." :0) 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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