Sticking My Toe Back In The Water

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Since I have an eligible article this year, I have entered the AHP Equine Media Awards again. In 2013, my entry was a person experience essay [The Envelope, Please …]. I placed 4th out of 18. This year, I entered my profile of Phyllis LeBlanc, owner of Dark Horse Chocolates, aka Harbor Sweets [Sweet on Dressage]. The deadline is tomorrow. Results will be announced at the annual seminar in June.

Entering the contest has flexed my atrophied career muscles. I want to get back in the game. Although, I must confess this is not a new goal. I have been less than diligent.

One of my goals for 2014 was to get more paying work [7th Day]. I’ve approached it with the same intensity that I have used for horse hunting – a general willingness to be open to anything that falls into my lap. This has worked as well as you would expect.
10 Reasons to Get Paid to Write

(Shortly thereafter, Milton fell into my lap. From a fellow journalist, no less. But I digress.)

The challenge opportunity is that the industry has changed. Since 2008, staff positions have evaporated, which means more freelancers. This is what I have always done, so no big deal there. However, it also means competition from people who have done it more, if not longer, than I have.

These days, online is respectable and platforms are a must. It is no longer a matter of contacting the people with whom I used work to ask ‘Whatcha need?’ Or maybe it is that simple and I’m overthinking it. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Wish me luck.

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Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

New Equipment: Britches & Boots

My first new britches – in contrast to jods – in a decade.

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My philosophy for schooling is to get as close to show attire as I can afford. Then, I don’t have any rude surprises in the show ring. Since Rodney has no shows on his horizon, I can go for as much comfort &/or bling as I fancy.

What’s wrong my old/other clothes? I have traditional britches, but they are less comfortable and more depressing. My tall black boots have to be reheeled. The last person to work on them left nails sticking up into the soles. Need to send them off. Someday. My black half chaps have gone walk-about.

My black Ariats [Before & After] are for SSF. I maintain separate shoes, brushes, etc. to minimize cross-contamination.

I picked the pants, because flashy. Brown boots, for contrast so I know which ones to wear where. Smooth leather half chaps instead of suede because I like how they look and I hate when suede gets worn & shiny. Since the half chaps are snug, I tossed in a two pairs of zippy, thin sox, so I can keep my thin show socks with my show gear.

Bottom line? Because I wanted to.

Ariat Boots & Half Chaps
Kerrits Pants
Noble Outfitters Socks
All bought from Carousel Tack Shoppe.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Letter Art: Pen & Pastels

sketchbox-feb-2017-letters

I’ve signed up for an art supply subscription box. My first box subscription of any kind. To ensure that I try the materials at least once – pastels?! – I’ve promised myself that I will make a lettering post from each set of supplies.

SketchBox
Pan Pastels
Sofft pastel tools
Stabilo black pen
Nayana MOO eraser
Art card by Joanne Barby
Box art from Instagram @noiz2shutup
#SketchBoxFebruary

SketchBox February 2017
SketchBox February 2017

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

USDF Interview: Katherine ‘Kathie’ Robertson, USDF

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“Behind The Scenes: Katherine ‘Kathie’ Robertson, USDF”
USDF Connection
February 2017
United States Dressage Federation

 

A short interview with the association’s Education Department Manager.

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©2017 United States Dressage Federation. Used by permission. Reproduction prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

Previous Posts [Behind The Scenes]

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Show Report, Winter Tournament #3, 2017

Saddle Seat Wednesday

SSF logo

Winter Tournament #3
B&W Stables
Hartselle, AL
February 11, 2017

Advance Horsemanship WTC Adult – 6th of 7
Advanced Equitation WTC Adult (Pattern) – 5th of 7
Pleasure Horse or Pony WTC Adult – 2nd of 8
All riding classes with Robert.
Academy Driving – 1st of 1 with Alvin
Thank you to the Wamble, Upton, & Huguley families.

I hate when I forget how to ride.

Why? Who knows.
I had two excellent lessons beforehand and got complacent?
I am spending more time, at least mentally, in hunter/jumper land and got confused?
Brain fade?

For whatever reason, I spent the first two classes letting Robert push me around. The horse needs to participate in the conversation, but not lead it. Some of Robert’s ideas on Saturday included a lovely transition to counter canter and a few steps of rack. Unfortunately, those movements were not called for at this level. I kept trying to fix it. I did not succeed. Hello pastels. (I consider sixth place – green – to be pastel by association.)

Coming into the third class, I finally rediscovered a clue. Lengthen. My. Reins. I know this [LYR]. But I forget. I cannot sit back while the horse is pulling me forward. This is a tug-of-war the rider will never win. Slip a few inches of rein. Remove myself from the argument. Sit back. Organize self. Only then am I in a position – literally and figuratively – to organize the horse. Duh.

So,
I had a problem. Boo.
I fixed it. Yay.
It took me 2 & 1/2 classes to do so. Boo.

Alvin was his stellar self.

In other news, other folks had a better day. Katie [Why I Ride] swept the three Adult classes with Snippy. Go Katie! Go Snippy! Stepping Stone won 20 of the 26 classes we entered. Go Team!

Greg and I then headed up to Tennessee for a driving lesson.

Related Posts
Show Reports, Winter Tournament #1 & # 2, 2016/2017
List of Winter Tournament posts over the years

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott