A comment from Monday [Note], “I’m sorry your search continues.” I’m sorry too. I’d love to have a horse at home to ride and train and compete.
However.
I am well aware of how many good things I have in my life: my health, a wonderful spouse, and knowledge of where my next meal is coming from. I would be pleased to have all of these things continue.
Even the horse segment isn’t horrid. I have a sweet horse who is fun to work with. We are still lightyears from riding, but Rodney is starting to enjoy his work. Or perhaps we are getting better at engaging him. He appears to appreciate the things we do for him. Yesterday’s yawn was not unusual [Therapeutic].
Saddle seat isn’t the discipline I would have chosen, but I am learning much. I’m even showing more often than I did when I had my own horse in the backyard.
It’s not the life I would design on a holodeck, but it is far from bad.
“On seeing the pool in the field, he came over at liberty to check it out.” Rodney’s Week
Have you been getting weak excuses when people aren’t interested in a horse you have just shown?
Let’s say I’m looking at a young, green horse. He’s a little goofy and little unfinished. Not a problem. If his natural talent makes my jaw drop, I’m not going to care if his three gaits are walk, jig, and buck. If he is six months away from making a cute but unexceptional kid’s horse, I am unimpressed by how well-behaved he is today. My boat is not floated.
Let’s say I’m looking at a schoolmaster. He’s expensive. He’s got two years of active competing left, then he will have to be stepped down with a loss of most or all of the purchase price. If this means I will be able to reach a level that I had never expected to achieve – for example, Third Level dressage to get the final scores for my USDF Bronze – and I’m fortunate enough to have the money, hell yeah. If it means two years of packing around Training Level eventing and I’m riding Prelim, not so much.
It’s all about exit strategy.
The horse is too small. The horse is special but not special enough. His talent is average. Our ideas on his value are so far apart that it would be insulting to make an offer based on what I think he’s worth. Do you have any IDEA how lame your horse is?
I’m not going to say any of this to you. Back in the mists of time, we once told a seller what we really thought of his horse. That’s a mistake we won’t make again. At this point, I’ve decided I don’t want your horse. Now, I’m just trying to find a way to leave with everyone’s ego intact. So yeah, I’m going to pick an inoffensive attribute that you already know. Your young horse is too young. Your project horse is too much of a project. Your investment horse is too much of an investment.
Watch the checkbook. If it comes out, I like the horse; if it doesn’t, I don’t. The words are just noise.
Sincerely,
A Prospective Buyer
Which is a long way of saying we went to look at a horse last weekend. Lucky 13 was not.
In the Show Report that never ends, here are two items that came up in conversation.
By Any Means Necessary
There were buns but these buns had mandatory bows. Shiny earrings were mandatory. Make-up was mandatory. For those of you who know me and my daughter, right there you know we’re not in Kansas anymore. Guest Show Report: A Mom’s POV, Part 2
Photo by Mom
Photo by Mom
So very far from Kansas. Ask anyone who has begged me sit still for hair &/or make-up. My mother watched with amusement as the latest unfortunate volunteer attempted to wrestle me into a lady-like shape.
She said this proves that I will do almost anything to get on a horse.
Duty Calls My mother also pointed out that horse show conversations are often aborted mid-flight. You may be deep in discussion about the state of the world or their daughter’s ride, only to have the other person walk away without warning. While both parties are talking they are also keeping an eye out for a rider needing help with an outfit, a horse heading for the ring, a loose dog, or any of the other million details of a horse show. If something needs fixed, you leave and fix it. This is so obvious to me that I never gave it a thought.
She likened it to working in a retail establishment. Co-workers chatting. Customer wants to give money. Co-workers stop chatting.
Northeast Georgia Foothills Charity Horse Show
June 27th & 28th, 2014
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, Gainesville GA
I showed in Academy Walk, Trot, Canter Adult with Ashado, barn name Lola. Thanks to Jessica Hill and her family for sharing their fabulous mare.
Internal dialogue before canter depart: Saddlebreds use outside rein. Saddlebreds use outside rein. Saddlebreds use … Photo by Mom.
53. Academy Equitation WTC – Adult 1st out of 2
Lola spooked at everything. The banners, the people walking between the ring and the bleachers, a DOG lying next to the ring. I told her if she had that much energy, she could put it towards looking brilliant. That worked for about five strides until she saw another banner. She even took exception to the ribbon on her bridle during the victory pass. Unfortunately, saddle seat show photographers stop shooting when a ride goes bad. No airs-above-the-ground photos.
Afterwards, everyone said Lola looked as if she was having a blast. I guess she was a kid in a carnival house of horrors. Here an eek! There an eek! Everywhere an eek! eek!
54. Academy Showmanship WTC – Adult 2nd out of 2
I once again failed to gather and direct my mount’s wandering attention. Halfway through, I reached back to give her a loud smack behind the saddle. I hoped this would cause her to sober up and fly right. Lola was not pleased. Neither was the judge.
“No horse training in the ring,” says coach.
68. Academy WTC Championship 4th out of 4
Only half the canter competitors stayed for the championship class. So, me and 3 kids. Final words from the coach were, “Don’t make her crazy.”
Check. I spent the class thinking non-crazy-making thoughts and trying to keep my head up. All that stillness was exhausting. Toward the end of the last canter, I was three strides from walking, whether they announced it or not. Long, hot day.
Despite the last place, I was pleased with my effort. Coach agreed. Many kind folks told me that any of the four of us could have won. Nice to say, but one can never be sure how much of such comments are smoke. Someone who has seen a lot of my riding said it was the best she’s seen me ride, including several dressage tests.
Overall
Progress, but not ultimate victory. I can see that what I’m learning would help in any discipline. It remains to be seen if my patience will last long enough to perfect the finer points of equitation. Horse training is way more fun that being lady-like.
Rachel Kelley Photography
Horse Show Proofs > 2014 Horse Shows > Northeast Georgia Foothills Charity Horse Show > Saturday Academy > 53 ACADEMY EQ & SHOWMANSHIP WTC ADULT. Two riders. I’m the one on a chestnut with a helmet. Me wearing the helmet, not the chestnut. > 68 ACADEMY WTC CHAMPIONSHIP. Helmet, chestnut.
Thank you for respecting her copyright. My photo rant. I can’t imagine standing in the middle of that ring all day.
Silent Auction Loot
Not the sexiest thing to get from a silent auction, but darn useful. The problem of wedging it into my little car along with two people and all the show luggage occurred to me after I bid.
Virtual Brush Box 