Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
This was a FUN show! Speedy G was very well behaved. During both rides he fussed about a few things, but outside of the show ring he was awesome. That was a good thing since he was NAUGHTY at the Ride-a-Test that we did two weeks ago. My dorky-let-it-all-hang-out-dude was back and just as relaxed as he usually is. He was so relaxed that even though I had to park like a mile from the show rings, he stood at the trailer all by himself like he LIKED it. Good boy! I pulled out of my barn at 6:45 a.m. and pulled into the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center at 8:45. I might have gotten a wee bit lost at one point. My first ride was at 10:03 so I was feeling a little bit of pressure to check in, tack up, change, and warm up. I walked around looking for the show office and when I couldn't find it, I decided I had better get dressed and warmed up and worry about checking in later. I braided Speedy G's locks and quickly saddled him while he stood there like a pro. I dressed quickly, but was a bit dismayed at how funky my show boots felt. Um ... Could it be that I haven't even put them on since early November? The dressage courts were quite a long hike from the parking area, so I bridled my boy and decided that walking the quarter mile might help my boots loosen up. Ultimately I warmed them up sufficiently and forgot about them as I rode. Note to self: put the boots on a little more frequently. When I finally found the warm up arena, I was spotted quickly by the show manager who called me by name. Wow. I was rather impressed. She was uber-friendly and zipped over to the show office in her golf cart to retrieve my number. She even pinned it to my saddle blanket for me. Then she looked at my new bridle and told me the caveson needed to be raised. She then started unbuckling and got to work. Okey-dokey! I genuinely wasn't offended. It's brand new and she's a professional. Raise it, I say! I can't say enough good things about this show. The arenas were lovely. The volunteers were extremely friendly. The grounds were beautiful. The judge was very encouraging. The other competitors were very polite. Speedy G expressed his typical "oh, crap!" about the other horses in the warm up, and THEIR riders apologized for scaring him. Seriously? How nice was that? I am definitely going back for more. Tomorrow I'll post our score sheets. Today? Here are some photos of the grounds.
Cha Ching's Mom
2/12/2012 11:33:23 pm
Considering taking the Boy down for a weekend show in March.. Not showing.. just hanging out and then maybe show the next time! The pictures have certainly gotten me quite excited!!
Karen
2/12/2012 11:42:37 pm
Did you find their show schedule? I'd love to see it. The next dressage show is the 29th of April. Does the date coincide with a jumping show? :0)
Val
2/13/2012 07:14:33 am
Gorgeous show grounds! I get a kick out of the palm trees, too.
Karen
2/13/2012 10:22:35 am
They're very typical here in California. It's not just a stereotype. Many years ago we bought my inlaws a Queen Ann Palm that is now over 30 feet tall!
martina peterson
2/13/2012 07:53:20 am
I made a comment about your show but somehow it went on my post instead. Sort of weird, who knows? I am glad you had fun. I also noticed the beautiful blue skys mostly all we have is gray this time of year. love mom
Karen
2/13/2012 10:30:12 am
Thanks, Mom!
Sandy orloff
2/13/2012 09:32:33 am
and you remembered your show clothes! Yay!
Karen
2/13/2012 10:23:26 am
Yes, but I had many moments of panic on the way down as I questioned whether I had packed EVERYTHING! :0)
Judy
2/13/2012 10:43:55 am
Nice grounds! I'm glad the two of you had a good time. I'll be looking forward to seeing what your times were. Now I don't think I'm being prejudiced when I say how "professional" looking your blog has become! I like to scan other people's blogs when I see one recommended, and I really think your's is one of the better ones I've seen! xoxo Judy
Karen
2/14/2012 10:52:53 am
Gosh, Judy! You're making me blush. Thank you for the compliment. I love hosting the website and like writing every day. I never do anything part-way ... wish I could! I read a bunch of blogs, and you're right. Some are more professional looking than others. There are few that I read that have such excellent writing that it doesn't matter what they look like! I sure wish I had some of their writing talent! 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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