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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

"Saddle Up Anyway"

4/27/2022

 
That's been my motto for so many years that I assumed I still believed it. For me, saddling up anyway has meant not allowing everyday life irritations to interfere with my riding. Hot day? Get over it, saddle up anyway. It's cold; saddle up anyway. I'm tired (said with a whine), saddle up anyway. Having grit, perseverance, and determination are how one succeeds in life. If I am not willing to push through mental fatigue or physical discomfort, how will I ever navigate those same challenges while showing? For myself, I've always felt that being a "fair weather" rider creates mediocrity.
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The sign I made for my equestrian lounge.
And then I turned 50 (now 51), got COVID, and started working for an administrator whose style is to micro manage her staff. Suddenly, I am facing days where I am actually physically tired and mentally exhausted. Speedy is such a generous horse that he could always shoulder my baggage, relieving me of the burden so that I could let it all go and ride. I knew this when my heart horse, Montoya, died. After letting her go that January day, I came back to the barn and cried and cried. Speedy rested his head against me and soaked up all my tears.

Izzy isn't that kind of horse. I know that, but for so long I tried to saddle up anyway; it never strengthened our relationship. I was thinking about this over the weekend. I wasn't feeling my best on Friday, so I pressed my face into Speedy's neck and just breathed. He stood quietly while I rested against him trying to regain my emotional balance. I finally smiled and gave him a hug. I climbed through the fence and wrapped my arms around Izzy searching for that same sense of peace. Izzy couldn't handle the emotions. He quickly raised his head and turned away. 
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Back in 2012.
Now that Izzy is my main ride, I face the saddle up anyway conundrum daily. Do I saddle up anyway even if my emotional state is a bit of a mess knowing that Izzy doesn't deal well with my emotional baggage? Or, do I forgo the ride and shove cookies at him instead while we play games? Will powering through advance our relationship, or do I get further by honoring his friendliness which builds confidence? The answer seems obvious when I put it that way. As I get to know Izzy more and more, I have to admit that he cannot be my emotional partner. I can't use him for emotional support; I have to be HIS support. He needs for me to be always expressing confidence and self-assurance.

Instead of feeling obligated to ride him five days a week no matter my emotional and physical state, I have decided to leave the guilt behind and recognize that saddling up anyway is not what is best for this horse. Instead, I am allowing myself to ride on the days that I feel good. That means he gets ridden three to four days a week which is still enough to make progress.
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Back in 2016 with my friend Kathy.
This horse has certainly changed how I ride and think about riding, and that's a good thing.

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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