Virtual Brush Box

New Rule

The good news: Mathilda is getting stronger. The bad news: so is her willfulness. The blacksmith was here on Tuesday. Just because she could hold her own weight didn’t mean she wanted to. She was on her worst behavior for shoeing since her injury. We finally had a kerfuffle that sent the people running forContinue reading “New Rule”

Best Laid Plans

From the archives. Early ’80s. Photographer unknown. File this under – If you can’t laugh at yourself… Update Photographer: Deborah Rubin Place: Difficult Run Pony Club Horse Trials, Spring 1985 So they tell me. I’ve blocked the whole thing from my memory.

The Point Is

My state saddleseat association has a year-end points system that confused the stew out of me at first. Having spent the spring wrestling with it, I can appreciate the internal elegance. The deal is that every show gets an A, B, C, or none designation. Points are determined from this. C show: first is 8Continue reading “The Point Is”

My Confidence Has Increased

The Mental Game Moving past yesterday’s snit, the spring saddleseat shows have been good for me in more ways than simply keeping me amused until I find a new horse or figure out how to ride the one I have. Previous Horse went to a few shows in his retirement years. We even earned hi-scoreContinue reading “My Confidence Has Increased”

A Grateful Whine

A flat few days lately. Con crud. A crop of minor but motivation-sucking occurrences. Rodney being his gorgeous, useless self. Mostly, it has now been OVER A WEEK since I have ridden a horse. Hyperventilate. Withdrawal symptoms. Rage & agony. The main question is how on earth did I survive from April 2011 (the lastContinue reading “A Grateful Whine”

LAEC

League of Agricultural and Equine Centers A banner for this was smack in front of my eyes during a line-up for a class at the GIHP. I tell you, there is an association for everything! Sign visible, if blurry, in the background of 305-016-13DC – Casey McBride Photography > Horse Shows> 2013 Dixie Cup SpringContinue reading “LAEC”

Mare Update

Mathilda is fine. She goes out for a few hours each day to stock up on vitamin D. We are gathering the nerve to give her the option of going out all night by herself. This spring, every time we would talk ourselves up, it would rain. She provides just enough aggravation that we cannotContinue reading “Mare Update”