Not-So-Speedy Dressage

The Business End of CDS

1/22/2019

Over the weekend I attended the California Dressage Society's (CDS) Annual Meeting. All members are welcome to attend Saturday's general session, but it's mostly chapter chairs that participate. When I found out that my chapter chair wasn't going, I asked if I could go as a representative. I got the go-ahead and headed to Anaheim as an official chapter representative.

Check in.

I checked in alongside my friend, Jen, who is a chapter chair, and was made to feel welcome immediately. Even though CDS is the largest Group Member Organization (GMO) of the United States Dressage Association (USDF), the general meeting still had a small club vibe.

Kevin Reinig, the outgoing president, made numerous jokes during his report and even asked other members to step in to answer questions. The morning was long, and I could see how it might get boring to attend the meeting year after year, but I was fascinated. After the president's report, each committee chair shared their own bits of news, progress, or general state of things.

The Executive Board in back with Kevin Reinig, outgoing president, giving his report.

After a lunch break, which was excellent, we then reconvened for a roundtable discussion amongst regional chapter chairs. This part of the meeting was the most engaging as each chairperson shared their chapter's successes or obstacles. As a designated representative, I felt honored to share the wonderful things that my own chapter does. It was very gratifying to hear such positive feedback from the rest of the group.

Silent auction gift basket.

What I enjoyed most about the day was the feeling of being so connected to the inner workings of the dressage world. Being a part of the CDS General Meeting felt like having a direct link to both USDF and US Equestrian. The people with whom I was rubbing elbows were the very same people that talk to USDF's people. And when CDS asks for something, USDF listens (usually).

Most of the time, we are content to school in our arenas, head to local shows, and collect our ribbons at the end of the day. We think of USDF and US Equestrian as these massive organizations that do whatever they want, whenever they want with no thought to our needs or desires. Being at this meeting helped me see that that is not entirely true. When we offer feedback to our GMOs, that feedback does make its way up the pipeline.

My chapter's silent auction basket - put together by Chemaine Hurtado.

I can't say that I particularly want to serve my GMO in an official capacity, but filling in as a representative felt like giving back in at least some small way. I also offered to help another chapter in my region with a project they'd like to get started. The dressage community, at least here in California, seems to be pretty tightly knit with a genuine desire to work together. I like that, and I am proud to call myself a member.

The meeting was a lot like jury duty; I never actually want to get picked to serve, but once having done so, I'm left feeling like I've made the world a better place.

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It's Not a Grammy, But ...

1/21/2019

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I am just going to start off by saying that I have a TON, yes, a literal ton of stuff to share about this past weekend's California Dressage Society Annual Meeting and Health Fair. Since I can't seem to organize myself, I am just going to start with the most exciting part while the educational stuff percolates for a day or two.

I am so stupidly proud of these two awards.

Before I jump into the awards part of the weekend, I should tell you a tiny bit about the meeting just to give you some context. Each January, the California Dressage Society (CDS) holds its annual meeting. On Friday, the Executive Board meets. Saturday is the general meeting where the budget and other things related to the purpose of CDS are discussed. Committee chairs also share, and the chapter chairs hold round table discussions. An awards banquet is held later that evening. Sunday's activities vary from year to year, but this year there were lectures focused on equine and rider health.

Team Symphony kicked butt this year. Left to right - Morgan, Jen, me, and Chemaine

A very delicious dinner was served during the awards banquet, and a variety of awards were presented, two of which I was there to receive. While I don't know this for a fact, I am assuming that most of the award recipients don't actually make it to the banquet. California is huge, and not everyone can or even wants to drive ten hours to pay for a hotel room just to receive a $5 pin or an $8 plaque. Only twelve ladies were called up to receive their Gem Awards, but I am certain that many more stayed home and saved themselves a ton of money.

Gem Award recipients - Morgan on the far left, me on the far right.

To each her own of course, but we had a laugh-so-hard-it-hurts good time; I am glad I went. Who wouldn't want to cram four punch-drunk ladies (okay one wasn't actually a "lady" as she's only 16, but still ...) in one hotel room with nothing to do but talk horses?

I won't mention any names, but one of us (not me!) schlepped a full-sized printer, laminator, laptop, gift basket for the silent auction, and suitcase full of clothes but forgot to pack something to wear to the banquet. Even more hilarious was that the sixteen-year-old bought blue and pink dye on the drive to Anaheim so that she could dye her hair ... in the hotel room. I am not saying you would have enjoyed it, but we certainly did.

Did I mention we were next door to Disneyland? Jen started it!

Chemaine pointed out that this was one successful Cinderella. ... me, if you can't tell.

Back to the awards though. So what's a Gem Award? I hear you asking. For me, it was the Ruby Award which is earned when the rider earns qualifying sores at Training, First, and Second Levels. It's a bit like a USDF Medal in that the scores need not be earned in a single season or even on the same horse. I won't even tell you how long it took me to get those six scores. Let's just leave it at a long time.

It's a little bigger than a quarter.

The pins are typically worn on your show coat lapel. The super cool kids wear their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medal pins down one lapel with their Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby pins down the other. And if you have Freestyle Bars to go with them, well you're just too cool to be seen with me.

My Second Level Horse Performance Award looks kind of puny next to Jen's Prix St Georges Award.

The Gem Awards recognize rider perseverance, but since all of my scores have been earned on Speedy, the pin is just as much his as it is mine. I am sure he won't mind if I pin it to my jacket; pinning it to his "coat" might be painful.

The Second Level Horse Performance Award is given to horses who earn six or more scores of 60% or higher. Scores need not be earned all in one season. I am ridiculously proud of the fact that we earned fifteen scores of 60% or better at CDS and/or USDF-rated shows in just one year. We kicked that requirement's butt.

Jen and I were both a wee bit disappointed that the awards don't come with the horses' names engraved on them though; a cost saving measure I am sure. In case any of the Executive Board are reading, I would have paid an extra three bucks to have Speedy's name on the plaque. Just sayin'.

Receiving Speedy's Second Level Horse Performance Award from outgoing president, Kevin Reinig.

Never having been to a state level awards banquet, I was very surprised by the camaraderie that was expressed. It didn't matter whose name was called; everyone cheered for each rider no matter which award they were receiving. Being surrounded by so much good will left me feeling empowered and eager for this next show season and beyond.

Throughout the course of the weekend, many people congratulated me personally and introduced themselves as readers of my blog. I am always thrilled to meet the people who actually take five minutes to read over what I've written, but I am also deeply humbled. I still feel like that endurance rider having a go at Introductory Level, Test A.

I feel so lucky to be a member of the California Dressage Society. Besides earning some terrific awards, I totally dug feeling so connected to a larger organization. More on that tomorrow.

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California Dressage Society's Annual Meeting

1/18/2019

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This afternoon I am heading down to Anaheim - Los Angeles area for the non-Californians out there, for the CDS Annual Meeting.

The Weekend's Schedule

I've never really had a reason to attend before, but this year, Speedy and I are both receiving an award. This seemed like a good year to see what it's all about.

Saturday's schedule is filled with chapter meetings. Since my chapter chair isn't attending, I asked if I could go as a representative. The Tehachapi Mountain Chapter of CDS is pretty small, but they work hard to put on a summer show series and yearly banquet, both with great ribbons and awards. I think TMC has plenty to share with the rest of the chapters.

That same night, there's a banquet where awards are handed out. That's really the reason I am going. Speedy and I worked hard to earn both the Ruby Rider Award and the Second Level Horse Performance Award. Receiving those are worth going to Anaheim for.

The ruby pin will soon be in my hands.

Sunday's schedule focuses on a health fair. I am not certain that any of the topics pertain to me, but Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, will be there as a vendor sharing her yoga ball lessons. Her daughter and another mutual friend will also be attending so whether the health fair is interesting or not, the four of us are guaranteed to have a great time.

Enjoy your own weekend.

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Something to Think About

1/17/2019

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My trainer, Chemaine Hurtado - owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, shared this graphic on her Facebook page.

Visit https://pkhorsemanship.com/

Boy, does that image force you to be honest. I'll even go first. My numbers are nowhere near those. When I ride Speedy, I use way more leg - he loves to be behind the leg, and my rein aids are stronger than 2%.

When I ride Izzy, especially on a day like yesterday - the wind was howling, My rein aids had to be above 50% but so were my leg aids. My core was just trying to remain in the saddle.

So how do you feel about this graphic? Are those numbers realistic? It's definitely something to think about.

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Add Leg

1/16/2019

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It's not often that I get a lesson two weeks in a row, but last week I did. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables was able to come for a lesson on Friday afternoon. And since Speedy is still in recovery mode, Izzy was called up again.

From a lesson the week before.

It was a perfectly horrible day for a lesson. The wind was howling as it scattered leaves across the arena, and the trees were snapping and crackling. Even I didn't really want to ride. Funky, crappy weather is just what Izzy needs though. He loves warm mellow sunshine and is always easy to ride on those days. I was delighted to have a lesson with such distracting conditions.

Not only was the weather funky, but I hadn't even ridden Izzy since the last lesson five days prior. He warmed up like you'd expect. His back was tight and he was flinching at every odd sound.

Since we'd worked on getting him more "through" the week before, I insisted that he come up to the bit by adding a boatload of leg. Since he was already in flight mode, Chemaine had me take advantage of that energy and direct it forward.

Even just six months ago, adding so much leg would have caused Izzy to have a meltdown. He's grown up some over the past year though and handled it like a pro. No matter what he did, Chemaine insisted that I keep leg on, especially when he spooked or got balky. She also had me drive him forward with my seat. The whole purpose was to get his hind legs stepping further underneath him.

Like the lesson before this one, it was boring. We stayed on the 20-meter circle, and sometimes smaller, just insisting that he lift his back and push with his hind end. Focusing solely on the quality of his gait rather than on any particular movement gave me a new feel.

Quite often I ride Izzy with a lighter seat as I coast along. Focusing on driving him with my seat gave me a connected feeling that I really haven't experienced before. When I hopped up on him the next day, I kept those two things in mind: add leg to push him up to the bridle, and drive him forward with my seat.

As a team, Izzy and I are not taking a liner path up the levels. We might do a canter half pass one day but then struggle with a stretchy trot the next. As complicated as he is to ride, I sure do dig my big brown horse.

Now if only the weather would cooperate.

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Good Thing He Only Has Four Hooves

1/15/2019

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I mentioned the other day that Speedy had yet another abscess. He wasn't fooling around with this one. By Saturday morning he was pretty much down to three legs and grumpy was written all over his face. And Arabs are particularly good at making faces.

Dr. Gonzalez checking out my wrap job.

After an early morning text from the ranch owner sharing Speedy's condition (not good), I sat by my phone waiting for Bakersfield Large Animal Hospital to open. Fortunately for me, they were having a slow day, so I was able to book an appointment for that morning.

Pulling off my wrap.

Normally we see Dr. Tolley, but I was glad Dr. Gonzalez was on duty because he took care of Speedy's other abscess from a few weeks ago. Dr. Tolley could have handled this one just fine, but Dr. Gonzalez had seen the last one and knew how Speedy would react to the treatment.

Besides that, these kinds of non-emergency visits are a good way to build rapport with a different vet. The day will come when Dr. Tolley won't be available, and I'll need to use Dr. Gonzalez. Having a good relationship with him will help when it's an emergency.

Right hand side, dark spot.

This abscess - you can see it just to the right of the frog, was fairly shallow, much to Speedy's relief. Once Dr. Gonzalez pared away a bit of the sole, lots of ickiness poured out of the hole. In some ways I love abscesses because when you get it to drain, there's no wondering if that was really the problem.

Flushing it out.

Dr. Gonzalez treated this abscess exactly as he had the last one. He flushed it out with a Betadine solution, packed it with gauze soaked in Betadine, and then started with multiple layers of bandaging material: cotton wrap, brown gauze, vet wrap, and then the ubiquitous duct tape.

Duct tape is next.

There was one last thing. Dr. Tolley and I had previously talked about drawing blood for an ACHT test to check Speedy for Cushing's Disease. None of the vets think Speedy has Cushing's, at least we hope not, but getting a baseline now will help in the future. Dr. Gonzalez pointed out that Speedy looks great, but recurrent infections, as seen in abscesses, can be a symptom of a horse with Cushing's Disease.

It's nice to have a such a great team working on my horses.

For now, Dr. Gonzalez recommended wrapping the hoof every other day for the better part of a week. As soon as the hole epithelializes and Speedy seems sound, I can get him back to work. They'll let me know what the ACTH blood test reveals when they get the results back in the next week or two.

Speedy will be 15 in April. While not quite a senior citizen, he's definitely knocking at the door. Since Arabians tend to be long-lived, I guess I had better start getting ready for old man issues to crop up.

Here's to good health and no more abscesses - three is more than enough.

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A Lesson on Throughness

1/14/2019

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With Speedy temporarily on the disabled list, Izzy's been getting some really good work done. Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, was here a week or so ago for a Sunday afternoon lesson.

As we trotted around Chemaine on an endless 20-meter circle, I complained about being stuck in the same place that we were three years ago. It simply doesn't feel as though we're progressing. Not one to offer false compliments or underserved praise, Chemaine pointed out that yes, we're still having the same arguments, but at a different level. I think that made me feel better.

With that in mind, we spent a good portion of the lesson micromanaging every step Izzy took. Every time he bobbled his head or popped it up, I resisted with the rein and added leg. And if he didn't soften, I kept my leg on. When we were finished, I exclaimed that that lesson was probably the most boring lesson of all time to give. All Chemaine got to say was yes, yes, kick him, harder, more leg, yes, yes, kick him.

Now that I have more control over his shoulders and haunches, it's time to start pushing him up to the bridle. And since he's become somewhat more educated, he no longer has a meltdown when he's "packaged up." Well not as frequently anyway. I think he does it sometimes just to see if I am paying attention.

Just because he can.

The last thing we worked on was a bit of canter half pass. One thing I've discovered about Izzy is that I am more likely to get a better connection if he has to really think about what he's doing. Too many 20-meter circles allow him time to get bored. Chemaine agreed. She encouraged me to keep working on movements from Second and Third Level even though he might not be "through" or connected at the start of the movement. Sometimes the connection will come during the movement.

And then, because the universe owes me something, we had another lesson on Friday. More to come.

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Another Abscess?

1/11/2019

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I have no words.

We all know that's a lie. I always have words. And right now, they are particularly ... choice. Mother Forklift!

On Sunday, for my lesson with Chemaine Hurtado, owner and trainer at Symphony Dressage Stables, Speedy was lame on his right front. We both agreed it wasn't a maybe he'll work out of it kind of lameness, but it didn't seem like anything to worry about. Speedy had just had his feet trimmed and there looked to be some bruising on his hoof wall. I put him away and rode Izzy instead.

My migraines made a reappearance this week, so yesterday was the first day since Sunday that I'd been out to the ranch. As soon as Speedy took a step towards me, my heart sank. Are you freaking kidding me? was all I could think as I rolled my eyes and flipped the universe the bird. With both hands.

I crammed a bunch of Numotizine into his foot and secured it with the usual. Good thing I bought so much duct tape last month. Here's to hoping that puppy blows out today so I can get my nearly Third Level horse back in the game.

Thanks goodness it's Friday. No, seriously. I mean it!

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Let Freedom (from supplements) Ring

1/10/2019

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I've been changing my horses' supplements A LOT over the past few months. That's not something I take lightly. Changing what a horse eats can cause all sorts of problems, but it needed to be done.

The first thing I phased out was Speedy's Platinum Performance Healthy weight, a flaxseed oil. He's been eating this year's alfalfa with so much more enthusiasm that I decided to see how he'd do without the extra calories provided by the oil. So far, so good.

After that, I decided to cut out the Platinum Performance itself. I spent a couple of weeks bringing Izzy off of it by cutting the serving in half once a week. With a full bucket still in the feed room, Speedy is getting a half serving for the next two months until that bucket, too, is finished.

Both boys have been on PP's Hoof Support off and on over the past year and a half. That was always meant as a short term solution anyway, so I am thrilled that the tub is finally empty. I can now check that supplement off the list.

Six supplements?!

While I was in the middle of phasing out supplements, I suddenly found that Izzy's once very simple bucket had become unnecessarily complicated. As I eliminated one supplement, I found that I had added two. I only gave the UlcerGard for one month, so that is now done. After a lot of thought, I cancelled all future shipments of the SmartGI pellets. He will have had more than two months of "gut support": there was one month of UlcerGard followed by two months of SmartGI Pellets which began in the last week of the UlcerGard. That will have to do.

I think that supplements can be quite useful. Yellow Dog has been on a few lately. As a two-year-old, she started to become quite lame. We worked through a variety of things until they no longer worked. This year, she received a month long series of Adequan shots along with a vet recommended joint supplement. She's doing much better.

My horses, on the other hand, are healthy. They were healthy before the supplements, and I feel confident that they will continue to be so. I just got to the point where shipping and organizing and feeding got to be just too damn complicated. It is a very liberating feeling to be free of monthly buckets, wells, and tubs. Once the Platinum Performance and SmartGI Pellets run out, it will be just alfalfa and grass hay twice-a-day with LMF Senior for Speedy and a bit of beet pulp for Izzy.

And candy of course, peppermints for Speedy and butterscotch for Izzy. I am looking forward to a more simplified 2019.

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Is It Show Season Yet?

1/9/2019

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With all this talk about flying changes and half pass, my "Let's Show!" motor got revving. Forget that just a few months ago I was exhausted and grateful to be done showing for the year. What's wrong with me?

Last week, I got a couple of long anticipated packages delivered which inspired me to dig out my show coats from the trailer. Once I had those home, I pulled out all of my whites and laid everything out on my bed. I gave what needed it a good laundering, which was most of it, and then set to work reevaluating fit and style.

But first .. this is what came in the mail.

Oh my gosh is it ever DIVINE!

You might remember that post where I listed the things I would like for Christmas. Sure enough, my mother-in-law felt compelled to send a little cash my way for Christmas. I don't think the money even made it into my wallet before I had my order placed.

Once it arrived and I tried it on, my level of satisfaction shot way past my original expectations. This thing is just WOW! I liked it so much that I turned around and ordered it in maroon. With two new show shirts waiting in the wings, I re-examined my three show coats and breeches.

Oh yes I did!

I may have mentioned this before, but I just got through losing almost 35 pounds. It took me six months, but I feel so much better. Being thinner is a bit of a double-edged sword however. I lost two to three sizes, which is great, but it also means that most of my clothes no longer fit. That includes my breeches. Two pair of my white breeches fit, but I use that term loosely (haha - see what I did there? Loosely!). I have already ordered a white pair for showing, and two for schooling.

On the other hand, things that I had long grown out of, now fit! Things like my black and gray show coats. It has almost been like getting to go shopping for free!

Although quite suitable for an intro level rider, I don't think the black coat will be making an appearance at Third Level.

All last season I shopped for a gray coat, but I couldn't find anything that I liked as well as the one I already had (which didn't fit). While it doesn't have any technical features like vented fabric or breathable material, it's still attractive, and best of all, it fits!

I think that 2015 was the last season that it fit me.

I tried it on with the maroon shirt and knew I had a winning combo. With my black helmet - although I may order another black Ovation Glitz, I think it will be a good option for two-day shows, particularly once coats are waived.

I'd rather have a gray coat with technical features, but this one will do.

My favorite combo is of course my Romfh coat with my navy Ovation Glitz helmet and the new navy Romfh show shirt. What's not to like? The jacket is loaded with technical features: it's stretchy, vented, lightweight, and as an added bonus, it sparkles.

LOVE it!

Before I even washed any of my clothes though, I gave my boots a good cleaning. I had found them discarded on the floor of my trailer caked in dirt from this past August. I am a little embarrassed about that. Good news though, after losing a bit of weight, they zipped right up!

So, let's get to showing. I am ready! ... well ready might be over-stating things as my trainer would probably say. How about just looking good?

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About the
Writer & Rider

I am a lifetime 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.

Photo by Lori Ovanessian

Email Karen

About Speedy G

Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. We're currently schooling Third Level in preparation for the 2019 show season. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.

August 2018

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 schooling the dressage basics. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.

Second Show - July 2016

Bakersfield Dressage approved!

National Awards

USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013

State Awards

CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
CDS Second Level Horse Performance Award - 2018

2019 Show Season

Show Rating
(***) CDS/USDF/USEF
(*) CDS
(s) Schooling
(c) Clinic
(t) Ride-a-Test Clinic
(Q) Must Qualify

2019 Pending …

3/8-10/19 - AA Clinic (Q) (c)
3/23/19 - Fresno (s)
3/24/19 - Fresno (***)
4/13-14/19 - El Sueno (***)
5/26/19 - TMC (*)
6/15-16/19 - El Sueno (***)
6/22-23/19 - SCEC (***)
6/23/19 - TMC (*)
7/13-14/19 - El Sueno (***)
7/28/19 - TMC (*)
8/10/19 - RAAC (Q) (***)
8/25/19 - TMC (*)
10/26-27/19 SCEC (***)

2019 Completed …

Qualifying Scores for 2019

Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Scores
Third Level Scores:
Score 1:
Score 2:
Score 3:

CDS Championship Third Level Scores:
Score 1:
Score 2:
Score 3:
Score 4:
Score 5:

Working Towards:

CDS Sapphire Rider Award
Third Level:
Third Level:
Fourth Level:
Fourth Level:

USDF Bronze Medal
First Level - 70.179%
First Level - 72.600%
Second Level - 62.879%
Second Level - 61.970%
Third Level -
Third Level -

The Business End of CDS

It's Not a Grammy, But ...

California Dressage Society's Annual Meeting

Something to Think About

Add Leg

Good Thing He Only Has Four Hooves

A Lesson on Throughness

Another Abscess?

Let Freedom (from supplements) Ring

Is It Show Season Yet?

About the
Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

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About the Writer & Rider

About Speedy G

About Izzy

National Awards

Stuff I Read

By Topic

Archives

About the
Writer & Rider