Left for KY with a smile - and came back with smile

It seems things are falling into place; my lesson on Remy had me leave for Kentucky with a big smile on my face.  Yes, time again for our annual ‘pilgrimage’ to the Rolex Kentucky 4* CCI event. Remy’s reward was a weekend of play with his buddies at home, so we couldn’t leave fast enough in his mind.

Kentucky greeted us on Friday with rain and blustery winds. We visited the Shaker Village, a very interesting community concept that had seen its heyday in the 1800s. The Shaker communities were very advanced technically for the time, i.e. they had running water around 1830. Their downfall was that their faith allowed men and women to only be ‘brothers and sisters’, no marriage, no hanky-panky. Well, duh, no surprise that that didn’t last!

Weather for X-C on Friday was perfect, sunny, breezy, 80F. Over 35,000 people showed up, luckily there is room at the Kentucky Horse Park. Aside from seeing some really good rides, we enjoyed a demonstration of Mustangs. A women rode two young Mustangs without saddle and bridle, just with a neck rope. The five year old did clean flying changes; jumped a small vertical, etc. It was a demonstration of really good horsemanship. We topped off a great day with an awesome dinner at Le Deauville, our favorite French restaurant this side of the Atlantic.

So we left Kentucky with a sunburned smile and the promise to be back next year for sure, or even earlier should we qualify for the Regional Championships in October. We (ahem, JP) made it through Ohio without a speeding ticket (yay!) to be greeted by a cold and blustery Michigan. Luckily our animal kingdom made up for it with a warm welcome.

It’ll be interesting to see if I can keep that smile (sans sunburn) while trying to squeeze a few rides in before leaving again for Europe on Saturday. Remy, I’m counting on you! As to "Smile -  Plan B": Bring on the wine, JP!

Clinic with an USEF 'S' Judge - and the headset tells all

Nothing like going from not riding for over a week due to travel straight into a clinic with a ‘S’ judge (‘Senior’ = highest level of judge within the USEF).

While I was on a business trip in France Remy had his spring break at home. After not riding for over a week the clinic with Maryal Barnett (said USEF ‘S’ judge) rolled around way too soon. Not the best timing, but definitely worth a try. Finding the hosting farm in Metamora proved rather challenging, as one of us (the male driver, who else?) did not want to follow directions, and sure enough we got lost. Luckily Onstar put us back on track (after the female co-pilot had pushed the button!).

A benefit of cruising around the back roads was seeing the beautiful farms and properties in Metamora horse country. Wow – a piece of Kentucky in Michigan. We finally made it to the stunning –private- dressage facility and yes, I had some pangs of envy, especially when I checked out the indoor arena. Remy was not too thrilled about being alone in the barn (all other horses were turned out), but he settled in.

Maryal is such a kind and lovely lady, but that doesn’t prevent her from being direct and right on the money with her corrections. She honed in on my seat immediately (“tight hips, you have too much weight on your left seat bone”) and also on my nagging Remy with my legs. “Give the aid once, get a reaction, and be done with it”. Not that I hadn’t heard that before.  

Our start was a bit shaky, mainly because I had to feel myself back into the swing of things. While trying to relax I started my familiar mantra of “We can (f..ing do this)” when the voice in my headset questioned: “what were you saying?” Oops, forgot, it’s a two way radio. Better not say the “f..ing” part out loud!

Things improved as we went on, and I got the best feeling in the right lead canter. Remy did really well in the unfamiliar arena, he didn’t spook, buck (thanks, Junior!), or seemed distracted, other than admiring himself in the mirrors. At the end of our ride Maryal commented with a smile: “Remy redeemed himself”! (From bolting out of her ring at Lamplight). Now, it seems, it’s up to me to redeem myself, get my seat and aids in order – and to remember that the headset tells all!

How it all started - and assuaging a guilty conscience with home-made cookies

We are in the process of redoing the library - and that does not mean managing file folders. It's good old fashioned books and magazines that are in dire need to be put in something resembling order. At least now the book shelves no longer look like we just graduated college. Progress!

Flipping through stacks of old German magazines today I was thrilled to find the one that started it all: 'Pferde Heute', a 1990 edition titled "Morgans: Elegance, Endurance, and Movement". Until then I had never heard of Morgans, but I was fascinated immediately by the pictures and the article. Just reading it again was fascinating, for example the fact that in 1920 the US War Department tested numerous breeds for strength and endurance. The horses had to navigate 500 km (310 miles) in 5 days, carrying full equipment. The Morgans outshone all the other breeds and therefore were classified officially as "Cavalry Mounts". It is the only breed ever to be promoted by the US Government.

The article included contact information for the newly established German Morgan Horse Association. The president of the GMHA, Markus Gaertner, invited us to his barn. He had two Morgan stallions and a newly imported filly named Velvet. I fell in love - and the rest is history!

It was a nice break from a hectic schedule this weekend. I'm spending next week in Lyon, France, at the annual strategy sessions with the Board and key executives of our company. A week without my four-legged boys (and yes, the two-legged one also) is always tough. So between packing my suitcase, sorting books, reminiscing about my start with Morgans, doing laundry, cleaning tack... I tried to assuage my guilt for 'temporarily abandoning' the boys by baking yummy horse cookies.

With Judy also being out of town part of next week the boys will be on vacation. I can picture them gobbling down the cookies, wondering why I can't leave town more often?? There is a bottle of champagne in the fridge to be enjoyed with my French barn manager. He better not share the boys' sentiments about my travels! :-)

Spring: Prodding, Probing and Moving Home

The boys have had busy days. First the appointment for Coggins, Vaccinations, and in the case of Remy also dental work and sheath cleaning (uh). Saumur’s needle phobia has all but vanished, he didn’t even flinch during the blood drawing or vaccination. Amazing! Dr. DeWitt (Judy’s barn vet) has an excellent bed side -make that stall side- manner.

Remy’s dental exam revealed slightly sharp enamel points, development of hooks and high canines. Remy received his sedation and Dr. DeWitt and her assistant schlepped the equipment in. Basically a portable dental office with oversized power tools, suction device, mouth rinse, etc. Previously we had used an equine dentist that works the old-fashioned way, no power tools, just regular files etc., which I always found rather rough.

I was fascinated to watch skills and technology combined at work. Remy was relaxed and calm during the entire process. I, OTOH, break out in sweat before I even sit down in my dentist’s chair. For my next appointment:  “Forget the nitrous oxide - I’m having what Remy had!”.

Saumur’s big day came: He moved back home. Winter is officially over; not only that, but JP also gave him the “Active Retirement” speech. No objections from Saumur!

So, when I take Saumur, the dogs and you-know-who into account: It looks like I’m living in a Senior Citizen Center – wait, then at least let’s call it ‘Active Adult Retirement Community’. At least the ‘active’ and ‘adult’ parts fit me!

Who is doing the work? - And what did you do with my rider?

Ah, the joys of dealing with youngsters. Never a dull moment. Remy and I are still working on a modus operandi that we both can find acceptable. Lately we have been upping the ante in our lessons; Judy: "He's a big boy now, so wear your big girl pants and chop chop" (translation: get your act in gear, expect more and move along). It seems I am always the one working harder than he is. What's wrong with that picture?

Of course, Judy thinks Remy is great for me, quote: "Remy works only as well as he is ridden". Gee, thanks, you two, that is really helpful! But of course, right she is, it forces me to be very consistent and precise ALL the time, EVERY time.

Both my horses are such complete opposites. Saumur is the energizer bunny, and an overachiever, always worrying about everything. The challenge with him is to get him the listen to half-halts and come back to me. Remy needs a certain amount of convincing that yes, he really can put a bit more effort into it, and yes, I do mean it.

After a rather 'warm' (read: sweaty, on my part) lesson yesterday the light bulb finally came on towards the end. I got annoyed with having to ask so much and finally growled "Ca suffit, just do it!". Remy smartly figured out I was serious (I switch to French when I want to make a point, wonder why? Probably all the years of trying to 'train' JP :-) ) and wouldn't you know it, he said "yes, ma'am" and strutted his stuff on the aids in beautiful self-carriage. Wish everyone would snap to attention when I growl in French! Alas, I guess I have to be happy that at least it works with Remy.

So when Remy started out today in his lah-di-dah mode; "Do you really mean it?, I don't feel like listening" I decided that's it. I put my legs on, pretended to be Judy, and off we went. We even managed good canter departs - without the begging ("would you please canter now?").

I could really feel how the little gears in Remy's head were churning "Where the heck is Birgit - and what have you done with her??" Well, buddy, Birgit put her big girl pants on as you are a big boy now. Onward and upward we go!