Horses & Other Interests
The word for today is Filler. Last week, I rode six lessons in four days, competed in an intra-barn horse show, then worked a birthday party. This week, more of same. Awesome but exhausting.
It’s that time of year when home horses, husband, & house get put on the back burner while I squeeze in as much saddle seat progress as possible before the end of October. [Let the Madness Begin, Again]
Photo taken at Whip Hand Farm, Franklin, TN.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Note to self: Clean out feed shelf more often. We stopped using this in 2013 [Zeno]. Was it really that long ago? That is some serious fugiting by tempus.
Second note to self: As the days get shorter, golden hour moves up accordingly. Schedule the day so that I am not chasing the setting sun into the pasture. Hard to convince them that my photo backdrop is not their hay snack.
2016 Alphabet
T is for Training Level
S is for Swim
R is for Reins
Q is for Quote
P is for Polo Wraps
O is for Opinion
N is for Nature
M is for My Missing Motivation
L is for Leadline
K is for Knabstrupper
J is for Jenny’s Jodhpurs
I is for I Love You
H is for Halter
G is for Ghost Gallery
F is for Fence
E is for Eventing
D is for Do
C is for Carrot
B is for Brush
A is for Apple
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Bring
One’s
Openmindedness
To
Class
And
Make
Progress
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Valhalla Farm
Woodbury, TN
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Practice Round & First Trip:
Second Trip:
Photos by Elizabeth Hickman, Nashville, TN, and Kate Bushman, Franklin, TN
Videos by Darren Murphy, Bethpage, TN
Show Details
Middle Tennessee Carriage Club Driving Derby
Valhalla Farm
Woodbury, TN
September 24, 2016
Greg & Lyricc, Katherine as navigator
Preliminary Horse: 1st of 1
Preliminary Division: 3rd of 5
(Winner of the division was the small but mighty Hero [Watching from the Sidelines].)
Kudos to Coach Kate, Whip Hand Farm, for the coaching, the cart, and the loan of the amazing Lyricc.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
This is for those of us who need gizmos to tie up your riding pants. (Explanation for those of you with britches, or with no riding pants at all. Saddle seat pants hang below the heels when riding. When one dismounts, one needs elastic bands to keep the pants from dragging on the ground. Some of us like to jazz up our jod straps.)
I bought these straps [Giveaway] from The Little Chic Pony Boutique as an add-on when I bought supplies for a lettering post [P is for Polo Wraps]
Look carefully at the left strap. The outer material completely covers the inner elastic. Usually the outer covering is a simple sleeve.
I noticed the feature. I made sure it was in the photo. I put them aside for showing and didn’t think beyond that. Then I used them. Suddenly I didn’t have to worry about the elastic snapping back into the sleeve. With the standard model, idle straps have to be vigilantly kept closed to prevent this.
Magnifiqué!
If they came with more vibrant color &/or bling, I wouldn’t buy anywhere else.
Disclosure: No back room deal. No contact with seller other than through sales and commenting on her blog, Riding like a Lady Truck Driver. I just really like the straps.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
I’ve given up hoping for a turning point with Rodney. Oh, I still wish for a sudden explosion of fairy dust that will have us hopping him carting me over 3′ 6″ with aplomb. But I don’t live my life waiting for it. He is who he is.
So we putt along.
I was a hot mess [Turning Point]. Then Rodney arrived and made it worse [Square One]. I grew unable to speak up. I lost all confidence in my decisions. My wonderful, kind, supportive groundcrew would suggest I do X, Y, or Z with Rodney. I didn’t have the will to say no, even if the idea made me uncomfortable. He was right. I really should be able to do X or Y or even Z. So, I’d do it, i.e. walk around the ring several times. It would go okay, but I’d be tentative. I’d be waiting for it all to go wrong.
Lately, I have been getting more assertive, mainly with myself. Yes, I should be able to do Y or Z. For now, we will do X. That’s all. Even if X means standing at the mounting block for a few minutes. For now, I am only doing what I feel secure about.
I’m also getting more assertive with Rodney. Yes, I know you prefer a hackamore. I don’t. You have not earned the cred. Therefore, you will wear a bit. Deal with it. Ditto, putting your head down by your knees. You need to convince me that you are acting out of relaxation rather than stress. Until then, head up & pay attention.
Will it last? Will it lead to progress? Time will tell.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Virtual Brush Box 