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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Clinic Preparations

1/23/2013

 
The Christian Schacht Clinic is this weekend. I am riding at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. I am both nervous and excited. I am excited for the obvious reasons: it's a clinic with a well-known trainer whom I have seen before and admire. I am nervous though because Speedy and I are pretty low level riders, and I really don't want to be embarrassed. We work very hard here at home, but no one else is going to know that. They're simply going to see an aging adult amateur on an average horse struggling with the basics.

It's too late to back out, and I wouldn't anyway. No matter how inexperienced we are, I am going down there as prepared as I can be: my farrier gave Speedy some sparkly new shoes yesterday, we have good fitting tack, and my pony is pretty darn likable. Our performance may not wow anybody, but I am hoping Speedy's charismatic personality will win them over!

On to the real point of this post. I haven't gone anywhere with the horses since October. Remember the dead battery from the other weekend? I decided that maybe I better give my trailer a once-over to be sure that it had weathered this cold snap without any surprises.
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The first thing I did was fill the water tank and check for leaks. When it all seemed dry, I plugged the trailer in and checked the lights and plugs.
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Next up was to make sure that the recently replaced water pump was still working well. The water in the kitchen sink, toilet, and shower all functioned correctly.
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The storage area under the kitchen sink was leak free, and the usual supplies were well stocked.
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The propane seemed full enough, but if this were a two-night outing I would probably have replaced it. For this quick overnighter, I should be good.
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Once all of the "systems" checked out, I started cleaning. First up was the bedroom. I had washed the bedding a few months ago, but before putting it back on, I wanted to give the bed and floor a thorough vacuum.
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Bed made, windows opened for some fresh air, and all dead flies and bugs removed!
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The bathroom towels were recently laundered, but I gave them a good fluffing and checked for any bad odors. I also wiped down the toilet and shower pan. It gets pretty dusty in there.
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Nothing seems to be missing ...
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Everything well stocked here.
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I actually tossed some items from the junk drawer and then reorganized it a bit. I need to add a new tablet for writing.
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This little caddy holds my plastic silverware and napkins.
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Pots and pans are in good shape, and I've since added some new paper plates.
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I no longer use the refrigerator as the ice chest is much easier and holds more, but I do like to keep fresh water stored here; check! I've also added some Gatorade.
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Pass through door and screen were functioning correctly. If I have a horse in that stall, I like to make sure the door's deadbolt is activated so that it doesn't swing open while traveling.
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The bench's storage area also got a quick vacuuming and the supplies there also got checked: fire extinguisher, spare boots/chaps, blanket, tool kit, and the trailer's kitchen table (underneath). You can see the tables "leg" in the front of the storage area.
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My supplies have been restocked, and it looks ready for an over-night stay.
After I vacuumed the floor, I replaced my large outdoor floor mat and lawn chairs. I also bring an EZ-up if it's going to be hot, but that's stored in my garage. I need to load my generator, but I usually do that on the day I leave as I need to fill it with gas. For a quick one night trip, I'll only run the generator to charge my phone and maybe to watch a DVD on my laptop.

I am pretty sure that I'll be the only out-of-towner at this clinic which means I'll certainly be the only one staying over-night on the grounds. It can be a little intimidating to camp alone, but knowing Speedy is close by always makes me feel less "alone." I always get up in the night to check on him and without exception, he always looks for my arrival. Sometimes I even hang out in his stall with a glass of wine and just visit. I know he enjoys the company as much as I do.


If you're interested in seeing Christian Schacht work, we will be at White Birch Farm, 10680 Broadway Road, Moorpark, California.
Kelly link
1/23/2013 01:58:38 am

Have a fantastic time! You and Speedy will fit right in. I am having serious trailer envy looking at your pics :)

Karen
1/23/2013 10:27:10 am

Thank you! I love the trailer, but it is a lot of maintenance. :0)

Heather
1/23/2013 03:05:03 am

If I were ever to buy a horse trailer, I want yours! Awesome. I could just live there and park us at the barn.

Karen
1/23/2013 10:28:35 am

It is nice, and there is a long story about it. When I finish paying it off in three months, I promise to write about it! After a week in it, my bathroom at home always feels palatial. :0)

Lauren link
1/23/2013 03:19:50 am

You will be great! You work hard, have good turnout, and listen to instructions.. that's all any clinician ever wants. Also totally jealous of your horse trailer - that's amazing!

Karen
1/23/2013 10:30:18 am

I had an "eh" ride on Speedy tonight which did zero to bolster my confidence. I am hoping that he got his snottiness out tonight and that it wasn't my anxiety causing him to be stiff. I promise to do my best; that's all I can do! :0) And thank you, it is a nice trailer, but it comes with a ridiculous amount of maintenance!

Sarah link
1/23/2013 09:47:33 am

Nice trailer! I am green with envy! Have fun at the clinic!

Karen
1/23/2013 10:30:43 am

Thank you!

Angela
1/23/2013 03:20:50 pm

You have such a nice set up! Love, love your horse trailer!!
I’m so impressed that you are attending this clinic! This is something that I have yet to conquer. Good Job on feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
I have a story that might be relative, or not. Sorry it’s so long and seems to ramble on and on, but it’s been a long day…
It’s about a quad trip that Mike and I took YEARS ago. Mike thought it would be a hoot to go on a 3 day guided Polaris excursion through Bryce Canyon, Utah. I loved the idea of it, but knew that my “little” tootling quad was way out of this league. Of course, Mike’s quad was adequate and he didn’t see anything wrong with showing up with our “California Desert rompers.” Not wanting to squelch his excitement, I reluctantly got on board and decided to just enjoy the scenery and a week without the kids and their motorcycles.
The entire trip there my stomach was in knots! I literally wanted to crawl under a rock when we began meeting the other guest and their “machines” at the weekend kick-off meet and greet. There where people there from the Mid-West, the East Coast and Canada. I kid you not, their quads rivaled the size of compact cars and cost way more. Seriously, I’m going to head out on 100+ mile tours with these guys? However kind and cordial they were to me, my anxiety would not subside.
With tremendous apprehension and several failed attempts to bail, I took up my spot in the rear right behind Mike’s quad, which resembled a pack mule with all the extra gas cans my lil’ Phoenix would require to return back to camp. Well, not only did I survive, but my lil’ quad and I were quite the stars. Yes, it was not the conventional type of equipment and nor was I the seasoned all terrain rider; however, we impressed the pants off the two “expert” guides and other patron riders. They complemented me on both my skills and spirit. You do not have to ride in on the biggest and the best to be successful; you just have to show up and let your inner self be your guide. I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself, I just really wanted to keep up and have fun.
I know what it’s like to wrestle with feelings of inadequacy and to be constantly at battle with insecurities, but it wouldn’t matter so much if we didn’t want it so badly. Sometimes you just have to let it all go, to get it all back, tenfold! So, just show up and ride! You both will be sensational.

Karen
1/23/2013 09:29:50 pm

Thank you so much, Angela. What a great story! What an awesome trip by the way. If you can't see something by horseback, quad riding is the next best thing. And actually it's a story that I can totally relate to as we have trail quads as well. Mine is of course much smaller than Hubby's. We also went on a short, SMALL group ride, and I was worried about keeping up. The men in the group also complimented me (when I was out of earshot) and were impressed that I could keep up so I totally GET your analogy. I hadn't thought of it like that before.

I KNOW I am an excellent student and very teachable. As a teacher myself, I appreciate the willingness to learn and am highly irritated by those kids who just want to show me all they know all the time. Those kids don't learn much. I am going to remember that this weekend. I am there to learn and while I am not on the biggest, most expensive "machine," my little put-put can get the job done. THANK YOU!


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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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