Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
![]() Sadly, I've returned to the working world. For those who don't know, I am a teacher and as such have spent the last eight weeks hanging out at the barn for four hours a day riding my horses and taking lessons. All of that came to a depressing end on Monday morning when I had to report back to work for a full week of meetings, training sessions, and collaborative pow wows. In addition, my mom and her husband came to stay for a few days so I of course cancelled my lessons for the week. Tonight, my principal has invited the staff to his home for appetizers and drinks. All of that combined with an after work haircut has left me feeling desperate for a ride. Not that I probably would have ridden after work anyway; it's been over 100 degrees. Regardless of tomorrow's weather, I am heading out to the barn after work, and I plan to make up for some lost rides this weekend. The kids return to school on Monday which means my twice weekly morning lessons will now be done in the heat of the day. The one good thing is that I get off 30 minutes earlier than I did at my last school site. If you're an evening rider, you know how awesome it is to have an extra 30 minutes after work. I get off work at 2:50 p.m. (of course, I arrive by 6:30 a.m.), which means I will get home by 3:10 and can be to the barn by 3:30. Hello afternoons of riding! Even in the dead of winter I'm going to be able to get in a fairly good ride. And before the time changes, I might even be able to ride a second horse. Holy hell, I feel as though I've won the lottery! Such is the life of an adult (amateur) who has to work to pay for her fun. And since I know I am one of the lucky ones, that's the end of my pity party. Thanks for coming. :0) 8/14/2014 11:57:11 am
If I had it to do again, I would choose another career path. Teaching is very hard work - for many reasons. This is my 21st year in the classroom - I think I am going to have to stick it out. :0)
Oooh yeah. I'm feeling you here! I work for a university (I don't teach, though ... working on that), and my workload EXPLODES the month students arrive and continues at a breakneck pace until Christmas, when I get a momentary reprieve.
lytha
8/14/2014 01:28:08 am
I hope you don't mind that I repeatedly talk about the wife-of-teacher life here, but I know you are going through exactly what my husband is now. Anyone who thinks teachers have 3 months off in Summer, hm. My man finds out his schedule next week. I pray that he has a day where he can work from home based on the distance we live from his school. 8/14/2014 11:59:58 am
Thanks for your support, Lytha. :0)
lytha
8/14/2014 01:35:10 am
Your image reminded me of my husband's confusion regarding the apple for the teacher. Apparently that is an American thing. OK then. 8/14/2014 12:01:41 pm
I don't know where that image comes from. It might be from the adage, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Maybe in times past the apple symbolized good health to teachers. :0) 8/14/2014 12:02:35 pm
Oh, yes … I am well familiar with the pre-ride shower! That's an old endurance trick. :0)
Val
8/14/2014 08:53:52 am
Say it ain't so! 8/14/2014 12:04:00 pm
Unfortunately, it's true. And yes, we probably got out much sooner than you did. We finish in late MAy, which is GREAT, but it means we start in mid-August. Yah for Sweet Pea's achievements. :0)
Barbara
8/14/2014 12:36:28 pm
I work for an incarcerated student program that is like a home study program, at our office we work with several state prisons across the state and we must prepare all the material, copy the courses and box it up to be shipped off. This month has been insane! 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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