Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I've been checking my website's traffic data, which is something I do pretty regularly. It's quite interesting to see which blog posts or pages get the most traffic. A month or so ago, there were a ton of visitors to the post about treating Tobias for Parvo. I can only guess that someone else blogged about something dog-related and provided a link to my page which brought a lot of visitors.
Throughout January and February, I've noticed a lot of traffic to my Endurance Photos category. When I say a lot, I mean triple the number of visitors to that category as compared to every other category. Huh?!?!?! Again, somewhere out there, someone must have created a link to my page.Thank you, but I wonder why those photos are of such particular interest? Since someone finds those photos interesting, I thought I'd do a post about my endurance race statistics. When I look back on my 15 seasons as an endurance rider, I recognize that I was fairly successful by some standards and just barely making a mark on the sport by others' standards. My mentor, MC, has been competing for over 30 years and has amassed more than 15,480 race miles. She's in the top 30 (at least) for rider mileage of all time. Endurance riders have a hierarchy, as many sports do. Completing one or two or even ten rides doesn't make you an endurance rider. I am not sure when you become an "official" endurance rider, but for me, when I hit 1,000 race miles, I felt that I could call myself such. And once I completed my first 100-mile race, I felt that I finally, finally belonged to the club. But ask my mentor. From her perspective, maybe you need 10,000 miles before you get your endurance club card. I thought I'd give you some stats that cover my "career." Limited Distance (25 to 35 miles):
Endurance Distance (50 milers and greater):
Multi-Day Races:
DNFs (did not finish):
Overall:
I loved endurance riding. I got to see some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Endurance riding also develops a bond with your horse that I just don't think you can get from doing any other sport. Here's a screen shot of my endurance career's stats. Visit AERC.org to see my complete race record.
Karen
2/21/2013 09:11:53 am
Marie - if you really want to get started in the sport, go for it! The AERC webpage can help connect you to a mentor in your area. I've met many of the mentors and know that they have volunteered for the job because they LOVE the sport and want to get people involved.
Karen
2/21/2013 09:13:19 am
It is a cool sport, Lauren, and a lot of fun. It's a huge, huge, huge amount of work as well, but it is truly a life changing event to complete 100 miles in a single day on a horse you've conditioned yourself. Every time I finished a "race," I smiled for weeks!
Amanda
2/21/2013 01:10:05 pm
Just wondering why you stopped? As an endurance rider who is burnt out and changing my focus for the time being, I am just curious as to what was your reasoning for throwing in the towel completely.
Karen
2/21/2013 09:36:31 pm
Hi Amanda. I know I've blogged about it before, but it's buried deep in the archives somewhere and I don't want to look for it! :0)
Anda
2/21/2013 11:26:17 pm
I don't think it's a simple question! At least it hasn't been a simple decision for myself to make. It's nice to hear from other people in a similar situation, I've been surprised at the reactions from some of my closer friends.
Karen
2/21/2013 11:42:38 pm
I am curious to know what kind of reaction you've received from friends. Mine all got it and wished me well. I am guessing you've had some judge mental feedback. Yes? Or am I out in left field?
Anda
2/22/2013 11:44:49 am
You can email me if you'd like :)
Karen
2/23/2013 03:47:33 am
My website keeps your email address hidden from me as well. When you add your email in the box for comments, it's just so you get a notification about return comments. I'm really curious to hear your story. If you use the red, email Karen button at the top of the page, I'll get your email and the address will be visible (to me only of course). If you're interested in sharing, I'd love to read more! 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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