Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Again, I hate to complain, but man has it been hot. The weather forecast is calling for a ten degree drop for next week, but we're all doubtful that it's going to happen. I think the reason this week's heat really got to me has everything to do with my work schedule. During my summer vacation, I get to the barn by 6:30 a.m. and work and ride until 10:30 or 11:00. It's hot by noon, but it happens gradually. I now get to work at 6:00 a.m. - the coolest part of the day, and alternate between my air conditioned classroom and being outside for P.E. or walking to the library or standing in the lunch line, all of which are outside. It's hard going back and forth between such extreme temperatures. By the time I leave work, I already feel like my internal thermostat has taken a beating. I get to the barn by 3:30 p.m. - just when our maximum heat is starting to build. Some days it's around 98℉ while I am dragging the sprinklers out and mixing feed, but within two hours it can climb another five or six degrees. That's what happened on Friday. It was 100℉ while I was saddling just before 4:00, but by the time I was unsaddling an hour later, it was a 102℉. I am already "late" for my Saturday barn visit, but it's hard to get up every day at 4:45 a.m. only to do it on the weekends too. Even if I get to the barn two hours later than my summer vacation schedule, it will still be at least 20 degrees cooler than it is at 3:30. I appreciated the slower start to my morning.
Hopefully your own weekend will be cooler than expected.
Judy
8/29/2015 01:19:06 am
We got a half inch of rain last night! Woo hoo!
lytha
8/29/2015 05:12:00 pm
I've heard that going back and forth between temp extremes is what makes people sick (as opposed to what the Germans say - AC makes you sick). Is this true? Do you often get ill? 8/30/2015 12:39:17 am
Without getting too metaphysical on you, Lytha, I really believe that mental fatigue is what causes most illness. When we keep a positive attitude and balance in our lives, we tend to maintain our health. With that being said, I also try really hard not to touch my face with my hands during the day while at school. Kids are dirty!!! :0) 8/30/2015 01:20:23 am
Heat + high humidity is definitely harder on the body. It's a fact. 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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