Rodeo and County Fair - "Wow, what an experience!"

That’s about all I could say during the entire evening. Neither JP nor I had ever been to a county fair let alone a rodeo, and boy - we were in for a treat. The first Wow! I uttered when I realized how huge the fair was. Calhoun County Fair is the oldest in Michigan, it was established in 1848 and happens once a year in August. I expected a small venue somewhere out in the boonies, not huge crowds, trucks, trailers, vendors, games, rides, barns with 4H* animals, and sold out grandstands for the Lost Nations Rodeo.

Brandt rode up on Remy next to the grandstand when we got there, and I was relieved to see that Remy hadn’t freaked out (yet) at all the commotion. Brandt rode him right in between the chutes with the bulls, and we learned that bulls are not Remy’s problem, only other horses.  I was a nervous wreck well before the start (what if… he freaks out, throws off Brandt/breaks a leg/colics… you name it – I thought of it!). Into the arena they went. The stands were packed. Brandt rode in front of the crowd and introduced Remy “Give a hand to Remy, he is is Morgan Horse and new to this”. The crowd complied and Remy seemed to enjoy it. He continued to stand calmly during prayer and the National Anthem.

Then it was time for the rodeo. For a qualifying round a rider has to stay on a bull for eight seconds. I thought Brandt would leave the arena with Remy – but no, they stayed right in there with the action! I always had the notion that rodeos are cruel but these bulls clearly had no problem. They know their jobs: Get rid of the rider as quickly as possible, look threatening, and then go back into the chute (it reminded me of sending our dogs to their beds). Some bulls just quietly walked back onto their trailer on their own.

Remy’s issue came on the surface when it was time for the barrel racers to warm up. Remy was right in the middle, and he was clearly bothered by the crowding and energy of the other horses. Especially Paints seem scary to him. But Brandt stayed calm and all was well.

This was just such an unique experience, I could go on and on. I feel like a teenager gushing, really. After the rodeo JP and I strolled around the fairgrounds and it was like taking a step back in time: An old fashioned ‘Kirmes’ (German) or ‘Fete Foraine’ (French), and I was thrilled seeing a Riesenrad, Boxautos, Kettenkarussell, and a lot of other things from my childhood. We also went into the 4H barns where we were immediately smitten by very personable goats. Luckily, we did get a grip on ourselves before loading a couple of goats into our truck.

Around midnight I got a text from Brandt saying Remy made it back safely back and all was well. Whew!!

They say horses come into our lives for specific reasons – Remy obviously wanted us to experience a fair and rodeo. Thank you, Remy, we had a blast!

Speaking of being thankful: We feel very fortunate that Brandt is taking Remy on this amazing journey and helping him getting all the confidence he needs in the most kind and professional way. Thank you, Brandt!

 

(*The 4-H name represents four personal development areas of focus for the organization: head, heart, hands, and health. 4H animals are raised by children and then shown at fairs for competition).

Having fun at "Brandt's summer camp" - and going to the rodeo!

Remy’s activities yesterday: Play basketball, canter around the property, splash into water, have a two-year old on his back, carry the flag, watch 18-wheelers fly by. Full program. I was amazed how calm and quiet Remy was. He might also bit a bit sleep deprived, though. Instead of luxuriating in his own room he is in an ‘outdoor dorm’ with six other guys.

The training with the mounted police schedule for today was postponed to next week. Instead, Brandt offered to take Remy to the rodeo tonight at the Calhoun county fairgrounds. In preparation he rode him with the flag yesterday, which wasn’t a problem. But add to this screaming crowds,  bulls, and whatever else you’ll find at a county fair and rodeo (I’ve never been to either one) and I’m the one getting panic attacks!

So, trying to blend in: Does anyone have a big belt buckle I could borrow??

An equine Lothario... and no girls allowed

Remy's introduction to Brandt's herd didn't go as smoothly as planned: Girls! Remy remembered the "Good old days" and -in typical guy fashion- had one thing on his mind. Brandt moved him to the other herd, but when we checked on him yesterday what did we see: Remy being totally 'attentive' to a very cute mare. I was chopped liver to him, but it was kind of cute to see how he was doing the equine version of 'wining and dining', and then pulling out all (foreplay) stops. A true equine Lothario!


However, Remy needs to concentrate on his work and should be hanging out with the guys, so I think he moves to a "Guys only" dorm - excluding frat parties!


* Definition of LOTHARIO. : a man whose chief interest is seducing women.

Remy explores neue Ufer - and did we stumble upon the holy grail of horsemanship?

Pleasant surprise when pulling up to Brandt’s farm: Maureen, a riding friend from many years back. We had lost touch over time, and –small world- here we meet again.

Brandt lost no time, we saddled Remy and off they went. The property looks like a huge playpen for horses. There are all kinds of obstacles, different surfaces, woods, boulders, and a small lake with a sandy beach (note to JP: watch the pronunciation). Remy wasn’t sure about the lake at first, Brandt quietly moved his hindquarters around until Remy decided himself that he would like to go into the water. The goal wasn’t getting Remy to go into the water, though, it was to make him understand that he could not just balk and then walk away. Once that was established Remy had some good “drink and splash” time. So yes, literally, Remy did explore new shores (neue Ufer)!

From there it was into one of the pastures where six horses ran right up to check out the newcomer (still with a rider on his back). That’s usually our downfall – horses coming from all directions. Remy jumped around a bit but got the hang of it really quickly. He definitely loved it when he could herd all the others around. Brandt cantered him in the pasture, and Remy looked great, soft and eager, with some easy and clean flying changes to boot.

After that they went to ride along a very busy US12, it was rush hour and heavy trucks and log haulers were speeding right by. Not a problem (other than me not daring to breathe).

Fazit after the first day: Wow! Lightness and quietness, ease and results: Did we stumble upon the holy grail* of horsemanship? Let’s see how the journey continues…. Mounted police training next Wednesday!

Auf zu neuen Ufern - trying something completely new

Well, today we’ll go and try something completely new: Away from traditional dressage training and onto working with a horseman that trains the mounted police and participates in rodeos.

I was able to get a hold of Brandt* this week, and knowing how busy he is, I jumped at the opportunity when he offered me to bring Remy to his farm today. It meant rearranging our plans – and luckily Judy supports us ‘going off the reservation’. Originally the plan was to go to Waterloo next week, put the big girl pants on, and try to survive the warm up ring. I have to admit that it doesn’t break my heart to sit that one out.

In talking with Brandt we established a plan of him working Remy  in the round pen amidst his horses, and then moving it out to other areas. Remy is also slated for training with the mounted police (i.e. getting used to gun shots, fireworks, formations). If all goes according to plan, any show ground, crowded warm up area, blaring speakers should be a piece of cake!

It’s exciting, but I’m also quite nervous. Yesterday on NPR I listened to a report about parents immersing their children in other cultures: Mono-lingual English speaking parents sending their kids to a Kindergarten where the only language used is Mandarin.  Guess it will be similar for Remy - he will have his very own ‘cultural immersion’!


*Brandt Clark, Professional Horseman, www.brandtclark.com

Not much of a 'welcome back' - the footing hates me!

Well, the trip to Europe was great. I had never been to Turin before and I discovered a very charming city and met some lovely people. Paris, of course, what can I say? Je t'aime! Then Stuttgart, where I had a wonderful time with my parents and friends. JP was holding down the fort at home, managing the contractor plus shepherding a multitude of workers pounding away on our addition / remodeling project. All the while taking care of all the critters, and -oops- getting bumped off Chambord (but that one he tried to brush off lightly).


After the trip I had some days off and was hoping I could arrange for some sessions with Brandt, the horseman that had offered during our first phone call to help me work on Remy's issues. Alas, so far, no luck tracking him down.


However, the real bummer came when I was all pumped up to go back to my lessons at Judy's: The new footing received another ingredient based on shredded athletic shoes while I was gone. Just walking into the indoor made me gasp for air - and I wasn't even on Remy yet. It went downhill from there, with me fighting for every breath and coughing. What now??


Off I went to buy a case of face masks, and showed up stylishly made up, sporting a face mask (a certain entertainer comes to mind) to my next lesson. I got very hot and sweaty under the mask, and my lungs hurt afterwards. On the bright side, though, I had a great ride. Go figure. Actually, that's exactly it: I figured out that Remy needed to be quickly and honestly in front of my leg and on the aids as I just didn't have the breath to push and cajole him into work.


So yes, thank you, Footing: You helped me figure something very valuable out. But you better air out, settle down, whatever, pronto! - because otherwise I won't be able to hang out with you.

Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel - through a different approach

Well, we lived to tell the tale of another Waterloo! Got there, noticed that they added another arena – just where Remy and I had our unfortunate parting. It used to be a warm up arena, now it’s for competition. Awesome, let’s scratch this one off my list. And that’s just what I did, went to the show office and asked if they could stick me anywhere else but there. OK, at a lower level,  but with a goal of “stay on and in” not an issue.

Remy freaked out in the warm up, he also had an “unfortunate, unexcused exit” and thus got himself and Judy eliminated. Saturday I made it around, barely, and by Sunday it took about all I had to ride this test. Scores were so-so, 60s, we can definitely do better.

It was just all pretty emotional, and I really question if this is really what I want to do. No fun, only stress. Yes, after a year I finally made it through not one but two tests at Waterloo, but it left me empty – exhausted, frustrated, and questioning why in the world am I doing this (dressage shows).

It’s a good thing that I’m leaving for Europe on Saturday, it gives me a break and time to consider the next steps. Actually, the next steps are lined up:  Glenda recommended a horseman, Brandt, that helped with her young horse. I spoke with him yesterday and was quite encouraged. Remy needs to get over his issues mainly in the warmup. Brandt trains the Mounted Police, so he offered for Remy to participate. Also, Remy might go to the Rodeo! No, not as a bucking bronc, but as the flag horse. Brandt announces rodeos and also gallops with the flag at the opening. Who knows, perhaps one day it will be me??