Other Writing: USDF Connection October 2014

Oct 2014 cov“Behind The Scenes: J. Tim Dutta, The Dutta Corporation”
October 2014
USDF Connection
United States Dressage Federation

A short interview with the owner of a horse transportation company.

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In case anyone other than me is keeping track, I ran this on a Tuesday instead of a Saturday, my usually day for admin, because Saturdays this month are filled with horse shows. Yay!

New Goo: Zheng Gu Shui

Zheng box

Our most recent ammunition in the war of attrition that is the treatment of Rodney’s back scar [Daddy Dearest]. Wiki translates Zheng Gu Shui as “Fix Bone Water”. It is either an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine or liniment with a passport. Or both.

Every modality seems to nibble on a different corner of the problem, from massage [Masterclass], to heat [Piling on], to vasodilation [The Latest Magic Goo], to astringents. Each one works at first and then tapers off. So we keep adding new ones and circling back to old ones.

100 Miles To Nowhere

Today we are competing in the Tour of the South, Coed 80/20 Division of the 100 of Nowhere Bike Race. We are shoo-ins to win.

The 100 Miles race of Nowhere Bike Race was created by The Fat Cyclist as a fundraiser for Camp Kasem. “a wonderful series of camps across the United States for children who’ve been affected by cancer. … In other words, you’re making a real and measurable difference in the lives of kids who could use stand to have some good, silly, carefree fun.” [FC registration post]

Fatty’s race: 2014 100 Miles of Nowhere: Winners of the Alpine, UT Men and Women’s Divisions
Fatty’s kids at camp: 2014 Camp Kesem Report: Guest Post from Carrie and Katie

The 100 Miles of Nowhere Bike Race is an honor system ride on a self-defined course. The sillier, the better. Divisions are also self-declared. This is why we are shoo-ins. Provided we finish. Eventually.

Given the rigorous nature of the race administration, we decided that it was in completely in keeping with the rules to split the miles between us. Husband has done 100-mile rides. Wife could not do 100 miles downhill with a following wind. Therefore, Wife will drag herself through four laps of 5 miles. Husband will cover the rest. Yes, he is 4 times the biker I am. Easily.

We are basing our loops out of the house. We predict the hardest part will be heaving our sorry carcasses of the couch for the the 4th time.

Updates to appear in this space. Starting approximately 7:30. Updating as each segment is finished: 1 hour+ for him, 30 min for her. (Update: all times CDT.)

The horses, already on break from my numerous saddle seat lessons this week, will snicker from the sidelines as we bike up & down the driveway. No one foresees heavy barn work tomorrow.

(Update the 2nd: The proper name is 100 Miles OF Nowhere. Therefore, the post title above is either a metaphysical commentary on the nature of the endeavor, or I got it wrong. Your choice.)

Time: 7:38 am
START
And he’s off …

Time: 8:50 am
Husband miles: 19.1
Wife miles: 0
Total miles: 19.1

Time: 9:30 am
Husband miles: 19.1
Wife miles: 5.83
Total miles: 24.93

Time: 10:42 am
Husband miles: 38.1
Wife miles: 5.83
Total miles: 43.93

Time: 11:20 am
Husband miles: 38.1
Wife miles: 11.52
Total miles: 49.62

Time: 12:35 am
Husband miles: 57.1
Wife miles: 11.52
Total miles: 68.72

Time: 1:14 am
Husband miles: 57.1
Wife miles: 17.21
Total miles: 74.31

Time: 2:38 am
Husband miles: 76.1
Wife miles: 17.21
Total miles: 93.31

Time: 3:21
Husband miles: 76.1
Wife miles: 24.06
Total miles: 100.16

GO US!

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Arthur 100m

Gratuitous finish line selfie with a purring but uninterested fan, who did absolutely no miles today.

Show Tweets: Alabama Charity 2014

Once again, retweeted by Wheels Down. I think they are confused.

When we have time, my chauffer and I like to take an untried route from point a to point b.

Show Report: Alabama Charity 2014

In sum:

thbbft

ack

I continue to struggle with looking snappy while riding. And, for some reason, with my right lead canter depart. What’s up with that?

My natural sportmanship continues to render me a joy and delight to be near no matter how I place.

Mundane Details
Alabama Charity Championship Horse Show
October 8-11, 2014
Celebration Arena, Priceville, AL
To benefit The John Mark Stallings Special Needs Accessible Playground of Morgan County (SNAP)

ssf sign Al Ch

Academy WTC – Adult, with Lola
Second out of two in Equitation. Second out of three in Showmanship.
Thank you to Jessica Hill and the Kasparian family for their fabulous horse.

Last year’s show report here.

Doug Shiflet Photography > Horse Show Proofs > 2014 Alabama Charity > Saturday Academy > 100 – Showmanship WTC Adult & 101 – Equitation WTC Adult. I’m the one under the helmet. I ordered 100-011-AL14.

Closing Note
The Internet tells me that there are people who, “are too young to remember Bloom County.” [petdance] I find this astounding. I know it is simple math. Bloom County ran 30 years ago. Therefore to anyone under a certain age, BC = BCE. But seriously, a life without Opus?

aaaigh