Good rides all around - and that darn cinema in my head

It was a picture perfect Memorial Day weekend. Great trailrides with Saumur and Chambord, and really good lessons with Remy. It made me so happy seeing all four boys plus everyone else in our 'clan of 11' having a good time. Here are Saumur and Remy, enjoying the good life:

In my sometimes paranoid thinking it goes like... "things are going too well, something is bound to happen..." It must be a cultural thing; quite a few Germans I know seem to be afraid to full out enjoy themselves, so not to be too disappointed with things go wrong. I admit, I have to catch myself not to fall into the trap, and to truly enjoy every moment without wondering what comes next.

Unfortunately, what my close friends and I call the "Kopfkino" (meaning the cinema in my head that always seems to play multiple movies and "what if" scenarios) is not helping.

Note to self: time to switch to uplifting films, even go all out and see a comedy!

Over the hump.. or perhaps better said.. over ONE hump

With the good rides I have had lately on Remy (especially yesterday when we ran through test 1-3) I am beginning to think that our partnership is morphing into something really special. We will certainly still have our ups and downs, and as most experienced horse people will tell: that's the beauty and also challenge of bringing along a young horse.

It's all in the journey - or so they say. We encountered a big hump, and with the help of Judy, conquered that one. As Judy says: "There will be more humps but they will be easier to overcome and more fun". Your word in God's ear, Judy! That is exactly why it is so important to have an expert at your side to help with the dicey parts. Someone who knows young horses and the process it takes to build a partnership of horse and human; willing and able to step in when things get dicey. Thanks, Jude!!

It's the dance between human and horse... one to lead, one to follow, without anyone noticing. Yep, I admit - I watched "Dancing with the Stars" last night. While Remy and I are not exactly Maks and Meryl (Remy has way too much chest hair and I'm having a few pounds on Meryl), I think our dancing is making huge improvements. At least our chemistry is also right on!

Speaking of dance, I marvel at the concentration these dancers possess in order to remember every the step perfectly synchronized to their partners and the music, all that in front of millions of viewers. I draw a blank when it comes to remembering a dressage test or a jumping course when it's in a competitive environment. (At least I'm in good company, a world-class eventer drew a blank on the show jumping course at the Olympics, no less). Still, it's embarrassing to admit that I can jump through three languages easily all day long - but I need someone to read the tests and draw up courses. Thanks, JP! And should you ever quit on me, I will have have to switch to foxhunting - no map required, just follow the hounds!

Riding with this reminds me of a "Steiff-Tier" - and the beauty of one way conversation

Judy uses an audio system for coaching at shows, and some clients also prefer it for lessons. It's the difference of having the instructor in your ear as opposed to following a booming voice (yes, Jude, you are blessed with a voice that carries - farther than I sometimes like).

I had been toying for a while with the idea of getting a receiver (a small pack that is attached to the belt); and after dutifully comparison shopping I am now the proud owner of my own receiver plus sophisticated earphones. So, this weekend we gave it a whirl, and it's great! There is one hitch (or advantage, depending on the view), though: it's a one way conversation; meaning I can hear Judy - but she can't hear me. Remembering my embarrassing moment with Maryal (when she heard me say my mantra of "We can f...ing do this!") I think I prefer the one way conversation!

While riding with the earphones a slogan came into my mind "Knopf im Ohr" (Button in Ear). It's the trademark of the Steiff company; and all Steiff stuffed animals have the button in the ear as it is used to distinguish Steiff toys from fakes. It's significant to me because I grew up with Steiff toys - thanks to the fact that several uncles and aunts worked for the company and used their employee rebates to purchase birthday and Christmas gifts for me.

It's also a fascinating story of a woman that didn't let the odds discourage her. Margarete Steiff (1847 - 1909) contracted polio as a baby, needed a wheelchair, and her right arm was paralyzed. That didn't prevent her from learning to sew. At that time there were no special programs for people with disabilities, so Margarete started making stuffed animals as a hobby. Interest grew, she started the company in her parents modest home (keep in mind it was a small German town the 1860s, and she was a young woman with disabilities!). The company became a world-known toy manufacturer.

And a bit more trivia -  "Teddy Bears" are named after  President Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt.

BTW, I still have my first Teddy bear - his name is Zotti and I won't reveal his age. Let's just say he's well-loved and has a permanent home in my bedroom!

Putting a deposit in the account - and "The Princess and the Pea"

It was quite the challenge this afternoon: Torrential rain this morning had nixed the turnout, and thus Remy's playtime. Then, as soon as we got to the barn we were told about "the men on the (barn and arena) roof" - meaning the storms had forced roof repairs. As Carolyn said: "No problems with the canter pirouettes today!"

Great timing to get saddles adjusted and ride without the benefit of a longing warmup in the arena "with men on roof". JP finally had found a saddle that fit him and Chambord (used - yay!), so Luanne came to see if it needed adjustment and also to get Remy's saddle fitted again. JP and Chambord lucked out: no adjustment needed - perfect fit.

Concerning Remy, yes, I mentioned several saddle adjustments in a very short period of time;  the 'no-longer little guy' is changing so much it's hard to keep up with his back. He was croup-high at the last fitting in March and two months later he has grown out of it!

In addition, I'm -ahem- kind of hard to please (those who know me, you are allowed to chuckle at this 'tiny understatement' now). I really can feel the slightest difference in the saddle; it reminds me of one of the fairy tales my nanny would tell me: "Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse" (The Princess and the Pea).

Good thing Luanne found the perfect balance for us today and the pea vanished. I had an awesome ride, it netted me a RARE high-five from Judy! Days like today I call "putting a deposit in" - meaning we are accumulating good experiences, so if we have to withdraw due to some not-so-good events, in the end there is still enough positive balance in the account.

And to top it off: While out running the dogs late this afternoon I found a four-leaf clover while thinking of Remy. Now, if that isn't a good sign!

Party Rules - Riding Rules... and let's make a Partyloewe

What do riding rules and party rules have in common? Quite a lot, it seems.

It took me a while today to get back into the swing of things;10 days without serious (riding) work left me with a bit of a lag. Luckily Remy was kept in tip top shape by Judy. Luckily... however... it also means that the little rascal always has to test me when he had a lot of time with Judy. With her, questioning is not an option. With me, uh, well, "can't blame a guy for trying!" (Remy speaks).

It went like this:
Me: "OK, you need to listen to my inside leg"
Remy: "Oh, do I have to? Perhaps I can just pretend.."
Me: "No really, I'm serious"
Remy: "How serious are you?"

Luckily Judy stepped in and got us away from this fruitless chitchat. She hit the nail right on the head: "Remy needs to come to the party right away, stay late, and clean up afterwards!"

Good advise, Jude! We'll make the perfect 'Partyloewe' (German for 'party lion', it means someone who always is right on at every party) out of Remy in no time!

"I love my second act" - and there must be a pony somewhere

What better way to celebrate the return from a trip and and a beautiful Spring day than with a trail ride? Saumur had been enjoying life without work for several weeks now (due to my work/travel/Remy schedule) so I wasn't sure what to expect from my 'Scaredy Cat'.

Saumur clearly showed me that he loves his 'second-act career' as a trail horse. He calmly walked along, barely giving the deer -waiting until we were next to them to jump up- a glance. No jigging, no jumping, no bolting - and all that in his rubber bit. So, forget 'Scaredy Cat' - Saumur now is the 'King of the Trail'.
And lucky for him, his pension is guaranteed!

Today was time for serious Spring cleaning - of the boys (the house can wait, it doesn't shed). They all enjoyed the thorough grooming, and it was especially necessary for the fuzzy little fur ball Teddy. I scrubbed and scrubbed until he resembled a shiny pony again.

It reminded me of a story a friend's dad told him a long time ago: "A kid sees a huge pile of manure, takes a look and a whiff, and disgustedly walks away. The next kid coming up to the manure pile takes a look and deep breath, and then excitedly starts to dig through the manure, yelling 'there must be a pony underneath it!'"

Junior found his big boy pants - and a new farm sign greets me

Another whirlwind trip to Europe, this time to Germany via Amsterdam. Leonberg-Stuttgart-Muenchen-Frankfurt. Luckily it was one of these (rare) trips where all went well.

While I was gone JP managed the home/barn/horse/dog/cat-front (with his usual aplomb), while Remy got daily "personal time" with his Aunt Jude. Judy kept me updated on Remy's work, and I was thrilled when I received a text "Remy found his big boy pants!", which means he really is working like a grown up. Yay! Hope he'll keep his pants on for me, too! We''ll be starting the season with Waterloo (good thing I'm not Napoleon!) at the end of this month.

During the week JP had finalized our farm sign, and it greeted me yesterday: Saumur, Chambord, Remy and Teddy are all proudly featured.

The Three Musketeers (French: Les Trois Mousquetaires [le tʁwa muskətɛʁ]) is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard. D'Artagnan is not one of the musketeers of the title; those are his friends Athos, Porthos and Aramis, inseparable friends who live by the motto "all for one, one for all" ("tous pour un, un pour tous"), a motto which is first put forth by d'Artagnan.

The boys always stick together, (i.e. when we try to get one of them out of the pasture  alone the others try to block access), so the motto "all for one, one for all" fits 100% - hence the farm name was a no-brainer! As for the spelling - we had to get creative for our truck's licence plate (Michigan limits the number of letters).

Happy Birthday, Junior - and a decision to make

May 1: Remy's 6th Birthday. Good thing he didn't know it was his birthday - I was on a business trip. His Aunt Jude, however, took good care of him with extra apples and carrots. She texted: "Birthday Boy working very hard and very well" :-). We'll see if he can keep it up with me today. Different day - different story.

My last lesson on Tuesday was good, and I am feeling better and better about my rides. Remy didn't have "his hooves in his ears" (Judy's expression when he doesn't listen); and I even had a brief flashback to my rides on Crissy. Hers are very big shoes to fill, she was the most dependable and easy horse I have ever ridden. Miss you, Crissy-babe! (She would have been 27 on April 27).

A glance at the noticeboard in the barn gave me instant queasiness: The sign-up sheet to the June Lamplight competition - aka our Nemesis. To go or not to go? Avoid a potential frustrating experience or give it our best shot, no matter what? The alternative would be going alone to Waterloo, as Judy and her clients will be at Lamplight. I have no problem doing my own thing, with JP as trusty 'trainer'/manager/groom by my side, of course.

But still... "wer nicht wagt der nicht gewinnt" (if you don't dare you won't win). I talked it over with Ann, one of Judy's clients who witnessed our 'meltdown' last year. Ann has a quite challenging horse herself, so she knows the problems first hand. Her advise: "Go with no expectations, if you are able to warm up, go in the ring, finish the test, it's a victory - no matter the score". Hmm, that sounds like a good plan. OTOH, what if we end up never even making it into the ring? We would be paying a lot for another experience in defeat.

What the heck, I'm not a stubborn German for nothing: I will go to the barn now and put us (with a slightly trembling hand) on the sign up sheet!