Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Random Thing #1: April was really weird. The first half of the month was unseasonably cool and very wet. In fact, it was the third wettest April out of the past 132 years. We saw two record daily rainfalls and one day with a high temperature of only 51℉. On Wednesday, it was 92℉. Random Thing #2: Here's what $375 looks like. It reminds me of Pepto-Bismol. Maybe they ought to consider changing the pink color to Tiffany Blue and then adding a white satin ribbon. Who wouldn't want one of those? In all seriousness, I was actually getting worried about the box not arriving on time. Speedy's pills are on auto-ship, but shipping is taking so long that I quickly changed the date to allow for the delay in shipping. It made it on time. Random Thing #3: It was so hot on Wednesday that it inspired me to wash a bunch of stuff. When I took my gloves off, a stench of nasty horse sweat, not the good kind, but the kind that you hope isn't coming off you, rose up and punched me in the nose. I washed all of my current brushes - the old ones are already cleaned and in storage, scrubbed both girths, my helmet liner, and my gloves. You wouldn't believe the brown water that came pouring out of those! Random Thing #4: Izzy got a promotion! After I untack Speedy, I unclip his lead rope and turn him loose to graze in the yard. He immediately wanders over to his favorite spot and grazes until he sees that it's time for lunch. It's taken three years, but Izzy has finally earned the same privilege, but he still gets to wear his lead rope. Now that his fear-meter has adjusted downward, he feels safe grazing alongside the other horses. He too has learned to come in when it's lunch time, but he sometimes forgets how to get back in his field. He'll figure it out; I think. Random Thing #5: This truly is random, but it's worth mentioning. You know that I've been resupplying my breeches. I discovered the Stride Full Seat Tech tights from Dover, and they have become my hands down favorite tights. I know I keep saying that, but the day I rode Izzy to the park and had my cell phone shoved in my pocket, I discovered something new about the breeches that is ingenious. I like carrying my phone in my right pocket, so I didn't notice the difference until I put my phone in the left pocket where it immediately slid uncomfortably to the bottom of the (very deep) pocket. I stuck my hand in both pockets and discovered that the pocket on the right, but not the left, is lined with the same silicone material as is on the seat! Is this normal? Have I just not noticed this before? Whatever the case, I hope other manufacturers pick up on this creative little idea because it makes my phone ride much more secure against my thigh. It's the random things that are making life bearable right now. Have a good weekend, and try to find some of your own positive randomness.
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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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