Not-So-Speedy Dressage
From Endurance to Dressage
Late last winter, I developed a hankering for a pair of river boots. They didn't actually have to be Dubarry, although I wouldn't have said no to them either. The Dublins would have been fine. Since it was late in the season, and I knew I wouldn't get much wear out of them during our scorching summer, I decided to wait until fall before I bought them. Brace yourself for a litany of First World Problems. I realized at the beginning of the summer that I desperately needed some new clothes. My horses' wardrobes never lack for anything which means my stuff gets threadbare and even a bit dated before I'll buy new clothes. I didn't get much, but I spent over $300. Not that I didn't enjoy myself, but my husband and I took a short vacation to beautiful San Diego. Even then I knew my wallet was leaking money. I knew my husband really needed a break, so I spent what needed to be spent. Not long after, something splashed on my (nearly new) car's hood that ate through the paint. Given that I keep my vehicles until the wheels fall off, I couldn't live the next 10 years with no paint. If it had been a small spot, I would have sucked it up, but it was a big spot, more than several in fact. That was how I said goodbye to another $500. Just about the time I thought my bills were paid, Izzy complained about sore hocks and other body soreness. How could I buy a new pair of boots when I could pay for hock injections instead? And of course, the sarcoid also needed to be removed. That vet bill was considerably larger than fixing my car's paint. Over the summer, I had a never ending series of headaches. I finally decided that it might have something to do with the hours upon hours that I was spending reading. I called the optometrist. Even with good vision insurance, I walked out of the office with new glasses and a $250 bill. Once Speedy clued in that money was being tossed around, he decided that he wanted in on it and sliced up his coronary band to get it. Not only did he earn a visit to see Dr. Tolley, he also got bandaging material and a guaranteed second vet visit next week. He's quite proud that he outdid his younger, bigger brother. Big sigh. That is why there is not a pair of river boots waiting excitedly in my closet for our first frosty morning. Instead, there are some cute discounted flip flops and some very old boots that I'll continue wearing. If you happen to run across $219, I think it fell out of my wallet sometime this summer. In case Santa is reading this, Riding Warehouse carries these boots (size 8), and if he uses the code 17A12, he can save 20%. First World Problems suck, but Santa is awesome!
10/6/2017 09:41:47 pm
Santa says you've been very good this year. And also, Tack of the Day sometimes carries these boots at a nice discount. Santa loves Tack of the Day. :-) 10/7/2017 06:51:33 am
I haven't been on Tack of teh Day in a while. I'll need to start looking. :0) 10/7/2017 09:26:09 am
I know these feels sooooooo well. I waited years to buy even the Dublin ones. I'm happy with them - in fact wearing them at this moment! - but boy was it a long hard wait of self-discipline. 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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