Bakersfield Dressage
  • 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
  • Home

Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Montoya DSA

9/21/2011

 
Picture
Camping at Montana de Oro, summer 2009
.... also known as "Sweetie-Petie-Pie" around the barn and "Fast and Faster" on the trail.

For several months I've tried to write this post.  I just haven't been able to find words that are eloquent enough to describe her.  And after writing several drafts, I still can't.  Montoya was a very special horse and everything that I write, or attempt to write, comes out sounding trivial.  I really wanted her story to convey how special she truly was.  Even though my words won't leave the impression I want them to, I hope you'll try to see past them and recognize what a spectacular horse she was.

Montoya was hell on wheels, a bitch when she needed to be, and a monster trail eater.  If you needed to get somewhere, anywhere, all you had to do was think, go, and you'd be there.  And if you were already hustling down the trail, she could find another gear.  I never used up all that was in the tank.  It made her difficult to ride because I never knew if she was on the verge of being over-ridden.  In fact, she always acted as though I was holding her back.  She always had more to give.  Even in the last moments of her life, she offered more.

My time with Montoya started on a very late December night in 1998.  Jim Bumgardner was supposed to have arrived late in the afternoon with a trailer full of horses for me to look at.  He was late, very late.  The temperature was in the 30s and it was after 9:00 p.m. before he pulled into the barn area.  Even though it was late, he wanted to continue on to Ridgecrest, several hours to the east.  So without any more delay, my group of friends helped unload five or six mares from the trailer.  Several were given an immediate no; one looked sick with a snotty nose, one was too small, and one was priced out of my budget.  Two or three were left standing in front of us.  

I don't remember much about the others, but Montoya caught everyone's eye immediately.  She had the most amazing mass of tangled mane that any of us had ever seen.  Even in the dark it stood out.  It hung down past the tip of her shoulder and nearly touched her knee when she lowered her head.  Her forelock covered her entire face and was the same flaxen color as her mane.  Her tail, also lush and thick, was red.  When I got close enough to stroke her face, I found that her mane and forelock were matted with tar weed. 

A friend trotted out the remaining horses for me to evaluate.  Montoya had the nicest movement of the group, and she looked sound.  We all agreed that she seemed to be the best endurance prospect of the bunch.  Jim Bumgardner had to return our way in a week or so and offered to trade her out for one of the others when he returned if I found that I didn't like her.  I gave him a check, and he gave me her Arabian Horse Association registration papers.  We later discovered that she was quite well bred with a mostly Russian ancestry.  She was nine years old. 

Picture
Montoya DSA in December of 1998
Jim Bumgardner didn't have to come back for her.  I kept her.  Over the next few days I cleaned her up and began a decade's long effort to control her unruly mane.  The tar weed wouldn't clean out of her forelock, and I was forced to cut most of it off.  It grew back in record time and hung to the top of her nose for the rest of her life.  

I bought Montoya in the middle of a December night based solely on a trot out.  At 27 years old, it never occurred to me that she wasn't broke or that she would be too hot for me to ride.  I could ride anything. Literally.  I did discover that while she was broke, and I use the word very liberally, it had been many years since she'd been under saddle.  And she was hot.  Fiery hot.  Fortunately she wasn't a bucker, and as long as we were going forward, she was happy.
Picture
Lakeside Classic 25-miler - April 1999
I took Montoya to her first endurance ride that April, just four months after buying her. Trailering, camping, and standing tied were taken in stride.  All she cared about was working.  She tolerated everything else.  We rode the limited distance 25 miler at Lakeside in just over three hours.  We flew over the course as though she had wings.  I remember cresting a hill at the halfway point and saw the vet check just over the top.  Montoya had never been to an endurance ride and didn't know what to think of the mass of people and horses in the middle of the trail.  Her head snapped up, and she slowed her methodical charge. She was completely baffled, but like she would do for the rest of her life, she made a mental note of the strangeness of humans, and continued working.

The first year that Montoya and I competed together we completed seven endurance races; a 25-miler, five 50s, and a 75-miler.  We traveled to Oakland (San Francisco Bay area), to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to the Pacific Coast, and to Los Angeles and beyond.  We even drove to the east side of San Diego for a race where we could almost see across the desert to Mexico.  It was a rewarding, and exciting, first year together.

The next year we rode several 50 mile races and completed three one-day hundred milers.  We earned 6th place in the lightweight division for the AERC Pacific Southwest Region.  It was quite a year.  Montoya and I continued to have many exciting race seasons.  In 2002 we earned the Fire Mountain Award of Excellence for completing a series of races with the same horse/rider team: the 4-day 200 mile Death Valley Encounter, the 20 Mule Team 100, and the Eastern High Sierra Classic 50.
Picture
3-Day Cuyama Oaks XP Pioneer - 155 Miles - March 2003
Over the years, we entered many more endurance races including two more hundred milers and a handful of multi-day races.  We also enjoyed week long camping trips and trail rides with friends.  Taz's mom rode Montoya in four endurance races while Taz was in training and later injured.  I even bred her to one of Sheila Varian's stallions in 2004, but she lost the fetus at two months.  It was one of the saddest times she and I shared, but it wasn't meant to be.  Montoya was never ill, and suffered only one minor injury.  It took a year of long slow work, but she recovered fully and continued her endurance career.
Picture
Speedy G and Montoya DSA - April 2009
Montoya was also a leader and buddy to three of my other horses. She kept Sassy company until she finally moved on to live with a new family.  She was a rock of stability to Mickey Dee, a project horse who became much more.  And of course she helped Speedy G adjust to life as an endurance horse.

In January of 2010, Montoya colicked and was euthanized.  The necropsy revealed a blood clot that had broken loose and found it's way to a capillary that provided blood to her intestines.  When the blood flow stopped, a length of intestine died.  Surgery would not have saved her.


Montoya's death was such a sudden and terrible loss that I found it very difficult to read the thoughtful condolences that were sent to me.  I appreciated them, but I couldn't read them.  I tucked each one away to be read someday in the future.  Taz's mom wrote a lovely tribute that I have never shared with anyone.  I think it's time.  Here it is.

Picture
Picture
Fire Mountain 50 - January 2009
Miss you Sweetie-Petie-Pie!
Martina Peterson
9/21/2011 08:02:00 am

Karen that was a beautiful and poingant reminder of who Montoya was. I thought you caught the essance of the bond that developes between rider and horse. Very well done!

Val
9/21/2011 11:39:13 am

The tears in my eyes are a testament to your success in describing your lovely mare. She was gorgeous beyond gorgeous. That mane and those fiery eyes. She also looks like she was your first dressage horse, even if endurance was her thing. I am blown away by how many miles you covered together. Montoya took it all in stride. An amazing horse, never to be forgotten.

Karen Sweaney link
9/21/2011 10:24:15 pm

Mom - thank you.

Val - thank you as well.

I realize that everyone thinks their own horse is a very special, but Montoya really was ... different. She was like royalty. I always felt that she was a bit out of my league. I was never quite sure how I got so lucky. Had she been with a more competitive owner, she would have no doubt earned more recognition. I am so glad that I had the chance to be her rider. She really was a special horse.

Judy
9/21/2011 10:40:28 pm

O.k. I thought it was becoming routine to be writing my comments as I brush away tears...but you outdid yourself this time! But in truth I'm only in part crying for your loss. I think I'm crying also for the memories of the majestic beauty, incredible strength, unconditional love, subtle wisdom and yes quirky senses of humour that cause us to fall so madly in love with our horses! Not to worry Karen, your words only felt inadequate, they hit the heart target...bullseye!! Love you!

Karen Sweaney link
9/24/2011 08:41:05 am

Thanks, Judy. That one was hard to write.

By the way, to those who may not know, Martina is my mom, and Judy is my step mom. They have to say nice things so don't believe everything they say! :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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    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.
    Picture
    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

    Picture
    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
    Picture
    My favorite breeches!
    Picture
    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
    Picture
    I love her stuff!
    Picture
    Watercolor Artist and Friend

    National Rider Awards

    Picture
    USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
    Picture
    USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
    Picture
    USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
    Picture
    USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

    State Rider Awards
    Picture
    CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018

    State Horse Awards
    Picture
    Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    Picture
    Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    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
    ​By Topic

    All
    Abscess
    Art
    Arthritis
    Awards
    Books
    Cabin
    California Barn Life
    Captain Awesome
    CDL Class A License
    Centerlinescores
    Championships
    Chiropractor
    Clinics
    Clothing
    Cushing's Disease
    Defeating The Demon
    DIY
    Dogs
    Double Bridle
    Dressage On The Trail
    EHV-1
    Endurance Photos
    Farrier
    Find Your Joy
    First Level
    Fluphenazine
    Flying Changes
    Fourth Level
    Fox Hunting
    Freedom Feeder
    Frustration
    Gizmos
    Grooming
    Half Pass
    Headshaking
    Horse Maintenance
    Horses Are Expensive
    Horses Are Expensive 3.0
    Horses Are Expensive II
    Hunter/jumper Stuff
    Imperioso
    Introductory Level
    Izzys Leg
    Just For Fun
    Lessons With Chemaine
    Lessons With Lois
    Lessons With STC Dressage
    Local Stuff
    M.A.R.E.
    Memberships
    Micklem Bridle
    Mt. Self Doubt
    Musings
    My 5 Things
    My Horses
    Nesting
    On The Levels
    Photos
    Pivo Pod
    Platinum Performance
    Poles
    Polls
    Pulley Rein
    Raac
    Retirement?
    Rider Fitness
    Riding Figures
    Right Lead Canter
    Road ID
    Saddle Fitting
    Schooling
    Score Sheets
    Second Level
    Shopping
    Show Costs
    Showing
    Sitting Trot
    Sliding Side Reins
    Soldier
    Speedy's Leg
    Tack
    The Elephants
    The Jar
    The Warm Up Ring
    Third
    Third Level
    Tips From A Pro
    Toys
    Trailering
    Training
    Travel
    Ulcers
    Vet Care
    Video
    Videos
    Weird But True
    Year In Review


    Archives
    ​By Date

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011


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
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home