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What with all this searching for my joy business, you might think that I've given up riding all together. Not so, my friend, not so. I am just not entertaining the I HAVE TO RIDE AND MAKE PROGRESS parts. Things are a lot more fun if you allow your self to suck eggs and laugh about it. I hopped up on Izzy on Saturday, but it wasn't at the butt crack of dawn like I usually do. I did some things around the house - laundry, making breakfast, paying bills, you know - important stuff. I ended up moseying my way out to the ranch a little before noon. It wasn't warm, but at least the sun was actually up.  January 2019 It wasn't a horrible ride, but it wasn't great either. Fall and winter are not Izzy's favorite seasons. The cold weather does very bad things to his attention span. It's almost like he's been chugging Mountain Dew and stuffing his pie hole with, well, pie - super sugary pie. This is not a new thing. And fortunately, with our especially long summer, he took longer than usual to get so distracted. When he's like this, I just go back to working on foundational stuff. When he pushes against my hand, I slow things way down for him so that he can relax. Once he relaxes, I ask for more forward. The relaxation doesn't last long, so we spend a lot of time rubber-banding. We stretch forward and snap back, stretch forward, and snap back. Rarely does the rubber band break anymore, which is progress.  November 2017 Sometimes I shake my head at how greedy I've become. Two years ago I would have been ecstatic to ride the horse I am riding today. These days, he's pretty steady in the bridle - too steady, actually (he needs to let me move him around more). He never bolts - now that I have convinced him to let me be in control, and even his spooks are little. He actually looks embarrassed when he does have a brain fart. That's the problem with greed though, there's never enough. The better he gets, the more I want.
I like looking back at these old pictures. He's always been prettier than I recognized. 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. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
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.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
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.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
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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