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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Progress on the Equestrian Lounge

6/1/2020

 
On Friday, I wrote about the beginnings of our new "Equestrian Lounge," if you can call a table and chairs a lounge. Over the weekend, we made some good progress, but it's not finished yet. After hauling over an old table from the ranch's back yard and even older chairs from all over the ranch, I got to thinking about getting some better chairs. As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I realized that I could get a new patio table and chairs at home, and take our old stuff out to the barn.
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The table no longer lives on my patio, but this is what it looks like.
Other than being beige, there's nothing wrong with my table and chairs. The glass isn't cracked and none of the chairs are frayed. But. The truth is, our whole back yard and patio is nothing but the color of Café au lait - otherwise known as beige. I thought about it for less than a minute and realized that our patio set is getting older, and we're ready for something with a bit more color. I placed an order with Home Depot.
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Tan walls, cream-colored furniture, brown shade, chestnut lounge chair ... all words for beige.
With a click here and a click there, a new table and chairs were on the way. I was able to pick up the table on Saturday which meant the old table is already at the barn. Four pretty new chairs should be here in about ten days. I ordered them in red, or as Home Depot calls it, Chili Red. When they get here, the old chairs will join the table out at the ranch.
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Won't these be pretty?
In the meantime, I ordered a few other things for our lounge. Such as ...
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Custom-made, details to follow!
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Bamboo and aluminum wind chimes - coming soon.
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How pretty is this?
When I went to Home Depot to pick up the table, I stopped by the gardening shop to buy some plants to fill in our "Zen Rock Garden." My thumbs aren't particularly green, but when properly motivated, I can usually keep something alive.
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Periwinkle Vinca plants.
We added some succulents as well and then built a border all around our Equestrian lounge with the river rocks.
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We nestled the plants in amongst the stones, As the Vinca spreads, it will look really pretty. We hope!
Then I raked and raked and raked to remove as many of the dead leaves and fallen sticks as possible. I doubt it will ever again be swept this clean, but for now it looks pretty inviting.
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"New" table and old chairs.
Once my new chairs arrive, I'll take the old chairs out to the ranch. For now, I am thinking of keeping both tables and chairs. We have the space, and who knows when we might throw a garden party.
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Missing the "new' chairs and the decorations, but progress has been made.
While the lounge isn't finished yet, the bones are definitely there. With the new chairs and decorations, it's going to actually look like something. My husband surprised me by bringing lunch out on Sunday. It was really pleasant eating at the table and sitting on a real chair rather than hunched over an old tire with my lunch on my lap - something I've done plenty of times before.

It might not be a glamorous lounge, but it's the perfect lounge for us. Stay tuned for more!

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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

    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 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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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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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
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home