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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

On Being Thankful

11/23/2017

 
Like all of you, I have much for which to be thankful. While I could list hundreds of things for which I am grateful (wine, the Riding Warehouse, chocolate, sunny days, etc.), I'd like to share just five on this day of Thanksgiving.
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My husband and dogs at Lake Isabella.
I wake up grateful each and every day to be married to such a generous and dependable man. I am also thankful for his sense of humor and tolerance. That he likes dogs is a plus! We've been together since I was 19 and he was 21, 27 years. How did two young kids know enough to pick the right partner for life? I don't know how I got so lucky, but I am grateful every day that I did.
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At a recent field trip to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
While I might be marking off the years until retirement, I am still thankful to have job that pays me well and still allows me to have so much time to spend doing the things I really love. Its seems as though you usually get one or the other: good pay or time off. I am grateful to have both.
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My backyard view.
I am very thankful that a greater power led us to live in Bakersfield. While my husband is native to the city, we looked elsewhere as we were pursuing our first jobs. Settling in this city has afforded us opportunities that we wouldn't have had living somewhere else. 
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Speedy at a spring show. Izzy is not pictured.
I am particularly appreciative to have my boys. Each one of them brings me joy in his own unique way. Speedy is irreplaceable; to lose him would be losing a member of my family. And while Izzy is not my easiest "child," I find myself growing more attached each day. 
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They bring nothing but smiles to our home.
We don't have human kids (I am grateful for that), but our four-legged buddies fill the role nicely. When our first two canine friends crossed the Rainbow Bridge (McGwire at 11 and Kirby at 15), we spent a dogless year waiting for our next "kid" to find us. It was a long and quiet year. We missed the click of toenails on the floor, the jingle jangle of dog tags hitting the water bowl, and soft snores filling our bedroom. Each day these guys fill our home with love.

​I hope you spend this Thanksgiving Day surrounded by friends and family doing something that you love.

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    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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    Photo by Lori Ovanessian
    Email Karen

    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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    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    October 2020

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    I love her stuff!

    National Rider Awards

    • USDF Bronze Medal - 2020 
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    Lapel Pin
    • USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
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    • USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
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    • USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
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    State Rider Awards
    • CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
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    Ruby Rider Award, 2018
    State Horse Awards
    • CDS Third Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2020
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    3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
    • CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award: Speedy G - 2018
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    2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

    Working Towards:

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

    2021 Show Season

    Show Rating
    (***) CDS/USDF/USEF 
    (*) CDS
    (s) Schooling
    (c) Clinic
    (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic
    (Q) Must Qualify
    2021 Pending …
    3/27-28 SCEC (***)
    4/10-11 SCEC (***)
    5/16-17 El Sueño (***)
    5/23 TMC (*)
    6/12-13 SB (***) OR
    6/19-20 El Sueño (***)
    6/27 TMC (*)
    7/3-4 Burbank (***) OR
    7/17-18 El Sueño (***)
    7/25 TMC (*)
    ​8/14-15 RAAC (Q) (***)
    8/29 TMC (*)
    ​

    2021 Completed …
    ​10/24-25 SCEC (***)
    ​11/7-11/8 SB (***)

    2021 Qualifying Scores 

    Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC)  
    2nd Level Qualifying 
    3 Scores/2 Judges/60%:

    Score 1: 60.610% Bhathal
    Score 2:
    Score 3:

    CDS Championship
    ​2nd Level Qualifying 
    5 Scores/4 Judges/61%:

    Score 1: 
    Score 2: 
    Score 3:
    Score 4:
    ​Score 5: 

    Stuff I Read

    • A Horse Crazy American in Germany​
    • Avandarre in Dressage​
    • BB Quarter Horses​
    • Go Pony​
    • She Moved to Texas
    • Stubborn Together
    • Tales From a Bad Eventer
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Site Design: Karen Sweaney
  • Home
  • About
  • Horses
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Imperioso
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Education
  • Local
    • Shopping List