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

More Changes ...

2/26/2011

 
The site's web address will still be: www.bakersfielddressage.com, as of March 1, 2011, but I've made some cosmetic changes!  Under the Equine Community tab you'll find Kern River CDS, as well as links to some of our local favorites.  Most everything else is still the same, for now!
Today's 20 Mule Team 35/65/100 Mile Endurance Ride ...

Several friends are in Ridgecrest right now riding 35, 65, or 100 miles at the 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride.  Brrrr!  
 
Good luck to them! 

I first did this ride in 1997.  I rode, what was back then, the 60 miler on a mare I had named Sassy.  I later did the 100 miler on Montoya DSA in 2000, 2001, and 2002.  I did the 65 miler on her in 2003, and then went back in 2004 and did the 65 miler again, this time on Mickey Dee.  I didn't go back to that ride until last year when I rode the 35 miler on Speedy G.

Here are some photos of my ride at 20 Mule Team last year.  If you're really interested in reading about last year's ride, scroll down below the slide show and click the read more link.

20 Mule Team 35/65/100 Miler

Many of my friends and family know that in late January, 2010 I had to euthanize my lovely Arabian mare, Montoya DSA. Montoya completed 2,750 endurance miles over an eleven-year period. She failed to complete only three times: once for a hoof injury, once for over exertion in the heat, and once for a minor lameness. Continuing on in the sport of endurance without her was never in question, but I didn’t know how difficult that first ride without Montoya would be.

In late February, with a confidence that turned out to be short-lived, I loaded up a new passenger, McGwire, and my Arabian gelding, Speedy G. We were heading to Ridgecrest for the 20 Mule Team 35 mile limited distance endurance ride. McGwire, our black Labrador, was certainly puzzled by the trip as he never goes with me, but he faithfully kept me company as we wound our way through the Tehachapi mountains. Once we crossed through the pass and began the descent to the desert floor, I understood why I had brought him. And I think he did, too.

The tears came and went as the desert scenery passed outside my window. It was just one month ago that I had made this same trip with Montoya for the Fire Mountain 50 miler. Memories of countless adventures with her flooded over me: our first hundred mile ride in Ridgecrest, the 200 miles at the Death Valley Encounter, the Eastern High Sierra Classic 50 miler in Bridgeport, and so many others. McGwire quietly tucked his nose under my elbow and let me know that all was well. The headache that had plagued me all week slowly dissipated as the tears finally dried up. I silently wondered how many more times I might need to say goodbye to Montoya.

By the time we arrived at 20 Mule Team’s basecamp, my smile was back and the anticipation of completing yet another endurance ride was buzzing all around us. We quickly located my riding buddy, parked the truck and trailer, and unloaded dog and horse. McGwire was tethered to the truck, much to his embarrassment, and Speedy G was put on the HiTie.

After completing two, thirty mile limited distance rides in early 2009, this was Speedy G’s first endurance ride in a year. Montoya’s death was so unexpected and came at the start of a well-planned ride season in which Speedy G wasn’t going to be competing. And so while he was relatively fit, there were many things that still needed to be practiced. While he had been on the HiTie before, it had never been for more than an hour. This would be his first over-night experience on it.

Speedy G has also been very reluctant to have anything put in his mouth, and even though we’ve been working on it, giving him electrolytes was going to be a challenge. Knowing that he’ll eat gravel if it’s in his feed pan, I mixed the electrolytes with his beet pulp and was delighted to see him lick the pan clean! (This might explain why he drained his water bucket twice during the night.) We continued with all the pre-ride activities that happen the day before a ride, and then we went to bed.

All was well until 3:00 a.m. when the rain began. And continued. For the next fifteen hours! Saddling an inexperienced horse at an endurance ride is challenging even in the best of weather. In the rain, it requires a tremendous amount of patience and a dose of humor. The task was eventually accomplished and the saddle’s seat remained relatively dry thanks to a towel, a rump rug, and a rotation of horse blankets.

Even though it was a sloppy, muddy mess with areas of water coursing over, the trail was well marked and easy to follow. We were frequently blasted by rain, hail, and the ever-present desert wind. Even so, we laughed and enjoyed the day. Speedy G, while in no hurry to finish, always trot out when asked, pulsed down immediately, ate whatever he could find, and drank greedily. The rules for limited distance require a horse to pulse down at the finish line in order to complete the ride. Even with a horse galloping to the line behind us, whinnying shrilly, Speedy handled it just fine. Back at the trailer he ate everything he could find, including another electrolyte-flavored mash. Late that night he even laid down while on the HiTie!

Losing my reliable endurance partner forced me to face some challenges sooner than I expected. Solving the mystery of how to successfully complete endurance rides can be stressful for both the owner and the horse. And yet, another ride was successfully completed and another horse began his career. I can only hope that Speedy G enjoys as many accomplishments and adventures in his life as Montoya did in hers.
Sean
2/26/2011 06:29:57 am

Nice website!


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