Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Speaking of showing ... Just how do we afford all of these shows anyway? Well, if you're like me, you supervise the children's version of jail. Kidding, of course. Sort of. You see, at my school (I teach 5th grade in case you're new here), we have lunch time detention. It runs for the 30 minutes of lunch recess. Students get approximately 30 minutes to eat followed by another 30 minutes to play. Kiddos who get in trouble, either from our school principal or another staff member, serve noontime detention with whichever teacher has detention duty. Most often, that's me. I run detention every Monday and Friday. The other nine intermediate teachers rotate through weekly so that they serve Tuesday through Thursday about three times a year. Why do I do it so frequently you ask? For the "money," of course. I make approximately $12 each time I serve as the detention teacher. During the course of the school year, I gave up my lunch twice a week, sometimes more if I "subbed" for another teacher. In June, I got my extra duty check for the second semester's detention as well as for serving as my school's Battle of the Books coordinator. My check was a "whopping" $822. I used the money to pay my entries for both June shows, coaching at each show, and Izzy's new bridle. My husband was horrified that I would give up my lunch twice a week to supervise naughty children for $12. Looking back, It does seem like a lot of work for so little pay. School starts again on August 16th. I have another month or so to consider whether missing my lunch hour two to three times a week is worth one or two shows during the summer. But you know, if Izzy doesn't break anything next spring, I could turn that check into three shows. My colleagues certainly hope that I'll continue with the Monday/Friday detention schedule as it means fewer days they have to serve. It's worth it, right?
6/28/2018 01:29:15 pm
Somehow I think your Etsy store is more fun, but you're right. Anything helps! My husband keeps asking me how I can "make" money with horses. I just laugh. LOL
Tracy Donahue
6/28/2018 10:26:49 am
I have to admit, I'd do it. Every little bit does count. So, how bad are those kids... 6/28/2018 01:32:18 pm
By this point they all know me and most of them hate getting detention on Mondays and Fridays because I make it pretty unpleasant. They get to sit on the floor and stare straight ahead without making a sound. If I have to talk to them about anything, I simply add a day. Detention in my room gets pretty quiet. :0)
Karen
6/28/2018 11:48:47 am
Hey as you know it adds up! That would be worth it to me, to have a couple shows paid for! 6/28/2018 01:33:56 pm
If I were really hard core, I'd do it on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays. I might be able to pay for July's shows too! LOL 6/28/2018 02:19:01 pm
You're right, I do get to consume food, but it's a little awkward. I usually try to toss my lunch in the microwave while I sprint to the restroom. Then I gulp down my lunch and do any office errands that need to be done. By that time the first 30 minutes is nearly over and it's time to pick up the detention kids. 6/29/2018 06:21:35 am
Every day gets to be too much as I really do have other stuff that has to get done, but like I said, I do "sub" for other teachers now and then. :0) 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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