Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
While it might be hard to believe, we actually do have winter here in California. Admittedly, it's not much of a winter where I live, but it's at least a winter-like period. That means that I don't trailer as frequently, nor as far, as I would in the months that are hotter than holy hell. We call those months summer. Other than a few trips to the vet, I haven't trailered either horse anywhere since our last show in August of 2017. Now that Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, is coming here once or twice a month, I don't even need to haul out for lessons. Over the winter, my truck battery went dead. Fortunately, the ranch owner has a big truck with good jumper cables and knows how to use them. We got my truck started, but I've had to be pretty vigilant about remembering to drive it once a week or so. The battery is relatively new, but no battery can sit for months on end and be expected to just fire right up. The last time I drove to the vet, I noticed that my trailer's tires were looking a little low. I decided everything needed a wee bit of attention before Sunday's show, so I brought the truck home where we have an air compressor. I can air up my tires, and I have done it plenty of times at the gas station, but I have to admit, I call girl as often as I can. I can do it, but I don't want to do it. I don't like doing it, and I'd rather it just be taken care of for me. I do plenty of other non-girl things. I haul a three-horse trailer with living quarters. I can, as BFF describes it, back that thing up a gnat's ass. I can drive it through LA without batting an eye. I can hook it up alone in the dark. However, I don't like lifting the hood, and I don't want to mess around with the tires. So, I hooked up the trailer, pulled it around to the barn, found an extension cord, and let my husband have at it. In all honesty, he really doesn't want me messing around with his air compressor anyway. It's a Jack Sprat kind of relationship; it works out well for us both!
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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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