Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
So how do I wrap it up? I didn't want to leave you with the impression that I left the RAAC completely disheartened and discouraged. I really did have fun and genuinely hope that I get to go back next year. I also want to thank so many people for their encouragement. I heard from people here on this blog, on Facebook, in emails, and even in person. So many people gave me atta girls that it's hard not to believe that maybe we are getting somewhere! I know that it can get tiresome listening to me whine about being a disaster, I get tired of writing about it, so thank you for listening. Early in the week, I started receiving text messages from the other Bakersfield riders who had participated in the RAAC. They wanted to have a celebratory girl's night out. I tried to avoid the dinner since it had been such a long week, but Lori, the awesome photographer whose pictures I've already shared, was hard to turn down. So we wrapped up the RAAC with a dinner party at Macaroni Grill. And it was fun! We toasted our own success and laughed over dinner and drinks. Thanks for getting me out there, Lori! I also wanted to share a couple more of Lori's photos to prove to you that I do laugh and have fun. And one more photo, again by Lori Ovanessian, just to show the camaraderie of the RAAC. I like this picture a lot. I don't remember what Donna and I were talking about, but her advice is always good, and she's one of the kindest riders I know.
I really like your dressage coat! Looks super with Speedy's coloring. Glad you decided to go out with the girls to celebrate - I love to go out to dinner with the people from our barn when we end up at a show together...always margharitas involved!
Karen
9/9/2012 10:14:00 am
Thanks, Kelly. And yes, I am determined to be better next year! :0)
Judy
9/9/2012 10:06:18 am
Love the photos, so glad you had a good time!
Karen
9/9/2012 10:14:32 am
Thank you, Judy. We weren't great, but I did have fun. :0)
Angela
9/9/2012 10:09:02 am
I’ve been reading your posts and feeling all kinds of emotions regarding your experience at the RAAC show.
Karen
9/9/2012 10:26:00 am
As always, Angela, your comments and thoughts are very much appreciated. I am sorry that my thoughts on the RAAC were discouraging. That wasn't my intention. I really just want people to know that you can still participate and have fun even if you aren't a show stopper. And like you say, today's hard work might not show up until next year.
Angela
9/10/2012 01:32:52 am
Your thoughts are not so much discouraging as they are sobering, and I seem to need a daily shot of that! I will continue to show, (Sept 23 is right around the corner) and thanks to your sharing and our association, I feel much calmer about the whole ordeal. Perhaps, my expectations are back down on earth where they belong.
Karen
9/10/2012 11:52:25 am
OMG! That is too funny! I laughed out loud at work when I read your last sentence. EXACTLY!!!!!!!
Angela
9/12/2012 03:04:57 am
That's Great!! See you in a few weeks.
Karen
9/12/2012 11:49:21 am
:0) 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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