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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Too Close for Comfort

7/19/2016

 
It finally happened. After more than 16 years of hauling a horse trailer, I finally dented one. And then I punched a hole and ripped it open. Go big or go home. Right?
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I was going for a leg ripper because I need more of that.
It happened as we were pulling into the show grounds at last week's show. Because really, don't we all need just a little bit more stress on show day? 
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For some scale.
I have a bit of a reputation amongst my friends as being a pretty damn good driver. My best friend jokes that I can back that trailer up a gnat's ass. Apparently, I just can't go forward.

The directions for parking asked that we enter through the facility's second gate. I should have known better. I always go through the first gate, but I am a rule follower so even though it felt wrong, I pulled down to the second entrance. It was locked of course.

I was able to make a u-turn, but it meant that I was now coming at the main gate from the wrong direction. I had to swing really wide to make the turn, but in doing so, the outside of my trailer hit a gate pole that was less than 3 feet high. I just couldn't see it.

Laurel felt terrible because it was on her side. She was actually more stressed about it than I was. I just shrugged my shoulders and said oh well. There was no point in getting mad about it, and how was it her fault anyway? She wasn't the one driving. I laughed and told her we were just going to park so that we didn't have to look at it while we were at the show. And that's what we did!

Fortunately, Laurel knows people. And by people, I mean Mike Combs, manager of DeLaney Manufacturing. Mike and his staff make stuff. Everything they do is a custom order. When I asked him exactly what they manufacture, he told me they can make anything out of metal.
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I think this one was a metal press for folding and shaping metal sheets.
Mike gave me a spontaneous tour of the facility, explaining what some of the machines are used for.
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This bad boy is like a giant cookie cutter.
These guys can make anything. They can work from a simple, hand-drawn sketch or from full blown technical blue prints designed by an engineer. 
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Not sure what this machine does, but have you ever seen such a clean metal shop?
For my repair job, Mike's guy worked free form which means that he basically eye-balled it. Okay, I don't know that for sure, but I do know he cut away the torn up part, laid a new piece of aluminum over the top, welded it in place, and then shaped it so that the edges were smooth.
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Ready to be cleaned up.
I didn't stay to watch the work, although I wish I had. When I got back, the welder was smoothing out the patch.
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When I said I needed it really smooth for the horses, he set to work re-polishing every surface.
While the guys did a great job, it doesn't look like it came off the lot. That's okay because the trailer already has all kinds of little dinks and knocks. My horses have chewed off lots of pieces and kicked others. This is just one more boo-boo in a string of many.
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Good as new!
There's a lot I don't know about welding. More accurately said, I know almost nothing about welding. I did learn that welding aluminum, or any other metal besides steel, takes more specialized equipment than your typical backyard welder has in his garage. That's why I went to DeLaney's - they have all the right equipment.

If you live locally and need something made from metal, or need something repaired, check these guys out. DeLaney's can be found just off Rosedale Highway and Fruitvale at 2920 Wear Street.  You can call Mike Combs at 661-587-6681.

We are once again ready to hit the road. Thanks, Mike!
jenj
7/19/2016 05:50:33 am

Glad you have such a great trailer place! We had a tire blow and rip off a fender a couple of years ago... our trailer repair guy got us a new one and while it doesn't match exactly, you'd never know it wasn't the original unless you look closely. Having a good trailer repair place is definitely a must. Glad yours is back in good working order!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/19/2016 06:07:22 am

I am not sure these guys do many trailer repairs, but I was thankful to find someone to fix it. They would have ordered a new running board, but I didn't want to pay for a fancy repair job. I just needed it safe and serviceable (and cheap)! :0)

Leah link
7/19/2016 07:04:38 am

I love love LOVE my aluminum trailer but the the downside is they're so easy to dent up! In 6 years with my current trailer and 2 with my mom's, I haven't done any damage bad enough to require repairs (yet -- knock on wood), but I'm sure my time is coming....

Looks like they got you sorted out well though. And as long as it's safe, I'm of the opinion that looks aren't too important😉 safe, serviceable and cheap is a good motto! Haha

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/20/2016 05:41:31 am

My motto too! :0)

Hillary link
7/19/2016 08:36:30 am

Ouch! I am really paranoid that I will do something to my trailer parking it. I think it's inevitable so hopefully it'll be years for me too before it happens!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/20/2016 05:42:51 am

Considering I haul A LOT, I am surprised it's taken this long to whack something.

And you know what? Even if you do hit something, it can always be repaired. :0)

Dom link
7/19/2016 08:54:19 am

I'm glad you were able to get it fixed! That's awesome! Bummer about the damage, but I like your attitude. Glad nobody was hurt :) Now you can go another 16 years without incident!

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/20/2016 05:44:08 am

That's exactly what Mike (the manager of the shop) said. That's what I am going for, and maybe I can set a new record. How about 20 years?! :0)

Karen Bro
7/19/2016 08:48:34 pm

Really glad to have this referral. I inherited my Dad's outdoor fireplace and it's finally rusting through. It has been around since the 1960s and is the perfect shape/design. I'm going to call Mike and see what he can do to duplicate it.

Bakersfield Dressage link
7/20/2016 05:48:52 am

If you do call Mike, you'll find him very friendly and fair in his pricing. I know they do a lot of work for individuals. While I was there, he was making something for one of the local high schools so I know his pricing must also be pretty competitive. They're also fast. I called on Thursday and got it done on Monday. I don't know if he gave me a special price because of our mutual friend (I told him to charge me fairly), but the repair was $200 exactly. I felt that was pretty cheap considering the amount of damage.

If you do call him, let him know where you heard about him. I am sure he'd appreciate hearing how good work spreads the word. Good luck!


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

    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 the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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    March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)

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  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List