When I’m grooming Milton, I will slooowly reach toward his head with a brush. He stands there. Then I remember Milton is not head-shy; I can brush his head like any other part of his body.
I take Milton for a walk. He utterly fails to get uptight. (Unless, of course, we encounter a flock of turkeys, or a storm blows in, or other horse-alert events.) The response to the average walk varies between, ‘Meh.’ and ‘Why are we doing this?’ Milton has his moments (see above). Trudging around the perimeter of his own field is not one of them.
This is all on the ground. If-and-when I ever ride them (HA!), it will be interesting to see how the two horses compare & contrast.
If you ride more than one horse regularly, do you tend to a type? Or do you enjoy variety?
This is Rodney on the same hill last week, a mere five years later.
I don’t waaaaana. It’s too much wooooork.
On the way up, he stopped repeatedly. Not from concern, rather from the fact that his hooves were glued to the ground.
Slow, plodding progress.
~~~
Horsekeeping note: the angle of the light makes Rodney look ribby. He actually looks pretty good, for a Thoroughbred, at least for one of my Thoroughbreds. I’ve never had one who knew how to blimp out.
Top & center: MOCs (my own creations) by others. Not much equine this year. Subjects wax and wane. This year, less castle, rural, horse-appropriate; more military & Star Wars.
Bottom: Models added to my herd. Shopping at brick-specialist vendors is an important part of BrickFair.
Recently, Greg & I were asked to help with a driving activity. It made me realize how padded our driving resume is.
On one hand, we both drive in two disciplines. I have competed for several years in one, and have practiced in the other. Greg has competed in both. The photographic evidence is pretty darn slick.
Alvin Ailey & Katherine ACCHS 2016 Terry Young PhotographyLyricc, Greg & Katherine MTCC Driving Derby 2016 Photo by Kate Bushman
On the other hand, we have never been without an experienced horse to drive and an experienced coach to catch problems before they happen. Most (all?) of the horses, we have sat behind know far more about driving than we do.
We are certainly not ready to fly solo. As exhibit A, I offer the hash we made the one time we designed a marathon obstacle. Our set-up was illegal from the get go, then I eliminated myself twice. [Show Report II: DRIVING]
All this is as it should be. It makes sense to seek help with a new activity. I’m thrilled with the opportunities we have had and proud of the progress we have made. At the same time, I need to keep in mind how protected our sandbox has been.
Two for the price of one. Last month, holiday posts bumped coverage of Winter Tournament #1.
The question: Does Robert want to be an Academy Horse? [Looking Forward SSF]
The answer: Yes. Yes, he does.
In two shows, he is undefeated with one walk-trot rider, nearly so with the other, and has won a blue at both shows with me.
More importantly, he seems to be enjoying himself. The hours are longer. The first show was 6 classes, the second show was 8. He’s probably never done that in his life. However, an Academy day is still less intense than a single suit class.
At the first show, I was next to the ingate when he came out, switched riders, and went back on the ring. His confusion was obvious. So was his willingness.
‘I’m going back in the ring?’
‘I’m going back in the ring!’
The attention and admiration of a show horse without the work of a performance horse. Sweet.
Show specifics
Winter Tournament #1 Heathermore Farm
Moody, AL
December 10, 2016
Advance Horsemanship WTC Adult – 6th of 7 with Robert
Advanced Equitation WTC Adult (Pattern) – 6th of 7 with Sam
Pleasure Horse or Pony WTC Adult – 1st of 6 with Robert
Academy Driving – 1st of 1 with Alvin
Thank you to the Wamble, Huguley & Upton families.
Robert
First class. Too tentative. Not going for it. At ringside, Coach Courtney said I was reverting to hunter riding. Husband pointed out that wasn’t huntering. It was just bad riding.
Third class. Sent into the ring with the injunction to ride like I drive, i.e. More Alvin!
Sam
Robert got a break & I did the equitation class on Sam. Patterns on Robert require finesse. When I rode this way with Sam, he wanted to know in the name of little green apples I was playing at. Note to self: when switching horses, remember to switch plans.
Alvin
Uncontested blue. Wheeeeee. Why do I bother with one-horse classes?
1) I’m competitive enough that it still feels like showing
2) It goes toward my 10,000 hours of mastery.
3) It’s fun.
~~~
Winter Tournament #2
ERA Stables and Elite Riding Academy [Facebook, Arab Tribune]
Arab, AL
January 14, 2017
Advance Horsemanship WTC Adult – 2nd of 6
Advanced Equitation WTC Adult (Pattern) – 1st of 6
Pleasure Horse or Pony WTC Adult – 4th of 6
All classes with Robert.
Thank you to the Upton & Huguley families.
… blue ribbon last time … better not f*ck it up this time … nice horse … if I screw up, it’s all me … we did this a month ago … so what … I still don’t speak Robert … what if he gets strong at the second canter like he did in my lesson? … no Sam for the pattern class … whaaa … Robert & I have never gotten all the way through the pattern …
We went in. Had three good-to-great classes. Made no major mistakes. Aced the pattern. One of my best patterns, including many that I have done with Sam.
This is why no one pays attention when I have a meltdown.
~~~
We take our showing very seriously at Team Stepping Stone.
Virtual Brush Box 