Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
The more time I invest in finding my joy, the more joy I find. Many of you have reached out with hugs and support - which I have truly appreciated, and many others have admitted to feeling much the same way. Even a trainer colleague of my own trainer wrote a blog post about how important it is to take time off to breath and reset. I have passed the point of feeling guilty about the break I am taking, and each day I feel more and more energized. On Sunday morning, I slept in until 7:30 - the first bell at the school where I teach rings at 7:15, so 7:30 is really late for me. I spent the morning making pancakes, doing laundry, and tidying up my house. Rather than feel as though it were a chore I could barely stand to do, I did it cheerfully with a renewed sense of energy. When that was done, I made myself a cup of tea and did some last minute Christmas shopping. Not once did I think about zoning out on the sofa in front of the TV. Over the past few weeks, I have worked very hard to overcome what is no doubt a bit of depression. I've done that by taking some pressure off of myself and by giving. It sounds so counter-intuitive that by giving we will feel filled, but I have found it to be true. The more I've given - whether it be my time, money, or just a kind word, the happier I have felt. There are many studies that prove this to be true. When we give, we feel happy, our blood pressure is lowered, we create a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others, we feel a sense of gratitude, and giving is contagious. When one person gives, the next person is inspired to pass it forward.* I am feeling more and more eager to get in the saddle, and I have been riding, but if I don't ride the rest of this week, or even this weekend, I know it will be just fine. Izzy won't forget what he's learned, Speedy won't feel neglected, and I won't become any less of a rider than I already am.
I will continue to give myself a break until I no longer need to, and in doing so, I am sure to find my joy. 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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