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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

It's a Real Winter!

1/6/2017

 
It's been so long since we've had a real winter that I've forgotten what they look like. Last years's El Niño, a much anticipated event, turned out to be a loser. Yes, it rained a few times, but we barely reached our annual amount of precipitation. According to Bakersfieldnow.com, we've had 17 rain days for this rain season. For us, that's huge. 
Meadows Field in Bakersfield only picked up .26”. It was the 17th rain day for the rainfall year, for which Bakersfield is now at 145% of normal. For the first time this year, the statewide snowpack water content averages more than 100% (at 103% for the state and 120% for the southern Sierra). All good news, but the weekly Drought Monitor still shows that the incredible rainfall has not affected our Exceptional Drought at all. That seems hard to believe. Our ground water tables are going up and, with more rain on the docket for next week, this historic drought will indeed be gradually mitigated.
It's hard to believe that our status on the drought monitor hasn't been upgraded yet, but after this next week, it can't do anything but change. There's even more rain predicted. For most of you reading this, if you even got this far, rain must be the least exciting topic on your list of morning reads. For us in California, this drought has changed our lives. Seeing it go would be a good thing. 
Picture
Not so good for riding ...
On my way to the barn yesterday, the ranch owner left me a voicemail telling me to come check out the river. The Kern River, under normal circumstances, is barely more than a small creek. Most of the water is directed to irrigation canals before it reaches town. It does have a good flow, but I can (usually) throw a rock across it without really trying. Not yesterday.
It's several feet higher than normal and about 50 yards wider than it was the day before. Here's another view as the water approaches the back side of the horses' paddocks.
My plan is to ride this morning. It will be only the third or fourth time I've ridden all Christmas vacation. Given that I've ridden all I've wanted for the past five or six winters, I guess it's okay to sit one winter out.

​Have a great weekend!
Nicole link
1/6/2017 08:49:51 am

Up to 15" of rain are predicted for the foothills near Sacramento, and similar amounts through to Mammoth! I'm excited for California and bummed for the turnout situation. Stay safe!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/11/2017 05:23:20 am

Thanks. I know turnout is an issue for a lot of riders, so I am grateful that I don't have that problem too. While the rain is tough to deal with, our summer will be so much better for it.

Karen P link
1/6/2017 09:55:31 am

I'm in love with all the rain we're getting even if it's not hitting SoCal as much as it couldn be!

Bakersfield Dressage link
1/11/2017 05:23:45 am

Me too!


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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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  • 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