View from the Back Seat

Driving Thursday

CD lesson May 2016 POV

 

If you do a Google image search on “combined driving marathon navigator,” you will see extra personnel being hauled around, some times standing, sometimes hanging halfway off the back of the cart.

Just as essential to these partnerships are the grooms or navigators, those second or third persons on the carriage who, though they never touch the reins or whip, provide brains and support as well as balance and ballast. ADS: Combined Driving

These are the folks who use their bodyweight to stabilize the carriage, plus, if the person is big enough, to shimmy the back end of the carriage around a tight spot. They also help the drivers remember which way to the C gate when galloping at speed through the fifth obstacle of the day.

In an ideal world, Greg would have a big burly dude, with a deft touch, and an encyclopedic knowledge of driving strategy. Instead, he gets 150 pounds of driving ignorance with a known propensity for confusing left and right.

That would be me.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Pretty Ribbon

Saddle Seat Wednesday

Louisville 2016 1st timer ribbon

Not my ribbon.

When the show is big enough, competitors get awards for participation. The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event gives a etched double old fashioned glass to everyone who crosses the finish line. Bruce Davidson must have enough glasses to host a cocktail party.

The World’s Championship Horse Show gives a ribbon to all first-time riders. This glorious specimen was one of two brought home by Stepping Stone Farm riders this year [Louisville 2016].

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Meh

Not feeling it today.

Life is good. Home horses are happy, healthy, and annoying. Greg’s driving is going well. Boot camp is kicking my butt [Madness, Blithering], as usual, even at 3 lessons a week.

Usually blog post ideas are sitting in the back of my mind waving their hands like an audience of over-hyped game show contestants. Me! Me! Write me! I’ll bring one down, see what it has to say. If an idea runs out of steam, I’ll invite another to the front. Usually takes less than 2 or 3 to find one that won’t stop talking.

It’s not one of those days where I’m drawing a blank [Why Bother Posting?]. The audience of ideas is full. But they are all sitting quietly and politely, waiting to see the show. No clamoring for attention. I stare at them. They stare at me. Crickets chirp. I wonder if this happened to Monty Hall.

Ever have days like that?
~~~
Speaking of Mr. Hall, have you heard of the Monty Hall Problem? Short answer, always switch even though you don’t wanna. Wiki, Mythbusters

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Sensitive Fellow

Milton still hates to be brushed. He doesn’t even like to be rubbed with a towel. All horses like towel.

I’ve had sensitive horses before, usually evident in the summer. My first horse was groomed with a towel in summer. Previous Horse was groomed with a hose when it was hot.

This is different. Milton doesn’t flinch away. Instead, when I bring any grooming tool near him, especially to his neck and back on the right side, he tightens the neck and back, throws his head up, gets that ugly bulgy underneck, and pins his ears. ‘I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!’ Then, once I brush him, he relaxes and chews and yawns and sighs.

The fact that he does it on the approach makes me wonder if the problem is mental, if he is anticipating.

Physically, we’ve checked for underlying skin issues. He has a gorgeously smooth sleek coat, particularly for a pasture horse. He’s shiny enough that dirt slides off. Yes, he is itchier that most horses. He adores being scratched. However, there is no evidence of hives or other skin conditions. I know perfectly healthy people who are simply itchy. You’d think this would make Milton a fan of grooming. But no.

Thoughts? Advice?

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Letter Art: S is for Swim

2016-letter-s

Current exercise regimen is swimming on days that I do not lesson. Two people have recently extolled to me how much exercise has energized their lives. Mostly, I feel tired and out of time. Endorphins are a myth.
~~~
2016 Alphabet

 

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

2015 Alphabet

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Ride PHAT for International Helmet Awareness Day

PHAT

Taken by the Roaming Reader at the welcome station in Fair Haven VT.

PHAT (Protect your Head at All Times) is a non-profit program that promotes the use of helmets in all sports where head injury is a serious risk. Its work is based on recent medical literature proving helmets work in preventing head injuries – from concussions to Traumatic Brain Injuries – that can have devastating physical, emotional and financial impacts on the injured and their loved ones. About PHAT

Downloads available, above link, scroll down.

ridephat_plate

The campaign targets ski & snowboard, bike, ATV, & longboarding. Their goal is to make helmets cool.

Helmet Advocacy Links
International Helmet Awareness Day
Riders 4 Helmets
Helmet Tough
Fallon Taylor

Previous RS Posts
2015 Networking Like A Boss, scroll down
2014 #IHAD

Roaming Reader posts
Antique Horse Toys, with list

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott