DON'T COPY THE PHOTOS. ALL COURTESY GOES TO ANGELA WACHTER. PHOTOS OWNED BY ME!! IF YOU WANT TO USE THEM, ASK!!! Thanks!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Photo Shoot
A couple of months ago, Rosie and I had a photo shoot and I really liked how some of the photos came out.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Lesson, A Life Lesson and A Midnight Story
A Lesson:
Today, Rosie and I had an o.k. lesson. Rosie and I have a show coming up Oct 3 and have decided we are ready to move up another level (alright only 3", but hey...). Julie(One of my favorite people, Gabbi you are DEFINITELY top on my favorite person list but...) in the world watched as well.
We started out with groundwork and I am really proud of both Rosie and me. We have come such a long way in our flat work and could now potentially consider actually entering a dressage test. After working quite a bit on flat work, we moved onto lengthening and shortening strides over fences. The way we did this is: we set out 4 ground poles (each pole approximately 2 ft long) on opposite sides of each other, forming the ends of an X. Starting at a trot, we came around to one side of the X, took a "leap" stride over the pole and then lengthened her stride to make the next ground pole in a 2 stride distance. Then come around and head down the other side of the X and do the same. Rosie and I MASTERED 2 strides! It was perfect!
"Now shorten to 3!," came Nancy's voice. Ohhhh crap.
So we come around to face the X again, starting in a trot. "leap" stride, 1 stride, 2 stride, CLUNK! ...Yah...
To better explain, in order to fit in 3 strides in a 2 stride space, you have to drastically shorten the canter stride. By drastically, I mean shorten it by 2-5 ft! So, after doing the leap stride into the combination, you have to shorten, shorten, shorten. Rosie and I can lengthen beautifully. Shortening the stride is another matter entirely! We get the leap stride, 1st stride gets sort of shortened, 2nd stride a little bit more and then we can't hardly ever manage to shorten enough to throw in one more stride. We have gotten close, but its never quite graceful. We'll eventually get it!
At the end of our lesson, Rosie and I jumped to new heights, literally. On October 3, we have our last show of the summer/fall season (as far as I know) and we both feel ready to move up a class. This coming Sunday, we have enrolled in one 2' class, two 2'3" classes and (*drum roll....) a 2'6" CLASS!! For the first time today, Rosie and I schooled 2'6". And guess what?
WE JUMPED IT!
At first it wasn't very graceful, but with patient, diligent work, by the end of the lesson, Rosie and I were gracefully jumping the verticals. I can't even explain how magnificent of a feeling jumping is. For a few precious seconds, both horse and rider are airborne. Both in sync (usually), flying through the air. Then the pull of gravity brings reality crashing back down. Rosie and I began jumping 6" cavaletties and ground poles. Now? We are flying over 2'6". I have always dreamed of jumping higher and higher, but the reality of actually jumping this high and succeeding is beyond words! I can't wait for this weekend. I have a good feeling about this show and Sunday just isn't coming fast enough!
A Life Lesson:
So, today (Friday) hasn't been all that great of day anyway, but to make matters worse, I learned a life lesson....the painful way. This afternoon, Rosie and my lesson was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m. The time we actually started was 7:30 p.m. The reason, you ask? Well, since Gabbi acquired a trailer and I have had the luxury of not hauling my stuff back and forth, I have had to add another item to the mental checklist I run through before heading out to the barn. That item? Trailer keys. Let's just say I didn't run through my checklist all that thoroughly before heading out today.
The story begins at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. I am driving with my dad out to the barn. We are right on time and life is good. Its warm, sunny and there's a gentle breeze blowing through the open sunlit car. 20 minutes later, we reach the barn in good time and just as I am getting out of the car, I glance at the trailer and my lofty feeling suddenly drops and turns into the "Oh, shit" feeling. I turn to my dad sitting peacefully in the passenger seat and say,"I forgot the trailer keys..."
Yah, that's right. I am 20 minutes from home, supposed to be getting ready for a lesson and the trailer containing ALL my tack is locked in the trailer. I desperately call Gabbi, hoping she might be my knight in shining armor. Nope, dear Gabbi was unavailable. So, with much moaning and groaning and cursing (on my behalf), I turn the car around and my dad and I head back home. Back at home, I race into the house, grab my keys and turn the car around and off we are again...back to the barn. Luckily in the midst of all this, I manage to remember to call Nancy and let her know I'll be a 'bit' late. Sure enough, the minute I pull out of the barn, guess who pulls in? Yup, Nancy. By the time I get back, Nancy has set up the jump course and made the rounds talking to other boarders at the barn. By the time I get Rosie tacked and ready, its 7:30 p.m. and dark outside. So, life lesson??? DON'T FORGET YOUR TRAILER KEYS!!
A Midnight Story:
After our lesson, Nancy left and Rosie and I finally had time to ourselves. Of course it was dark outside, but we didn't care. I stripped off Rosie's tack, brushed and cooled her down and then we had a quiet moment just to ourselves. Rosie's content chewing on the apple I was holding/giving to her. She finished the apple and we meandered over to the hay loft. The full moon cast a spotlight around the hay barn and with Rosie ripping at the tightly bound hay bales, we basked in the friendly light. Rosie finally decided she wanted to rejoin her pasture buddies and so with a hug and a great big kiss I let her go. Now here comes the breathless part of the story. This part of the story is forever etched into my mind and heart. After I let Rosie loose, she turned tail and galloped towards the end of her pasture to rejoin her buddies. The moon was angled in such a way that I could just barely make out the pasture in front of me, but what was even cooler was that all the light colored things could be seen, almost eerie. As Rosie galloped off, she faded into the darkness. All that was left to indicate she had been there was her dust trail. Hanging suspended in the air, reflecting the moon light. When I could no longer see Rosie, I stood at the pasture gate and just listened. Rosie began a conversation with a few of the horses and then it became silent. I strained to see something, anything.
And then I heard it. At first I thought it was thunder. But it became continuous. Louder and louder, heavier and heavier. Then I knew what it was.
Hoof beats...
The horses were stampeding and I couldn't see them. They got closer and closer and I was soon able to see the fine dust being thrown up into the air by their hooves. Then...I saw them. It was like I was in a movie. When I could make them out, the moon half shone down on them, making them look like ghosts. They were finally at the front of the pasture and without slowing down they turned away from the fence, almost simultaneously, and with Rosie in the lead. The dust was the clearest thing you could see. It was illuminated by the moon and almost glittered. The horses broke the gallop and came down to a prancing trot and the stampede dispersed. With horses snorting, they began to return to normal except one. An adorable white Arabian, with tail raised, legs prancing and nostrils flared, proudly pranced near to where I was standing. I was standing behind a post and so I don't think he saw me, but I could be wrong. This split second was like I was the main character, the girl in Flicka looking up at the wild stallion. A silent, strung out moment where everything is paused, just for a second. Then the Arab decided he was done showing off and the moment passed as he rejoined the meandering herd.
For a moment, all I could do was just stand there. I was afraid to breath. I watched until the dust settled and then glanced at the glowing moon. It shone gallantly. I then turned and walked back to the trailer and that was that. I will never forget that moment and I know almost for certain, that one day that scene will be reenacted on screen. Although no reenactment can portray that moment perfectly and has breathtaking as it was in that moment in time, it will come close!
Today, Rosie and I had an o.k. lesson. Rosie and I have a show coming up Oct 3 and have decided we are ready to move up another level (alright only 3", but hey...). Julie(One of my favorite people, Gabbi you are DEFINITELY top on my favorite person list but...) in the world watched as well.
We started out with groundwork and I am really proud of both Rosie and me. We have come such a long way in our flat work and could now potentially consider actually entering a dressage test. After working quite a bit on flat work, we moved onto lengthening and shortening strides over fences. The way we did this is: we set out 4 ground poles (each pole approximately 2 ft long) on opposite sides of each other, forming the ends of an X. Starting at a trot, we came around to one side of the X, took a "leap" stride over the pole and then lengthened her stride to make the next ground pole in a 2 stride distance. Then come around and head down the other side of the X and do the same. Rosie and I MASTERED 2 strides! It was perfect!
"Now shorten to 3!," came Nancy's voice. Ohhhh crap.
So we come around to face the X again, starting in a trot. "leap" stride, 1 stride, 2 stride, CLUNK! ...Yah...
To better explain, in order to fit in 3 strides in a 2 stride space, you have to drastically shorten the canter stride. By drastically, I mean shorten it by 2-5 ft! So, after doing the leap stride into the combination, you have to shorten, shorten, shorten. Rosie and I can lengthen beautifully. Shortening the stride is another matter entirely! We get the leap stride, 1st stride gets sort of shortened, 2nd stride a little bit more and then we can't hardly ever manage to shorten enough to throw in one more stride. We have gotten close, but its never quite graceful. We'll eventually get it!
At the end of our lesson, Rosie and I jumped to new heights, literally. On October 3, we have our last show of the summer/fall season (as far as I know) and we both feel ready to move up a class. This coming Sunday, we have enrolled in one 2' class, two 2'3" classes and (*drum roll....) a 2'6" CLASS!! For the first time today, Rosie and I schooled 2'6". And guess what?
WE JUMPED IT!
At first it wasn't very graceful, but with patient, diligent work, by the end of the lesson, Rosie and I were gracefully jumping the verticals. I can't even explain how magnificent of a feeling jumping is. For a few precious seconds, both horse and rider are airborne. Both in sync (usually), flying through the air. Then the pull of gravity brings reality crashing back down. Rosie and I began jumping 6" cavaletties and ground poles. Now? We are flying over 2'6". I have always dreamed of jumping higher and higher, but the reality of actually jumping this high and succeeding is beyond words! I can't wait for this weekend. I have a good feeling about this show and Sunday just isn't coming fast enough!
A Life Lesson:
So, today (Friday) hasn't been all that great of day anyway, but to make matters worse, I learned a life lesson....the painful way. This afternoon, Rosie and my lesson was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m. The time we actually started was 7:30 p.m. The reason, you ask? Well, since Gabbi acquired a trailer and I have had the luxury of not hauling my stuff back and forth, I have had to add another item to the mental checklist I run through before heading out to the barn. That item? Trailer keys. Let's just say I didn't run through my checklist all that thoroughly before heading out today.
The story begins at 5:30 p.m. this afternoon. I am driving with my dad out to the barn. We are right on time and life is good. Its warm, sunny and there's a gentle breeze blowing through the open sunlit car. 20 minutes later, we reach the barn in good time and just as I am getting out of the car, I glance at the trailer and my lofty feeling suddenly drops and turns into the "Oh, shit" feeling. I turn to my dad sitting peacefully in the passenger seat and say,"I forgot the trailer keys..."
Yah, that's right. I am 20 minutes from home, supposed to be getting ready for a lesson and the trailer containing ALL my tack is locked in the trailer. I desperately call Gabbi, hoping she might be my knight in shining armor. Nope, dear Gabbi was unavailable. So, with much moaning and groaning and cursing (on my behalf), I turn the car around and my dad and I head back home. Back at home, I race into the house, grab my keys and turn the car around and off we are again...back to the barn. Luckily in the midst of all this, I manage to remember to call Nancy and let her know I'll be a 'bit' late. Sure enough, the minute I pull out of the barn, guess who pulls in? Yup, Nancy. By the time I get back, Nancy has set up the jump course and made the rounds talking to other boarders at the barn. By the time I get Rosie tacked and ready, its 7:30 p.m. and dark outside. So, life lesson??? DON'T FORGET YOUR TRAILER KEYS!!
A Midnight Story:
After our lesson, Nancy left and Rosie and I finally had time to ourselves. Of course it was dark outside, but we didn't care. I stripped off Rosie's tack, brushed and cooled her down and then we had a quiet moment just to ourselves. Rosie's content chewing on the apple I was holding/giving to her. She finished the apple and we meandered over to the hay loft. The full moon cast a spotlight around the hay barn and with Rosie ripping at the tightly bound hay bales, we basked in the friendly light. Rosie finally decided she wanted to rejoin her pasture buddies and so with a hug and a great big kiss I let her go. Now here comes the breathless part of the story. This part of the story is forever etched into my mind and heart. After I let Rosie loose, she turned tail and galloped towards the end of her pasture to rejoin her buddies. The moon was angled in such a way that I could just barely make out the pasture in front of me, but what was even cooler was that all the light colored things could be seen, almost eerie. As Rosie galloped off, she faded into the darkness. All that was left to indicate she had been there was her dust trail. Hanging suspended in the air, reflecting the moon light. When I could no longer see Rosie, I stood at the pasture gate and just listened. Rosie began a conversation with a few of the horses and then it became silent. I strained to see something, anything.
And then I heard it. At first I thought it was thunder. But it became continuous. Louder and louder, heavier and heavier. Then I knew what it was.
Hoof beats...
The horses were stampeding and I couldn't see them. They got closer and closer and I was soon able to see the fine dust being thrown up into the air by their hooves. Then...I saw them. It was like I was in a movie. When I could make them out, the moon half shone down on them, making them look like ghosts. They were finally at the front of the pasture and without slowing down they turned away from the fence, almost simultaneously, and with Rosie in the lead. The dust was the clearest thing you could see. It was illuminated by the moon and almost glittered. The horses broke the gallop and came down to a prancing trot and the stampede dispersed. With horses snorting, they began to return to normal except one. An adorable white Arabian, with tail raised, legs prancing and nostrils flared, proudly pranced near to where I was standing. I was standing behind a post and so I don't think he saw me, but I could be wrong. This split second was like I was the main character, the girl in Flicka looking up at the wild stallion. A silent, strung out moment where everything is paused, just for a second. Then the Arab decided he was done showing off and the moment passed as he rejoined the meandering herd.
For a moment, all I could do was just stand there. I was afraid to breath. I watched until the dust settled and then glanced at the glowing moon. It shone gallantly. I then turned and walked back to the trailer and that was that. I will never forget that moment and I know almost for certain, that one day that scene will be reenacted on screen. Although no reenactment can portray that moment perfectly and has breathtaking as it was in that moment in time, it will come close!
Monday, September 20, 2010
A Glimpse of Heaven...
Although I don't necessarily believe that there is a Heaven, if there is one, it better have my girl in it!
Thanks to Gabbi for taking these amazing photos!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Perfect Memories
Last Friday, Rosie and I had the most amazing lesson with Nancy. It was one of those lessons that you just can't forget. One of those moments that you can't plan for. With the sun streaming in through the open arena door, Rosie and I picked up an energetic trot. We battled out an "on-the-bit" war and slowly harmony began to sink in. Then, without warning, WHOOSH..... down went her head. A perfect arch, a graceful curve only the muscular neck of a horse can produce. The feeling was enormous. The reins were slack and we were together, as one, moving in perfect harmony.
Nancy's voice speaks somewhere in the distance, "Alright, pick up the canter."
My breath catches as I urge her into a canter to the left. The momentum increases and then, effortlessly, we are in a canter, but not just any canter. It's a canter that she nor I have ever ridden or produced. One so graceful and effortless that I had a hard time believing I was really riding Rosie. As we rounded the far end of the arena, the sun danced on Rosie's mane.
"Circle over there."
So we circle. Reins slack, foam at the mouth, Rosie and I dance along with the sun's games. As it plays through Rosie's mane, her mane wavers and flows at its touch. Its perfect.
All too soon, we come back to the trot and then the walk. For a moment, everything was silent. Nancy nor I spoke, Rosie stood perfectly still, and everything was quiet. Then we all breathed, and life began once again. With great jubilation, a small smile spread across my face, soon accompanied by Nancy's. With great pride, I take in the compliments Nancy gives us. Rosie knows she did something good, as to what she did, she probably had no idea!
After a thousand and one hugs and kisses and pats, we move on to jumping. Friday wasn't just a first for flatwork, it was also a day for our first ever gymanstic jumping line. To say the least, Rosie and I are addicted to them! Using small cavaletties at a 9 ft, 9ft, 18ft, 9 ft, 9ft. stride length, Rosie and I approached the first rail.
Bounce..Bounce..Stride...Bounce..Bounce
We did it PERFECTLY! The lesson just kept getting better and better. I couldn't believe it!! We continued to jump the gymnastic line several times and from both directions. Soon thereafter, we added in some 2' verticals, which we had a few issues with, but none that couldn't be remedied. After jumping the gymnasticc line a few more times, we ended on an EXCELLENT note.
Nancy left, and Rosie was given an enormous amount of praise and let back in to her pasture with kisses and pats and.... TREATS of course!
Oh, what would life be without my horse???
Nancy's voice speaks somewhere in the distance, "Alright, pick up the canter."
My breath catches as I urge her into a canter to the left. The momentum increases and then, effortlessly, we are in a canter, but not just any canter. It's a canter that she nor I have ever ridden or produced. One so graceful and effortless that I had a hard time believing I was really riding Rosie. As we rounded the far end of the arena, the sun danced on Rosie's mane.
"Circle over there."
So we circle. Reins slack, foam at the mouth, Rosie and I dance along with the sun's games. As it plays through Rosie's mane, her mane wavers and flows at its touch. Its perfect.
All too soon, we come back to the trot and then the walk. For a moment, everything was silent. Nancy nor I spoke, Rosie stood perfectly still, and everything was quiet. Then we all breathed, and life began once again. With great jubilation, a small smile spread across my face, soon accompanied by Nancy's. With great pride, I take in the compliments Nancy gives us. Rosie knows she did something good, as to what she did, she probably had no idea!
After a thousand and one hugs and kisses and pats, we move on to jumping. Friday wasn't just a first for flatwork, it was also a day for our first ever gymanstic jumping line. To say the least, Rosie and I are addicted to them! Using small cavaletties at a 9 ft, 9ft, 18ft, 9 ft, 9ft. stride length, Rosie and I approached the first rail.
Bounce..Bounce..Stride...Bounce..Bounce
We did it PERFECTLY! The lesson just kept getting better and better. I couldn't believe it!! We continued to jump the gymnastic line several times and from both directions. Soon thereafter, we added in some 2' verticals, which we had a few issues with, but none that couldn't be remedied. After jumping the gymnasticc line a few more times, we ended on an EXCELLENT note.
Nancy left, and Rosie was given an enormous amount of praise and let back in to her pasture with kisses and pats and.... TREATS of course!
Oh, what would life be without my horse???
Monday, August 23, 2010
It's A Trailer!!
After more than a year of looking and waiting and dead ends, we finally have a trailer! Actually all the credit goes to Gabbi, who found it, owns it and is generously letting me share it with her. It's a 4 horse bumper pull slant load Charmac trailer. It has an amazing tack room with four saddle racks, a blanket bar, and a bazillion bridle hooks. Who could ask for a better trailer? I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and amazing friend!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Heart
For the first time in my life, I was scared riding a horse. Never, ever in my entire life, did I once feel threatened, scared or nervous on horseback. Today changed all that.
This 'event' isn't something that I can create into a story. I can't shave off the sharp edges and make it into a pretty picture. And I can't explain how this so called 'event' made me realize how much of my heart I had given to Rosie.
Rosie ran off with me, and I could have lost my best friend. There, that's the story.
In the fairy-tale story world, I would explain that on the way back to the barn Rosie suddenly realized we were headed back and began to gallop faster than anything we had ever galloped before. I'd explain that with all my might I tried to stop her but couldn't. I'd say that screaming profanity in my last attempt to keep my head clear worked. But that's the story world.
The truth? Rosie did run off with me, and I couldn't get her to stop. But most importantly, I came too close to losing her. As Rosie stumbled in a gopher hole, as we were both launched forward, as the ground came frighteningly close, I realized that she meant the world to me and that if I lost her, I'd be a basket case and my heart would be so broken it could and would never be repaired.
Only after finally coming to a stop did I let the tears and the reaction come. I slapped Rosie on the forehead and yelled, "What the hell was that?" I blamed it on anger as adrenaline and tears flowed through me. Then, as we were going through a gate, I really lost it. I don't even know what happened. Some how though, we knocked hard against the gate, Rosie reared and I jumped off and lost all self-preservation. I was screaming, and crying and punishing Rosie as if this was all her fault. I couldn't stop myself.
As I walked back to the barn beside Rosie, I allowed myself to slow down. I attempted to clear my head and I realized that what I was feeling wasn't anger. It was something so pure that I couldn't come to terms with it, much less find a name for it. I realized that I had reacted because I had come inches away from losing my best friend.
Every time I thought I got my feelings under control, Rosie would turn and look at me with a look I can't even explain. One that said, "I don't know what the hell is going on with you and I don't understand why I am being punished, but I think I still trust you." And no matter how hard I tried to keep myself under control I would cry all over again.
I understood today, just how much Rosie means to me. I have given her my heart and slowly in exchange, she is giving me pieces of hers.
This post really sucks, but I blame it on the fact that this isn't something I can convert or condense into text. All this came from the heart and honestly that's where it should stay. As Gabbi said, "If today is the worst its ever been, than you can count on tomorrow being better."
I love Rosie with ALL my heart. She is my closest, dearest and best friend. She is the one who is always there. She's the one that shows me the world on her back...
And there is something to be said about that.
This 'event' isn't something that I can create into a story. I can't shave off the sharp edges and make it into a pretty picture. And I can't explain how this so called 'event' made me realize how much of my heart I had given to Rosie.
Rosie ran off with me, and I could have lost my best friend. There, that's the story.
In the fairy-tale story world, I would explain that on the way back to the barn Rosie suddenly realized we were headed back and began to gallop faster than anything we had ever galloped before. I'd explain that with all my might I tried to stop her but couldn't. I'd say that screaming profanity in my last attempt to keep my head clear worked. But that's the story world.
The truth? Rosie did run off with me, and I couldn't get her to stop. But most importantly, I came too close to losing her. As Rosie stumbled in a gopher hole, as we were both launched forward, as the ground came frighteningly close, I realized that she meant the world to me and that if I lost her, I'd be a basket case and my heart would be so broken it could and would never be repaired.
Only after finally coming to a stop did I let the tears and the reaction come. I slapped Rosie on the forehead and yelled, "What the hell was that?" I blamed it on anger as adrenaline and tears flowed through me. Then, as we were going through a gate, I really lost it. I don't even know what happened. Some how though, we knocked hard against the gate, Rosie reared and I jumped off and lost all self-preservation. I was screaming, and crying and punishing Rosie as if this was all her fault. I couldn't stop myself.
As I walked back to the barn beside Rosie, I allowed myself to slow down. I attempted to clear my head and I realized that what I was feeling wasn't anger. It was something so pure that I couldn't come to terms with it, much less find a name for it. I realized that I had reacted because I had come inches away from losing my best friend.
Every time I thought I got my feelings under control, Rosie would turn and look at me with a look I can't even explain. One that said, "I don't know what the hell is going on with you and I don't understand why I am being punished, but I think I still trust you." And no matter how hard I tried to keep myself under control I would cry all over again.
I understood today, just how much Rosie means to me. I have given her my heart and slowly in exchange, she is giving me pieces of hers.
This post really sucks, but I blame it on the fact that this isn't something I can convert or condense into text. All this came from the heart and honestly that's where it should stay. As Gabbi said, "If today is the worst its ever been, than you can count on tomorrow being better."
I love Rosie with ALL my heart. She is my closest, dearest and best friend. She is the one who is always there. She's the one that shows me the world on her back...
And there is something to be said about that.
"I'm not angry, I'm just annoyed.
I came too close to losing you.
You really scared me today.
I don't think you realize how much you mean to me.
Actually, you probably mean too much to me.
You posses so much of my heart that there is hardly any room for anyone else,
And you may not be listening to me, but I know you've heard me,
And that's all that matters.
I love you with all my heart Rosie."
~A conversation I had with my Rosie
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Once in a Lifetime
You know those moments that you can't plan for or possibly expect? Those moments that will happen once in a lifetime and be lodged in your memory for years to come? The moments that you so desperately wish to recreate but your efforts only result in failure?
Last night, Rosie and I had one of those moments. It was beautiful and absolutely amazing. The sky was dark and threatened rain. Lighting was flashing its presence over the distant hills.
A perfect setting for a dance...
Together, Rosie and I walked back to her pasture. Simultaneously we began to run and then without a word, I was running flat out and beside me, Rosie kept pace in a free and wild canter. We were caught. As I ran, she turned circles around me, spun on her haunches, reared.
We were dancing...
At that moment in time, nothing else mattered. A laugh, a cry escaped from my mouth. I could feel the rhythm. Rosie pawed, snorted. She was powerful. Thunder sounded and rain began to fall.
At the gate, both of us stopped; breathless. As I took off Rosie's halter, she looked at me; just for a second, but I saw it. And it was enough. I understood her and she understood me and that was all that mattered.
The moment passed as quickly as it had come, and Rosie spun and galloped off to join her pasture mates in the field. It was all I could do not to cry. I stood and watched her run. Her mane, tail and spirit were wild. The sun attempted to peek through the clouds. The weak light danced on Rosie's body. She gleamed and she knew it.
Her spirit may be wild and free, but together, our spirits are one. Just for a moment but its there. She has given me her heart, in exchange for mine.... And I will be forever grateful.
Last night, Rosie and I had one of those moments. It was beautiful and absolutely amazing. The sky was dark and threatened rain. Lighting was flashing its presence over the distant hills.
A perfect setting for a dance...
Together, Rosie and I walked back to her pasture. Simultaneously we began to run and then without a word, I was running flat out and beside me, Rosie kept pace in a free and wild canter. We were caught. As I ran, she turned circles around me, spun on her haunches, reared.
We were dancing...
At that moment in time, nothing else mattered. A laugh, a cry escaped from my mouth. I could feel the rhythm. Rosie pawed, snorted. She was powerful. Thunder sounded and rain began to fall.
At the gate, both of us stopped; breathless. As I took off Rosie's halter, she looked at me; just for a second, but I saw it. And it was enough. I understood her and she understood me and that was all that mattered.
The moment passed as quickly as it had come, and Rosie spun and galloped off to join her pasture mates in the field. It was all I could do not to cry. I stood and watched her run. Her mane, tail and spirit were wild. The sun attempted to peek through the clouds. The weak light danced on Rosie's body. She gleamed and she knew it.
Her spirit may be wild and free, but together, our spirits are one. Just for a moment but its there. She has given me her heart, in exchange for mine.... And I will be forever grateful.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
A Jump Lesson
Today, at 6:00 p.m. Nancy showed up at my barn for a jump lesson. I quickly brushed and saddled Rosie as Nancy set up a small set of jumps.
Nancy and I started with a flatwork warm-up. Because I have had minimum actual jump training, I have developed some habits of my own, some good and some mostly bad. So, instead of having my hands down at the pommel of the saddle, they are kept up on Rosie's crest. Instead of having locked elbows I have "buttery" elbows that maintain a soft but contacted line from Rosie's bit to my elbows.
An excellent step in Rosie's training occurred today as well. Rosie managed to learn and execute an amazing walk-to-canter transition. We started by first backing Rosie up a couple of steps, then walking forward for a few steps and then immediately asking for a canter transition. It works like this, when a horse backs up, they have to roll back onto their haunches and it requires an inordinate amount of hind leg action in order for them to execute it. So we back Rosie up to get her on her haunches then walk her forward a couple of steps so she has some balance on her front feet but most of her weight is behind. Then as I ask for the canter, she has all the energy she needs from behind to pick up the canter flawlessly! (Well, mostly flawlessly!) She got it the first time and the entire hour lesson, she could pick it up without having to back up first!! I love my horse!!
We jumped for half the lesson, and lets just say that was the more frustrating portion of the lesson. She was SOOO grumpy today! I owe it partly because I pulled her away from her dinner, but maybe she's having a bit of PMSing going on! She is a mare after all! We had a cross rail, a 2' vertical and a row of barrels set up. We managed to jump the cross rail sort of pretty. Then we had an enormous amount of trouble with the 2' vertical! She ran out on it two times in a row, so with some frustrating correction, we finally managed to jump it. It wasn't pretty, just the opposite actually, but hey! she went over it! With a few minutes left, we threw together a small course, went through it, managed to jump it clean..ugly..but clean. I do have to give credit to Rosie though. Since we started training with Nancy (I also give a HUGE thanks to Nancy!), Rosie has cleaned up her jump and can jump more than two jumps in a row and never hit a pole! YAY ROSIE!!
Anyway, Rosie and I have our ups and downs and as frustratingly annoying as they are, they come with the horse world territory. Everything can't and WON'T be perfect. But what would a horse be if they were perfect? Heck, what would a person be if they were perfect? The bond between horse and rider is a journey. At least, that's what I believe. If you didn't have something to work on, or frustrate you, how BORING would going out to the barn be if you knew what to expect?!
Nancy and I started with a flatwork warm-up. Because I have had minimum actual jump training, I have developed some habits of my own, some good and some mostly bad. So, instead of having my hands down at the pommel of the saddle, they are kept up on Rosie's crest. Instead of having locked elbows I have "buttery" elbows that maintain a soft but contacted line from Rosie's bit to my elbows.
An excellent step in Rosie's training occurred today as well. Rosie managed to learn and execute an amazing walk-to-canter transition. We started by first backing Rosie up a couple of steps, then walking forward for a few steps and then immediately asking for a canter transition. It works like this, when a horse backs up, they have to roll back onto their haunches and it requires an inordinate amount of hind leg action in order for them to execute it. So we back Rosie up to get her on her haunches then walk her forward a couple of steps so she has some balance on her front feet but most of her weight is behind. Then as I ask for the canter, she has all the energy she needs from behind to pick up the canter flawlessly! (Well, mostly flawlessly!) She got it the first time and the entire hour lesson, she could pick it up without having to back up first!! I love my horse!!
We jumped for half the lesson, and lets just say that was the more frustrating portion of the lesson. She was SOOO grumpy today! I owe it partly because I pulled her away from her dinner, but maybe she's having a bit of PMSing going on! She is a mare after all! We had a cross rail, a 2' vertical and a row of barrels set up. We managed to jump the cross rail sort of pretty. Then we had an enormous amount of trouble with the 2' vertical! She ran out on it two times in a row, so with some frustrating correction, we finally managed to jump it. It wasn't pretty, just the opposite actually, but hey! she went over it! With a few minutes left, we threw together a small course, went through it, managed to jump it clean..ugly..but clean. I do have to give credit to Rosie though. Since we started training with Nancy (I also give a HUGE thanks to Nancy!), Rosie has cleaned up her jump and can jump more than two jumps in a row and never hit a pole! YAY ROSIE!!
Anyway, Rosie and I have our ups and downs and as frustratingly annoying as they are, they come with the horse world territory. Everything can't and WON'T be perfect. But what would a horse be if they were perfect? Heck, what would a person be if they were perfect? The bond between horse and rider is a journey. At least, that's what I believe. If you didn't have something to work on, or frustrate you, how BORING would going out to the barn be if you knew what to expect?!
My First Show!!
After one year of hard work to prepare Rosie for a show (plus about 14 more years of dreaming about showing), Rosie and I finally attended our first hunter/jumper show. On Wednesday evening, my trainer, Nancy, Rosie and I packed up and headed to the horse park. After 2 hours of elbow grease, shampoo, conditioner and dollops of bleach shampoo, Rosie gleamed as she backed out of the trailer and stepped down onto horse showing grounds!! After checking in and claiming a stall, I saddled Rosie up and we all headed down to the arena for our warm-up. The jumps were just as I had imagined them. Fresh coats of paint and new fake flowers adorned the jumps. Rosie and I had never jumped anything like this in our lives! At home, we jumped barrels and hay stacks. In the warm-up arena, a HUGE bay horse was jumping several large jumps which didn't help the feeling of "patheticness" as Nancy and I lowered a few of the jumps to cross rails and 2' verticals. After a somewhat frustrating start to warm-up, Rosie and I managed to pull ourselves together and finish on a good note. As the sun set on the Nampa foothills, Rosie settled in for the night and Nancy and I headed home.
At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, I greeted Rosie and threw her hay, which quieted her hungry nickers. While she ate, I groomed and braided her long mane into a gorgeous Spanish braid, which managed to stay in just long enough until we reached the show ring at around 8:30 a.m. Horses of all sizes and colors patiently waited for their class. As we waited for the Jumper ring to be set up, we watched the Hunters in the far ring clearing the course one by one with clean jumps. My first class was the 2' jumper; third on the list. My butterflies were fluttering so fast that they were literally bumping against the walls of my stomach. Finally, my class started and I was 4th on the list of competitors. As the third rider was finishing her course, Nancy and I walked to the gate of the arena. Nancy gave me a quick run-down about, "Keep your hands up, remember those half-halts and most importantly, have fun. You guys are gonna' do fine!" Those were the best words to hear before, "In the ring we now have # 152......" Rosie and I went through the course of 8 jumps with flying colors and a clear round. Then we went directly into the Jump-off. On jump # 5 we knocked down one pole. Disappointing but not heart-shattering. We finished and were congratulated with ample compliments and a HUGE smile from Nancy. The last competitor did her round and her jump-off and then we all waited to hear the placings. I GOT THIRD!! I could barely speak I was so amazed that Rosie and I did that well and on our first show!! Nancy picked up my yellow third place ribbon from the announcer's table and brought it back over to our "ring-side" set-up spot. Of course as a mother, Mom had to take a picture, I admit embarrassing at the time, but looking back through the pictures of the show, I'm happy to have it! There was a quick pause in between classes while the jumps were being raised another 3" for the (my) next class; the 2'3" jumpers! Butterflies were still goin' at it, but not as bad. I'd done it once and I could DEFINITELY do it again. I was second to go in the class order and again, Nancy walked me to the gate and said, "Good Luck" and then off I went. First round was clear, and again to the jump-off we went. This time, Rosie and I cleaned up some turns and pinched time where we could. Finishing clean, we waited again until our class finished. With a collective breath from all the riders in the class, we waited for our names as the placings were called out. Rider # 152 and Desert Rose...4th!!! We got 4th!!! This time, I went to collect my ribbon, and again Mom took a picture (which I am delighted to have..NOW.. and is actually one of my favorites.) With smiles and congratulations from friends and family, we headed back to the barn, packed up and headed home with grins on our faces!
Now, Rosie and I are keeping in shape and preparing for the next show in August. I must make a special note to my friends Rebecca and her mom, Lisa, for trekking down from Idaho City to come watch me. I would also like to extend special thanks to Rebecca for taking some AMAZING shots of Rosie and me as we jumped our courses. My mom says that my great experience at a show could be a bad thing. The reason? Means I am hooked on showing and I am CERTAINLY gonna' do it again!!!!
At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, I greeted Rosie and threw her hay, which quieted her hungry nickers. While she ate, I groomed and braided her long mane into a gorgeous Spanish braid, which managed to stay in just long enough until we reached the show ring at around 8:30 a.m. Horses of all sizes and colors patiently waited for their class. As we waited for the Jumper ring to be set up, we watched the Hunters in the far ring clearing the course one by one with clean jumps. My first class was the 2' jumper; third on the list. My butterflies were fluttering so fast that they were literally bumping against the walls of my stomach. Finally, my class started and I was 4th on the list of competitors. As the third rider was finishing her course, Nancy and I walked to the gate of the arena. Nancy gave me a quick run-down about, "Keep your hands up, remember those half-halts and most importantly, have fun. You guys are gonna' do fine!" Those were the best words to hear before, "In the ring we now have # 152......" Rosie and I went through the course of 8 jumps with flying colors and a clear round. Then we went directly into the Jump-off. On jump # 5 we knocked down one pole. Disappointing but not heart-shattering. We finished and were congratulated with ample compliments and a HUGE smile from Nancy. The last competitor did her round and her jump-off and then we all waited to hear the placings. I GOT THIRD!! I could barely speak I was so amazed that Rosie and I did that well and on our first show!! Nancy picked up my yellow third place ribbon from the announcer's table and brought it back over to our "ring-side" set-up spot. Of course as a mother, Mom had to take a picture, I admit embarrassing at the time, but looking back through the pictures of the show, I'm happy to have it! There was a quick pause in between classes while the jumps were being raised another 3" for the (my) next class; the 2'3" jumpers! Butterflies were still goin' at it, but not as bad. I'd done it once and I could DEFINITELY do it again. I was second to go in the class order and again, Nancy walked me to the gate and said, "Good Luck" and then off I went. First round was clear, and again to the jump-off we went. This time, Rosie and I cleaned up some turns and pinched time where we could. Finishing clean, we waited again until our class finished. With a collective breath from all the riders in the class, we waited for our names as the placings were called out. Rider # 152 and Desert Rose...4th!!! We got 4th!!! This time, I went to collect my ribbon, and again Mom took a picture (which I am delighted to have..NOW.. and is actually one of my favorites.) With smiles and congratulations from friends and family, we headed back to the barn, packed up and headed home with grins on our faces!
Now, Rosie and I are keeping in shape and preparing for the next show in August. I must make a special note to my friends Rebecca and her mom, Lisa, for trekking down from Idaho City to come watch me. I would also like to extend special thanks to Rebecca for taking some AMAZING shots of Rosie and me as we jumped our courses. My mom says that my great experience at a show could be a bad thing. The reason? Means I am hooked on showing and I am CERTAINLY gonna' do it again!!!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Rosie
I wanted a horse for as long as I could remember. I dreamt of having a stunning freisian or a prancing arabian, or something along that line. Finally on Friday, April 16, 2009, after nearly 14 years of constant asking, begging and waiting, my mom and I went to the Idaho Horse Expo to look for MY horse. Inside, I felt anxious, excited and uncontrollably happy. I remember stepping into the sale barn, people were roaming looking for prospects, horses were neighing nervously and some were being "test-driven" in the many round corrals. I scanned the sale program, looking at the multitudes of horses for sale, I chose one that sounded like a possibility and off we went to find his stall. The horse was a HUGE cremello paint. His black mane and tail had been primly shortened to the preferred show length and his goregous fur had been shaved for the summer. His magnificent head watched as I talked to the rugged cowboy selling him. When I finally did mount him in a round corral, I realized how ridiculous I looked in blue riding breeches, brown leather chaps and an McU T-shirt on this, without a doubt, western horse. Nonetheless, I rode him both directions, in all three gaits, and instantly knew he wasn't the one. I politely thanked the weatherbeaten cowboy and continued on. For three or four more hours, I conversed with nearly every owner and rode nearly every horse there. None "clicked" and I became more and more disapointed and worried that I would come home that evening back at Square numero uno. It was 5 o' clock in the evening, horses were being fed and blanketed for the night. As I sat at a table over looking the now empty round pens, feeling quite upset, a cute little brown and white paint horse was led in front of me. I watched her and then turned to my mom and asked, "Did I ride that one?" Mom said, "nope." I quickly got to my feet in a renewed hope that came with finding one more horse. Mom followed behind letting out a barely audible *sigh* no doubt thinking, "Great. Just as I thought we were leaving." I approached the owner and again began the routine of friendly hello's followed by an informative succesion of questions and answers about the horse. After some gentle persuading I was allowed to ride the little paint. Holding the lead rope to her halter, I threw on my old english saddle and mounted up in the deserted round corral. The sun radiated light on the plumes of dust billowing out behind us as we circled in the arena. The wind gently blew through the open-ended tent filled with the sounds of muffled chomping and contented and tired sighs of the stabled horses. I brought the little paint back to a walk and then stopped and just sat for a moment. Her ears shot foward and she let out a neigh to the silent world around us. It felt right. As the sun set and I leaned foward to wrap my arms around the little mare's neck. I quietly turned to the owner and said, "She's the one."It was a fairy tale ending to the day. Im not one to believe in decided fate but that one moment, I do believe was fate. I just happened to be sitting at that one table at the right time. She isn't a purebred friesian, or a stunning arabian with a gleaming coat. She is a stocky, brown and white paint with a little bit of black in her mane and tail and a cute brown spot right in the middle of her white back. Her gentle eyes clearly enjoy the rubs behind her ears and underneath her forelock. She is absolutely perfect.
On Saturday she was checked by a vet and cleared with flying colors. Then on Sunday, I rode her once again but this time, she was MY little paint mare. Outside the round corral, mom signed the bill of sale, paid the $1300 for her and she officially became mine. My Desert Rose. My Rosie. My dream horse.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
In The Beginning
In the beginning, horses were magnificent creatures that I could quietly observe from the many books I collected from birthdays, at Christmas and from those occasional trips to Barnes & Nobles or Borders. When I was six, I moved from the hustle and bustle of Houston, TX to the quiet, peaceful wonderful Idaho. During that 8 day drive, half way across the country, horses became a constant and comforting thought. As the world I knew flew past my window at 60 miles an hour on a hot, cracked highway, I imagined chestnut stallions, with tails flying and heads held high, racing past my car window. Their gallant pride displayed like treasures in a store window. As we came further up North and the flat desert became studded with rocky mountains and grassy hills, I pictured myself galloping up those gorgeous hills on a spirited buckskin mare. Her dark, chocolate mane streaming by my face and her equally luscious tail streaming behind us like a royal flag. For 8 years, thoughts and dreams such as those ran vividly through my mind. Horses became more of an obsession than something I just liked. For 8 years, I dreamt of owning a horse; a horse that would live in my backyard, greet me at the fence, be my best and most constant friend. I think without a doubt, being in love with a horse is the most forgiving, never-ending and amazing relationship you will ever have.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)