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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Mount Vernon

4/23/2014

 
While in Washington, DC, our first stop was George Washington's Mount Vernon. We took a river boat cruise up the Potomac to reach the plantation. 
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The Spirit of Mt. Vernon docked in the District of Columbia.
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Mt. Vernon as seen from the Potomac River.
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The back of the mansion. We're looking at the Potomac River.
Washington acquired Mt. Vernon in 1754 and spent the last 45 years of his life working and expanding his farm. He considered himself a farmer above all else. He found the farming practices of his day to be quite inadequate and is credited with inventing and utilizing many innovative farming techniques.

Washington invented a round threshing barn that had two stories. On the upper level, harvested wheat was piled on the floor. Horses were sent trotting around the circle. Their hooves helped separate the grain where it would fall through the cracks to the level below.
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The round barn has 16 sides. This is the top level where the horses would enter. To the left, you can see the lower level where the grain would be gathered.
Washington was also the first person in the United States to build a structure to compost manure, or dung, as it is referred to at Mt. Vernon. I'll let the placard explain it.
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Washington was the original composter!
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The Dung Repository.
Mt. Vernon has been restored and functions as a living, thriving farm. There are sheep, a blacksmith, gardens, and of course horses. There are approximately 15 horses that work at Mt. Vernon throughout the year. They help till the fields and pull visitors in a large wagon through Pioneer Farm. Hubby was quite accommodating when I insisted we take a turn.
If you live here in California, imagine La Purisima or any of our other larger missions. That's what Mt. Vernon felt like. The mansion was very pretty, but humble. The outbuildings are numerous, but also small. And while the place hums with activity and noise, it was hard not to be moved by the fact that this was the home of a great Revolutionary and our first president. 
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The front of the mansion.
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Washington's tomb.
Rebecca link
4/22/2014 11:44:31 pm

Wow, how beautiful! As chance would have it, I've made plans to visit Mt. Vernon the first weekend in May. Now I'm glad it made my list :)

Bakersfield Dressage link
4/24/2014 12:28:40 pm

I am sure you'll enjoy it; it's really an interesting place.

Lauren link
4/23/2014 03:57:14 am

Very cool! I haven't been to Mount Vernon

Amanda link
4/23/2014 12:25:33 pm

So neat! Thanks for sharing!


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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    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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    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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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
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    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
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  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
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    • 2019 Dressage Tests
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