Endurance Memories

4/11/2019

I rarely click "share" when I see my Facebook memories. I enjoy that feature of Facebook, but most of the time I simply smile or elbow my husband as I say, "remember this?" But yesterday, I must have been feeling a bit nostalgic as I shared this memory.

Just after completing the Git-R-Done 55 Miler

I totally dug endurance riding; every race was an adventure. Endurance races weren't just about the miles though. It was setting up camp, the group conversation while vetting in, the Friday night rider meeting, the mass of horses at the start, and of course rehashing ever step of the trail during the awards dinner. We were immersed in the race from Friday morning all the way until we unloaded our horses at home on Sunday evening.

Amie said it best.

It wasn't all great though which is why I segued into something else, dressage as it so happens. I thought I would be a lifer, someone who never leaves the sport, but I wasn't. A great friend of mine has been competing for decades and has no plans on quitting. She's got my respect for sure.

Kathy and I rode many, many, MANY miles together.

While I have fond memories of trotting down the trail, I don't miss it. Dressage shows have filled the gap nicely. I still get to camp with my horse, and while it's not basecamp, the little niche we set up in front of our stalls - supplied with a cooler, chairs, and tables, creates an intimate space for visiting with friends. We still have great conversations, but instead of rehashing every mile of the trail, we dissect every movement and score earned.

Riding at the Git-R-Done 55 miler in 2010.

Winning Second Level Test 3 Elite Division at RAAC 2018

I traded one detail-oriented sport for another. While dressage will leave you cleaner at the end of the day, it still takes a deep commitment, planning, and good old-fashioned grit. It was a good trade.

Anna Marie Erickson

4/11/2019 07:06:07 pm

I'm at this point. I'm staring at another endurance season and I'm...Just not feeling it. Which is tough. our National championship will be in our State next year (2020) so I'm promising myself I'll stick it out and get (hopefully) 2 fit horses ready for me to ride one of them in that. I really want a completion in that ride! Then I'm done and I'm going to be a low lever dressage person.

Bakersfield Dressage link

4/11/2019 07:26:16 pm

I feel you. You know, I didn't plan on quitting. We attempted a ridiculously hard ride, a 55 miler, where the winning time was 7:37. For California, that's a slow winning time. I pulled when I knew Speedy was just too tired to go on.

That race just sort of ended it for me. I spent the summer taking dressage lessons and doing some local shows. I didn't plan on quitting, it just happened. I am glad I didn't have to "agonize" over it. It just felt like the right thing for us at the right time.

Good luck this season, and I hope you make it to the championship ride. Finishing, no matter the distance, was always the best part. I don't think there is any other equine sport that lets you feel as connected to your horse as crossing a finish line does. :0)

Laura link

4/12/2019 02:34:01 pm

Makes sense to want a switch after years of training and riding. I love the idea of endurance...but have never got there.

The 2 pics of Speedy at the end are fantastic. What a versatile guy!

4/15/2019 06:38:56 am

It's a tough sport for sure. And thank you, Speedy really is a great horse. :0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage