"You are the brains - he is the brawn"

In sticking with the non-traditional Thanksgiving I skipped Black Friday shopping in favor of... riding, of course! It's hard for me to understand how people could have fun heading out in sub-zero temperatures at 3 a.m. clad in their PJs to score some deals (on things they may or may not need). But hey, the same people would probably scratch their heads on how I could have fun freezing in a barn.

Yesterday's ride was a real boost to my morale and it seemed to Remy's, also. He was much lighter on the aids today, happily doing what I asked him to do. He definitely worked harder (willingly) than I did, earning Judy's approval "Yes, that's right: You are the brains - he is the brawn!"

That was a great affirmation because most of the time I feel like I'm the brawn - and on the brains we toss a coin!

A happy Thanksgiving - at the barn(s)

Without family in the States and no interest in football (sorry, Jude!), the choice of venue today was easy: the barn(s)! First at home, where everyone got a good grooming. Saumur and Teddy are very woolly critters, and they thoroughly enjoyed their massages with the newly acquired 'Magic Brushes' from Germany.

Once Saumur and Teddy were clean and had plenty of hay outside we loaded up Chambord and went to join Remy at Topline, where we had the huge indoor arena all to ourselves.

Chambord was his usual cool self. He can have a lot of time off but then goes to work as if he had had a workout yesterday. Remy was eager to join his friend. As I've been working on making him more responsive to my leg with 'durchwachsen' (mixed) success I decided to try something new: take the spurs off and see what would happen. Surprise: Remy listened to my leg, we got good transitions and even prompt canter departs. So now I have to figure out what I am doing differently. I think I am so afraid to put my leg on (with the spurs) that I'm not giving clear enough aids. Good food for thought and something to follow up on!

Once home and thawed out under a hot shower I popped in a DVD I got in Germany: "Uta Graef - The intrepid dressage horse". Not much new, much of the things I have been practicing all along (hmm, and I still don't have an 'intrepid' horse?), but there were some good ideas to build on. Included also is a CD with noise, such as clapping, loud music that is played at victory gallops, etc. so it will be fun trying that out.

As to dinner: Fear not - no turkey had to die for us. So what does a German-American-French-American couple have for Thanksgiving dinner: Lebanese Takeout... and plenty of Champagne!

We are finally coming together - thanks to an American--French-German Village

For some time now I have secretly and openly (to close friends only) struggled with my relationship with Remy. Entirely my issue, of course. Deep down I wanted him to be another Crissy (who I still deeply miss), a fun and easy horse. Somehow I also felt I deserved an easy ride, after all my struggles with Saumur.

Reality check: Remy is wonderful, but also young and inexperienced - and yes, he is a boy. Girls seem to grow up faster :-)! I rode Crissy as a four-year alone on long trail rides, galloping all over the place, showing her at big, noisy events without a problem. Not something I could easily repeat with Remy. The freak accident this summer didn't help, neither his 'flying higher than a kite' at Regionals. Pair that with my feeling guilty about neglecting Saumur (who, BTW, is very happy to be 'neglected' as an active retiree), and well - you get the picture.

Judy was -and is- there for us, no matter what. JP was -and is- prodding me along, not very subtle, but with unwavering support. Remy and I are figuring each other out, and so it's finally coming together.

It takes an American-French-German Village to make it happen - but voila:

Remy and I are well on our way to becoming ... an old couple!

My very own, original "Sauvat" - in a very special book

Unfortunately, I missed the big opening bash of the White Horse Inn as I was in Europe. I really would have liked to be there, but the timing just didn't work out. JP was enjoying himself going stag*, but he also had a mission:

Taking the book Stephanie had so diligently searched for and ultimately arranged to be sent from France to Germany to the US "Les Chevaux de Sauvat", asking Jean-Louis to sign it.

Jean-Louis not only signed it, he dedicated it "with his friendship" and a wonderful drawing:

There is a quote in the book I absolutely love "Il n'y a pas d'echec pour celui qui sait aimer." 

 "There is no failure for the one that knows how to love."

*Stag (= a male deer) - attending a social gathering without a partner.

"Our little muffin is growing up!" - "We survived Kentucky"

Back after a whirlwind trip to Germany, where the weather was a balmy and sunny 60F. Not so here: On Saturday the Detroit airport was closed due to the icy weather, and a plane that had slipped off the runway. Great! Luckily yesterday we had a warm spell and I came home without delay (well, if you don't count the 4 a.m. start time, a three hour layover in Amsterdam, followed by an almost nine hour flight with the captain announcing "Folks, I need to keep the plane lower than usual due to the turbulences").

So today I was all pumped up to start riding again after a week off. Remy had behaved well for Judy and "he earned his weekend pass" (meaning JP picked him up for his weekend of playtime at home). Back to school... to find that school was under "weather alert". The weather had turned - we are in Michigan, after all! Howling winds, forecast at over 45 mph, rattled the barn and indoor arena. Sometimes it sounded like the roof would just take off. Judy had the music on in the indoor fairly loud to counteract all the scary noises.

Still, with the mayhem going on outside I didn't think it was the best of ideas to get on after a week off. I decided to longe Remy only, but as he (surprisingly!) kept his cool Judy offered to get on. It was neat to see how well he worked, solid counter canter, walk-canter departs without the trademark skip, half-pass... all that while the power went out, meaning no more music to cover up the scary noises, and very limited visibility in the arena.Wow! Judy hit the nail on the head with her remark "Our little muffin is growing up!"

We both felt we should wear buttons declaring "We survived Kentucky!" - after all the commotion at Regionals in Kentucky nothing much will face us now, as Remy proved today.

My "neat freak gene" rears it's head - at least when it comes to the barn

I grew up in a household where Q-tips and painters brushes were used to clean furniture, and were the Persian rugs had special combs for the fringes. "Mind the fringes!" was a common exclamation (meaning don't disturb the perfect layout), and eating after dinner time just didn't happen - no way to put a dirty plate in a spotless kitchen.

Needless to say, I couldn't wait to move out, and when I had my first apartment at the age of 20 you can be assured things like combs for fringes were the furthest from my mind. I was convinced that the "neat-freak gene" had by-passed me completely.

Fast forward to today: According to the weather-man it was the last mild day for a long time to come. Not sure what bit me, but I decided to vacuum the barn, top to bottom. Out came "R2D2" (the shop vacuum) and I went to work, first attacking the tack room, then the stalls. I'm sure the spiders are currently plotting revenge for taking down all their webs.

While cleaning, I had an audience of four, peeking through the windows, wondering what all the noise was about. (OK, probably more wondering if it was dinner time yet). I have to say, when I was done I had great sense of satisfaction - but not enough to tackle the house and get some rugs in order to comb the fringes!

It can't be snowing yet... and looking to the experts

Yesterday I almost chocked on my morning coffee: Looking out the kitchen window I saw heavy snow flakes tumbling to the ground. The snow didn't stick around, but still... It was a reality check of the things to come.

Remy is home for the weekend, and before he goes back to Judy's I had better dig out his winter clothes. I have to admit, I am not overly into blanketing early. Once Remy gets his trace clip he'll need the blankets, though, and admittedly it will make grooming much easier. The task at hand is pretty daunting: Four filthy boys are staring at me! They also managed to liberally dot manes and tails with burrs.

So, I skipped riding this weekend in favor of  'winterizing'. My good show boots are cleaned and stored, exchanged for my every-day sturdy Koenigs. They are large enough for liners and heavy socks, 20 years old and still holding up perfectly. Next in line are the heavy duty winter riding boots from Loesdau. Add a wardrobe full of polar fleece and I might just be able to venture out.

In addition to pulling out the Arctic Gear I spent time with Buck (again!) in the form of his "7 Clinics" DVDs, and also reading some of the classical texts - all that in my quest for lightness and responsiveness. It does not matter if it is Dressage or Reining, good horsemanship is good horsemanship. And when the latest "Chronicle of the Horse" came yesterday, I was thrilled to read an article by Jeremy Steinberg "The Power of Knowledge".

This article should be a 'must read' for serious riders, as Jeremy brings up so many valid points about the need to keep learning and knowing "why", by exploring the history of the sport, the various masters and techniques. As we all know, there is no "one size fits all" - but you can find the "size" that fits you and your horse!

So, case in point question: Who invented the shoulder-in*? It is an exercise used in daily training, but who knows the origins?

(*Answer: More than one person, Antoine de Pluvinel, William Cavendish, the Duke of Newcastle and Francois Robichon de la Gueriniere all played at part. Hint: When in doubt, mumble the name of a European guy that lived several hundred years ago!)

I have to be strong in order to be light - Gimme those "Yes, Ma'am's!"

OK, now that I'm over my episode of wilting in the Jan clinic, Judy has put the heat on regarding Remy's responsiveness to my aids. It's been an ongoing struggle with basically me working my behind off while Remy is ho-humming along, answering with "maybe's" (as in "maybe I'll do a canter depart").

I am paranoid about nagging him with my legs (which is exactly what I've been doing). It takes a lot for me to really get after him, and not only because Remy is not above throwing in a f.. you buck when he gets a smack with the crop. But someone had to give, and ...well... The "fear of the wrath of Jude" will not allow for that someone to be me.

Yesterday it took for me to be drenched in sweat (in 45F degree weather) and Judy's voice in my ear getting decibels louder by the minute until I finally gave Remy one good smack.

Instant gratification: Remy replied immediately with "yes, Ma'am!". From there on I could be light and soft and Remy was motoring along, with the rear engine well engaged. We did a lot of up and down transitions, as well as transitions within the gaits, and wouldn't you know it, no more "maybe's"!

It's really so simple: Start asking lightly, if there is no response turn the volume up, and if there is a response be light. (Exactly like Judy's voice in my ear!)

So, hmm, I might bring the crop into the house - I could use some more of those "Yes, Ma'am's"!

When things are not going according to plan - cutting myself some slack

It seemed easy enough: Fly to Mexico on Tuesday, come back Thursday night, ride with Jan Ebeling on Saturday. Sure - no problem, with a day in between to come off my travel meds I should be fit to ride.

Reality: Trip down to Orizaba went well. Return journey: Not so much: Two hour car trip from Orizaba to Veracruz, night in Veracruz, early next morning taxi to the airport. First snafu: Plane had been canceled. Rebooked on the next plane, alas, that one was delayed. Numerous hours later landed in Mexico City, only to find out that the plane to Detroit had left, and we opted for Chicago... only to find out the plane had be delayed. Arrived Chicago 2 a.m., shuttled to the hotel for a whopping two (!) hours of sleep and a shower. Back to the airport to find out the plane to Detroit was delayed due to snow. Hours later, leave for Detroit. Arrive - but can't leave due to lack of gate availability. Finally make it to the office and continue meetings. Roll home late and crash.

Perfect preparation to ride with a demanding Olympian. It started out well, though, Jan prepared us to get better canter departs on the iffy right hand. Lots of shoulder ins, leg yields all over the arena, transitions, transitions. He really honed in on my tendency to keep Remy too much on the inside rein. Hmm, there is an explanation: I learned a long time ago to do one-rein stops and they saved my hide more than once with Saumur. So when Remy decided to throw in a buck in at the first canter, I instinctively thought "one-rein-stop" (which I didn't need to do because Remy came right back to me).

It was a very good training session, until about 45 minutes in I faded fast and furious. I was overwhelmed by exhaustion, and thus embarrassment ("darn it, I need to suck it up and continue"). Well, that self-talk didn't help. And instead of telling Jan I needed a break I just muddled through, tears of exhaustion pooling in my eyes. How much more embarrassing could it get? Luckily, not much more. We finished on a somewhat decent note, but I had to come to grips with serious self-doubt ("I should be much fitter!").

Still, after JP kicked my behind I was able to acknowledge that yes, overall I managed to do a good job given the circumstances, it was a positive experience, and we (I!) know what we need to work on. After a shower and a nap I was able to enjoy a super nice evening with Jan and the Topline team. Cutting myself some slack is a challenge - but it sure makes life more enjoyable!