Outstanding Lemonade - and no going moldy here!

Today was the day: This morning I got the "All Clear" from the Orthopedic Surgeon, complete with a printout of my x-ray and a statement for the USEF, confirming I am fit to do "Equestrian Activities".

This afternoon it was time to climb back on Remy, my first lesson after a two month hiatus. Judy jokingly asked if I had selected my outfit last night? OK, I admit, I like to dress well for my lessons. I think it shows respect for the instructor, the horse, and of course oneself. I doesn't have to be fancy, but well fitted and clean (I guess my German upbringing combined with reading all those George Morris' columns must have something to do with this).

Not the best of times, weather-wise, as a thunderstorm was upon us. But not to be deterred, Judy warmed Remy up for me and then it was "my" time... Surprisingly, it felt like I had never taken a break. There was no anxiety. My body remembered all the key things, like keeping my hind end in the saddle (important part!), legs on, hands quiet, being centered.   Of course, Remy was quite different: Judy is doing such an amazing job with him that I instantly felt the huge improvement. There was no "getting to know" period, or time to fumble ourselves back in a unity. It just clicked. Wow!

Big sighs of relief from all four of us (Judy, Remy, JP, and myself). The best part was when Judy told me afterwards that she really believes in Remy and me and she wants this partnership to work. My fall and the resulting time off proved to be a blessing in disguise: it gave me time to quiet down and it gave Remy the opportunity to get the best training at home and at shows. Jude, there is not enough Hanuta to thank you enough!!! We made darn good lemonade out of the lemons we were handed - I think I even detect some of Emil's home-made brandy in there :-)!

Speaking of Emil - his bad luck continued as he had an additional fall, dropping 12 feet due to another broken tree stand. This time he cracked five ribs and pinched a nerve so badly that he is currently in the hospital. When I checked in with him today he was as usual in good spirits. We compared our 'battle scars' and Emil dryly stated: "Wir koennen entweder nichts tun und Schimmel ansetzen - oder unser Leben leben" (a German expression meaning we could either laze about, therefore stay stagnant and go moldy) - or live life.

Well, Emil - here is to not going moldy!! :-)

Great Road Trip - with some chillin'

On Friday morning we caught up with Remy and the Topline team at Majestic Farm in Cincinnati, Ohio. Remy had traveled well, however, he got a bit too attached to Judy’s mare BeBe. Yes, Remy, she sure is spectacular – but, uh, kind reminder: too late for you, buddy! You might still think you are a studmuffin but really, it’s more muffin than stud.

Once Remy got a room next to ‘Uncle Leo’ (Carolyn’s Grand Prix horse Leonardo) calm was restored. I was also hoping Uncle Leo could give Remy some tips on how to become a GP horse!

Remy was a really good boy all weekend. Watching is worse for me than riding, because when watching there is absolutely nothing I can do – other than hoping he will be good for Judy. And of course Judy gives him all the confidence he needs to deal with a new and exciting environment. I literally stopped breathing when I saw them heading down the centerline, and the water truck was “beep-beep”ing right behind the judges booth, going back and forth. With me Remy would have said “thanks, but I’m out of here!”. With Judy he went about his business. They scored in the high 60s in all of their tests.

Obviously, Remy reveled in all the attention he got this weekend, between Judy’s riding, Kim’s beauty sessions, my hand-walking, and copious amounts of treats he had plenty of loving .. but I think his all time favorite is:

Just chillin’ with JP!

One of us travels in style – while the other one upgrades to Pickup Truck

On Wednesday Remy boarded the ‘Party Bus’ with his friends from Topline, destination Cincinnati, Ohio – while I was on a plane from Veracruz to Mexico City. Not exactly synchronized travel here, but luckily Judy and Kim offered to take care of him until I can join them on Friday.

Judy texted me yesterday that Remy was MUCH more relaxed this time than at the last outing to Lamplight. Big relief all around! I can’t wait to get there!

While on the various planes I had time to read an excellent article that Glenda had send me: “Getting hurt: How not to and (if that fails) how to recover”, by Denny Emerson. Right on – well, at least the second part. Too late for the “How not to”. He starts the article with a saying from a friend who is a logger, regarding those who work all day in the woods with chain saws, “It’s not a question of whether you will get cut, but when, and how badly”. It’s the same with horses. So really, I was overdue (hmm?) and luckily it wasn't bad.

Getting back to the travel experience, here is Remy’s ‘Party Bus’:

 On the bright side: I’ve been 'upgraded' from a very bumpy ride on an overcrowded small Mexican plane to driving a Pickup truck on I-75, where the only challenge is to avoid getting a speeding ticket J

Sticking the big toe into the water - is the temperature right?

A German analogy for checking out something: "Den grossen Zeh ins Wasser stecken" - meaning 'Sticking the big toe into the water to gauge if the bathwater is just right, not too hot and not too cold'.

That's exactly what I did today, not with the bathwater, but with my leg and also with the horses. The Orthopedic Surgeon told me that I'm good to go if I can walk at least two miles without pain. So I took Max and Jaas for a brisk walk into the woods. Good news: I can do it! (Admittedly, with some occasional complaints from my leg, but no major revolt).

Then I thoroughly shocked Saumur and messed up his daily routine: I took him out of the pasture for a thorough grooming, and -gasp- a longing session. Saumur: "What the heck happened to MY vacation??" Me: "You've been longer on vacation than any European I know!". That (and the ample supply of cookies) did it, and Saumur actually had a lot of  fun showing off. He looked like a barely broke four-year old.

On to Teddy (aka The Pony-Man), his beer -uh- grass- belly would rival any redneck's. Teddy initially didn't think too much of a work out, either, but then he got into the swing of things. At least now he doesn't just stop and swings his hind end threateningly my way. Success! As I watched him trotting around I thought: "Hmm, should I?? Shouldn't I??"

JP caught me laying over Teddy's back to see how he would react to my weight. Teddy hasn't had a rider on him for quite some time. As Teddy didn't object, and with JPs encouragement I got on and we walked around a bit.

It was a good day for re-starting walking longer distances and also getting on a horse (OK, a pony). The bathwater was tepid today, perfect for immediate needs. But next time I will take the temperature up a notch or two!

Off with the ball and chain - and on to stretching

On Thursday I made the executive decision to get rid of the ball and chain (aka 'The Boot'). It was an act of liberation, "off it goes!" - almost akin to women taking off and burning their bras in the 1970s (?).  I'm keeping my bras, though. They are much less cumbersome and way prettier than the boot :-)

Taking a recommendation from the horse world I got a brace from 'Back on Track' (very fitting name) and it's working well. I also started Yoga again, and quickly got a painful reminder on how stiff I am. Yikes! Next week I am on vacation and the plan is to attend as many Yoga classes as I can: On to stretching those ligaments and strengthening these muscles. 

Speaking of vacation: All my colleagues as well as my boss in Europe are dropping off like flies. August is approaching fast - which means France is shutting down, a concept not many Americans can grasp: "What - 3 or 4 weeks on vacation - ALL AT ONCE???" Yep, that's how it works. 

My four-week vacation jaunts are long over, but then, I am no longer desperate to get away. If you are stuck in a small apartment in a crowded area, leaving for vacation becomes the goal. Not my case: I have what Antje calls "my little paradise" right where I am. OK, no beach in sight, but green pastures with happy and healthy horses make more than up for it. And I would be bored laying in the sun anyway (aside from given any Lobster a run for its money when it comes to color). 

Speaking of happy and healthy horses: Currently our "Threesome" (Remy, Judy, and I) ranks first in the Nation for the Morgan All-Breeds Awards at 1st level. Remy's scores all season have been well above 60%. Go Remington, go Jude.. and go catch up, Birgit!!

Dolce far niente - I could get used to this!

Yep, Ingrid, you were right – I just didn’t believe you!

When I grumbled to Ingrid about the enforced idleness she said I would be surprised on how I could get used to it and even like it. Ingrid spoke from experience, having suffered a complicated leg fracture during an exercise class. Still… Me? Like doing nothing? No way!

OK, looking back at the last weekend, I have to admit that yes, I’m starting to enjoy this: Sleeping in, shopping (bought a killer skirt, of all things!), sitting in the sun with a good book, taking a break for an ice cream run into town … hmm, not bad at all!

I’m sure Saumur agrees whole-heartedly. He’s been living the good life, too, loafing in the pastures with best friend Pony-man at his side, stuffing himself with the rich, luscious grass. If it gets too hot, he stands under the fan in the run in shed. In the evening dinner and a comfy bed are waiting, followed by a final tuck in and “Betthupferl” (bed-time treat) later at night. (That, of course, goes for all the boys).

So for the time being Saumur and I agree: “Dolce far niente” (Italian for “Delicious Idleness” or “Sweetness of doing nothing”) is not that difficult at all J!

"My leg is OK - but my head needs help"

That's exactly what I said to Glenda, when she called me to see how things are going. I've been trying to wean myself off the boot after work, and things are going well, even though there is some lingering pain.

My head (more precisely - my mind), alas, is a different issue (not surprisingly, as some close to me would chuckle). I am going through a whole gamut of emotions, doubts, "what-ifs". Aside from having developed an anxiety about getting back on I am also struggling with self-doubts and embarrassment. I mean, really, I just shouldn't have come off in front of a large crowd!

Realistically, though, I've lived a charmed riding life until now. In all the years of riding I never had a serious accident (until now, and in the big scheme of things, this is a minor nuisance compared to what could have happened). Even top professionals come off, it's part of the game, so there is really nothing to be embarrassed about. Sure, just tell that to my subconscious mind!

As obviously I am not capable to do this - enter Julie: A certified hypnotherapist who also practices energy healing. Believe me, I'm not easily sucked in the "Hokus-pokus", but having had a couple of successful sessions with Julie about a year ago, I knew she could help. During the two hour session yesterday I felt like a weight was lifting, and energy flowing through my body. The proof of course is in the pudding. Another week or so and then we'll see what happens when I'm climbing back on.

In the meantime, Remy is progressing well with Judy, and they are having fun. In order to get Remy out as much as possible we've decided on a show in Cincinnati at the beginning of August. I'll have to be the groom again: The USEF does not joke about the medical suspension, as soon as I did the online entry for Remy I got a red flag indicating that I can't enter as the rider.

My next checkup is on August 12 and it should provide the necessary 'all clear' paperwork regarding my physical condition. By then hopefully my head will be "fixed" -- Don't get your hopes up, JP, the "head fixing" only pertains to my riding :-)!