Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
We're heading up to the cabin for the weekend, so you won't hear from me again until Monday. A day away from my cell phone and the internet is probably just what I need to flush away the residue of stupidity that is still clinging to me.
While the week was busy and filled with moments of complete insanity (oh, I so wish confidentially was not a component of my employment), I still enjoyed productive afternoons on the pony front. I got several good rides in on both boys and am feeling very encouraged. I am meeting a newish reader tomorrow which I hope turns out well. I scared off the last young hopeful; I never blogged about it, but I was pretty disappointed. The last gal was a college student who left a flyer with my barn owner asking if anyone needed help riding, grooming, or cleaning stalls. You know the type, hungry for horsey time and willing to do anything. Yeah, right. I gave her a call hoping she might be qualified enough to ride one of my boys out on the trail with me. We met for a little get acquainted time where I (apparently) completely freaked her out with my very long list of how it must be dones. To say I am picky about how my boys are to be treated is an understatement of the largest degree possible. I have rules for how they are to be haltered, which brushes are to be used when, how their hooves are to be handled, how they are to be girthed, how the bridle is slipped on, how they are to be ridden, how they are to be led, how they are to be untacked, and on and on. EVERYTHING has a rule. Sorry. They are my babies and their comfort and happiness is what I live for. College gal never came back. I guess she wasn't that hungry. So, Sunday's meeting will probably be a bust, but I am ever hopeful that I will meet a kindred soul who recognizes that my particular equine family needs and deserves the very detailed attention that I lavish upon them. I'll let you know how it goes!
I think most people have a lot of rules, or procedures, for care and handling of their horses... except they don't realize it. Try helping anyone else saddle their horse and you'll realize immediately that no matter how you do it, it will be wrong to the person who owns the horse. Haha.
Sandra
11/9/2013 04:11:38 am
I feel a kindred soul here! I am the same way! I do not even like when my hubby feeds/waters my horses for me because he doesn't do it "just so!" I am very pattern/schedule oriented (some call it OCD, I call it attentive) and do not like it when things are done out of order... :-) Good luck!!!
Why would anyone think a horse owner would just turn over one of their horses without any rules? Seriously? Even if the horse was just a hack, and not an animal you have invested money and hours of your own time in training and riding to the point where you are now, you would still want rules on how they are handled.
I missed there part where you were looking for extra help. Or was it this gal's idea?
People can be really funny. I tried a couple of times during Tucker's eventing career to have somebody else put a regular ride or two per week on him. Everybody always started out really enthusiastic, really enjoyed the horse, and then they just...kinda...stopped riding. 11/10/2013 02:43:09 am
WOW! Obviously everyone has been through this as well! First off, I wasn't looking for any help and am not sure that I want any. With that said, this particular rider just wants some saddle time and asked for any leads. Before I introduce her to my own trainer, I thought it prudent to see if she can in fact actually ride. Not that she's lying, but it is very hard to define "experienced."
martina peterson
11/11/2013 10:54:17 am
and... aren't your babies lucky!!! love mom, I wish I could find a reliable, industrious hard worker to rake my leaves. IT DRIVES ME NUTS BECAUSE MOST WANT THE MONEY BUT WORK AT A SNAILS PACE. 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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