Virtual Brush Box

Tailspin, How Art Thou?

It’s been a while since I had good, solid snit about Rodney’s current position in the universe. So, last week I had a long wallow in pointless angst. It was a shallow puddle, but lasted most of the week. Not sure if this is better or worse that the brief but bottomless chasms of despair.Continue reading “Tailspin, How Art Thou?”

Horse Shopping: The Endless Loop

Going out to look at a horse today (Sunday 8/11/13). He is half-brother* to a horse I like, so fingers crossed. Possible scenarios: 1) WTF? Seriously? Do you have any idea how lame/burned-out/awesomely badly trained your horse is? At any price? Much less the thunderously astronomical price you are asking? Perplexingly, this is the situationContinue reading “Horse Shopping: The Endless Loop”

Auction Action

(Follow-up to announcement post.) Although the auction took place at the American Saddlebred Museum, the top seller was of a jumping horse: Reported in the July Extra 2013 issue of Show Horse:

Conversations With My Stomach

At horse shows, I am too nervous to eat. However, if I don’t eat, I come over all weak and swimmy-headed. I can rally the energy to ride but the rest of the day is as much fun as a day-old omelet. I’m also told that not eating makes me a joy and a delightContinue reading “Conversations With My Stomach”

Championship Colors

At last weekend’s show, the Championship classes had champion-style ribbons all the way through the placings. I’m familar with the blue-red-yellow of the champion ribbon and of the red-yellow-white of reserve champion. I even have a third place, year-end ribbon that is yellow-white-pink. I’ve don’t recall seeing them down to eighth. A championship ribbon isContinue reading “Championship Colors”

Show Report: ETSA Midsummer Classic, White Pine, TN

(Long post. No clear way to break into two parts. You have been warned.) Prologue I’m generous with my toys at the barn. Sorta. Need to borrow a whip? A brush? Sure. Here. No problem. However, everything is marked with my initials &/or colored tape. I make sure the lent item comes home with me.Continue reading “Show Report: ETSA Midsummer Classic, White Pine, TN”

Siesta

Different riding disciplines could learn from each other. For instance, saddleseat shows have institutionalized a break between the afternoon and evening sessions. My reference point is interminable local hunter shows that run from first warm-up straight through to the last jump of the last class. You are trapped in the middle of a vast, dustyContinue reading “Siesta”