Billy Idol song on my mind - and we never worked that hard

 Last weekend Remy and I participated in a clinic with top judge and trainer Lilo Fore. What I had seen at a clinic years ago and liked: Tough, but with a sense of humor, extremely thorough... and VERY German (OK, the last one is not always a plus😉). 

But after watching some YouTube videos in preparation for our lessons I got all of a sudden quite nervous: Would Remy and I be up for the challenge? We would soon find out...

Day one we weren't long into the session when Billy Idol's song popped into my mind, and it's been there ever since. ..."in the midnight hour with a rebel yell, she cried MORE, MORE, MORE..." OK, it wasn't the midnight hour, and there was no rebel yell, but German accented yells of MORE, MORE, MORE. I swear Remy and I never worked that hard, and I never had him going so well. No more "not enough impulsion" for this pair! She basically scared us into the best medium canter ever, I thought we were flying. 

Day two all of a sudden Lilo asked me to carry the whip vertical, straight up in front of me. She hadn't been happy with my 'forward seat' and wanted me to sit up and straight. Well, that did the trick, plus Remy getting a glimpse of the whip behind his ears had him at attention. 

That was -almost- me😊

And why did the old masters carry the whip vertical? My friend Glenda, expert on all things classical dressage, had the explanation: It was to show independent use of seat, leg and hands. The double bridle reins were carried in the left hand, the whip in the right. You better had the horse on your aids!

"The raised whip shows supreme mastery of advanced collection and self-carriage without force. " Citation: https://static1.squarespace.com/.../politz-double-bridle.pdf

I have a lot of notes from the clinic, and I will post them in the next days. 

Happy -socially distanced- Thanksgiving! I'm off to ride Remy and then I have to pack Christmas parcels for Germany, write my client reports, clinic notes, Christmas cards, run the dogs, etc. etc. Luckily JP is in charge of dinner! And no, it won't be "Turkey for Two", seafood it is for us ("Bummer", say the dogs, "Yay!" say the cats).

As for the Christmas parcels, I'm already behind, but I guess better late than never. My friend and neighbor Angie did bail me out with some beautiful handmade gifts (can't say what obviously). And even better - she generously donates the proceeds to the local food bank.😍

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Other women get flowers - I get lights

 I meant to post this earlier, but then time just got away from me. I've been very busy with my clients (thank you! I do appreciate all of you), and neglected updating the blog (thank you for all the gentle reminders!).

So, JP had his heart set at installing lights around the arena. I griped about it -yep, I admit it- because really, how likely is it that I want to ride in the cold and dark?? JP persisted and I relented (hmm, is there a pattern?? I'd rather say I pick my battles). But then, there could be days when the temperatures are fine, I'm running late, it's getting dark - so, why not?

And then there was light!

I was joking that "other women get flowers - I do get lights" - and wouldn't you know it, I got lights, flowers, plus a -newly repaired- fireplace. What more could woman want?? 😉

...and flowers

plus a lovely fireplace

Encouraging words - and grappling with the end of the season

Our lessons have been going really well, the highlight being the statement from Roz "Even his worst days are now still better then his best days in the past". Wow! Wish that would apply to me, too ;-)

This week was our last week of lessons with Roz ... until next April. That's quite a bummer, and I'm grappling with it. Even though we have planned on virtual lessons it won't be the same. Speaking of virtual lessons: I just purchased the Pivo system, and am crossing my fingers that I'll get it to work.  

In the meantime, though, we have a very exciting clinic coming up next weekend: Three days with Lilo Fore! I came to it like "Die Jungfrau zum Kinde" (German saying for something very unexpected: Like the virgin to a child). The clinic* wasn't advertised, I was working on client horses when the trainer mentioned the upcoming clinic. I jumped on the opportunity and asked if I could be on the waitlist, not really thinking that there would be an opening. Well, the same evening I got a message that Remy and I could come. So, now I'm getting nervous. I've audited one clinic and liked Lilo's teaching style a lot, but even after all these years in the US she still is very German (nothing wrong with that!). She is known for being a very fair  and correct judge. 

Today is one of these stormy, rainy days where riding is not possible. The arena is a swimming pool and the high winds have trees and branches falling left and right. I took the dogs out early and the three of us got completely drenched. JP tried to pick us up at the end of the trail, but the truck was still hitched to the trailer so he took my car. I opted to run home - better to have wet, smelly, and dirty dogs at my side than in my car. 

The mask has to match Remy and my outfit 😀

*Note for my European friends: A 'clinic' has nothing to do with a hospital. It's a Lehrgang / cours de formation

At a dressage clinic a clinician is brought in to teach six to 10 riders (and horses) who might otherwise never have opportunity to learn directly from someone of that caliber. The clinician may be a current or former top rider, judge or trainer. Clinicians are generally well-known for their talent at the local, national or international level. - Dressage Today