Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
During summer break, I never feel grateful for Fridays. In fact, I tend to feel a bit down as the weekend rolls around. Fridays just signify that one more week has passed and summer is that much closer to drawing to a close. I know the rest of the world would disagree with this sentiment, so for you, thank goodness it's Friday. Since I don't have children and my husband still goes to work, summer or not, I have to create a schedule for myself that does not include spending the work day on the couch channel surfing. I don't really like watching TV anyway, so without a routine of some kind, I would go bonkers. I have a hard time sitting down if it doesn't involve writing, reading, or doing something with my hands. So I have a schedule. Each morning I write a little, work out, and make breakfast. I leave for the barn by 7:00 a.m. I ride both horses and do barn chores. I head back home by 10:00 or 11:00 depending on how hot it is. I shower, make lunch (maybe with a nap), write a little more, and then run some errands. For the last few hours of the "work day," I work on designing curriculum. Teachers are seriously never really "off." By the time my husband gets home, I am ready to get dinner started. This week, one of my barn chores included cleaning out my half of the tack room. Of course, I totally forgot to take a before picture of the dust, cobwebs, and clutter, but here are some after shots. I also used the week to clean my gloves and helmet (can I say GROSS?), condition my tack, sweep the barn aisle, and get my truck smogged (for you non-Californians that's where the state checks to see if you have a clean running vehicle). Even at 14 years old, Blue Truck is running well. I am looking forward to week number 2!
R
6/6/2014 05:43:42 am
Your saddle looks great, I'm really going to have to buy some of that Higher Standards stuff. What kind of saddle is it, btw? (I tried to look through your archives but couldn't find it - you probably have one somewhere but you've got like 30 pages that link to 'dressage' 'tack' 'saddle' ! ;) ) 6/6/2014 05:55:10 am
Thanks, R. If you do order the HSS, Libby is offering 10% off if you type in Viva Carlos in the comment box, through monday I believe. :0) Comments are closed.
|
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
|