"Just ride him off your socks" - and does he have his own appointment calendar?

From my earliest riding lessons the importance of proper attire and turnout for lessons was instilled (or let's just say drilled) into me with the explanation that it shows respect to the art of riding, the instructor, horses, and fellow students. Yes, George Morris, you were saying that all along. And yes, overweight riders in too tight pants didn't pass muster under my stern instructors either.


So today I proudly -and sheepishly- had to tell Judy "Well, my nail polish matches my shirt and saddle pad, however, I forgot my boots". She just laughed and we concluded that my top half looked good. I decided to give riding with boot socks and barn boots a whirl. Remy is sometimes a bit sluggish off the leg, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Judy's advice: "Just ride him off your socks!" Well, no worries, Remy had it covered. We did our usual routine without any problems, and even had good half-passes. Not only did I ride him off my socks, I also rode my socks off!


As I rattled off Remy's schedule for next month to Judy: Schooling at Waterloo, perhaps a rodeo, another police horse session, and then the three day cow working clinic she jokingly asked "Does Remy have his own appointment calendar?"  Well, not only that -  he even has a top notch (albeit underpaid) private secretary: Yours truly!

Chased by a girl twice his size - and "how could he ever be your war horse?"

Today was the big day: Training with the Washtenaw Mounted Police and Brandt. Remy is such an easy going guy, tacking him up while tied to the trailer is a piece of cake.


His fellow 'students' were two massive Percherons and a Quarterhorse. When the Percherons galloped the earth seemed to shake. Brandt had Remy weave in and out between the horses, first in the walk, then in the trot and canter. He also worked with him so he faced the other horses head on. All situations where Remy gets very worried and spooks. Much to our delight Remy kept his cool, even when the (Percheron) girl was giving him chase at a full gallop. No wonder he didn't mind - she sure was pretty!


I was getting a bit worried about the length of work in the heat, usually we are done with arena work after 45 minutes, and by the time I mentioned something 1.5 hours had passed in the heat and dust. In his very nice and calm way Brandt suggested that it's time to acknowledge that Remy is a grown up and I'm coddling him way too much. "How could he ever be your war horse if he has no stamina?" - Point taken! That's why we are preparing for the next 'battle' (aka 'horse show').

And the whirlwind continues - Horseshow to Beijing to Police Horse Training

Quick recap: "Ride for the Roses" was a great experience, definitely several steps in the right direction. Even though Remy still got rattled in the warm up we were able to make it into the ring and ride through 2-3 without major hiccups. Sure, there was plenty of room for improvement, but we did it!

 

Then off I went to China, 16 hours on the plane to Shanghai, only to hop on another plane the next morning to Changha. Back to Shanghai, and from there to Beijing. I decided to stay the weekend in Beijing and book a tour. We were only five people on the tour, which was great. Tian Amen Square, the Forbidden City, and best of all: The hike on the Great Wall at Mutianyu. That truly was the experience of a life time.

There is a horse in the picture!

On top of the world!

 

The wall was constructed for five horses and riders to walk abreast

Back home I am still struggling with the 12 hour time difference and finally had to resort to pop a Tylenol PM last night in order to get some sleep. Big day today: Remy’s first session at the police horse training!

Europe - Rolex Kentucky - and off to "Ride for the Roses"

It's been a whirlwind the last couple of weeks. Strategy Meetings in Lyon, where the greeting was "Lady and Gentlemen" (the "Lady" being yours truly amongst 45 men). Hitch on the way back: The gate agent in Lyon couldn't find my connection in Amsterdam, and it was a hassle to get a boarding pass back to the States.


Back home we went straight away to Rolex Kentucky, first to be drenched on X-C Day, and then sunburned while watching the Stadium Jumping - only to be drenched again. But it was FUN, and of course, seeing Michi Jung win was again the icing on the cake. Coming home we had a shocking discovery - Max, our geriatric Viszla, had taken a turn for the worse and it seemed his end was near. But by the time our vet came Max had pulled himself up again, and he is doing better. It sure is a roller coaster ride with animals. Saumur's recuperation is going much better than expected, we started regular turnout this week and Saumur is happy to be back with Teddy, the pony-man.


Now it's time to "Ride for the Roses" in Cincinnati. It was kind of a spur of the moment decision, Judy has one young rider going and we decided to hitch a ride along. I like the place, and Remy did well last time there. Let's see how it goes. Technically we don't have any problems, it's the mental aspect that's the crux of the matter - for both of us. One of us has to be the "Big Boy" or "Big Girl" respectively - I wonder who it will be??