Riding
Awareness of the outside world. Alabama News Center: Alabama Power’s Baker selected Wildlife Biologist of the Year, Chandler, October 24, 2022. Photos by Meg McKinney.
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Stepping Stone Farm Fun Show
Transformer (Optimus)
10. Academy Adult WTC Showmanship – 1st of 2
11. Academy Adult WTC Equitation – 2nd of 2
Stepping Stone Farm
Chelsea AL
Saturday 29 October 2022
No show media from me. Did not have phone on me for an ears pic. No time to retrieve it. Show was moving quickly and I needed to get aboard.
Had a blast. Blew into the first class at a trot, which is tricky given the approach to the ring at SSF. You want showmanship? I’ll give you showmanship.
Did an unplanned, early seque back to trot in the first direction of the second class.
Me: (Floating along in happy canterland.)
Opt: If you aren’t going to participate, I’m not going to either.
When I haven’t ridden saddle seat in a while, I forget how much support ASBs get from the outside rein at the canter. Yeah, even unto tipping slightly to the outside.
I am now 3 for 4 with 2 horses for not keeping the canter at shows this year. Starting to think it might not be the horses.
In other news, Optimus was three different horses for this three riders.
With me, he could tell that I’d signed on for the low-drama ride. [The Comfort Ride]
Me: Go fast.
Opt: You don’t really mean that.
Me: Okay.
With his junior rider, he picked up his feet and positively sparkled. With the walk/trot beginner, he had the most adorable soft, quiet trot so as not to jar his jockey.
Optimus is such a good dude.
Milton came with for a) socialization, b) the costume class, & c) hitching. Stood by the trailer like a champ. Had a short screaming fit when he decided one of the pasture horses was his new best friend, but kept his feet in order. Stellar for costume and hitching.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
“Me: (Floating along in happy canterland.)
Opt: If you aren’t going to participate, I’m not going to either.
Me: Go fast.
Opt: You don’t really mean that.
Me: Okay.”
I had to laugh when I read those quotes! I often envision my conversations with horses while riding in much the same way! I’ve had many a time when I was happily riding along, all pleased with myself, and the horse just drops right out and transitions onto something else without my input. And I’ve also had times where I wanted to ask more from the horse, and I felt the horse clearly tell me that I couldn’t handle whatever it is I was asking for, and I chose not to push it. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face and letting me know I am not the only one who has these types of convos with horses. 🙂
Optimus sounds like a wonderful dude!
People who say horses cant talk just aren’t listening.
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🙂
Remember when you rode Priney in that event and she told you in no uncertain terms what she thought of whole thing? If that isn’t talking then I don’t know what is, LOL.
Optimus sounds like he’s just the coolest.