Photo by me. Post-processing by McKinney Photography.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Show Reports NE GA Charity & MidSummer Classic 2016, Addendum
What else is there to say? [Show Reports]
Of course, I have more to say. I always have more to say.
The Before
New clothes.
New saddle.
New attitude.
[Put Down the Hammer]
As the song says, “Two outta three ain’t bad.” I spent Friday, Friday night, and Saturday morning in dedicated mental preparation. I succeeded in dialing back the enthusiasm to an energizing but sustainable level. I was not sick to my stomach! I filled my headspace with aphorisms – Trust the Process, It doesn’t get easier; you get better. I drew charts in my head.
I was ready. It was good. It was all completely … wrong.
I got on. I rode in with style and verve. Coach Courtney called me over. The exact words are a blur, but the essence was, ‘What the hell are you doing out there? This is so bad I don’t even know where to begin. Get your shit together.’
Picture me sitting on Sam with my lip quivering, thinking, ‘But … but … but …’
I trotted around a bit more. I found a few passable moves. I lined up to wait for the class. I called Miss Courtney over. I asked meekly, “I’m confused. What should I be doing?”
She said, “You need to ride with elegance. Be subtle.”
Picture me sitting there, thinking, ‘Have you MET me?’
The During
Part of my problem in preparation is that I don’t know what I am preparing for. After the above, I pulled myself together and – pardon me – TOTALLY ROCKED IT!
Ahem.
Then, on Sunday, I went in and rode exactly the same way. Or I thought I did. It was an all-ages class, so ribbons were going to be harder to come by. Even so, Miss Courtney said I had less snap than day before. I rode well, but didn’t have the flair. It felt the same to me.
The problem has been plaguing me since Walk-Trot [Show Report UPHA]. I ride okay in lessons. Then I go in the show ring and do … something. I have no idea what, since I can’t feel a difference.
Progress is being made. We are now discussing riding with flash vs riding well rather than holding my position vs flapping like a chicken. Either way, mystery to me. Some days, windshield; some days, bug.
I’m not talking about ribbons. The judge’s decision is out of my control. I’m talking about putting out a consistent product. If I can’t distinguish between good and bad, how can I work on having more of the former and less of the latter?
The Bottom Line
I wish I knew what I was doing out there.
… also …
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Show Reports: NE GA Charity & MidSummer Classic 2016
Saddle Seat Wednesday
Saturday: 1-1-1-1
Sunday: 3-0-6
What else is there to say? Except for
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Show Details
Northeast Georgia Foothills Charity Horse Show
June 25, 2016
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center
Gainesville GA, USA
82. Academy Equitation WTC Adult: 1st of 6
83. Academy Showmanship WTC Adult: 1st of 5
95. Academy WTC Adult Championship: 1st of 5.
97. Academy WTC Grand Championship: 1st of 4.
The Grand Championship class was split but mixed kids & adults. I think we had two of each.
MidSummer Classic
June 26th, 2016
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center
Gainesville GA, USA
2. Academy Equitation WTC: 3rd of 8
3. Academy Showmanship WTC: 0 of 8
13. Academy WTC Championship: 6th of 8
The Sunday classes were all ages.
I won’t swear to the exact exhibitor counts, either day. They kept changing. Both days with Sultan’s Miracle Man. Thank you to Courtney Huguely for the always awesome Sam.
Photographer
Rachel Kelley Photography > Horse Show Proofs > 2016 Horse Shows > 2016 Northeast Georgia Charity and Mid-Summer Classic > 5 Saturday Afternoon Academy & 7 Sunday Morning Academy. [My copyright rant]
2015
Show Tweets: NE GA Charity & MidSummer Classic 2015
Show Reports: NE GA Charity & MidSummer Classic 2015
Text Art: Show Today
2014
Show Tweets: NeGCHA 2014
Things My Momma Told Me
Show Report: NeGCHS 2014
Guest Show Report: A Mom’s POV, Part 2
Guest Show Report: A Mom’s POV, Part 1
Horse Show Today: NeGCHA 2014
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
A Good Evening’s Work – Milton
One evening last week, we took both horses out to the ring. Rodney watched [A Good Evening] while Milton worked.
Milton is a brat.
Brat. Brat. Brat.
Greg ground-drove. Milton wandered. He dragged his feet. He saw no point to whatever was being asked. Greg would drive him down a chute of ground poles. Instead of taking the obvious path forward, Milton would take two steps, then step over one of the poles and drift off to the side.
Milton is clever but lazy, mentally as well as physically. He’ll fulfill his contract, but has an eye out for subclauses that work in his favor. He has a strong streak of self-interest. Milton is always pleased with himself. You, he’s not so sure about. He’s not gonna go out of his way to do you any favors that you haven’t earned. If he were a person, he’d have gone to an Ivy League college. He’s a smart ass.
If Milton & I ever get to serious work, I will need to invent constant changes of direction and exercise. He will not suffer endless 20-meter circles. By the second circle, he will be looking for what trouble he can get into. Similarly, if I ever aim him at a corner on cross-country, I had better be dead on my line. If I give him an inch, he will run to the side of the jump with the smug air of Don’t blame me. I just went where you pointed.
However, if the rider (or driver) can get his respect and attention, Milton will put all that cleverness to work for you.
~~~
Show Report Teaser
Details tomorrow.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
A Good Evening’s Work – Rodney
One evening last week, we took both horses out to the ring. Milton worked while Rodney watched.
Rodney is not dumb. Okay, he is not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but he is not dull-witted. His mind goes a million miles an hour. Usually wondering what part of the sky is about to fall on him.
For our evening’s activity, we stood. That’s it. No work. No walking. He played couch. He was a star. The tricky bit is that we were OUTSIDE of the ring. When I tried this exercise pre-neck adjustment [Zap], he couldn’t do it. He’d fuss. He’d mill. He could not hold it together.
Rodney wants things to be simple. He wants clear, discrete tasks that he understands. Given his limited brain space and his anxiety level, that means really, really small steps. We have yet to underestimate how small to make a step for him. If Rodney & I ever get to serious work, I am going to have to break explanations down to words of one-syllable. Or less.
However, once he grasps an idea and believes in himself, he is thrilled. He loves to be presented with work that he can do. He stood quietly, and happily, and was very proud of himself.
Tomorrow, Milton. A horse of a different stripe.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Letter Art: N is for Nature
Nature: that which, without horses, I would Never eNcounter.
Naturally, no pasture photo shoot would be complete without a photo bomb by Blue.
~~~
2016 Alphabet
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
State of the Blog: Instagram Hiatus
Camera on phone has flaked out. Mostly likely off Instagram until it is fixed/I update my phone. Alas, I have not been diligent. In the 6 weeks since I opted to concentrate on blog-related photos [SotB: The Daily Object], I have posted nine. @the900facebookpony I am not.
For the time being, I have removed the Instagram widget from the sidebar and am archiving my pix to date from @rodneyssaga.
Any advice for Instagram once I get reconnected?
Previous state of the blog posts here.
Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott
Virtual Brush Box 