Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Very big sigh. If your arena doesn't have lights, you know what I am talking about. JL has lights so lessons will continue, but my after work rides at my barn are going to be really short for the next couple of months. After last night's lesson, I walked home and untacked in the dark
In anticipation of the end of daylight savings time, I have been practicing streamlining my afternoon barn visit. It looks something like this:
I never go anywhere in the barn now without carrying something, rinsing something, grooming something, or leading something. I've also cut back on some of the barn chores in an effort to save time. I sweep and rake and groom a whole lot less. Right now, I simply sweep the brush over tack areas and knock loose anything that appears stuck on. Who cares about being shiny when there's no sun to reflect? Here's to efficiency in the dark!
Heather
11/6/2012 04:14:49 am
Me again --
Karen
11/7/2012 09:24:50 pm
Heather - thanks for sharing! My barn is super well organized and efficient which really helps shorten chore time, but your basket idea sounds really functional! I wouldn't mind trying a bitless bridle, but I have two concerns: brakes and the cost for just a demo. :0)
Val
11/6/2012 04:27:22 am
I hear you. We have arena lights, but my barn feeds much earlier when the days are short. So I might be able to ride, but the rest of the barn is getting fed, which means that I will most likely ride lightly and for a much shorter time than I would like. I also have to stay later, because I will have to feed my horse and wait to for him to finish his dinner before turning him out. There is also the issue of his buddy eating all the hay if my guy takes too long to get to the paddock. Not cool. I do not like daylight savings. What are we saving exactly?
Karen
11/7/2012 09:26:46 pm
That's a tough one, Val. Can you hang a feeder in his stall for the hay he doesn't eat? Are they allowed to eat their hay in the stall? I know you really like Harley's turn out buddy, but it's too bad you can't find a slower eating partner. :0) Hate when daylight savings time ends! I have quite the OC personality and it is so hard for me to change up my routine...but my desire to ride outside before the sun sets trumps it. I hurry like crazy to get Riva tacked up and outside to get in even a half hour ride - then I spend lots of time grooming afterwards.
Karen
11/7/2012 09:28:00 pm
I hear that, Kelly. I hate changing my routine. I had fun riding really early on Wednesday. I, too, do whatever it takes to find riding time even if it means before dawn! Your list is the story of my life. Only in addition to hay falling down my shirt, I somehow always get a schlop of beet pulp on myself somewhere, and some water over-spray when filling buckets. My solution lately has been to wear high-collar or turtleneck shirts. And waterproof jackets.
Karen
11/10/2012 11:06:34 am
The splash hasn't been a big deal until lately, but with the temperature dropping, I've decided to be more careful with the hose and sprinklers! 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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