Instead of walking the K3Day course - I try baby pirouettes and walk the Mall

It's our anniversary today and traditionally we spend it every year at the Kentucky 3 Day Event. I was very much looking forward to this year again, but we had to decide to skip it due to the declining health of Jaas, our 15 year old Vizsla. In addition, I had the planned trip to Germany coming up also.

But what I didn't anticipate was that instead of walking the XC course today and marveling at the feat of riders and horses I would be walking the local mall - something I usually avoid at all cost, but this time I had no choice. My mother had asked me to buy her a blouse for the funeral service.

I am so grateful to Michael, my brother, who is shouldering the brunt of everything right now. Mutti (our mother) doesn't drive, doesn't know how to get money from the bank - in short, she is totally lost. So Michael is dealing with a myriad of things, even taking Emil's formal uniform of the forestry service to the funeral home.

The service will be quite large. The hunting community in Germany is very formal, and the hunting horn group is playing. I remember that from my grandfather's funeral and I don't know why but that makes it even more emotional.  

Emil in the formal uniform of the forestry service

I know I will have my three friends to lean on, no matter what. Antje, Ingrid, and Stephanie (in alphabetical order) are my rocks in Germany. Antje used to be my babysitter, so she knows me since I was a baby. Antje was very special to Emil, she studied Biology and loved to spend time with him in the forests to discuss animals and plants. When she was at University Emil would drive me to Tuebingen so we could visit her.  Ingrid and Stephanie I met in the 80s - Ingrid at work and Stephanie at home (she and her husband lived across the hall from my first apartment). It's exactly like the saying goes "Friends are the family you chose yourself"!

Before I headed to the dreaded mall, though, Remy and I had our 'end of the work week' lesson. Remy was a bit more tired than yesterday but still put a very good effort in. Andra had been checking in with me to see how I was doing (thank you, Andra!) and I told her that focusing on flying changes and the beginning of canter pirouettes indeed takes all other thoughts out of my mind.

Remy - my 'Emotional Support Animal'

A reprieve from grief: Riding

When my phone rang at 6 a.m. this morning I had a bad feeling. My heart sank when I saw I had missed a call from my brother Michael. Instantly a WhatsApp message followed: Emil had passed away.

Emil is our dad, and he had been in the hospital after a fall. Nothing broken, but his health declined. He was supposed to go into short term care tomorrow, and I had booked a trip to Germany to see him and to help with arrangements such as finding a senior living apartment for my parents (their 3 story house with narrow staircases is no longer suitable) but alas, he passed away last night. In many ways a blessing, as his biggest fear was to lose his independence or worse, be a helpless 'victim' in a nursing home. 

Still, it hit very hard. Emil was by no means perfect, but he followed his passion -the forests and hunting- until almost the end. Just a few months ago he proudly called me to say he had killed a huge boar with a 'Blattschuss' (one bullet to the heart). 

I never knew many details about his childhood during WWII, but in the last years he opened up a bit more.He worked as a logger and then was able to continue his studies and become a forester. The forests and hunting were his life, followed by his dogs. We always joked that the family came long after these three things. Fiercely loyal to his friends he lost his two best friends to accidents. Helmut, who was much younger than Emil, was like a son to him and his death hit him hard. 

My parents used to come to visit us in the US about once year, until the travel got too much. Both of them are not at all horse people, but Emil took instantly to Saumur. His souvenir from one of the trips: One of Saumur's horse shoes. Emil understood what I meant to have a passion for something, and just lately encouraged me to actually go to Florida and postpone my visit for his birthday. 

So many memories, so much grief. I did decide to go ahead with my lesson on Remy today. I had Roz texted before and was very relieved that everyone at the barn gave me my space. Roz understood what I needed: Focus on Remy to give myself a break. Not to anthropomorphize but I think Remy felt my sadness. He skipped his antics and opinions and was soft, supple, responsive and we had a great lesson. Remy gave me a short reprieve from my grief, and it made me feel closer to my dad. 

"I did it my way": No better way to describe him

Godspeed, Emil!

Movie night - and eye candy in form of a Mustang

We finally made it to the movies in A2 (Ann Arbor) yesterday. A2 is a bustling college town, and having to face traffic gridlock and then cruising around in search for a parking spot was quite a change from our quaint village main street. Good thing we didn't take the truck, I think we'd have been relegated to leave it at the outskirts of town.

Dinner was a bit of a disappointment (so much for on-line reviews), but the movie made it all worth it:

Yes, I did close my eyes a few times, mainly because the plight of the mustangs being chased by the BLM (Bureau for Land Management) helicopters into small pens was painful to see. Especially as it's common knowledge that a lot of the mustangs end up being either held in those pens for a very long time, they are killed, or often adopted by people that have not clue on how to work with wild horses.

This, however, is not a film about the plight of the mustangs, it is about the bond between a troubled prisoner and a high strung mustang in the Nevada prison system. Without giving away the plot or going too much into it I only say it's a great movie and if you have the chance to see it, do it. And yes, there also is some serious eye candy: The mustang and Matthias Schoenaerts... I, of course, only looked at the horse!

Grateful for vigilant people - and we can now offer a "Barn-Stay"

Yesterday we had one of the most gloomy Michigan winter days (yes, I know the calendar says it's Spring) in a long time. But that was only concerning the weather, the bright spot was a lovely candle light dinner with Andra and Ken. The candle light was not quite planned - just as dinner was about to be cooked the power went out. In situations like this a German-American acquaintance used to quip "I thought we are living in a developed country and not a banana republic??" It takes a certain sense of humor, and it just made the evening even more fun and unique, and sure enough, as we were leaving the power came back on.

Today the sun decided to return and the boys used the opportunity for a good snooze in the sunshine. However, when we got home we found the following note at our front door:

I suspect Chambord was the culprit. He stretches out completely, and even had me fooled a couple of times. His "dead horse" pose is impressive.  But how nice of the person to care so much and pin a note at our door! Thank you, whoever you are. We greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness (and feel a bit bad that you got worried by our sleepyhead, sorry!).

Drum roll please: We now have a "Barn with a Room": JP's labor of love. What used to be the hayloft is now a studio/office/yoga/'whatever we would like it to be'-room. Very cool! Ingrid and Gerhard, and Stephanie and Harald, take note, we can now offer a "Barn-Stay" to our European friends!

From hayloft to "Barn-Stay"

However, there is a chance that the previous occupants might want to reclaim the space. No worries, they are quite cute...

The previous 'renter': Mr or Mrs.Waschbaer

First week back to training - and we both grew up quite a bit

We no longer go on 'hacks' - it's back to 'trail riding' for us. The four of us had a lovely ride a few days ago, Remy was super chill. I think he was relieved that he didn't have a gator splashing in a canal next to him. Michigan deer have nothing on them!

To our big relief we have a new (old) training barn. Ellen, one of Jan's friends and boarders, has decided to take the plunge with her husband and purchase the farm. Roz worked out an agreement with her regarding her students/training and voila: Remy's schedule was established: Monday morning - School bus to the barn; Training Monday through Thursday; Thursday afternoon - School bus home. Saturday jumping with Lisa.

Remy's 'back to school' went very well this week. First day was a bit of a warm up, we both had to get used to go from wide open spaces in the sun to the cold and comparatively dark (despite the lights) indoor arena. Today we had an excellent long lining session, Remy's carriage has improved so much, and he move with way more engagement and fluidity. My engagement was quite good as I was just trying to warm up - we had (yikes!) snow overnight. My fluidity was a bit more questionable, I had my hands full trying not to wrap myself up in the long reins. 

Both Remy and I grew up in Florida (high time for both of us, one might say). Remy's level of maturity has increased a lot. For me, working with Remy out of my comfort zone was a great confidence builder. 

It made me think of what I read in Tik Maynard's excellent book 'In the Middle are the Horsemen':

"I see two ways to build confidence in horses. One is to keep having positive, successful experiences. The second is to go through something difficult, but to come out okay on the other side. Perhaps it is the same for us."  

Time off, giving himself a run - and getting some good snoozes in

Remy had the week off to recover from his trip and get re-acclimated to Michigan. And quite frankly, I appreciated a less busy riding schedule. It was a busy week, nevertheless, with clients and also catching up with 'daily life'.

It gave me also a chance to see JP's lesson on Saturday. When we both ride at the same time I focus on Remy and never really get to watch JP and Chambord. They both looked great! JP and Chambord have made a lot of progress over the last months. Lisa does such a wonderful job with them, and it seems all three are having a good time. And that's what it's all about!

Remy actually gave me a run for the money yesterday, or better, he gave himself a run. I decided to at least start longing him in our outdoor arena. Well, I hadn't counted on how fit he got in Florida: A few yeehaws and he had ripped the longe line right out my hand (I longed him off a cavesson only), and was galloping full speed around trailing the longe line behind. The only saving grace was that our outdoor arena is completely fenced in and I had thought about closing the gate. Remy settled down after a while and then stood there and looked rather sheepish. My only reprimand was "Really, you needed to do this??" - I was just happy he hadn't broken a leg!

Almost 'spooning' - Remy and Chambord enjoying the sun and getting some snoozes in

Au revoir, Florida - Bonjour, Michigan

Two months and about 7000 km later, and we are back home safe and sound. It really was bitter sweet to leave, excited to go home but sad to say 'au revoir' (hopefully!) to such an incredible experience.

Early morning departure day

Remy's stall, stripped and clean - ready for next season

It's been a tough return trip, Carlos (the owner of the horse transport company that took Remy back) said it was one of the worst trips they ever had. Between traffic on I-75, ice in Ohio, lots of construction along the way it was tough. But Remy came back safe, sound, and chipper. I am very happy that I decided to ship him in a box stall, I do believe that really helped making the 30+ hour trip more bearable for him. 

After a 'wet eyes' good bye with Paulette I had to white knuckle part of my return trip. I hadn't even left Southern Boulevard yet when my car alerted me to tire trouble (again!). So I turned around and went straight back to the tire shop that had repaired and also replaced my tires before. What's with those Florida roads and their debris?? Luckily the manager and staff took super good care of me and the tire and off I went. Then I hit the big I-75 construction snafu on the Tennessee boarder. I resisted my GPS several times (it wanted me to get off and take by pass roads), but finally gave in. Well, I didn't know I'd find myself smack in the middle of the Appalachian mountains, on a two lane road, left the mountain, right a steep ravine, and NO cell phone reception. The places I drove by did not invite to stop: It look like something right out of the movie 'Deliverance', I could not believe people living in those dwellings: Shacks, ramshackle trailers, plastic instead on window glass, rusted out cars in front, and the few people I saw did not look healthy. All I could think of was "please, please, tire, don't give out now!!".  There could not be a bigger contrast to Palm Beach than this poverty. 

I breathed a huge sigh of relief and thanked my lucky stars when I reached the highway again, and made it to my first stop in Valdosta, Georgia. I hadn't counted on Spring Break, and the hotel was a zoo, but I really didn't care. About 11 hours the next day of bad traffic took me to Lexington, KY, where I had the first good meal of the return trip that did not involve power bars and yoghurt! And breakfast the next morning made my day:

Sign at breakfast buffet, Hampton Inn, Lexington, Kentucky

More traffic, including a freeway shutdown, and finally I was home late afternoon. JP and all the critters had quite the welcome for me: It's good to be home! JP had to get over me 'losing' my Jeans, but otherwise he found me 'unharmed' :-). 

Remy and Chambord went instantly back to being joined at the hip, and JP is cooking to 'get some meat on those ribs' - so all is well! 

From Palm trees to bare trees - but what matters is having your best friend back

Until next year??