On the road... towards big time

Remy and his friends are rolling towards Kentucky. Lisa posted a picture after he had boarded, I swear Remy was smiling! I sure hope he keeps smiling this week, because to me it all sounds rather overwhelming:

600 horses

1780 rides

8 arenas

11 judges

Etc. etc.

I already ‘outed’ myself again as “very German”. Ah, it never ends. This time it was concerning Golf Carts, more precisely renting a golf cart for the week. Most of the competitors are renting carts due to the distances at the KHP. When asked I just shrugged it off, saying I’d rather walk. Emil’s saying “you have two good legs, you can walk” is never far. And walk I did all through my child hood, climbing with him in the Austrian Alps. And walk I still do, even though I now live in a country where people take their car to the mail box.

Good shoes (love my Ariat Performers) and sustenance (German chocolate) are of the essence. Speaking of sustenance: I am packing ‘emergency rations’, as I have learned the hard way that the food offered at horse shows is usually not something I will eat.

The offerings at the larger shows in Germany (ach ja, caught again) are quite different: I can almost taste the “Thueringer Rostbratwuerste”, “Bier vom Fass”, and last but not least Crepes with Nutella and Banana; and Champagne!

Getting ready for boading the Party Bus - luggage for a 1200 pound Muffin

Remy, aka "The Muffin", will be boarding the party bus to Lexington, Kentucky, on Tuesday. OK, some explanation: We called him "stud muffin"* because he is so cute and and also sometimes studly. But technically, he's more Muffin than Stud, hence "The Muffin".

The USDF Regional Championships are held next week at the KHP (Kentucky Horse Park). I usually figure six hours driving time by car to Lexington, so it's much better for Remy to share the ride with friends on the 'bus' than being towed in a two-horse trailer.

Wow, they have 600 (!) entries. It will be interesting to see how Remy is going to handle this. There is quite a contingent from Topline going, 11 horses, plus riders, family members, grooms. I'll be following Remy early Wednesday morning; and until I get there Kim (groom to the stars) will take care of him. From there on out - Meet the groom: Birgit.

So today was packing day: 21 lovingly packed brown bags with Remy's breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A rolling tack box stuffed to the top with a myriad of essentials. Very important is the EquiMedic first aid kit, to my logic: If it's there - we won't need it! And, and, and...

So one of us will have fun with friends on the Party Bus, enjoying home made meals, and plenty of treats...  the other one will drive alone in a pickup loaded to the brim with horse stuff, some power bars by the side,  desperately trying to stay within the speed limit in Ohio and always on the lookout for the next coffee.

Let the good times roll!

*stud·muf·fin

ˈstədˌməfin/

noun

NORTH AMERICANinformal

noun: stud-muffin

1. a man perceived as sexually attractive, typically one with well-developed muscles.

To play or not to play is not the question - the boys turn into Ferkel

Actually, to be more precise, the question is "Let them play or not"?  When I looked out my kitchen window this morning my heart skipped a beat: Chambord and Remy were racing around, leaping in the air, mock fighting each other with their front legs, bucking, racing again ... I could hear their hoof beats in the house.

They definitely had a grand old time, and Saumur and Teddy were just slightly more 'sedate'. Of course, I love it when they have fun. But... with all the effort that goes into their training (and yes, all the expenses) the thoughts of Suspensory Injury! Broken leg! Pulled Tendons! are right with "Aw, look how they enjoy themselves!" To top it off, it was raining and 40F, the more reason for a lot of people to keep the horses in. 

The boys, however, are used to all day turnout. They have a huge covered porch, bedded and clean, where they can get out of the elements. Still, of course, the risk of injury through play remains. However, I could never deny them the joy of being horses. It's a risk that I am willing to take. And research has shown that a lot of injuries happen when horses are stalled or turned out in a small paddock. Life is unpredictable.

The local horse magazine "Saddle Up" featured a really good article by Juliet Getty, Ph.D. "Empty Fields Everywhere - Why Movement Is So Important". She lists all the problems lack or restricted turnout causes. I can say from experience that our boys are fitter and healthier than a lot of their pals. Ms Getty closes her article with "Confining a horse to a stall or small outdoor area without the ability to exercise leads to an animal who is mentally stressed and physically limited. Exercise, walking, grazing, socializing, and freedom to flee from perceived dangers are essential parts of what makes your horse a horse". 

So, while all this is nice and dandy... I am looking at three large and one small Ferkel (piglets) and wonder how to get them clean without turning into a Ferkel myself??

Happiness is when it feels like dancing - and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place

Today was one of those absolutely stunning Michigan early autumn days, temps in the low 70s, brilliant sunshine. A perfect day for an outing to Metamora Horse Country to ride with Maryal Barnett (a lovely lady who is a FEI "CE" Dressage judge, USEF "S" Dressage Judge, and a Canadian Equestrian Federation Senior Dressage Judge).

Andrea and I packed Simon and Remy into the trailer and off we went to Linda's stunning barn. I jokingly said before leaving that I had no worries about coming off, Linda's arena footing is as fluffy as a feather bed.

Remy settled right in, and handled everything like a pro. Maryal has an excellent way of explaining position corrections. For example, to get our leg yields more flowing she reminded me to move my core towards the direction we were targeting, and to lighten the seat bone (in that case the left one because we were going left), so Remy could have room to move there. It took almost no effort to make him "flow over" - and when Maryal said with a smile "it's like dancing, isn't it", I enthusiastically agreed.

We also tackled our nemesis - the right canter departs (aka our "skippies"). As Judy and Jan had pointed out before, Remy has a tendency to lean on the inside shoulder, thus getting crooked, which makes for the funky depart. Maryal's suggested that in addition to getting him off the inside shoulder I also needed to lighten up on the outside rein (I have taken the  rule "inside leg to outside rein" too far by taking too much outside rein) . That really helped, and we definitely improved. Nothing but smiles all around, especially on my side, after Maryal commented on my much improved position and quiet legs. Yay!

Yes, the pieces of our puzzle are falling into place, thanks to Judy. No resting on any (non-existing) laurels, though: The next level of complexity needs to be tackled. Let's Tango, Remy!

"I'm tired of having to spoon feed grown ups - so get with the program!"

Poor Remy - he got the fall out of the frustrations I had at work in the last days. Of course, there are always good days and not so good days, but you just have to roll with it and do the best you can while keeping a good attitude. Lately, though, it seems my fuse has become shorter - I am pretty sick and tired of having to nurture along grown up middle aged men simply to do their job in a positive and pro-active manner. Don't get me wrong, I love mentoring the new and eager recent college graduates, or new employees that don't have the particular experience yet. But drag your feet and make me spoon feed you and I get rather prickly. It's all in the attitude!

What does that have to do with Remy and my riding? A lot! As Judy reminds me frequently: He is trained now (to his age appropriate level). Time to step up and do the job without me having to negotiate, and often getting some half-hearted attempts in return. This is how it used to go: "Using my hind legs? What hind legs?" "Do I have to do this NOW?" "Are you sure you want me to do this? Really?" "Can't I just pretend I'm working?" So I subconsciously stepped up the ante for Remy today. I didn't set out and said "you must to this or else" - but when I asked for a response to a a question I wanted a prompt answer.

Wouldn't you know it: it worked beautifully. For the first time in a long time I had real fun again! Judy even ventured so far as to say that I rode better than before the accident. Remy, smart guy that he his, figured it out quickly ("ah, I have to work for you like I do for Aunt Jude"), didn't argue, and worked happily. Clear rules: I lead the dance, but we both do our parts, no if's, but's, or maybe's. And to sweeten the deal: Give me your best, honest and cheerful try ... and there will be a 50 pound bag of carrots in the wings!

Buckle up and do it - the trails are helping

Sunday was a beautiful and sunny day, even more appreciated after the miserable weather the days before. Waterloo didn’t go according to my plans (it was the right decision to scratch, I know, I know, but…), and it was time to regroup.

What better way to regroup than going on a trailride? Admittedly, the nice weather plus excellent company (Chambord and JP) made that an easy decision. It was lovely, and all four of us had a great time. That ride restored my somewhat rattled self.

Armed with a good experience I decided yesterday it was time to get on Remy ‘cold’, meaning riding in my lesson without Judy warming him up first. It has been a huge help, getting on a horse that is already in working mode and on the aids. So yes, from the get go I had to do the work, and ‘someone’ didn’t cut me any slack.

Currently the big thing is responsiveness, getting the job done NOW, not “perhaps in a few strides I might move out”. It took quite a few tries (no nagging!) but eventually I got the desired (and hard worked for) “Yes, ma’am, right away!”

Hmm, I have a few windows that need washing – any “yes, ma’am” takers??

"Today is not my day - and yours doesn't look so hot either"

I once saw this printed on a T-shirt - and today it would have been a perfect occasion to wear it.

Last show at Waterloo for the year. It started out well enough, with good schooling, and Remy being 'right on' for Judy (he knows better than to mess with her). Yesterday afternoon I put my big girl pants on and rode him at the same ring where I had the accident. Honestly, it was a rather big step, but we made it, and I thought I could handle a class today.

Well, that wasn't to be. The weather changed (it's Michigan!), and the temps dropped overnight into the 40s with rain and blustering winds. When I took Remy out early this morning for his walk he flew almost higher than a kite and I had a hard time keeping both of us grounded. What is considered desirable at some breed shows and people try to accomplish with firecrackers, etc. I got without any effort on my part: Snorting, leaping, flagging the tail...  Someone forgot to tell Remy that he is not a Park Morgan!

I rather have the fancy movements when under control, so this display of 'airs above the ground' rattled me considerably. There is is no way anyone should get on at this stage, and Judy's ride time was nearing. So I managed to get Remy back to his stall, tacked him up, and had him jump through the mud in the longing arena. Surprisingly, that did the trick. "Earth to Remy" worked, and he was back! Judy (unflappable, as most of the time) said, no worries, she'd ridden much worse. Off they went to score a 67.7%. Awesome, Jude!!

I, on the other hand, decided that Remy was right early this morning: Today was not my day. I was cold, wet, muddy, miserable... and rain and wind were picking up. So I decided to scratch. Yes, admittedly, it was hard on my ego, like conceding defeat (to what, the weather?!) but heck, I didn't fancy another visit to the Chelsea Hospital. As well as I was treated there last time, I just didn't feel ready to fight for my pants again!