Virtual Brush Box

[Apres-show, day 2]

After my riding lessons, I tend to ponder what I have learned. After one lesson, I emailed my instructor with an observation that was both trenchant and pithy. Instead of gasping in awe at my grasp of equitation theory, this was her response:

“Your brain never stops does it?”
~~~
Gratuitous Cat Photo

[Apres-show, day 1]

Why?

Back when we were arranging Milton’s transportation [Shipping], I put a white jump standard at the end of our driveway as an indicator. The driveway is on a curve and easy to overshoot. I’ve seen a loaded hay truck go sailing by. Feeling obsessive, I topped the standard with a red bucket. Impossible to miss.

In the excitement of having a new horse (ha!) (sorry, did I say that aloud? anyway …), it took me a few days to remember the standard. Our driveway is long, so retrieving it was an easy task to overlook. I kept meaning to pick it up on a return, but never did.

After a while, the standard developed a permanent home. It marked the turn and the edge of the drainage pipe. Useful when trying to hit the former and avoid the latter.

So, you ask?

After a few weeks. Someone stole the red bucket. Why? What would prompt someone to stop on a blind curve long enough to abscond with a $10 bucket? Whose life is so impoverished that the karmic debt of theft would be worth a lump of plastic?

Furthermore, they had no idea what they were getting. They had no idea if it was cracked. They either stood by the side of the road examining it, or grabbed it to explore back at their evil villain lair. They had no idea what noxious substances we had carried in it. The bucket was in one piece and only used for feed, but they didn’t know that. Would you use an mystery bucket for anything other than an oil change?

Seriously, why?

Llama Font: Say It in Llama!

~~~
National Academy Championship Horse Show, day 3.

Live stream today courtesy of ATW Sportscast.

The show schedule starts with class 54 at 10 am. Should I make it that far, I will ride in
59. Adult Equitation (Pleasure) WTC National Finals
&
67. Adult WTC Equitation National Finals

No driving on Sunday.

National Academy Championship Horse Show, day 2.

National Academy is a three-day show, two classes per day. The top ten from each class qualify for the next day’s class. Up or out. As you read this, I could be done. Or I could be sailing forward on a sea of blue acetate. I don’t think either one is likely.

My prediction: Adult WTC is usually smaller than Adult WT. Therefore, I will have a division of 6 entries, plus/minus two. In the first two days, I will collect a fistful of pastel ribbons. Lack of numbers will permit me to pass through to Sunday, whereupon I will collect two Top Ten ribbons. Despite the automatic nature of the neck ribbons, I will be thrilled to get them. However, I’m not banking on big fluffies this year.

I could be wrong. Either way.

Prediction modification: I wrote the above before camp, when I was down on everything. Post-camp [Plans], I think I finally have a better feel for what is required in the ring. Plus two super horses and a fantastic coach. As I got ready for the show, I focused (or tried to focus) my mental preparation on riding my best – which is in my control – and not consider exact placings – which is not in my control.

Yeah boy!

Last Year, with Trump

National Academy Day 1: Managing Expectations
National Academy Day 2: Up or Out
National Academy Day 3: Bright Lights, Big Horse Show
National Academy Day 3+1: Horse of the Year Nomination
National Academy Day 3+2: I Owe It All To Rodney
National Academy Day 3+3: Still Napping
Show Report: NACHS, Part I
Show Report: NACHS, Part II
Show Report: NACHS, Part III
Foto Friday: Ribbon Details
A Horse Show In 86 Tweets
Text Art: Happy Words
That Moment When …

If they refuse to entertain me by jumping, I will find a way to be entertained.
~~~
National Academy Championship Horse Show, day 1.

I ride in the first class of the show [schedule]. Done early and able to relax for the evening session.

National Academy Championship Horse Show, day 0

If all goes to plan, horses and riders and coach and helpers and parents are now in Tennessee getting ready to show tomorrow.

I almost didn’t go.

CON
1) If the trip is just to have the experience, I’ve done that. Last year was awesome. Once was enough. I don’t need awesome redux.

2) I don’t ride pretty. Not the way they want.

3) Given my mood recently, am I sporting enough and strong enough to get booted out on Friday but stay to cheer the rest of the weekend?

PRO
1) Fancy helmet [New 1]. Shiny boots [New 2]. A change of clothes for Sunday.

2) If I go in 2015, exposure this year will be a benefit.

3) Coach says show record doesn’t forecast for Nationals. She’s had year-long winners who can’t get noticed and folks with lousy records do well.

BOTTOM LINE
A bad day at a horse show is still a day at a horse show.

GOAL
To line up in each class knowing I rode well. If I lay down my best trip and someone is better on the day, oh well. Back to to the schooling ring. If someone is going to beat me, I want to make them to work for it.

MEDIA
Sunday’s classes will be livestreamed courtesy of ATW Sportscast. I will ride in classes 59 & 67. Cross fingers.

Tweets. Per usual. This is my show tweet anniversary [Toy]. As a reminder, if you wish to follow along:
I have expanded the tweet display on my sidebar –>
OR
Clicking on “Saga Tweets” should take you to my Twitter page, @RodneysSaga (https://twitter.com/RodneysSaga)
OR
Google search: Twitter Rodney’s Saga
For those of you who might be interested in my every move but are not on Twitter (Hi Moms!), I don’t believe you need an account to access a page. You can read. You just won’t be able to send tweets.