Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
That sounds ridiculously serious, but it's sort of true. While I will be teaching from home most days, I had to be physically present this week to assemble and distribute student supplies. We handed out textbook, laptops, crayons, glue sticks, spiral notebooks, and on and on. California has been blasted by a massive heat wave that is about as intense as our weather can get. Our highs have been in the 100s with lows in the 80s. We're also deep into our monsoon season which means humidity but without any rain, at least here in the valley. On top of that, firefighters are battling hundreds of fires across the state. Most were caused by lightening strikes created by the recent thunderstorms that are a result of the monsoon. The way the air currents run in California, all of the smoke and particulates generally get pushed our way. Our air has looked like the above photo. The ridiculously bad air combined with high heat and humidity have created air quality that meteorologists are classifying as hazardous. All residents are encouraged to stay indoors. Thank you, 2020. But, equestrians. You know we just can't/won't stay indoors. So, several mornings this week, I was at the barn by 5:00 a.m. and riding by 5:30. It was pretty dark as we walked, but by 5:45, the sky had lightened just enough so that I could see the dressage court. That was all I needed. After giving Izzy a shower and feeding both boys, I stripped down to my unmentionables and "showered" with the hose. I toweled off and slipped into a t-shirt and shorts. I braided my sticky hair and slipped on a pair of Keds. Fortunately, the dress code has been pretty relaxed this week.
I am working from home this morning, so I can spend a few extra minutes at the barn today because I don't have to drive quite so far. Next week, I'll be teaching virtually, but I don't have to be at my desk until 7:45 a.m., so as long as this weather persists, I'll be doing morning rides. Thank goodness it's Friday. Enjoy your weekend. And if you have kids, bless you and good luck. 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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