Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
I can't remember a year where one of my students did not buy me a horse calendar for Christmas. I always enjoy receiving that gift because the kids get so much delight in giving me something equine related. Sadly, I didn't get one this year. I almost always get a second calendar from my vet. He doesn't mail them out, but if you drop by in the month of December, they're on the counter for the taking. I love his calendars because they're super sturdy and over-sized. I didn't drop by his office this year to get one, and I am sure they're out by now. When I didn't get a calendar from my students or the vet, I thought that surely someone would think to get me one for my birthday which is in early January. When that one failed to materialize, I started to panic a bit as I was quickly running out of "extra" space on my 2016 calendar. Each day, I take a few quick notes about what's going on at the barn. I note how long each horse got ridden (if at all), whether anyone was lame or sick, or if we just went for a walk. I note the farrier's visits and what the weather was like if it changed my routine. Lately, I've been writing RAIN. I also draw a slash through the day if I didn't make it the previous day which has happened a lot this past month or so. Over the weekend, I finally admitted that if I wanted a horse calendar for 2017, I had better get going on it. As I was doing my grocery shopping, I ran across a sale bin that was filled with random calendars depicting dogs doing yoga, cats doing yoga, and Jeeps in action. I dug through the pile, half-heartedly looking for one with horses even though I knew it was pointless. Realizing that my chances for finding a calendar at all were quickly diminishing, I tossed an over-sized, picture-less option in my cart.
Once I got it hung up, I realized that I might actually like this year's calendar. The squares for each day are nearly twice as big as on a normal calendar which means I'll have plenty of room for taking notes. I copied the first two week's worth of scribbles that were crammed on December's page and discovered that I really liked all of the extra writing room. I love it when procrastination yields unexpectedly positive results! How about you - do you record your barn visits? 1/16/2017 08:41:54 am
I can't live without it. It really helps answer questions when something crops up. I know my vet appreciates it when I take a horse in because I have actual timelines in stead of oh ... a few weeks?
Mia
1/16/2017 09:02:35 am
I saw a post of yours before about your calendar habit and thought it was a great idea! I ended up using my phone's calendar app instead of a paper one. Mainly because the pen ink freezes in the winter (in the barn). I need something better, but haven't quite found it yet. 1/16/2017 10:08:23 am
That's really interesting, Mia! I am sitting here freezing to death, dreading my barn visit, and it's in the high 40s. I can't imagine ink freezing. LOL
Lucy
1/16/2017 04:46:46 pm
Oh, yes, the frozen ink. Two weeks ago it was so cold my inkpen froze while I was writing a check for hay, even though I had been keeping it warm in my bra. 1/17/2017 04:59:22 am
I laughed so hard at this, Lucy! What I found so funny was that you KNEW the ink was going to freeze so you were warming it in advance. With practically no cold weather living experience, I would have been baffled about the loss of functionality of the pen. Instead, I know that pens (and all other liquids like saddle soaps) get goopy if left in tackrooms that approach 120 degrees. LOL
Lucy
1/17/2017 05:15:59 am
I was in the same boat when we moved here - no idea what I was in for. I still am not a confident winter driver and can't walk in the snow worth a dime. I track my barn visits electronically. I used to use a word document, but since I started blogging I've switched over to excel because I do quicker notes instead of a full explanation of what we're working on. Since I also put in the length of time I ride or lunge for, excel gives me an easy way to add up my total saddle time. 1/16/2017 03:14:40 pm
I never really considered keeping track electronically (see Mia's comment above). if there's not an app for it yet, there should be!
Lucy
1/16/2017 04:49:59 pm
I sure envy you your spacious calendar. I got a free one from the co-op and another from the farm insurance agent, but they are typical sized spaces and even with tiny handwriting I run out of room. 1/17/2017 05:00:27 am
Hahaha! 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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