Reply Hazy. Ask Again Later

Back in the day.
Back in the day.
Seems I don’t know who I will be riding this weekend: Sam or Willie.

At my last lesson, I rode both and the instructor gave me a choice of who to show. I’m torn. Willie is easier for me to get goin’. Although the class is judged on the rider, you always look better on a fancy-moving horse. Just as obedient foals always have better conformation in a halter class. Sam can look just as spiffy, but is harder to shift out of lesson-horse mode. If I chose him, I could leave him to trot about while I concentrate on my position.

On the other hand, what if I choose the flashy horse and we have a come-apart? What if I choose the reliable horse and we get lost in the crowd, or I work too hard to keep him going [Sorta]? Ultimately, I left it to my instructor to chose. She knows saddleseat, has experience with saddleseat judges, and can see what I look like on both horses.

I told her that if I lose, I will hold her responsible for picking the wrong horse.

Who would you choose as your dance partner?

[Saddleseat posts.]

In Defense of Frivolity

I’m having trouble getting past the latest ghastly news. It’s hit me square in the what-is-the-world-coming-to. I have no specific reason that this horrible event should resonate worse than any other horrible event. Yet it keeps bouncing around my head making distracting echo-y noises. Every time I try to plot out posts for the next few days, I think, ‘A horse blog? Really? Who the f**k cares?’

After 9/11, the first book I was able to sit down and read was from Lawrence Block‘s Evan Tanner series. These are goofy, well-executed, over-the-top adventure stories. A potato chip book, my grandmother would have called it. It was the first thing that really distracted me and made me smile that month. My writing may never affect another person like that. It may and I may never know. I may only amuse myself. That may be enough. Life is cupcakes as well as broccoli.

Tomorrow a return to levity and horse frolics.
Allons-y.

Teaser

Working on a new project. Not one I should do. Not one that will make me any money. Not one that will expand my writing skills (think more of the same, only different). It is occupying my brainspace to the exclusion of other things, such as thinking up witty blog posts. Perhaps tomorrow I will be more creative.

PS Heard about Boston as I was drafting this. Profanity, revulsion, and sadness. A feeling that is or any post is irrelevant. However, it’s what I do these days, so onward.

The Relativistic Nature of Jumps

Many moons ago, I walked the cross-country courses for the Advanced at Ship’s Quarters and the USPC Nationals in the same weekend. The Ship’s Quarters course was substantial but not terrifying. Professionals on well-trained horses were planning to go bouncing about over piles of logs and have a lovely time. Mind you this was back in the dark ages before cross-country was show-jumping in the open over fine furniture.

On the other hand, the Pony Club course, approximately Preliminary level, loomed far larger. A friend of mine and a horse from my barn were actually planning to go over these [on course photo here]. While technically lower and less complicated, the jumps were far more intimidating by association.

Then there are the Baby Novice and Beginner Jumper fences that I go over. These are ENORMOUS!

Which is all by way of introducing the Badminton 2013 course walk posted over on Haynet. It’s an animated map with live chat at the tricky spots. It doesn’t look that bad. Theoretically.

On The Other Hoof

As soon as I got done asking for Sam songs, I found out that I may be riding Willie, show name The King’s Will.

Given the input “Willie”, iTunes comes back with oodles of Willie Nelson, as one might expect. Also, there are many songs by that title but by artists of whom I have never heard. Not that my lack of knowledge means diddily. Outside of Broadway show tunes & Barry Manilow, I am a musical void.

Suggestions for Willie or regal-related songs?

Seeking Sam Specific Songs

Thanks to everyone for the psyche song suggestions. Looks like I will be riding Sam, aka Sultan’s Miracle Man, at the next show. Anyone got anything for him? Olivia Newton-John’s song of that name is a bit lyrical for a show tune. Not to mention a mite creepy to be singing to a horse. Really, Olivia, “The door is wide open …”? Kinda laying out there, aren’t you? Whenever I flung myself at guys, they tended to duck. But I digress.

Uptempo Sam songs. Bring ’em on.