Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Every Day

12/2/2015

 
You really need to click the photo for the full effect.
Picture
Many thanks to my trainer, Chemaine Hurtado, for sharing this.
If you're a regular Facebook user, you've probably seen this. And if you hadn't seen it before today, you're now nodding your head right along with the rest of us. And if you don't ride, but say you play golf (I am looking at you, jenj!), you also know exactly what this flow chart depicts.

I know it's supposed to represent progress over time. See there at the top where the equestrian thinks she's now a champion and therefore gets to rest on her laurels? Well, what she may not realize is that it doesn't represent permanent progress. Tomorrow, she's going to be back in the range of "stall cleaner."

I am kidding of course. She'll probably only drop back to "We suck!"

I don't know how up and down your rides are over the course of an hour, a week, or a month, but I go through this entire range of fugly to fabulous on a daily basis. Riding two horses regularly is pretty humbling. To those of you riding three or more ponies, I salute you. You're either totally awesome, or else you just love the flavor of humble pie.

​Again, just kidding!

I haven't ridden in a few days. I had last week off, so I got a ton of saddle time on both horses, including four lessons with Chemaine. By Monday, I was feeling the need for a break, so I scheduled a few appointments for after school.

The last day I rode was Sunday. That chart up there is exaclty how my day went. My ride on Speedy was beyond fantastic. It was so good that I sent Chemaine a rather long message telling her how good our connection was and how forward into my hand Speedy was. If I could have crammed him into the trailer and raced off to a show that afternoon, I would have done it. Second Level was waving me onto the field as "We are the Champions" blared through the speakers.
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting
Till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the World
Well, something like that anyway.

And then I saddled Izzy. Holy guacamole. How inept can I be? That is not a rhetorical question. I need answers. How can I be AWESOME at 10:30 and suck lemons by 11:00?!?!?!?

The message to Chemaine also included several paragraphs detailing the stink bomb that Izzy and I dropped. I think he needs a couple of days of too.

The rest of this week is pretty busy with another late meeting on Thursday which means I might get to ride today and Friday, but if I just feel like doing some turn out instead, I am totally okay with that. I don't have to be a champion every time I ride, but thank goodness it happens at least occasionally.

How about you? Are your rides as up and down as mine are, or are you the Champion we all envy? It's okay - you can be honest! :0)
jenj
12/2/2015 06:29:03 am

If I did play golf (and I've only ever played mini-golf, which I suck at), that would still be me in that graph. As it is, that's pretty much me, every ride. However, I don't usually get to end on a "we are champions!" note, lol!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:26:46 pm

LOL! We don't always end so well, but Speedy is becoming quite the well trained Dude. :0)

Hillary link
12/2/2015 07:38:04 am

I can relate. Not as much recently because I don't get as much ride time but I think that's normal progression? Sometimes I felt like I would have whiplash with how differently rides could go from day to day with Houston.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:27:47 pm

Whiplash! HAHAHA!

Tracy link
12/2/2015 07:39:19 am

OMG that photo is so incredibly accurate. Thanks for sharing! Haha

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:28:32 pm

You're welcome! :0)

SprinklerBandits
12/2/2015 08:13:37 am

Oh, the photo is SO TRUE. And the greener the horse, the wider the swings related to them. ;-)

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:29:04 pm

Isn't THAT the truth!

emma link
12/2/2015 08:17:28 am

yup i am *definitely* familiar with that roller coaster!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:29:43 pm

If you tackle any "activity," it's probably true. :0)

Sarah link
12/2/2015 08:40:51 am

Um. This is me to a "T" - Each ride has all those elements above. It's only that I have it ingrained in my mind that no one else goes through the ups and downs like I do. Glad to know I'm wrong. :)

Bakersfield Dessage link
12/2/2015 06:31:06 pm

Believe me, I know how you feel. That's why I like to share my "failures" - we all need to know that EVERYONE struggles. :0)

Alanna link
12/2/2015 10:16:29 am

I can totally relate. Mine are up and down for sure!

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/2/2015 06:31:41 pm

It seems to be contagious! LOL

Teresa link
12/5/2015 11:43:38 am

It's funny because it' true. Right now I'm feeling awesome. But we'll see what happens tomorrow......

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/6/2015 07:51:43 am

I definitely appreciate the awesome days because I know there are not-so-good days waiting. Hopefully your days of not-so-good are fewer and fewer. :0)


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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


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