Awareness of the outside world. Today is the jog at Rolex. Hey, I’m wallowing in the past over here. I can call it anything I want. [Peregrinatio in Stabilitate]
~~~
Being grumpy today. May want to come back tomorrow.
Let us posit three categories of horse activity.
Well, that sucked pond water! The bad day, however you define bad. Hopping about like a wind-up toy. The aborted lesson. I don’t not mean true disaster. That would be level zero. I mean a bad ride that everyone walks away from.
Hey, you weren’t horrible! The so-so day. Better than it could have gone. Perhaps glimmers of progress.
What a star! The good day, however you define good. Everyone shows up for work. As simple as schooling rides where small training steps were taken. Would also include the excellent days. Those rides, shows, days that you remember for years and become part of your horse’s personal story.
I think this is one reason I was so reactive during last week’s lesson. [Well, That Lesson Did Not Go The Way I Hoped It Would]
The home team has given us too many bad days and not enough good days. ‘You weren’t horrible’ works as motivation for only so long and then it starts to wear you down.
Have you seen the video going around of Tiger Roll at the Parade of Legends? The horse is hopping up or kicking out every stride. The two – yes two – people leading him do not seem surprised. This is taking place as part of the Grand National, which he won. Twice.
A while back I mentioned Vanir Kamira, a PITA who is a legendary event horse. [Lecturing Milton]
When I say PITA, don’t take my word for it, Eventing Nation: “A Pain in the Arse 362 Days of the Year”: Looking Back on Vanir Kamira’s Career on Her Retirement, Berendt 2023.
If memory serves, there was a ASB mare who left behind a “graveyard of carts” from her training. This tidbit was related at the post-show interview after she won the Five-Gaited Stake at Louisville. I believe it was CH Callaway’s Annabel Allison, although this article does not mention any carts, “mare … took persistence to develop.” Horse Stars Hall of Fame: CH Callaway’s Annabel Allison.
The lows don’t have to be quite that low, nor do the highs have to be quite that high.
Sam had a habit of acting up in the victory pass of our academy classes. One class at North Georgia, there are no photos of the victory pass because he bolted the entire length of the ring. After winning the class. You gotta to give the people something. [The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly, Show Report & Photos, Mid-South Spring Premiere 2018, Riding, photo proof]
I’ve said this before about Milton. “Dude needs to step up.” [Sour Side Up, Milton 2019] & “If one is going to be difficult, it is wise to give the humans something in return.” [Lecturing Milton 2023]
Rodney’s hissy fit and de facto retirement have aggravated the issue. [Rodney Is Sent to the Horse House]
We are a product of our history. My riding over the last too many years has included too much pond water and too much not-so-horrible. It has an effect.
Wasn’t sure I was gonna include this part. Warts & all right? I have not managed a simple walk-trot-canter ride on a horse other than Optimus in a year & a half. That includes the two I care for daily and three horses ridden just fine by other folks.
That’s something to be grumpy about.
I’ve been riding way too long do be doing this poorly.
I did warn you.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Louise
Thank you.
Tough stuff. Hugs.
Thank you.