Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Deadman 50 - 2006 (Photo by Alicia M.) One of the best things about making the switch from endurance racing to dressage showing is the clothes ... I love endurance clothes, but I really love dressage clothes! Endurance riders can wear ANYTHING that they want, as evidenced by my tie-dyed t-shirt and custom-made electric blue tights. (One well-known endurance rider competes in cut-offs and a white tank top ... all the time, winter or summer!) Many endurance riders originally come from the showing world (both western and English) and after years of boring, tan breeches, navy coats, and plain leather tack most enthusiastically embrace the available wild colors for both tack and clothing. I went the other way. After many years of neon stripes, giraffe prints, sparkling greens, and other odd combinations, I was thrilled to start amassing my PLAIN schooling and showing wardrobe. Dressage clothing seemed so ... tasteful and elegant. I went berserk last summer shopping for WHITE breeches, WHITE show tops, WHITE stock ties, WHITE saddle pads, BLACK saddle pads, BLACK girths, BLACK bridles, BLACK coats, BLACK boots, BLACK half-chaps, BLACK helmets, and BLACK hair scrunchies. After I was through with that, I started searching for tasteful, dark schooling breeches with equally tasteful, fitted polo shirts for lessons. ![]() Endurance Ride T-shirt In the past I would have never even considered spending MONEY on a riding shirt. After all, I got those for FREE at the completion of a race. It might be neon green, but it was well-earned and "free!" This Christmas I filled my Dover Saddlery catalog on-line "wish list" with moisture wicking, form-fitting polos, which oddly enough, my husband thought were sensible purchases. I now own a closetful of collared riding shirts that can be paired with coordinating breeches. After a 12-hour endurance race or a 20-mile conditioning ride, I was always really dirty, my tights might have a tear, and I was probably missing a toenail. I always felt like that kid, Pigpen, from Charlie Brown. Now, when I am done with a lesson, or after a schooling ride, I'm clean (mostly!), my body parts are usually where they belong, and I look cute! Let me know if you spot any good deals on breeches or tops on-line! 2/24/2011 07:25:40 am
The absolute best dressage riders/trainers DO cross over..even at F.E.I. levels...in Tucson they often work cows on their dressage horses..even the upper level ones, and go for very long rides often during the week..through the mountains.
Karen
2/24/2011 09:39:52 am
Cheryl - thank you so much for commenting. This is a new blog and the purpose is to generate conversation about ... well riding, dressage or otherwise. 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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