Virtual Brush Box

Non-Horse Life

Awareness of the outside world. TWG: The World Games 2022 contributes $54,000 to Help Ukrainian Athletes and Sports, July 18, 2022.

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Sand Sculpture by John Gowdy

Did you know Tug of War used to be in the Olympics? Confession, I chose that venue from a sense of ‘What in the world?’ I enjoyed it immensely.

“The TOWA consider that tug of war certainly warrants re-introduction into the Olympic Games. The rules are easy to understand and the sport is spectator friendly. In addition, the results do not depend on subjective scoring by a panel of judges. Tug of war is accessible to everyone at all levels as the sport does not require large amounts of costly equipment, space, or bespoke sports stadia.” U.S.A. Tug of War Association: Olympics History.

They are not wrong. Having seen it live, I would go to watch Tug of War again.

My Shifts

Day 0 – online training

Day 1 – UAB, Concierge Services

Day 1.5 – BJCC, pick up uniform etc.

Day 2 – Protective Stadium, Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

Day 3 – Birmingham Southern College, Athlete Check-in & Concierge

Day 4 – BJCC, Video Archery (spectator activity), lobby outside of Floorball

Day 5 – Avondale Park, Archery/Legacy Arena, Aerobic & Rhythmic Gymnastics

Day 6 – UAB Fields, Tug of War

Since we rode in the morning, I ended up with afternoon shifts, when things tended to be quiet. I spent a lot of time preventing chairs from escaping.

My most entertaining shift was when I was positioned where I could see both warm-up and the competition. Watched folks get ready and then watched them put on their games faces as they went through the curtain.

My most useful shift was when we were in charge of keeping the coolers filled. Grabbed a handful of chilled water bottles. Wandered around the venue. Offered a bottle to anyone with a badge around their neck. Gone in minutes.

Why Working With People Is Different Than Working With Horses

Oh no, that tent leg is flapping. I must tie it down before it causes a spook. Oh…

Posts

[When Fact Is More Interesting Than Fiction]

[Walk, World Games, and Wee Mouser, This Week on Instagram]

[Volunteering for the World Games]

Links

The World Games 2022 & IWGA

AL.com: World Games had high cost, hard to measure returns for Birmingham, Garrison, Jul. 19, 2022.

“It was enough to see #Birmingham trend on Twitter on Thursday” AL.com: Archibald: Was the World Games worth it? Jul. 17, 2022.

TWG: The World Games 2022 Puts Haudenosaunee Nationals, The Inventor Of Lacrosse, On International Stage, March 8, 2022.

Fascinating. BarBend: Raw vs Equipped Powerlifting, Siem, July 10th, 2017.

In Closing

Digital flag ceremony

This is what happens when Italy (silver), Bulgaria (gold), and Hungary (bronze) win medals. Rhythmic Gymnastic, Hoop.

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. SciTech Daily: This Is Real: NASA Camera – A Million Miles Away – Shows Moon Crossing Face of Earth, Kovarik, February 5, 2022

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I remembered to get media!

Falcon Hill Farm Jumper Night Under The Lights
Falcon Hill Farm
Wilsonville AL, USA
Saturday 16 July 2022

Academy Walk Trot Equitation over poles I – 7th of 7.
Academy Walk Trot Equitation over poles II – 6th of 7
Academy Crossrails Equitation I – 3rd of 6
Academy Crossrails Equitation II – 5th of 6

All with Doctor Whooves (Rodney)

As we got ready, I tried to convince Rodney that this was schooling with ribbons. He pretended to go along but didn’t really buy into it.

In the first class, he was suspicious of the poles. He expected them to spontaneous morph into 5′ fences that he would have to jump.

In all of the classes, he cantered at least once, some times between the jumps, always around the top of the ring. At first it was exuberance. I let him roll along for a few strides. Later, when he was tired (mentally) and frustrated, he cantered because thought he was supposed to. I stayed chill and reminded him that we were trotting today.

Heading into last line of last class, I felt a wave of ‘This is easy.’ I hope some of that came from him.

A fun take on the traditional ribbon colors.

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. On the subject of mental health, 988. Put it in the mental file next to 911.

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Background. The idea of getting on a lesson horse causes me anxiety. At the moment, I am able to get on my own horse without excess stomach acid. [The Crux]

(Of course, talking about this causes my brain to suggest getting wound up about both. To which, I say Shush!)

A realization while watching a troop of beginner horses do their thing at Stepping Stone Farm.

One. I didn’t want to get on any of them. I knew this.

I was leading horses who were heading to a show to be ridden by tots. I had not the slightest interest in getting on a single one.

[Missing The Saddlebreds, Or Not]

That lead to …

Two. I have been putting ‘riding a lesson horse’ in the same bin as riding my own horse. Riding is riding, right? Both activities involve getting on a horse.

Maybe not, at least for me.

Walking into a room full of people you know is different than walking into a room full of strangers.

I can chat.

When I’m in extrovert mode, I have no problem plonking myself down at a table of strangers and introducing myself.

[More Banquet Thoughts, Where To Sit]

However, it is a separate skill.

Perhaps I need to approach getting on a lesson horse as its own activity, one that requires a different energy.

I shall have to ponder.

Onwards!
Katherine

Images
Words
Images of Words

Appaloosa Drive, Irondale AL, USA

Onwards!
Katherine

Horsekeeping

Awareness of the outside world. The world can keep track of itself for a while.

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Items
shipping wrap(s)
frozen pops

Procedure
Put on shipping wrap with lowest strap snug around fetlock.
Insert ice pops along the leg.
Fasten rest of the straps.
Voila.

I use 2 pops on each side of the leg, meaning 4 pops per leg, two legs a time, swap out 8 new frozen new pops for the back legs. I’m glad I have the economy-sized bag of ice pops, which I only bought because that’s what the store had.

Internet recommends 20-30 minutes.

Not veterinary advice. YMMV. (It’s reflex. Lotta lawyers in the family.)

Notes

Is there ever a good reason to need ice boots?

Rodney is presenting with swollen lower legs and a mild fever. Suspicion falls on a virus.

Attitude great. Treats and carrots go in the appropriate slot. No pain behaviors. Moving a bit slowly. Sound despite legs that look like tree trunks.

Rodney is the opposite of stoic. If he says he’s good, then there is nothing nowhere that is bothering him. This is the upside of dealing with a cupcake.

We anticipate that he will be fine in a few days.

Update. Milton’s legs swelled a few days later. He preferred one pop per side rather than two.

Onwards!
Katherine

Riding

Awareness of the outside world. BreyerFest this weekend.

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Two trips to Falcon Hill Farm last week.

Rodney becoming low-key about trot poles, low crossrails, and being in a ring with jump standards.

Acclimatization appears to be working. (crosses fingers)

Onwards!
Katherine