Going Gold Again

Saddle Seat Wednesday

 

Medal for points gained at last year’s shows. ASHA Academy Awards Program

Once you work your way up to gold, you can earn a new gold each year. There is a second tier, the Academy Master Medal Awards Program, “which encourages participation in promotion, education, and continued involvement with the American Saddlebred.” ASHA Youth Awards

I’ll leave speeches and club activities to the kids. I already have enough issues with competing in a beginner/youth division. Yes, I ride in adult classes. No, there are no up&out rules or time limits. Still, I’d rather be swimming with the big fish. That’s not happening at the moment. As I’ve said before, I am stuck in Academy limbo; at least I have Academy limbo to be stuck in. [Show Report]

Excuse me, what I meant to say was ‘How nice of them to send me an award.’

[I Get Gold]
[Loving The Loot], My Academy Award

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Milton Medical Update, One Month Out, with Picture

Milton & his leg are doing great. The wound is dry, clean, and shrinking rapidly.

Surgery was 4 & 1/2 weeks ago on Friday 2/9. The first medical post was on Tuesday 2/13 [Update]. After that, the stitches gradually lost hold. This was not desirable, but not unexpected. On Friday morning 2/16, Milton had mild colic symptoms, most likely brought on by 8 days of stall rest. Vet did not seem surprised to hear from us. A shot of Banamine, wait for the poop, and Milton was good to go. Since then, it has been smooth sailing.

Milton has been back to work for the last three weekends (out of five since the surgery) and the last two weeks (out of four) [What’s Up With Milton]. I use the term “work” advisedly. On weekends, he gives the old lady pony rides or pulls the light cart for a few minutes. During the week, we go for walks. Leg/injury is unaffected by work. It’s more a matter of Milton being out of shape from having had surgery & time off.

Question. I have been taking daily photos to record progress, starting with the day of the surgery. Would you be interested in seeing the series? Don’t worry, I would tuck them behind a link. I wouldn’t spring that much gore on you without warning. Medically interesting or TMI?

Not too shocking, I hope. After what we’ve seen over the month, this looks great to us.

 

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

A Tale of Two Tums

We are stuffing Rodney with ranitidine and Maalox-equivalents (cheaper). We tried stopping. Not so much luck. He’s back on, at least for the duration of the cold snap. [What’s Up]

We are stuffing me with Zantac and Maalox (I prefer the taste). Zantac has joined hot showers and Tylenol in my arsenal of a mood lifters. [Pre-Show: A Change in Attitude]

Horse and rider on the same meds. Perhaps it is something in the air.
~~~
If I may whine, for a moment. I held a grumpfest last weekend. Exactly a year ago, I stayed home from a show that offered seven, that’s 7!, classes in order to be ready for Rodney’s first dressage lesson [Lesson]. Not only did that not pan out [Dubious Future], the aborted attempt appears to have taken my saddle seat along with it [I Do It All, But Not as Well As Milton Does]. I know, I know, I’m lucky and my life is wonderful. I’m hitting myself with the gratitude stick [A Look Inside My Head]. Frustration is still frustration.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Letter Art, AlphaBooks: X is for Xavier


 

Winning Colors
Elizabeth Moon
Baen 1995
“… the frontier world of Xavier (which specializes in horses).” Wiki

Genre: Science Fiction
Old Favorite
Did I reread it? No. Stopped halfway. Perfectly decent book. More military/political machinations than I was in the mood for during Milton’s rehab.
Horse Factor: Read enough to remember that horses are an amusing but minor plot element. How long would you continue to compete if you could live forever?

Moon On RS
Fantasy & Science Fiction Cover Art

Process Notes: Bézier curves. I alternated between being amazed at Inkscape and wanting to heave my computer against the wall.
~~~
Past Letters


 
[2017, 2016, 2015]

2018 Alphabet


 
[Z is for Zigby]
[Y is for Yoors]
[Project Explanation 2017]
[Looking for Letters 2018]

This year, I’m using names of horses (& one planet) in books as well as authors of books. Otherwise, I’ll run out of letters. I’ve already had to with Z, both this year & last. Which books would you choose?

Why reverse alphabetical? Why not? [2015 Alphabet On the ordering of the alphabet]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Foto Friday: Instagram February 2018

Last month’s Instagram from @rodneyssaga. Previous month [January 2018]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Winter Tournament Banquet 2018, Driving

Driving Thursday

(Continued from yesterday) … as it turned out, I won!


 

Alabama Winter Tournament Association, Facebook Group
End of Series Award
Academy Driving – 1st of 2
Thank you to the Wamble family for Alvin and to Courtney Huguley for Whiskey.

In the case of fewer blue ribbons versus a greater number of reds, it depends on the points assigned to each. Sometimes the math goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t.

Obligatory Grip & Grin
Photo by Courtney Huguley

I was out of proportion pleased to find out I won the division. As I made my way sedately and maturely back to my seat, I wanted to hug the award blanket to my chest and never let go. Admitting to an inner age of 12 may be an overestimation. 8? 6? 4?

[Show Reports: NACHS 2017 & Winter Tournament 2017-18 #1, Driving]
[Show Report: Winter Tournament 2017-18 #2, Driving]
[Winter Tournament posts]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott