Awareness of the horse world. CBS42: 80 years ago, Alabama’s most famous horse was born, Taylor, 2022.
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Previous [Show Report ASHAA Summer Fun Series, September 2023]
Photos
Photos by Ten Toes Outdoors.
Photos by Ten Toes Outdoors. Downloaded and posted with permission. Gallery, Ten 10 Toes Outdoors: 2023 Summer Fun Show, Heathermoor Farm.
I am also in the background of the header photo on the gallery page. Hard to miss the raspberry helmet. Did not post because of the faces in the foreground, including a kid in her first leadline class.
Thoughts
I think I look great here. Which is weird because I usually hate the way I look in show photos. I look comfortable, balanced, keeping a soft contact with the horse.
However.
There is not a shred of saddle seat going on. I look like someone who has ridden in from another discipline. Amazing that after all these years, my saddle seat still evaporates like ice on a griddle.
I thought I was saddle seating. I wasn’t. This is not a new phenomenon.
You try to do the thing.
Switching Gears
You think you are doing the thing, but you are not.
You finally do the thing, and you say, ‘Oh yeah, that’s how it is supposed to feel.’
Although in this case, I never got past step 2. I erroneously thought I was doing the thing. In fact, the position didn’t even come back. I could feel myself sliding to the center of the saddle, which usually means the rest of the saddle seat is also slipping. I didn’t think the difference was noticeable. It was.
Video
Truth in advertising. I am posting this video for you. I have not watched it. I can’t bear to. No matter how much positive spin I put on, the fact remains that I lost big. [Seeing Silver Linings, Show Report]
Okay, I peeked at the driving. Optimus is such a good dude.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
Hey, you should watch the video. I thought you looked good. But what do I know from saddle seat?
I miss being able to ride.
DER
You looked pretty saddle seat-y to me. Nice legs and heels way down, and hands pleasantly held where they should be, and soft contact with bit.
Also — just more imo — you and horse looked connected, smooth; not like some of the other riders that had little problems.
Btw, glad to see an outdoor ring there, instead of confining indoor one – imo.
Hope you got a blue.
MM
I do not know anything about saddle seat, but I know we are often our own worst critics. You look great!
Thank you all. Alas, the two fourth place ribbons speak for themselves, 🤍 (white heart)