We have a winner - and "you can go to China now"

Yes, we have a winner: Music selection for the freestyle that is. Finally yesterday the stars were aligned, weather was a 'balmy' 27F, boombox worked, so off we went strutting our stuff to music. Karen had sent me eight different selections for the trot, and after watching a video of Saumur's trot work with the different music choices I had a pretty good idea what would be a good match.

I have to hand it to Karen, I would have never picked this music on my own! And she knew it, hence her warning: "Don't rule anything out unless you absolutely hate it". We used part of my lesson yesterday to see  how well the different styles of music fit and how both Saumur and I liked riding to it. Amazingly we (Judy, JP, I, and -very important- Saumur) all agreed on the same song! Yay, now I can hardly wait for the canter music!

The lessons yesterday and today focused on getting Saumur to carry himself more. He starts out well, but then when he gets a bit tired or the work (collection) is getting hard he'd rather have me carry him. Uh, Saumur, so not a good idea, somehow the ratio is off here! As Judy kept pointing out the key is to constantly balance him with small half-halts, if I need a strong one because he's bearing down it's obviously too late. Today we cold build on our work from yesterday, which also helped with his flying changes. Initially we had some where he was late behind, but then we got good, clean ones which made Judy let me off the hook (finally!) with "OK, you can go to China now!"

Remy, the sunny boy, made me work for my money, too. Still working on his balance, and on fine-tuning my aids. Judy has been a wonderful help with my position, and when I do what she says, I can feel the difference (duh!). Mainly it is relaxing my upper thighs, and not to pinch with my knees (NO clothes pin position!).

Finally I worked well enough for Judy to tell me "good riding of my horse!". Lately she has been working  more with him, and he sure wiggled himself into her heart. Oh boy, it looks like we actually do have a  "menage a trois" here!

Off to China I fly tomorrow...

"Honey - I'm moving out!'

Well, at least that is what the neighbors would have thought if they could have seen me this morning. Good thing that we don’t have neighbors living that close. Today is one of those days where I have to go to the barn straight from work in order to make it in time for my lesson. On days when I’m just riding I’ll swing by at home to change.

This morning I would have made any Lastesel (pack mule) proud: Large purse, big Laptop bag, huge Barn Bag containing all the must-haves including  boombox, plus a giant garment bag with all my “it’s too friggin’ cold” riding clothes. Oh, yes, and the boot bag, of course, containing sheepskin lined winter riding boots! So really, this would have almost called for a U-Haul.

While I left the Barn Bag in my car, I lugged the garment bag into my office. Not much worse than changing into frozen clothes on a 17F day! Here is the drawback of having the corner office with all the windows: It clearly is NOT suitable as changing room.  So, I’ll be schlepping everything to the barn tonight, change in the bathroom, load the car with the office outfit and eventually I might be ready for my lesson.

But there will be no confusion on my intentions when I’m unloading my car tonight at home: “Honey – I’m home!”

Instead of choosing music - the hunt for compression socks

The best laid plans don't always work out (duh!). The plan for today was that both JP and I would have a lesson each. Chambord even had a sleepover at Topline so he didn't have to travel back and forth. Well, when we got to Judy's it was 9F (and the 'F' might well stand for something else...). We all decided that riding would have to be nixed. I was really bummed because now that I'm the proud owner of a functioning boombox I really wanted to get Saumur's trot music selected. Saumur's only action this morning was a roll in the indoor arena, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

So, all of a sudden I had time on my hands, quite unusual. Off I went in search of compression stockings... and no, I'm not ready head for the nursing home! My upcoming trip to China next Sunday will have me cooped up 16+ hours on a plane. The thought alone is not exactly amusing. But, thorough person that I am, I did my research and found out that in addition to electrolytes and taking baby Aspirin, compression stockings are highly recommended. By the third pharmacy I hit pay dirt, and found some that actually look like regular trouser socks.

Even though I didn't get to chose my music today I got treated to watching such a fabulous freestyle (on the Reiten St-Georg website)  it gave me shivers: Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill, scoring over 87%  for a truly amazing ride at the Neumuenster show. They got several 10s for harmony between rider and horse. Now, compression stockings in hand, I have a stunning picture in my head.

"He is a lover, not a fighter" - and the boys are back to school

While Judy spent some well-deserved vacation days in the sun, the boys got to play in the snow at home. I thought a break from working in the indoor arena would be good for them, and we had planned trail rides in the snow. Unfortunately, the ice on the trails nixed that idea. Luckily the ground at home held up and it was a lot of fun seeing all four of them kicking up their heels, running and playing for long stretches. That, coupled with plenty of 'spoiling' certainly made their time off enjoyable, perhaps not as much as getting a massage on the beach...

Alas, on Friday it was back to work with Judy, and today I had a lesson on Remy. I can't repeat often enough how much fun he is, even when things are not exactly going as planned. Judy hit the nail on the head with her remark "Remy is a lover, not a fighter". He tries very hard to be good, but sometimes he  just has to test the waters "Hello, are you with me and paying attention??"

Karen, the freestyle designer, sent me trot music for Saumur. I was all pumped up today, until I realized that none of our ancient boom boxes (ignored and covered in dust) worked. After all, this is the age of "I-" anything. But taking my iPad and speakers to the barn didn't seem to be such a great idea. So, off I went, and low and behold, there are still boom boxes for sale, cheap enough that should Remy decide a boom box makes a fun toy (he picks up whatever he can get between his teeth) it won't break the bank.

I already have a pretty good idea which music selection I like, let's hope Saumur agrees!

I've decided to cancel lessons ... And soak in the bathtub

When it's 10F, that is.

Yesterday I really enjoyed my lesson, and I had a very good ride on Remy. As I told Judy at one point it felt like Remy was on cruise control, but in a good way. I hadn't ridden him all week due to our short stint in Florida, so it was fun coming back and finding him going so well.

That is the wonderful thing if you work with a great trainer: you can go away and when you come back your horses are better! I really, really appreciate it, because it is very difficult to find the right person to trust with the 'kids', especially if you have a 'special needs child' like Saumur. With a 'happy go lucky' guy like Remy, you sure want him to keep his enthusiasm and not get soured by the training. And with my schedule it's crucial that this works. I won't be able to ride all next week - I'll have to stand in line at the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to get my visa for the upcoming trip to Shanghai (being German living in the US complicates matters, you have to show up in person).

Back to my lesson today: a very different story from yesterday. I never got into the groove, feeling stiff, having no feeling in my fingers, and getting faint. I got more and more frustrated with myself  and Remy of course picked up on it. Judy patiently guided us through but I justed disliked how I rode. So, note to self: I will cancel any lesson if it's not at least 20F! I hate to be a whimp but trying to tough it out is not fair to the horse, instructor or myself.

Saumur received the good end of the stick: He got to roll and play on the longeline. Seeing him being happy somewhat warmed me up.

What really warmed me up was a long soak in 100F water in my bathtub, looking out the bay windows at the snow flakes tumbling down, followed by a nice glass of Moët (thanks, Schnucki II!!). Life is good, even in a deep freeze!