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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Liebster Blog Award ... Nice!

1/27/2012

 
Hey!  I am getting an award ... sort of.  Maybe I should rephrase that.  Somebody thinks what I write is worth mentioning to someone else.  That's essentially what this award is for.  It's a "pass it on" kind of thing where recipients get a shout out which they in turn pass on.

Now THAT'S a Trot! gave me, and a few others, the award as one of her favorite up and coming blogs.  Nice. Thanks, NTAT!  I love reading what she has to share.  She rides Standardbreds and lives far, far away.  Well not THAT far - New Jersey to be exact.  But if you live in California, New Jersey seems pretty far.  Anyhoo, she's an eventer who spends most of her time at the barn - my kind of girl!  NTAT writes about the pleasures and trials and tribulations of horse ownership when you aren't rich.  Yep, that sounds about right.  Find her here.
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Here are the official rules of the Liebster Blog Award:
1. Copy and paste the award on this blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave us the award.
3. Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
4. Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs.

If I accept the Liebster Blog award, which means "dearest" in German [at least that's what the directions say. I'll feel pretty stupid if I found our later that it means idiotic American!], I am to award it to five other up and coming bloggers that deserve recognition.  This is an easy one for me.  I don't read hundreds of blogs.  And the ones I do read, I read religiously.  Sooooo ... here are five blogs that I think you might enjoy.

I love, love, love reading A Horse Crazy Girl in Germany!  Lytha is originally from Seattle, but met the love of her life and so carted herself and her endurance Arabian, Baasha to Germany.  She shares her horse keeping journey as well as what it is like to live in a foreign country.  It's absolutely riveting!

I must have a thing for foreign blogs because one of my other favorites is Ride Groom Feed, written by Kelly in New Zealand.  We have had the most fun sharing the differences and similarities that we have encountered.
Kelly shows dressage and jumps.  Check out her blog for a fascinating look at what it's like to live on the other side of the planet!

Next is Erica's blog, Of Academia and Horses.  Erica hails from Bakersfield, but now lives on the coast as she attends Cal Poly.  We haven't met ... yet!  But ... we are both attending the Ride-a-Test hosted by the Kern River Chapter of CDS this Saturday so we will finally get a face to face.  In the meantime, check out her blog.  

Mel, over at Boots and Saddles, isn't a brand new blogger, but I know she writes for a smallish audience.  She actually will appeal to many, many people.  She is an endurance rider, dressage rider, and vet student.  She writes about a variety of topics that include her Arabian mare, Farley and her adorable puppy, Tess!  Check her out.

And since I can only pick five, I am also including Sarah at Eventing in Color.  Sarah is another California girl who is new to her sport.  Check out her journey with her paint mare, Spirit.
lytha
1/28/2012 06:06:09 pm

wow, what a wonderful compliment! my man asked me "what is riveting" and i explained it's based on the word for the tool he used putting our stall together.

i'm fascinated by your story and i've actually been dwelling on it all weekend. i cannot imagine, or maybe i can imagine to an extent, what happened with montoya-speedyG to change everything and make you change your priorities in life.

the irony of the name speedy g is just wonderful. he was so perfectly suited to endurance, except for that one "little" thing that usually isn't an issue with arab geldings.

if i could find an arabian with bone like speedyG's i'd take that loan out! *lol*

i competed in training level dressage in the 90s before taking the opposite turn that you did. i recently found a video of competing baasha in our first A show and my goodness he was a fatty! at the time a french link bit was not allowed - is it allowed nowadays? i see you have them on both your bridles.

i look forward to reading about your experiences with your horses.

~lytha
p.s. i never participate in blog awards but i do appreciate them. that reminds me, my husband said, "it's a GERMAN award!" (dearest blog)

Karen
1/28/2012 11:07:12 pm

Lytha - it's so nice to hear from you. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to want a certain breed and not be able to find one. As you know, Arabs are so easy to find and buy here. Speedy is a nicely built boy and he does have substantial bone. That's one of the reasons I bought him. I am surprised that the Europeans/Germans aren't able to produce a more substantial Arabian. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

By the way, the french link is legal now. :0)

Karen

Melinda link
1/29/2012 09:28:49 pm

Thank you! You are very sweet to think of me. And to write so many nice things about my blog!

Sarah E. Schulman link
1/30/2012 02:32:18 am

Karen, Thank you so much for honoring me with a Liebster Blog Award! I really enjoy following your blog (even though I'm more of the silent lurker type rather than the uber-commenter type - I'm trying to get more chatty!), and I am so impressed by your dedication to your horses, posting on your blog so regularly, and for including photos! (things I'm working on). Your journey from endurance to dressage is a very interesting viewpoint, and it is really wonderful that you are showing the versatility and suitability of Arabians. Thank you again! Your fan, Sarah

Karen
1/30/2012 10:34:17 am

Thank you for the kind words, Sarah. When I found your blog, I was delighted to "meet" another central California girl new to her sport!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE blogging. I write primarily for myself, but I am always pleased if someone finds it interesting. Writing is an excellent way, for me anyway, to process what I learn while riding.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment, or just lurk. I don't mind. I hope to run into you someday at a show or other equine event. Especially since we're almost neighbors! :0)

Karen

Erica link
1/30/2012 02:35:15 pm

Thank you for this award (it's my first one, yay!!!)! And my apologies on the late thank you! It has really kick-started my blog's exposure since it is just getting started.

I plan on keeping it going for a looong time! =)

Karen
1/30/2012 09:31:29 pm

You are quite welcome! You write very well and I find your point of view (school and horses) interesting! Keep writing and riding and we'll keep reading. :0)


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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    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
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Site Designed and Managed by: Karen Sweaney

Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • 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
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    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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