MayDaze, Beech Grove and maybe even The Horse-show-that-wasn't. Part 1: Beechgrove

Okay, this post is pushing ridiculousness in length, so I'm going to post it in parts...

All photos on this page are courtesy of Carissa Ramsdell, 2010. Her photos can be found on nikkrody.com. They are used with her permission, of course. She is available for portrait or event photography, please see her contact information on the website.

I think I'll work backwards, since I don't remember much about anything that happened before yesterday. At any rate, I'm getting my wish as far as career goals go. I've lost a handful of training horses for various reasons and picked up a ton of lessons, so I'm teaching more and riding less. Its a change, but I'm okay with it. The best part is that I have some seriously awesome students right now that I wouldn't trade for the world.

So, on that note: Beechgrove.

Every year the Beechgrove Hunt sponsors a cross country show- they have an 18" course, a 2'4" course, a BN and N course. I did the BN course with Ari one year and refuse to do it anymore. It's not something I would want to take a horse of any value around anymore. I guess overall it wasn't so bad, but the terrain was iffy and some of the questions edging on unfair as far as shadows and stuff. I rode a couple horses around the 2'4" course and it is reasonable, and I love their 18" course for the greenies- it's pretty inviting without being "log, log, log, log."

So this year I was lucky enough to have six riders! Amanda, Anna, Ansleigh, Nancy Taryn and Tori. We had a fairly uneventful morning getting loaded (we're getting good at this whole horseshow thing!) and on the road. I'm also loving that we have ample amounts of truck and trailer combos so I don't have to wrangle Anita into trailering duties anymore. I'm sure she doesn't REALLY mind not coming along, but I'm also pretty sure she misses coming with us. We were on the road on time and would have even gotten there a little ahead of schedule until I got the phone call from Laura, one of the moms who was bringing kid Ansleigh and horse Ronnie down from their home barn in Joelton- "we're about three miles from the exit and traffic is at a standstill..."

REALLY?! It's 8:00 in the morning on a SATURDAY!!!

Not much we could do about it, so we trucked on hoping it would clear by the time we got there. Ha. Not.

So, we waited... and waited... and waited... and waited... and about 45 minutes later (which was 15 minutes after we would have liked to be there) we started moving. And when we got to where the traffic was backed up?! There was NOTHING. Of COURSE there was nothing. *sigh*

The good news is that this is the least traumatizing bad-thing-that-happened at any of the three above shows.

The other good news is that it really didn't effect our day in the least, aside from the fact that we were all antsy in the cars and needed to pee pretty badly. The horses didn't even really got hot in the trailers.

Anyway, we got to the show, got checked in, introduced the SPF crew to the new members of our crew and went to walk the course. Everything seemed do-able, so we headed back to the trailers to tack up, get dressed and head to warm up!

The gang headed to warmup!

Everything went well, of course, until we made it to warm up... pretty much the SECOND we made it to the horrible warm-up on the hill, Jazz, Ronnie and Vanna all spooked at who-knows-what... a man eating leaf, most likely. Nancy and Ansleigh managed to stick to the tops of their horses... unfortunately Amanda took a tumble- the second time at Beechgrove! UGH! After that, everyone's confidence took a hit and we barely any managed warmup before I said "You know what? Lets just go show."

So, Anna was first in the ring with Paisley the Rockstar. She popped over everything with barely a glance, stopping only at the watermelon panel. She jumped it the next time over with no problem! Overall a lovely round by Anna and Paisley. Her next round was nearly flawless with Paisley having seen everything once already! Anna also braved the 2'4" course with Audrey and had a great clean round on her! So nice!

Next up was Tori and Audrey, who are usually great to jump over whatever is in front of them! Unfortunately, after Amanda's tumble, Tori was not up to her normal gutsy self and Audrey was taking advantage of that- stopping at many fences she normally steps right over- resulting in yet ANOTHER tumble, this time at the hay bales. Tori got back up and between me, her mom and the lovely horse-show-pro-mom Cathy, Tori's next round was much better! It always helps to have your eyes up, remember that!

We sent Ansleigh and Ronnie up next, again, lacking confidence and with a few issues at a couple fences, we had to retire at the rock wall to take a breather and regroup. The next time around, Ansleigh made it around the whole course with limited prompting from me and only the occasional greenie stop from Ronnie!

Nancy was up next, declaring that she'd take Vanna around without me doing it first! Overall, Vanna was pretty brave but more importantly- Nancy handled it all like a pro! Considering this was Vanna's first outing, Nancy's fifth or so time ON her in the last five years and her maybe third time jumping- they really had a great experience. Vanna made it around most of the course and then decided the last jump was NOT HAPPENING and were excused from the course with Vanna stomping and having a general hissy fit regarding doing something she "JUST DID NOT WANT TO DO." Mares. The second time around went much better, except that last fence! Vanna just didn't want to jump it! She eventually walked over it with a lead, grudgingly, but she did it! Overall a great first outing for Miss Vanna and Nancy!

I took Jazz around the course then, since Amanda was a little shaken, but then Amanda rallied and had two of the greatest courses I've ever seen from them! Jazz was a pro and Amanda rode so well!

Last but not least, Taryn took Paisley around and had two flawless rounds. The good news is that Taryn is now hopelessly addicted to riding XC. The bad news is that with XC comes dressage and stadium, and Taryn isn't convinced that she is interested in those two phases of eventing!

 

We sponged everyone off, packed up, headed home and unloaded in record time- I'm telling you- we're getting good at this horse show stuff!

We're thinking maybe an XC school at the end of the month, then off to Poplar Place in July for their schooling show! We can't wait!

From paddle boat to speed boat...

First of all, you need to watch this kid:


Yeah, it creepy that Robin and I are twice his age and minorly obsessed with him, but you just wait- this kid is the next Taylor/Miley/Justin Beiber (I don't even know who that is, I've just heard he's a new teen idol.) Anyway, the kid already has over 2 million hits. He'll be signed by next week. Okay, I just went and listened to Justin Beiber and I like the Paparazzi kid better.

So, now that I've covered my awkward teeny-bopper musical tastes, lets move onto something more important. You know, like, horses.


No, really, I'm done now.

MayDaze is at the end of this month. I have a double lesson with Ari and Brandy planned for next week and an XC school at the beginning of the week on both. If we're not ready by then... well... we just won't be ready! Ari is doing BN and Brandy is doing her first N. They've both been schooling very nicely, I've gotten some GREAT dressage work from Brandy and Ari is slowly coming back into work since the hock injections. After working him yesterday, I sent Amy and Megan a text that said "Ari with his hocks done is like going from a paddle boat to a speed boat!" He was pushing evenly in the back, carrying himself, much more forward... now we'll just have to see how he jumps.

 I'm sorry, do I own a TB or a Shetland pony?

Brandy shows off her slime.

I've also grounded myself from using spurs. Ari had little rubs after our jump school two weeks ago so I hung them up and haven't touched them. I'll probably use my roller spurs for dressage at MayDaze if I need them and put my nubby spurs on to jump.


I'm also really excited about how our barn family is growing. We've filled a pasture space with new boarder Kelly and her Belgian/TB cross, Scout. He's like a super-sized version of Brandy. Kelly hopes to do some eventing with us this summer.

 A very unflattering picture of Scout in his pasture!

Amanda has a new horse, Buddy, who is like the little awkward kid who just goes with the program. He's super cute and reminds me of a mini-Shasta!

 Amanda's little dude, Buddy

Also joining us is Anna and her horse Noodles. Noodles is in training right now in FL but will be coming back and Anna is also aiming to do some eventing with him! She's around the same age as Amanda, Tori and Olivia, so it'll be nice to have another GREAT kid to join the ranks.

 Anna and Noodles

Lastly, a friend of Kelly Wallace is also planning on bringing in a haflinger for me to start and ride for a couple of months, just to give him some life experience. I'm pretty excited about that, as well. It's been awhile since I've been able to start anything and it's always fun to start something sensible and bring it along!


What this all boils down to is that I'm one busy girl... and I couldn't be happier. So, thanks to everyone who trusts me with their horse, or their kid... or yourself!

 See? I'm a rockstar.

The arena is coming along, slowly, but surely. I'm hoping it'll be done by the end of summer? That's not the official word, that is my own personal hope. :)  Once its finished, I'll be trying to bring in some clinicians- SO- if there is someone you'd like to see come to Middle TN, let me know!

The arena, staked and with geotextile fabric down! Next step- fencing, footers and then ROCK!

5/9/10

4/30/10

4/6/10

4/2/10

We've got lots of fun things planned for the summer. Shows, clinics, activities... and it'll be October before you know it and I'll go into hibernation again!



I'm also still after a truck. I've narrowed it down now, so I'm not just sending every truck I find to Steve, Anita, Jerry and Amy to look at. Here's what I'm after, in case you happen to see it:

• Dodge or Ford, will likely be 90's-very early 00's.
• 3/4 ton, Diesel or if its gas, I'm avoiding 460s. That said, I haven't found anything gas that is NOT a 460, so...
• 4x4
• Extended or Crew Cab- no single cabs. I'm assuming anything thats not a single cab would have a long wheel base, but that too. 
• I'm okay with a half ton if it's already equipped to tow, V8, beefed up suspension etc. 
• I would vastly prefer something with tow package (hitch, brake box) already installed. 
• Under 5k

So, if you happen upon anything that fits this description, let me know!


As far as other horse training updates- Nancy (who's business flooded and needs lots of happy thoughts and physical labor to get back on her feet if you can offer either of those) had her first lesson on Vanna last week and actually had FUN! She hadn't ridden Vanna in almost five years, so what a good feeling to get back on your horse and ENJOY! Vanna is very solid at the w/t and her canter is coming along nicely. She is popping over cross rails and the hay bales and panels without thinking much of it. Very cool!

 Vanna would like to be a paint...

Bella has come along and is learning to go around with balance and using her back. No more llama-esqu-ness! She cantered today and stayed ROUND. I'm actually just trying to get her to use herself- I think her biggest issue (she bucked her mom off and was just generally rotten) is that they carried herself so "upside-down" that her body was sore, so I'm redeveloping her neck, back and butt muscles to support a rider better and that seems to be working. I've used all kinds of tools for this, mostly the neck stretcher, but side reins, training fork and the good ol' fashioned western reins have helped her strengthen though this month.

 Bella showing off her llama-ness

What we're really going for!

Jess is home and back to riding Gracie and Gracie, I'm sure, is glad Jess is back so she can have some nice, leisurely ride time. I've been hitting hard on dressage for all the "big kids" (Ari, Brandy and Gracie) because the arena is so hard and I'm hesitant to jump. Anyway, Gracie has really been doing well and Jess is hoping to do her first BN this summer, so hopefully they'll be ready!

 Gracie says "five more minutes, mom..."

Pete and Shannon are bonding and Pete seems to be noticeably happier since he has a "mommy" who comes out and shoves cookies in his face a couple times a week. Oh, and loves and rides him, too, but mostly the cookies.

 Pete sleeping in the cross ties after some "mommy" time

Audrey is improving at the canter, Jazz is getting back into carrying herself on the flat, but still jumping HARD as she jumps.

 Spotty ponies!

Lacey, Audrey, Moose and Brandy looking for something...

Sentinel, the paso, is tons of fun to ride, Dancer is Dancer, Mac has been trail riding and loving it. I jumped Belle today over some little bitty stuff and she seemed to really have a good time! She is always very willing to jump, but it seemed to just be the "thing" for her to do today.

Sentinel is so handsome!

Dancer was not impressed with the faux ditch...

Oh, and Sam jumped the barrels like a big boy yesterday! How fun! His dressage is also coming along.

 Samponii after his horrible allergic reaction, assuring mom that he's much better now!

Speaking of the arena, thank you to everyone who picked up rocks! Because the arena was so HARD last week, I started dragging it. It has made the footing a lot more forgiving, but also turned up lots and lots of rocks. Everyone pitched in and we filled a whole muck bucket full of them! But we do have a nice place to ride now, until the new arena is open!

There are more than this now!

And last but not least, I stole Jerry's pet turtle last week. This is George. Jess, Kyle and I found George hanging out behind the back and I released him into the wilderness. Apparently he'd been hanging out for awhile. Box or snapper- what do you think?

 George after his liberation. Be free, George, be free. 

I'm really going to try to write about the horse-show-that-wasn't tomorrow! 

 

Decisions, decisions...

So, I have an opportunity to do this camp with a bunch of really awesome eventing instructors. Stacy is going and Megan and Susan are considering it.

Its in July. It is expensive, however, so are horse shows, and in the end it would probably be less money spent.

THAT said, if I go to camp, I'll skip Spring Run at the very least, and probably Penny Oaks as well, which reduces my show schedule to May Daze, Flying Cross and MTPC.

Last year, I did River Glen, Midsouth, Champagne Run, KY Classique and MTPC.

My inclination is to skip Spring Run right now, anyway, since it falls so close to May Daze and I just can't afford that many entries that close together. So then I just need to figure out if I want to do Penny Oaks or camp.

Hm.

What to do, what to do.

So many blogs, so little time!

I have several things to blog about, and I promise I'll get them all in eventually.

I need to blog about Rolex, the-Horse-Show-that-wasn't, major tragedy here in Middle TN (which is why I have refrained from blogging about the Horse Show from Hades.) and my lesson yesterday. I'm going to hit the lesson first because it was awweeeesooommme.... but first, a PSA:

LOST

MANX (TAIL—LESS) MALE CAT—”Scooter”

Solid buff colored, neutered male, long haired. 11 y/o, 9 lbs.

Sweet, cuddly, friendly, very much loved and missed.

Scooter most likely left the farm on Patterson Rd under a truck whose path went Patterson Rd, turned left on Rehobath Rd, right  on Hwy 96, stopped at the ON the Run, then across town to Rutherford Farmers Co-op on Hwy 99.

ANY information would be greatly appreciated.  Please call:

Jerry or Anita Scott 615 512-1005, 615 336-0656

So, anyway, I had my lesson yesterday. Letha was kind enough to swing by and pick Ari and I up on her way down to Columbia. Ari had his shoes reset last week and we discussed back shoes, but I decided to hold off since he'd been okay. I rode two days after that and he just didn't feel right. I decided to ask Lesley to come out and put his back shoes on and see if it helped. He got those on on Monday and I didn't have time to ride him before my lesson.

I had asked Amy to plan on riding Ari about a week ago because I just couldn't quite get what I was trying to get. I wanted to know if it was him or me or what. So, when we addressed his left-bend issue, Amy watched carefully and found that he was quite "sticky" in his left hind. She got on to show me and I felt much better about life when she said "he is making you work much too hard." And here I just felt like I was completely out of shape! 

So anyway, long story short, he is sticky on his left hind, he's not jumping straight or pushing off evenly and is resistant to anything where he has to push off that back leg, so Amy recommended hock injections. My mommy asked, on facebook, what that entails, and I thought Stacy did a bang-up job of explaining it, so I'll copy and paste!

"The hock is a joint about halfway down the horse's hind leg. It works very hard, especially in jumping and sport horses, so it can develop inflammation and osteoarthritis. A veterinarian can inject an anti-inflammatory plus artificial joint fluid into the joint to compensate for this. That's what's often called "getting the hocks done." 

We're also going to try him on Adequan (or the generic if i can convince my clinic that I can be the guinea pig) and hope that he'll be a little more even, a little less resistant and a little more willing to JUMP!

BUT- he did not have one. single. stop. in our lesson yesterday. Not to say he didn't try, but-dangit- I'm finally getting to where I can sit up and ride! We jumped all kinds of things that could have made him stop- a liverpool, the Christmas tree filler (in the shade), a single barrel under the first jump of a one-stride AAAAAAND... there was one reasonably-sized oxer that he'd stopped at the last time we were at Amy's. I came around to it and he thought he might try to stop again. Welllllll... I sat up and spanked him and that effer jumped from a standstill... because. I. Made. Him. HA. HA. and HA.

I EVEN had an "AH-HA!" moment. I jumped an oxer and Amy gave me the "AH-HA!" while I was in the air over it. I started thinking of what I could have possibly done wrong. So when she said "what happened there?" I pretended to think thought for a moment and came up with "I left a stride out?!" and she said "No- I don't think he could have fit another stride- BUT...you started to lean, then corrected yourself and didn't tip forward coming up to it!"

Yay me!  So that was a nice lesson.

Oh, and Brandy's dressage has improved about 100% since Wolf Gap. I have to stop being such a push over. 

Here's a preview of things to come:

OH... and THIS. You HAVE to watch THIS. 



You all remember the Emu incident, right? This is what it could have become!

An addendum!

It has been brought to my attention that Jacqueline Brooks, from Cananda, wore her helmet during the KY Cup Dressage Freestyle, which was run in the evenings of Rolex as a test event. Its a pretty big deal for a Grand Prix Dressage rider to don her helmet for a huge event like this. Rock on, girl.

WEAR YOUR DAMN HELMET (or Why Allison Springer is AWEEESOME!)

Yes, I cussed, and no, I did not feel the need to edit it out for the younger crowd who reads this blog.

I feel pretty strongly about it.

I feel more strongly about it now than ever before.

Before I go any further, I'll put it out there that yes, if you're over the age of 18, you can make your own decisions (stupid or otherwise) and I will NOT badger (most) of you to wear your helmet if you choose not to. Generally, I will speak my piece and then leave it alone. If you're under 18 or you have a kid that is under 18, they need to have a helmet on their head when mounted. Every ride, every time.

Yeah, I went through a stage when I turned 18 and didn't wear a helmet unless I was jumping or riding something stupid until I was about 22. I spend WAY TOO MUCH time with my butt on 1200 lbs of thinking, breathing, fear-activated, flight-response, prone to spook at different colored grass horse-flesh to NOT have a helmet on my head whenever mounted.

Yes, I had some incredible falls while not wearing a helmet, and (while debatable) am still of sound mind and body, but that doesn't mean I'd like to repeat them. I've had one concussion. That was enough.


I've quit riding my horse up from the pasture- I lead him now- because I never rode up with a helmet on. I rode down the road, up the driveway. Bareback. Halter and lead. Sure, it doesn't really bother me to ride my horse bareback with a halter, but one SLIP, even, and who knows what could have happened. I like my brain where it is, thankyouverymuch.

Today I even tightened my chin strap and slid the little plastic slidey things under my ears so my helmet was appropriately attached to my head and not liable to slide back if I have an unexpected flight.

You should too.

In fact, I expect all of my friends who fancy themselves a horse person- ESPECIALLY those who consider themselves horse PROFESSIONALS- and even MORE SO the ones who are looked at as an example by kids- to wear a helmet when mounted. It just makes sense, guys.

So, why post about it now??

Well, as you know, Rolex was this past weekend. It. Was. Great.

I will likely blog about it later and do a photo-dump of the pics I grabbed.

One of the most exciting things that happened before I headed up to Lexington was reading this headline on a thread on COTH:

Helmet worn in Rolex dressage!

Most FEI-level riders wear a top hat and tail to do dressage:

It's beautiful. It's elegant. It's graceful. It's tradition. 

This year, though, one woman changed her look.

Allison Springer wore her helmet. And looked gorgeous, I might add. 


This came on the heels of Olympic dressage rider Courtney King-Dye having a horrible fall. She was schooling- DRESSAGE- at home, not jumping, people. Trotting around. Her horse got tangled up in his own feet, they both fell and she was in a coma for nearly a month because of it. She was NOT wearing her helmet. She is currently on the road to recovery, but having issues with things like fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are kind of a big deal for a rider. Any person, really. 


So anyway, Allison wore her helmet for personal reasons. (Kudos, girlfriend.) Watch the first minute and a half of this video. Really, watch it. 


Unbeknownst to Allison, this is a heavily discussed subject on my favorite horse forum, COTH. Back in January, an awesome lady named Lynn (aka Deltawave) ponied up a $500 pledge for the rider who trotted down centerline at Rolex in an approved helmet. I had the pleasure of meeting Deltawave at the COTH get-together Friday night at Rolex and she is not only a COTH icon, but a really NEAT person. So, DW contacted Allison to reward her and found out that not only did Allison have NO IDEA that this was going on, but then requested the money be sent to Courtney King-Dye for her recovery fund. There is a collection being taken up to add to DW's $500 to send on to Courtney.


In summary:


Allison Springer is Class Act. 

All. The. Way.


Also:
WEAR YOUR DAMN HELMET.

 

A scene from the very end of Rolex.

Lets set the stage.

Megan, Hub and I were the only people who stayed through Sunday's showjumping, so I opted to ride home with them, instead of driving myself up, since I had a different time frame from everyone else.

Megan and Hub drive a ford F-150 with an extended cab, so the back seat is a little squashed, but certainly fine for a 3.5 hour drive.

Especially if you sleep through the first 2 hours of it.

Anyway, Megan and Hub have four dogs. The two heelers and Opal, the 3-legged catahoola-ish cross, ride in the back of the truck with the home-made camper top on it. Pippa, the JRT, is the favorite and rides in the cab.

Hub's truck had been left as his job in Springfield, TN, about 25 minutes north of Nashville, and my car was at Stacy's in East Nashville, so we dropped Hub off at his truck and then Megan and I headed towards my car in East Nashville. Stacy had gone to the barn with Carol and wasn't home when we arrived.

As we were unloading my goodies from under the camper top, Megan left the truck running and Pippa inside it.

I walked around to get my new coat (!!!) out from the backseat of the car and noticed a little issue.

Me: Megan, do you have an extra key to your truck in your hand, or your purse... or the back of the trucky... maybe...by chance?

Megan: Uh... no. Why?

Me: WELLLLLL... I think Pippa may have locked the doors.

Megan tries all the doors and we exchange a "look." 

Lauren and Megan:

Megan: Well, let me call Hub and see if he has the extra key. He should be right behind us...

Lauren hands Megan her cell phone, as Megan's is locked in the truck.

Megan: ... so, what you're saying is that my spare key is ALSO in the truck? insert minor lovers quarrel

Megan: bad words deleted

Lauren: It's okay! I have AAA!


Lauren calls AAA and arranged to have them come- we are a "priority call" since we have a living animal locked inside a running vehicle. They assured us they'd be there within 40 minutes. I shudder to think if Pippa had been a child and not a dog. 

Megan and Lauren proceed to sit on the tail gate and eat Cheetos and left-over lunch meat and trail mix while cursing the world. At one point, we stand at the doors of the truck and try to get Pippa riled up enough to push a button to unlock the doors or open a window or SOMETHING. No luck. 

About 30 minutes later, Stacy and Carol pull up and we all have a good laugh.


And eat more Cheetos. 

40 minutes later, the AAA guy pulls up. He checks my card and my ID, asks what the problem is and proceeds around to look at the truck. He gives us a hard time for locking the poor puppy in the truck and we explain that she, in fact, locked us out. 

AAA guy: So you're locked out, huh? You locked that poor dog in the truck?!

Me: Well, actually, she locked us OUT of the truck, if you want to be technical.

AAA guy: Aw, POOR puppy.

Megan and I exchange looks.

Me: Yeah, yeah, just open the door and let us in, please?

AAA guy peers in the window

AAA guy: You know the passenger window is open.

Me: Uh-huh. Open the door, please.


AAA guy: No, really.

Me: Right. Start jimmying.

AAA guy gestures to the car. 

Megan and Lauren peer through the drivers side window and notice that, in fact, the passenger side window is now down. They exchange looks. Pippa has managed to roll down the window.

Megan and Lauren: many, many bad words exchanged


 AAA guy: hysterical laughter

I love life.  

Another quick training update...

before I run out the door to try to finish my rides for the week.

I had "smack down" rides on both Brandy and Ari yesterday.

I put Ari back in the happy mouth snaffle with a plain noseband. I realized when I was riding Gracie that she's more consistently on the bit because I'm so anal about making her move forward since her tendency is to be naughty... (*ahem* rear and flip)

So, I realized that Ari not being "through" had more to do with him slipping behind my leg consistently. Since I also want to tip forward on him, it wasn't hard for me to draw this conclusion. So I cracked down and made him stay consistently forward into the contact I was holding. Amy had me compressing the trot to get the feeling, but I think changing the way I thought about it helped me reproduce it more consistantly AND it carried over into the canter work.

I think, anyway.

As for Brandy, after a minor temper tantrum yesterday (from me) and a MAJOR hissy fit (from her), I was on the phone with my wonderful and ever-so-patient riding instructor asking for help because I just couldn't make Brandy happy. We deduced that I really need to ride her in my next lesson so we can work through some issues and I resigned myself to working through the problem in the meantime.

So with Brandy ALSO back in the happy mouth (I'd switched her because I thought she was sick of that bit), I insisted she stay IN the contact and not behind it. Her problem is that she lulls me into thinking she's light and on the bit when truly she's evading by being so light and is behind my leg because I've been fooled into thinking shes where she needs to be! Thats when she starts to fret. SO... by constantly pushing her into the contact, we had an excellent dressage school and she was quite content the whole time!

*phew*

I need more lessons. And a sugar daddy to pay for them. Like, three a week would be nice.

Lauren, the Paso Princess

OKAY, OKAY.

My dearest student, Shannon Rich, wanted me to tell you all that I rode my very first Paso Fino today.

Pasos are a Spanish gaited breed, known for doing a quick, tap-dancing step.


The one I rode, Sentinel, doesn't quite do that gait, since he's out of shape and, frankly, I have no idea how to make it happen, but he sure did give it his best shot.

Suffice to say, I am now aware of where every OUNCE of fat on my body is located.

And I laughed REALLY hard.

But he was a very good boy.

Pictures to come.

Eventing and fear...

I just read a great quote someone posted in response to a question about fear on COTH. I thought it was worth posting...

"I remember an interview with Pippa Funnel who always asked herself, "What the hell am I doing here?!" before going out at Advanced. Or, Matt Ryan who was notorious for vomiting due to nerves when he got to the start box.

Fear is not a bad thing. It is what you do with it."
-Reed Ayers