Foto Friday: Horses in the City

Budweiser Clydesdales, Birmingham, AL
Budweiser Clydesdales, Birmingham, AL
Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex
Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex
Photo Op
Photo Op
Bathtime
Bathtime
Trotting for for a checkup.
Trotting for for a checkup.
Stall set-up: Hay net, salt, bucket.
Stall set-up: Hay net, salt, bucket.

As a dutiful graduate of USPC, I was concerned that the stall bars were too far apart. Possible hoof trap?

Not these hooves.
Not these hooves.

As I get older, I am less and less amused by alcohol as an activity, as a source of comedy, or as a social event [Aftermath: PSA]. Therefore, I was ambivalent about this post. On one hand, free advertising for a beer company. On the other hand, Clydesdales! Apparently, my principles crumble in the presence of a pretty face.

King greets an admirer. Photo by Judy Tavakoli
King greets an admirer.
Photo by Judy Tavakoli

Clydesdales on RS
Superbowl Sunday
Bucket List – Accomplished
Postcrossing

Barn Tour on RS
Foto Friday: Horses of Colonial Williamsburg

Update #followthehitch

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

New Equipment: MMXTreem

Saddle Seat Wednesday

saddle

Shively MMXTreem

Sold the old one [New to me]. Borrowed this one for boot camp. Liked it. Bought it.

As you can imagine, a host of hemming & hawing lurked amid those brief words. Is this brand better than that brand? New? Used? Now? Later? Never?

I wish questions had one (1) clear and correct answer. How do I pick a path among a cloud of possible options, most of which would probably work out just fine?

Bottom line: It was here. I had ridden well in it. Bird in the hand.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Grace Note

So there I was, standing in line at a gas station in Murfreesboro, TN. Soda in one hand; money in the other. Mind undoubtedly several miles away at the show grounds [Show Report].

Suddenly, the dude in front of me tells the clerk to ring up my soda. He’s going to buy it for me. Huh? What? He turns to me, explains that he tries to do something for someone every day, no matter how little.

On the contrary, I said. Not at all little. The generosity far exceeds the cost. He pays. I stand by in stunned bemusement. I thank him. We part ways.

The can in question.
The can in question.

My biggest problem? Getting up the nerve to pay it forward.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

The Rest of the Weekend

Greg & Lyricc Photo by Whip Hand Farm
Greg & Lyricc
Photo by Whip Hand Farm

While I was showing in Murfreesboro, TN, [Show Report 2016] Greg was 30 miles up the interstate in Franklin, TN, at Whip Hand Farm for a driving clinic with Robin Groves. I’m sure he had a lovely time, learned much, yadda, yadda. More importantly, how did this effect moi?

Last year, Greg drove up to Nationals for the day on Sunday. (What a guy, right?) I was a hot mess [Show Report 2015]. It helped.

iggy-rc

This year, Greg’s plan was clinic on Saturday, show on Sunday. I was undecided about going up to watch. Did I really want to sacrifice my nap time? You laugh. That nap break has become an important part of my show life. Come the day, I was so high from my second place in Saturday’s Championship class that I drove up in a haze of acetate. Only to fall asleep in my car as soon as I arrived.

I woke up in time to watch part of his class, then drive back for the evening session. I also decided that I was in a much better place mentally [Lengthen Your Reins]. Therefore, he should stay at the clinic and skip the show. Yes, I would’ve loved to have him there, but I didn’t need to have him there. Non-ASB driving is so scarce for us, he should take advantage when he can.

 

Kate & Jewel, Greg & Bliss Photo by Whip Hand Farm
Kate & Jewel, Greg & Bliss
Photo by Whip Hand Farm

Life in a two (three?) discipline household is gonna be interesting.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Letter Art: Hidden Message

nachs-2016-lettering

 
[Show Report, NACHS 2016]

Methods, note to self: Over-ink the paper in order to get deeper color on the scan. #learningmymaterials
~~~
nachs-16

Lettering
2014 Text Art: Nationals
2013 Text Art: Happy Words
List of links 2013, 2014, 2015

National Academy Championship Horse Show website

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Show Tweets, NACHS 2016

A Horse Show in 83 Tweets. [Show Report, NACHS 2016]

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Wednesday, October 28, 2016

Neil DeGrasse Tyson

Word from Mom: Sleep well. ❤️

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Word from Mom: That’s a beautiful thought. Fascinating how a horse 🐴 can make a night owl 🌚into an early bird 🐦

Word from Mom: At least you don’t have to wear polish or do you?
Me: No. Gloves.

Word from Mom: Not so smart there, Jonesey.

Word from Mom: comfort food

Word from Mom: eat dinner. 🍽 ❤️️

Word from Mom: Sushi 🍣 is good. Eating dinner is good. ‘Night. ❤️️

Friday, October 28, 2016

Word from Mom: Don’t suck is good. 🙏

Word from Mom: Good girl.

Word from Mom: Twilight Zone.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

… ever GIVE up …

Word from Mom: Way to go. 🙏

Word from Mom: Way to go! 🏇

Word from Mom: Go Greg!

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Word from Mom: Gooood morning.

Word from Mom: life is good.

Hastings House B&B on RS
Promo: Hastings House
And Now For Something Completely Different

Word from Mom: Glad you had Sunday, & not unpleased.

That was second class/eq final.
Pleasure final/first class 2,3,5 = 3rd

Word from Mom: Safe journey.

~~~
nachs-16

Show Tweets
2015 Show Tweets NACHS 2015 59 Tweets
2014 A Horse Show In 80 Tweets
2013 A Horse Show In 86 Tweets
List of links 2013, 2014, 2015

National Academy Championship Horse Show website

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott