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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

El Sueno - Part 1

4/15/2013

 
El Sueno had a funny start. I’ve never done back-to-back shows before, and now I know why. It’s hard! I unloaded everything last Sunday only to start loading everything back up the very next weekend.

As I was checking things off my list, I peeked into my trailer closet to look for a sweatshirt. No sweatshirt, but also not enough show shirts; there should have been two, not just one. Of course, I checked to see if it had fallen off the hanger. Nope. I knew it wasn’t in my closet at home as I had checked several times to make sure I had everything.

I stood staring at the extra hanger wondering where in the world my second shirt was. Then it occurred to me that if a shirt was missing, so probably was my second pair of breeches. And why did I only have a single glove?

Doh! All of a sudden it hit me; I hadn’t washed my white laundry since last weekend which meant that my other glove, shirt, and breeches were in the dirty clothes basket at home. I thought about it. Could I ride both days in the same shirt and breeches? Yes, but did I want to? And what would I do if I got bucked off and/or dirty?

I finished loading the rest of my stuff and head back home. It would only take a half an hour which was nothing compared to riding in dirty, stinky clothes. Once at home, I quickly located the shirt and breeches right where I knew they would be. I also found my two “show only” sports bras, one white and the other gray, buried with the shirt, breeches, and glove. None of it was that dirty as I am famous for changing out of my show clothes as soon as my tests are completed. They weren’t exactly clean though.

There wasn’t much I could do about the breeches, but I quickly dropped the shirt, sports bras, and lone glove in the kitchen sink and gave them a quick hand wash. I wrung out as much water as possible and wrapped everything in a towel. Back at the barn, I still needed to give Speedy a bath. While doing that, I laid everything out on my car’s trunk to dry as much as possible. It was a good thing that it was a very warm day!

A second funny thing happened during the course of loading all of my stuff. The last over-night trip in the trailer revealed a stove-top burner malfunction; the front burner worked fine, but the second one had shot the flame six inches high. It didn’t strike me as too terribly safe, especially in a space smaller than some bathrooms. A co-worker who has a travel trailer and is, well, excuse my girlishness, a MAN who knows how to fix stuff, suggested I get a can of air and blow out the burner to remove any blockages.

This seemed like a cheap and girl-friendly project that I could handle. He of course made the suggestion several weeks ago when I first brought it up. Leave it to me to wait until I am leaving for another trip before I try to fix things. So as I am loading up, I decide to blow out any debris from the burner with the air can. I have seen those cans of air before, but I have never actually used one. I read the directions carefully, but was a bit surprised to read something about spraying out the liquid before aiming at your intended target. I aimed away from the burner, sprayed, but no liquid came out. So I proceed to spray BOTH burners with what I hoped was air.

I grabbed a fire-clicker, turned the gas switch to ignite, and nearly blew myself up!

Apparently, there really is some sort of liquid that dispenses from the can. I am guessing that I covered the burners with said liquid, which from what I could tell, ignited into a roaring ball of fire. And when I say roaring, I mean it! It roared and then whooshed. Whether by instinct or pure luck, I let go of the clicker’s on button and the ball of fire disappeared. I leaned down to get a closer view and nearly passed out from the completely noxious fumes that rose from the stove stop. I leaped out of the trailer, grabbed a towel, and began fanning wildly.

Once the air cleared, I could see that everything looked normal. My eyebrows were still there and nothing in the “kitchen” looked singed. I reignited the fire-clicker, stood back, and slooowly turned on the burner. A small blue flame spread around the ring in a perfect circle. Problem solved. Who says a girl can’t fix stuff?

More tomorrow, but for now here are some photos of the grounds. By the way, I had the best campsite I have ever had at a show. Take a look.

Lori
4/14/2013 11:22:08 pm

What a pretty place! Sure a lot different than a ride camp, isn't it? :-)

Kelly link
4/15/2013 02:35:04 am

Very nice place! Love the cafe area :) And you got to use your new show goodies - stall guard and bucket holders!

Austen link
4/15/2013 03:20:09 am

Thank goodness you didn't burn yourself! That little description reminds me of using kitchens on boats. It's just too small of a space to make some kind of fire mistake!

Lauren link
4/15/2013 03:49:03 am

Omg, that would have scared me to death with the burner issue! Glad you didn't blow up :)

Sarah link
4/15/2013 05:34:21 am

So bummed I didn't make it out, but wow it looks like a fabulous show! Can't wait to hear all about it, and so glad you and your eyebrows are all good!!

Angela
4/15/2013 06:59:01 am

Quite an explosive build-up to your big show weekend! So glad to hear and see that it was a successful event; love the pictures and your campsite. They are great for dream building...:0

martinam peterson
4/15/2013 07:00:24 am

this looks like a vacation spot but I know you worked hard

cg
4/15/2013 02:27:22 pm

That is quite a place! I can't get over ALL of those jumps, and the palm trees!!! So unfair.
I'm still riding in winter tights and getting soaked about every other ride:(

Karen
4/15/2013 10:24:08 pm

Well fire is a bit scary, I didn't think about being scared. I thought it was hilarious. After hearing some of your comments, I think it was pretty scary. :0)

It was a great show and I can't wait to finish writing about it. As always, I have a lot to share! I learned some really good stuff.


Comments are closed.

    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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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian

    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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    July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)

    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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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home