Enjoying the glory days of fall - and "this horse does not have to do late changes"

The weather over the last days has been fabulous, sunshine with temperatures in the 50s. We made good use of it and hit the trails of Kensington. We are so super fortunate to be able to have this wonderful park with the riding trails in our backyard. "JP Wayne" got into trouble when he held on to branch and let it snap - smack into Remy's and my faces. Saying "watch out for the branch" in the last moment does not count, buddy. Remy was startled and jumped to the side, right into a bunch of brambles, but he didn't panic, so all was well (except for the above mentioned JP Wayne getting into trouble).


Now Remy is back to school at Judy's. I was able to have my lesson outside, exchanging the face mask for sunglasses. Remy started a bit grouchy, but lots of serpentines helped making him more supple and better listening to my leg. We got very good collected canter, and practiced the changes from the half-pass. Initially, Judy was not happy and admonished me: "This horse does NOT have to do late changes!" Meaning Remy does them so well, if they are late then it's entirely my fault. Yes, ma'am! Judy went on to say that Remy will be my schoolmaster for changes. Wow! Good thing one of us knows what he/she is doing - and after all: Remy is not blond.


So, off I go again tonight, Amsterdam and then onto Stuttgart. I'm traveling like a pack mule: One huge bag is filled to the brim with "Moose Munch". (For those not familiar with it: It's flavored coffee and flavored chocolate covered pop corn, highly addictive, judging by the consumption of some of my friends and family). If Customs is checking my stuff they will be wondering if there is a Moose to be fed in Germany--

Riding with a 300 pound Gorilla on my chest - and sadness all around

I haven't felt much like writing in the last week, but I'm getting slowly back into the swing of things.


The clinic with Jan was awesome, as usual. Saturday we worked mainly on getting Remy rounder, more connected while keeping the forward momentum. This is not an issue on straight lines, but it becomes noticeable in the canter-half passes, especially going to the left Remy says "no thanks, I'm good" to my leg. We finished on such a good note that Judy said during dinner to me "I wish you would ride as well in your lessons with me". Oops. Guess I better up the ante.


Sunday built on Saturday's ride, but unfortunately it was a rather warm and humid day, and I could literally feel how my lungs closed up. There was not enough air going in. It was like riding with a 300 pound Gorilla on my chest, and I was pretty embarrassed that I sounded like I was about to either keel over or give birth... and neither one was on my agenda! But what's a Gorilla on your chest when you ride with an excellent (and, yes, expensive) Olympian. Nichts. I tried to ignore my 'self-made soundtrack' due to the lack of Oxygen and we had a very good lesson and neat changes.


On Monday I learned that Reni, one of our co-workers, was taken to the ICU in very serious condition. Reni had been fighting cancer for four years. I went to the hospital, and we were told it was time to say good-bye. Heart-wrenching does not even begin to describe it. Reni fought her battle with tremendous courage and grace. She came to work everyday because she wanted to give her little six-year old Ainsley a good example of not giving in/up. Reni passed away that evening surrounded by her close family and friends. We are all deeply mourning her.  I marveled at how our team rallied to support Reni during her long fight and how they came to the hospital trying to comfort her at the end. Working for this company has become more and more of a challenge - but the people in my office are incredible.


The rest of the week, well...  I will only say that it added to the dark cloud I feel like I'm under. I did my part: I voted in my first ever presidential election - which happened to be the ugliest in history. My vote didn't turn the tide -or perhaps I should say it didn't stop the flood-, so all I can do now is hitching up those big girl pants again (they need to get hitched up a lot it seems) and hope for the best.

Grooming gets me into my 'Zen-zone' - too bad it's sometimes hard to come by

OK, I feel like my truck today: It was low when I left home, and -guzzler that it is-  went from low to empty in no time. I can relate. Although the truck's woes are easier fixed than mine: All it needed was a gas station.


I was pretty exhausted and 'entnerved' (exasperated) from work by the time I arrived at the barn. Then I got growled at by the professional grooms (some people hire grooms to get their horses ready for lessons) because I was in the way. Give me a break! Stupid me I decided to try a new bit Carolyn loaned me, that cost me more time as I had to re-assembly my bridle. I loathe running late.


Make a long story short, I didn't ride well, Remy was behind the leg and grouchy, and when I was tired of pushing him along and thus gave him a sharper reminder to get with the program his response was showing me the 'middle hoof' (he bucked and spun). Ugh. The bit didn't do anything for us either. We finished well, but definitely not the greatest prep for two days with Jan.


Luckily everyone had left by the time we finished so Remy and I had quiet -grooming- time. That put both of us in our respective 'Zen-zones', and life was good again.


Too bad I can't just say in the middle of a stressful day: "Hang on, I need to groom my horse, let's continue talking afterwards."