Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
We are now on rabbit number four. The first rabbit lived for two years or so. The next two didn't last more than a few months. Our newest friend seems pretty smart. Just like her predecessors, she has learned to come out when I arrive because she knows she gets fed. I call her a she, but who knows? Bunny might be a he. Besides giving her a handful of rice bran every day, she eats all the alfalfa leaves that she could possibly want. Other people bring her fruits and veggies, so she is definitely well-fed. I also clean and fill a water bowl for her. You can see it in the photo above. The bowl sits underneath the old stock trailer that I use as a place to tie up the horses for grooming and saddling. Either the bunny is cautious or the horses are, because she never gets too much underfoot. The first bunny we had would sit quietly as the horses sniffed along her back, and she would even sniff noses with them. This bunny isn't quite as brave. Besides the bunny, we also have a new friend, a ground squirrel. While the ground squirrels dig big holes in undesirable places, I just can't find it in my heart to send him packing. It has taken him some time to recognize me as a "friend," but little by little he has decided that I mean him no harm. He also seems to have figured out that the water and rice bran are for him as well. Bunny and squirrel seem to get along quite nicely for now. As long as the squirrel minds his Ps and Qs, he can stay. If new holes start appearing anywhere near where I walk the horses, he might not find me quite so pleasant. I am starting to feel a bit like a Disney princess though with all of my woodland creatures coming out to greet me.
If any of them start singing though, they're history! 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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