My 5 Things: Family

7/23/2013

It occurred to me over the weekend that my family is another one of My 5 Things.

Hubby Fishing in Belize

I have a great husband: he's generous, loving, kind, adventurous, and has a great sense of humor. And while he doesn't share my passion for all things equine, he graciously helps subsidize my passion. Basically, he's Thing 1. As an aside, today is our 19th wedding anniversary. I've decided he's a keeper.

Clean and Shiny at El Sueno

After Hubby comes the gray pony. It's not that Speedy is more important than the rest of the crew, but he's been with me for a few years now. Even Hubby considers Speedy to be a family member. Speedy is Thing 2.

All cleaned up for a show!

Sydney, of course, is Thing 3. He's not been with us as long as Speedy has, but I think by this point Hubby feels as though he gets to stay. Hubby hasn't hung out with Sydney much and doesn't know him very well, but since Sydney has yet to hurt me, he has a pretty solid ranking in Hubby's book!

As loyal as they come!

Tobias is the youngest member of our family as well as the most recent addition. He's a year and a half old now. His life revolves around walks, swimming, fetching the paper, and being with us every moment of the day. He's Thing 4, and he's definitely a member of the family!

Me, in Glasgow, Scotland

And then, there's Thing 5; me! It's great to know that I am part of a special group that wouldn't work without me in it. Sometimes I feel like I do this dressage thing all alone, but the reality is that it takes all five of us to get it done.

I love what these 5 Things create: a very happy family!

14 Comments

Judy

7/22/2013 11:36:58 pm

Happy Anniversary! Love you guys!

Karen

7/23/2013 04:44:15 am

Thanks, Judy. :0)

Angela

7/23/2013 12:48:31 am

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on a beautiful family and 19 years together!!

I too have one of those "keepers," and I also reap the rewards and benefits of his kind and generous nature towards my "equine passion." (Perhaps, they have mastered the ability to accept the things they cannot change...) God Bless them!

Have a wonderful day!

Karen

7/23/2013 04:45:17 am

HAHAHA! That is no doubt right, AND it could also be that we're worth it. :0)

Angela

7/23/2013 06:32:00 am

Yippers ;-)

Kelly link

7/23/2013 03:33:34 am

Happy Anniversary! It is wonderful to have a super supportive husband (I know, I have one too!)

Karen

7/23/2013 04:45:53 am

Thanks, Kelly. I think your husband has an equally supportive wife! :0)

Austen link

7/23/2013 11:00:35 pm

Kelly's husband is the best horse husband out there! We've joked he needs to start teaching other husbands lessons! ;)

Lauren link

7/23/2013 06:49:28 am

We have a '5 thing' family too! :)

Karley link

7/23/2013 06:50:38 am

Happy Anniversary!! :)

Stephanie

7/23/2013 08:42:46 am

I don't think I could narrow my things down to just 5! However, wonderful husbands are the best! Congrats on your anniversary!

Amanda link

7/23/2013 10:59:11 am

Happy Anniversary! Great post!

Austen link

7/23/2013 10:59:31 pm

What a lovely family! Happy Anniversary, you two!

Karen

7/24/2013 03:12:48 am

Thank you all for your kind wishes!

About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently showing Third Level for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

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 schooling and showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

March 2019

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE

I love her stuff!

National Awards

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018

2nd Level Rider Performance, 2018

USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015

1st Level Rider Performance, 2015

USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

Training Level Rider Performance, 2013

State Awards

CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

Ruby Rider Award, 2018

2020 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USEF
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2020 Pending …
3/7-8 El Sueno (***)
3/22 Fresno (***)
4/11-12 El Sueno (***)
4/26 TMC (*)
5/9-10 El Sueno (***)
5/31 TMC (*)
6/13-14 El Sueno (***)
6/28 TMC (*)
7/11-12 El Sueno (***)
7/26 TMC (*)
8/8-9 RAAC (Q)
8/30 TMC (*)
10/24-25 SCEC (***)

2020 Completed …
10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)

Qualifying Scores for 2020

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)
3rd Level Qualifying
3 Scores/2 Judges:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
Score 3:

CDS Championship
3rd Level Qualifying
5 Scores/4 Judges:
Score 1: 60.405% Atkins
Score 2: 62.432% Atkins
Score 3:
Score 4:
Score 5:

Working Towards:

CDS 3rd Level Horse Performance Award
3 Judges/3 Shows:
Score 1: 63.514% Lindholm
Score 2: 62.105% Lindholm
Score 3: 63.243% Wadeborn
Score 4: 60.405% Atkins
Score 5: 62.432% Atkins
Score 6:

CDS Sapphire Rider Award
Third Level: 63.514%
Third Level: 62.105%
Fourth Level:
Fourth Level:

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level - 62.432%
Third Level -