It's nice to be a 'Sonntagsreiter' - and a cool quote

No leisurely breakfast at the local diner this morning. Another scorcher meant hitting the trails early. Good thing we did! It was beautiful, the boys behaved, and Remy is now completely comfortable taking the lead. It's nice to be a 'Sonntagsreiter'! (In Germany 'Sonntagsreiter' - people that go on trail rides on Sundays - are sometimes made fun of because they are seen as 'leisurely strollers' and not serious competitors).

Speaking of competitors and thinking about the past "no-show" season (meaning we didn't hit the show circuit) I don't have regrets but I do sometimes have pangs of feeling a bit left out. I guess that's what happens when you train at a high-performance barn, and your lovely equine partner is not a traditional dressage horse. It's even more difficult if your 'non-traditional' horse suffers from claustrophobia at horse shows. Those feelings never last long, though, because I am very lucky to have a trainer/coach that believes in us (thanks, Jude!), a husband that gets me out of the -usually short-lived- funk by kicking my behind (merci, JP!),  all the other 'non-traditional' experiences we are lucky enough to have (thanks, Brandt!).

This quote from George Morris sums it up:

"People, this is a horse sport. What's interesting is the horse. Not the ribbons, not the accessories, not the socializing. What's important are the horses and how best to manage them."

It's not the blue ribbon that made my day today - and a "phenominal" experience

The four of us hit the trails early this morning in order to beat the heatwave we are currently 'enjoying'. Temps in the 90s are tough on horses that are already growing winter coats. I'm not growing a winter coat (at least I don't think so) but I was sweating right along with them.

Afterwards I just had time to get cleaned up for the DHP volunteer appreciation lunch. It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of staff and fellow volunteers. I received a very unexpected surprise in that I got a special recognition from David (the DHP founder) for my volunteer work and contribution this summer. David presented me with a gift certificate for an Art Tour in Detroit, and one of the students handed me a blue ribbon.

But what absolutely made my day was the letters I received from the students. I am tremendously touched. Here are some excerpts: ".. All of your tips and advice I really took to heart and helped me a lot. If it wasn't for you I don't think I would of been able to understand and get into riding. You made things clear and you effected my life in a big way". ".. You were awesome teaching me and I cherish every lesson from you.. My experience at camp was awesome and you've made it phenominal".

Volunteering at DHP this summer was such a wonderful experience and the kids and horses made it phenominal -ah- phenomenal for me :-)!

Chipping away at it - and a woodpecker comes to mind

Today we went to Brandt's again, last time of police horse work before the winter break. Another great opportunity to chip away on our claustrophobia when it comes to being crowded by other horses. This mounted police unit uses Percherons, and those guys (the horses!) are quite 'substantial'.

Brandt had a client horse to take care of first and as the officers were already mounted I thought, what the heck, might as well get on with it. OK, in the interest of full disclosure ... I was a bit less gung ho about it when I rode down to the outdoor arena and joined in. Luckily I remembered what I learned from the cow working: Always keep the 'target' in front of you. Or as Buck Branamann puts it so aptly:

"Chase trouble before trouble chases you"

I love this saying and it has become one of my favorite mantras. Also, it does sound a bit classier than my usual "We can f...ing do this!" :-)

Remy handles the crowding much better. Brandt got on to ride him within the herd of about 10 horses and one very spunky pony, and it truly was the 'Herd of the Thundering Hooves'! They galloped all around him, Remy spun a bit when things got too tight, but then relaxed. He finished all relaxed and happy.

So, while it's still not perfect, we are chipping away at it, bit by bit. Somehow Woody Woodpecker* comes to mind...

*Woody Woodpecker is an anthropomorphic animated woodpecker, inspired by the acorn woodpecker and also resembling the pileated woodpecker,^[2] who appeared in theatrical short films produced by the Walter Lantz animation studio and distributed by Universal PicturesAccording to Walter Lantz's press agent, the idea for Woody came during the producer's honeymoon with his wife, Gracie, in Lake Sherwood, California. A noisy acorn woodpecker^[2] outside their cabin kept the couple awake at night, and when a heavy rain started, they learned that the bird had bored holes in their cabin's roof. As both Walter and Gracie told Dallas attorney Rod Phelps during a visit, Walter wanted to shoot the thing, but Gracie suggested that her husband make a cartoon about the bird, and thus Woody was born. [Wikipedia]

Major gaps between program and reality - and getting the feel of a 45mph race

Saturday I went to Northern Michigan to audit the Manuel clinic at Glenda's. The program was right on time, I thought, with focus on flying changes, collection, and PiPa (Piaffe/Passage). Not that Remy and I are in the league of PiPa, but I was hoping to get some additional tips on the changes and collection.

Unfortunately, the clinic participants in the flying changes class were such beginners they didn't even know how to get their horses to canter. One lady, beautifully decked out riding a stunning horse, was ecstatic when she got three strides of bumpy canter. Then she wanted to quit because she was so happy. I was happy for her, but also sad, because clearly her instructor at home didn't even teach her the basics. Collecting exercises like shoulder-ins, small circles, correct transitions, etc. were just not there.

I didn't get anything out of auditing, other than being very thankful (again!) for working with Judy.

The undisputed highlights of the day -other than seeing Glenda, of course-:
1) Luanne was there so I finally bit the bullet and ordered the new Tribute saddle, after lots of soul-searching (major $$), and deciding on the design (all black, not flower tooling, basket weave instead)

2) Visiting T-Bill stables and getting a tour by the owner, Carolyn Bay. What an impressive lady, and what great stories. We got to meet Cold Cash 123, the world champion race horse on the QH circuit in 2011, and his dam Hot Cash 123. Carolyn invited us into her stunning log home. We were treated to a tour of the trophy room and got to see vintage saddles have been in the family for generations. David, her son, showed us some of Hot Cash's races. The 'piece de resistance' was a race filmed by a chest camera, that gave you the feeling of riding the race yourself - at 45 mph. Wow!

When I told JP about the run at 45 mph he was literally chomping at the bit, wanting to see what Chambord could do. Well, honey, as neither of us is a 100 pound jockey, let's leave that to the professionals!

From Up North to bungled changes to riding trails - all in a week's time

I do love Michigan, especially "Up North". It's interesting, a four hour drive still has you in Michigan, where in Europe we would be going from Stuttgart to Paris in that time. Actually, to go up to the UP (Upper Peninsula) will take about 7 hours - and you are still in Michigan.

We were very fortunate that a former colleague of mine had offered us the use of his lakefront cabin, dogs welcome! So JP and I packed the truck, settled the dogs on Yoga mats and saddle pads (the shock absorbing kind, of course), and off we went to the charming town of Leland. It was just breathtakingly beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. We went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes (the dune climb is a must), Charlevoix, the Mission Peninsula, and had a lovely time in the small towns of Leland and Suttons Bay.

Ziggy and I did some hikes on our own and managed about 10 km daily, especially enjoying the Clay Cliffs with the 'Manitou Outlook' over Lake Michigan. As Paul, a fellow hiker, put it: "God's Country". Yes, with all the disasters going on, being in the middle of that pine forest seemed like a little piece of heaven.

Here are some views from the cabin at Lake Michigan (with Ziggy and JP as 'poster boys').

While we were gone Remy was at "Camp Judy". I pestered her for daily updates, and was happy to learn Remy was doing well but that I had to "up the ante". Hmm?? Yes, Ma'am! Well, the good intentions didn't quite work so well in my first lesson back, I still managed to bungle most of the changes and was super frustrated with myself. Remy basically dragged me to the trailer afterwards, loaded himself, and seemed to say "I am ready for vacation, take me home!".

We went on a lovely trailride today, all four of us were relaxed and happy. Remy's wish came true - he is indeed on vacation this week: "Whew! I get to play with Chambord, go on trailrides, and nobody bugs me about flying changes: Life is good!"

"Jan Time" - and let's get some big spurs on my heart

This weekend was "Jan-Time". Jan came to give on of his regular clinics at Topline, and this time neither cough nor hoof injury prevented Remy and me from participating. As usual, I had some butterflies before the lessons, but mostly from excitement. Reminds me of the Jimmy Wofford quote I like: "You can have butterflies, but they must fly in formation".

Both days went really well. Yesterday we focused on making Remy more attentive to my aids, lots of bending, shoulder-ins to haunches ins, prompt transitions in and out of the gaits as well as within. Quality! (says Judy's little voice in my ear). I got a good and big flying change to the right, the left was sticky.

Today was quite windy, but I still opted to ride outside: Better air. At the "C" end of the outdoor arena there are plenty of leafy trees that rustle loudly and look quite threatening in high winds. I was a bit leery, and of course Jan had us work right there (after commenting that we were the first ones brave enough to ride outdoors today). No worries, Remy stayed focused, soft and very obedient. We build on yesterdays exercises, and I was able to ride with much light aids successfully.

At the end of our lesson Jan summed it up that overall we are on the right track, but I have to focus more on Remy's Durchlaessigkeit (Throughness/Submission). He would like to see him work in a bit  rounder frame, with quicker responses. Jan reminded me that the key to deal with the spookiness is to keep Remy busy, constantly changing the exercises, and not to let him have too much time to 'dawdle' and come up with things to do on his own. It will also help us when in the company of other horses. The more confident and in charge I am (duh!) the more we will progress.

After a well deserved stint in our sauna tonight I picked up the latest Chronicle (The Chronicle of the Horse magazine). Under "Between Rounds" Denny Emmerson had another thought provoking column about "go-for-it guts'. He recalls observing a schooling session fifty years ago of three riders schooling over timber fences. Two of them flew over the fences, the third rider was fighting with the horse and had refusals. Someone said "Maybe he needs bigger spurs". The MFH (Master of Foxhounds) replied "No, he needs what they have" pointing to the two riders galloping in the distance "Spurs on their hearts".

If you have "Spurs on your heart," there isn't much that can stop you from chasing your dreams. -Denny Emmerson

OK, let's get the biggest badass spurs I can find!

The best thing I ever did for myself - and "till next summer at the DHP camp!"

The last eight weeks went by in an heart beat, it seems. I can't believe I had anxiety attacks about leaving my job, it actually was the best thing I ever did for myself!

The "present to myself" in form of volunteering at Detroit Horse Power was a great experience. For sure I am fitter than before, all that walking and trotting next to the horses build stamina. Although, in the heat of the day outdoors I wished for a bit less 'stamina-building'. I learned a lot, also about myself. Guess what? Kids are not that scary ;-) I got along best with teenage boys, go figure (probably not that much of a surprise, given all the men I worked with over the last decades). And James, I will always fondly remember you for your "Women are often better leaders".

My fellow volunteers were also amazing, from the dedicated high-school and college students with a super attitude and work ethic to a Colonel that had spent 30 years in the army and had been captured (and subsequently rescued) in the Middle East. The Colonel had fascinating stories to tell, and he endeared himself to all of us by telling that he was invited to ride in the inaugural presidential parade "but I just couldn't bring myself to do it for this president".

This week we had volunteers from FCA. FCA offers the employees 18 paid hours a year to spend at a charity. These "volunteers for a day" didn't have any horse experience but cheerfully helped out where needed. One young engineer was incredibly caring with the special needs student we had.

There are so many good memories and stories to tell. Just this week I had a young girl who never had been near a horse, let alone rode one. She told me she was very nervous. The photographer overheard it and said to her "Don't worry, honey, Birgit is a very good teacher and will take good care of you". And wouldn't you know it, the student relaxed and off she went riding - with a smile!