Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Having a truck and trailer combo is a lot of work and requires a constant outlay of money. Case in point: my trailer's bathroom door has been a bit wobbly on the hinges for a few years. I have some limited carpentry skills, so periodically I just tightened the screws in the door's hinges and made sure to always lift the door when opening. Even so, it had developed quite a sag. Tightening the screws worked for a while, until it didn't. Sometime while coming home from the Tehachapi show on June 23rd, it fell off the hinges and onto the floor. I was quite surprised when I opened the door to unload my stuff to find it laying there. The door actually came off the wall cleanly, without damage, so I just left it there while I went to the Hansen Dam Show on June 30. However, I am going to two, 2-day shows this month that require two overnights each time. Living with a door on the floor is just not an option. I called up my local Camping World and scheduled an appointment for a door rehanging. While I was there I also had my propane tank topped off which made the visit a little more productive. I didn't know how wobbly the door was until it wasn't. When I checked out the repair, I gave a girly squeal of delight. The door no longer needs to be lifted to open, and it swings perfectly. For $130 and some change, you too can have a functioning bathroom door! Thank you, Camping World. After doing so much maintenance on Blue Truck, I decided the trailer needed some further attention as well. I swept out the horse compartment and emptied the tack room. I didn't think to take a before picture until I was wet to the hips and my stuff was scattered Okie-style all over the side of the road. After scrubbing a year's supply of poop, sweat, and horse hair out of the trailer, it looks pretty sparkly. I wouldn't eat off the floor or anything, but it's pretty darn clean. Returning all of the junk is pretty satisfying: I emptied out the blue pocket hanger and threw a few things away. I also returned a few items to the barn as they were no longer necessary, a rump rug in particular. I loaded my hay for this weekend's show and spread fresh shavings on the floor. We'll be rolling in style this Friday!
Angela
7/10/2013 11:44:49 pm
Looks Great!! Now I'm motivated to put a little elbow grease into our trailer.
Karen
7/11/2013 05:11:48 am
It's not a very fun job, is it? :0) Thanks.
Karen
7/11/2013 05:13:48 am
Thank you, Amanda. I appreciate it more now than I did when I first bought it. I've written about how great it is to have living quarters, but it can also be a pain in the butt to take care of - like when the door falls off. :0)
I think I have trailer envy, but it's tempered by a healthy dose of don't-wanna-clean-that-ism. :) How luxurious to be able to have that shower, though! Good luck this weekend!
Karen
7/11/2013 05:17:02 am
I'll be sure to check it out, Austen!
Karen
7/11/2013 07:01:03 am
Thanks, Lauren! Just combine a large fear of being stranded on the side of California's busiest highway alone with a hefty dose of OCD and you'll be well on your way. :0)
Karen
7/11/2013 11:22:11 pm
Thanks, Karley - it only lasts one ride before it's got poo, hair, and sweat all over. I only do it once a year because it's so much work!
Karen
7/14/2013 11:42:20 pm
I don't know if Speedy cared or not, but it sure looked nice when I loaded him up! Comments are closed.
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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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