Riding
Awareness of the outside world. The ears! The stripey knees! The cuteness! Marwell Zoo: Marwell Zoo visitors treated to the birth of a rare Grevy’s zebra foal. YouTube video. Hat tip to Equine Ink: Grevy’s Zebra Foal Born in UK Zoo, who keeps coming up with good stuff and who I should probably put on retainer.
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I have signed up for No Stirrup November through Equisarte Shows.
“The main goal of the challenge is to complete the 10 rides without using stirrups for a portion or all of the ride.” Equisarte: No Stirrup November
While I can ride without stirrups, this one is not a gimme. My mounts right now are Rodney and new-to-me horses at Hunter Barn. Neither option shouts, ‘Yes, lets do weird sh*t together.’ Previous Horse? Sure. Equitation exercises at SSF? Been there, done that. [Leg Lessons]
Speaking of lesson, dropping my stirrups during lesson #2 was probably what put the idea into my head. Or more accurately, had the idea at the front of my brain when I saw the ad for the challenge. [Return of School Horse]
No Stirrup November has been around for years, but the timing never seemed right. This year it does. As with all virtual challenges, I could certainly do this on my own. It’s fun to have an external metric.
I am setting the bar super, super low. Ten rides will mean 10 times were I drop my stirrups at a halt. I will try for more than 10. I will try to do more than stand. However, 10 no-stirrup halts will qualify as mission success.
Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s a start.
Did I do this for self improvement? To have something to blog about? For the finisher ribbon? These objectives are not mutually exclusive.
Onwards!
Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Complete with photos, of course!
Eep. Running out of time for photos. Shall try to remember. Not riding with phone/camera as much now that VTevis is over.