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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Three Things

11/10/2016

 
My life involves three things; just three. I am a pretty simple person. When any one of those three things is out of whack, I feel stressed. If two of them are wobbling, I am in full depression mode. Occasionally, all three things go well and I am deliriously happy.  

First of course is my married life. If my husband and I aren't seeing eye to eye, ain't nobody happy. That area of my life is rocking along quite happily.
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A second area of my life that that can cause me a boatload of stress is work. I don't talk about my profession a whole lot here because my employer would rather I not. Teaching is much harder than it looks, and if most people knew what goes on behind the scenes, they'd cut us a lot more slack than they do.

A week or two ago, a situation arose in my classroom that caused me to have a full on, burst out bawling, melt down. While it took about two months for that issue to be resolved, it is now thankfully taken care of and my 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. life is also sailing along quite pleasantly. 
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Then there is my barn life. This area is the most volatile and the least likely to run smoothly. Having two horses that can break or be naughty is one reason for the more frequent downward blips. If one pony is going along happily, the other surely will not be.

Right now, Speedy is still recovering from a self-induced injury which is not causing me acute angst, but it's still a tiny pebble in my shoe of happiness. Izzy is the one causing me the heart ache. While I have since abandoned the notion that he might give me a good ride each day (he won't, I know), I am still hopeful that he'll show me some kind of improvement that I can actually see.

Last night's ride was a real loser. I tried every tool in my kit to get something of a half halt from him so that I could pat his neck and hop off. Nope. I finally resorted to planting both hands on my knees as we careened around on some sort of round shape that was definitely not a 20-meter circle. My thinking was to let him fight himself instead of fighting with me. It didn't work.

With no other tricks to try, I finally went back to counter flexion with a strong outside leg. With that combination of aids, he'll turn, lift his front end, and let go of the bit. It's not fun or easy though, and I hope Chemaine can give me something else this weekend.
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So that's my trinity: married life, work life, and barn life. When all three are aligned, I float on air. Right now, my happiness balloon is bouncing along on the ground. Does anyone know where a helium tank might be found? I need a quick shot. Or tequila - same difference.
Sarah link
11/10/2016 06:21:40 am

This rings so true for me. I think I have a fourth facet of family/friends because I have a huge network of people who aren't horse or work related that I try to see often. Right now, with Copper being lame, that group of people plus my work folks think I'm crazy because I'm in a tiz that my horse is lame again. :/

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/10/2016 06:53:34 am

I wish I had that fourth group, but the reality is that if you're not into horses, I just don't have time. Any of the people that I interact with regularly either share my last name or have a horse. :0)

I feel your pain on the lame horse issue. Speedy's been off (due to his own stupidity) for a month. AND he was lame all winter from even more stupidity on his part. He's my sanity so when I can't ride him, all I am left with is Stupid (said with affection). Hopefully Copper will be back at it in less time than you think. :0)

Sarah link
11/10/2016 07:40:47 am

How frustrating. Glad 2out of 3 are going well right now

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/11/2016 09:48:10 am

2 out of 3 is good!

Aarene Storms link
11/10/2016 08:53:29 am

First off: teachers are the BEST. As a public librarian, I work closely with the schools in my service district (especially the middle school--I am there at least once every week) and I deeply admire the work done by teachers (and school librarians) every single day. Give yourself a star!

Second: Yeah, when the horse thing is bummin', seems like everything is bummin'. Working through an issue is one thing; slogging through a deep mire of issues is so much more frustrating. You have my sympathy. I think we've all been there, done that. Does anyone else ever ride Izzy, to maybe offer insights? You've said before that he's an honest type--has he learned the art of deception? Or just going through a "rat bastard" phase?

Yay for family!

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/11/2016 09:50:24 am

Thank you - I think most people work hard, but some professions get walked on more easily than others. :0)

I WISH someone else would ride the jerk, but I don't have many local riding friends, and of the ones I do have, no one is really skilled enough to ride him. My trainer wants to hop on him this weekend. Hallelujah!

Rat bastard all the way!!!!

Marlane
11/10/2016 10:37:19 am

When I was frustrated in horse training e.g. asking for something and it did not happen or was difficult, what helped me was to go back to something simple that I knew that my horse could do willingly. Then the session ended on a positive note.

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/11/2016 09:51:18 am

Trying ... right now that wold entail mounting and then getting off. We have that NAILED. :0)

Teresa link
11/10/2016 03:49:56 pm

My life is pretty simple, like yours. And like yours, when one thing is out of whack it all is.

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/11/2016 09:52:18 am

Exactly. While I like 2 out of 3, that wonky one-third does affect my equilibrium. :0)

Megan link
11/10/2016 04:37:59 pm

I've always used a sine curve visual to describe this sort of thing. Like I have my friends, my relationship, my family, my horses, and my job. And they each are on different sine waves which go back and forth between being really good and really bad. Right now everything is either good or close to being good except my horse, who, like you, I'm struggling with. And that I can handle unless one or two other parts of my life tank, which is when the horse being kind of a jerk becomes REALLY hard to deal with.

Here's hoping Izzy (and Speedy, sorry to hear about his injury!) takes a big swing up and everything returns to being great all at the same time!

Bakersfield Dressage link
11/11/2016 09:54:55 am

I only have the three. Anything else doesn't really register or upset my equilibrium. If more than one of them goes wonky, I am in deep trouble. Sadly it happens occasionally, but it's rare.

I never really knew anyone else compartmentalized like I do, but after reading some of these comments, I realize that there are many people like me. Funny how they're all equestrians. :0)


Comments are closed.

    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
    Email Karen

    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 Second Level. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    October 2020

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    Bakersfield Dressage approved!
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    FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
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    I love her stuff!

    National Rider Awards

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  • Home
  • About
  • Horses
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Imperioso
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
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