Horses of the outside world. Guinness Book of Records: Largest Equestrian Statue. The following websites picked for pretty pictures, no promotion intended. Escape to Mongolia: Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Statue in Tuv Province (check out the boot) & Sixt: Behold the Mighty Genghis Khan Equestrian Statue: A Monumental Tribute in Mongolia.
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Optimus
Stepping Stone Farm
9 April 2026
Five months since last ASB ride. [A Lovely Lesson That Will Have To Last A While]
Boogie
Stepping Stone Farm
10 April 2026
Five months since last drive. [Learning My Aids, Driving Lesson]
Riding Lesson
Lovely.
Not the first time I have ridden well after time away. Lower expectations? I’m relaxed because I figure it’s been while & we’ll get what we get? Then, when I’m riding regularly, I try hard – or try too hard – and get in my own way? Would not be out of character.
Driving Lesson
Did you know that you can use the reins to shift the horse’s weight? From the cart? True story.
But seriously folks. Making the gradual progression from passenger to driver.
Before Riding Lesson I
Nerves came roaring back.
I had none with before my lesson with Goldy last week. [Back In The Saddle II, Lesson]
Now that the show is no longer on horizon, I was back to where I was with Razzy.
“In contrast, I was not the slightest bit nervous before my hunt seat lesson with Razzy a few days before. No big deal. Gonna get on, stroll around, have a lovely time with an adorable pony … What exactly do I think I am doing in a saddle seat lesson?” [Lesson and Thoughts Thereon]
What is it with Saddlebreds?
one. ASB ears. One of first things I said about Saddlebreds in a post about my first lesson, aggravated by all the years with the two drama kings, who can pull a hissy fit out of thin air.
“Picture a horse with a high head, bulging eyes and ears so alert they almost touch. In a Thoroughbred this means lift-off is imminent. In a Saddlebred, it means hello.” [Sam I Am]
two. Predictability. With Goldy I know which horse I will be riding. I like certain. I like riding & building a bond with one horse.
three. Maybe I don’t understand, on a deep level, what is going on? In language. I’m good with words. English words. Less good when the same ideas are expressed with different sounds. Perhaps I am tied to one way of expressing riding principles.
Before Riding Lesson II
Fortunately my tie downs were with the jod straps. Would totally have left home without them. How quickly they forget. Other things I forgot. Gloves. Stick. Things I had to remind self. Pinkies in. Stick starts in left hand (swap, rather than stay in right hand all the time). Outside rein, outside leg to canter. This I say out loud. [Side By Side]
Before Driving Lesson
Mildly concerned beforehand. Coaches Courtney and James let me ease into the lesson. Boogie was his usual stellar self.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 