Show Today: NE GA Charity 2015

Ashado NE GA Charity 2014 Photo by Mom
Ashado
NE GA Charity 2014
Photo by Mom

Northeast Georgia Foothills Charity Horse Show
June 26th & 27th, 2015
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center
Gainesville GA, USA

New theory. My excess of nerves comes from not knowing what I am doing out there. Walk-trot-canter? Check. Waltz around with my hands up in the air, sitting too far back in the saddle? Not so much.

The parts of riding that I know, I can execute well enough to do unconsciously. Therefore, those parts are easy to dismiss. For the parts I am learning, I must concentrate to get correct. This feels awkward. Feeling awkward makes me feel incompetent. Feeling incompetent makes me feel stupid.

This is not specific to my decision to wander off into Saddlebredville. Let’s say I was well-established at Training level eventing. (A dog can dream.) I decide to move up to Preliminary. The Training elements would be easy. The new movements and speeds required for Prelim would make me feel awkward, incompetent, and stupid.

This not specific to riding. Part of being a freelance writer is marketing. I was reasonably good at this, particularly within the equine market. If the editors did not know me, they knew the magazines on my resume. With non-equine editors, I had to convince them de novo. Being reduced to the new kid on the block made me feel awkward, incompetent, and stupid.

It’s not just that a new skill is difficult. That is self-evident. It’s the mix of old and new. I need to recognize that layering a new skill over an old one will feel weird. It’s part of the process.

Will any of this cogitating help with my preshow desire to give up riding and take up Tiddly Winks? I’ll find out today.

Last Year
Horse Show Today: NeGCHA 2014

Show Report & Tweets: Stepping Stone Farm 2015

SSF logoStepping Stone Farm ASHAA Fun Show
June 20, 2015
Chelsea, AL, USA

Driving with WC High in the Sky (Big), 2nd of 2
Pleasure with Sultan’s Miracle Man (Sam), 1st of 3
Equitation with Sultan’s Miracle Man, 1st of 3
Thank you to Miriam Reagan & Saddlebred Rescue, Courtney Huguley, and the Wamble family for the wonderful horses.

There is no home court advantage at a horse show. There is a home court DISadvantage. The home team objects to having their personal space invaded by strange horses, big trucks, and swarms of people. It happened in 2013 with Trump [Report], in 2014 with Natalie [Report], and this year with Sam:

Sam: Eeek! Cars! By the ring! I’ve never seen a car before! I’m scared!
Me: No, you’re not.
Sam: I’m a high-strung, sensitive horse, I could be scared.
Me: Ain’t gonna happen.
Sam: Oh, poo.

The driving class? Greg & Alvin won! He says it was fun. Also, if one is going to help another person perform, it is useful to see the view from the inside the ring. At least that’s what he says publicly.

Privately? All hail the driving god.

~~~

Of course, there were hordes of chores at the barn, of which I was happy not to partake. Being a princess has advantages.

Favorited myself. Not sure how.

When I’m working a show, that is.

This is the second time Alvin has beaten Big in Academy Driving. Big is clearly the nicer horse, but I think he is less tolerant of driver error.

They frolic adorably, as well. However, I have a better chance of getting a decent photo while they are sleeping adorably.

~~~
Previous Years:
2014. Show Report: SSF Chelsea AL
2013. Show Report: ASHAA Summer Fun Show, Chelsea AL
2012. Showing in the Sun, as a spectator

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch: Summer Suffering

Now that Mother Nature has cranked the thermostat, exercise is not possible during normal business hours. In the evenings, the bugs are unbearable. So, early morning workout it is.

Work. Wait. Feed. Leave them to their hay. These two have adapted better than Previous Horse and Mathilda to pre-breakfast exercise. Flipping the order by feeding early, waiting an hour, then working would give them time for hay, but would intrude on the post-breakfast naps.

What is the summer schedule in your area?