Resolution’s

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Exechorseluver

The first of a new year always seems to invoke change in people. Resolution’s seem to come and go. New diets, more exercise, living healthy, spending more time with family and others seem to all be on the list.

Since we last talked I have had a few weeks to let the ribs heal. I am getting around pretty well now. The barn has been chaotic with trainer changes, cool weather and lots of riders. I have not been able to personally enact any of my fitness resolution’s-walking more–riding more–exercising more–as I am not quite ready for all that yet. But I am making a concerted effort to change my diet/change my life.

I have tried this before. What is different? Well, a couple things. When traveling recently I viewed myself in the well-lit hotel mirror. Wow-when did that all happen? It was surprising. My mirrors are not full length. They only show me from the chest up and are dimly lit. Really, not a bad idea. I was startled to see how old I looked and how unfit.

What else? Well, this new relationship that I had with Chris (oh, we broke up after the great rib break) made me realize that time is short. I cannot just meander through life thinking I have plenty of time for everything. I am getting close to 60 years old and need to do what I can to leave another 30-40 years on my personal calendar.

I am serious this time. I have said that before but feel different this time as if something has changed. Maybe it has. There is no secret to the weight loss/exercise more thing except making better choices. Chris told me it was all about willpower. I guess it is. But I felt insulted by that as if I could just “man-up” and instantly turn down the foods/serving sizes/candy bowls/peanut snacks that have all been part of day in the past. The old adage of “I can lose weight, I have done it a million times” definitely applies to me!

The other part of this is it is going to have to be a ‘re-make’ my life type of commitment and as I am being very open about it, I hope some of you come back and hold me accountable. I want to make a joke here and say, “we will see how that goes” but the reality is this is not a joke. I want to ride better and maybe show again. I want to not ache and hurt to distraction each day. I want to swim without wearing a swimsuit fashioned for the 1920’s.

I get this is not my usual fun-filled expose’ on life at the barn. But maybe just today I can seriously commit to doing something for myself, my family, my horses and my job, to be healthier and thinner. Amen.

Thanks for riding along. I am back in writing mode and will be checking in so-plan to be on the trail with me soon.

What I did on my Christmas Vacation

Posted on January 6, 2016 by Exechorseluver

I have not written in awhile I was probably asleep or busy. Holidays do that to us. Mine started out beautifully and blessedly with a one day trip to Dallas for the premiere of the movie “Harry and Snowman”.

Two of Lauren’s best friends from her first riding barn in Texas joined us along with one of the girl’s mothers and my granddaughter Jordyn. It was nice to have the unhurried time in the car to visit. The four hour (each way) trip seemed to fly by. The girls usually in breeches and boots looked like high fashion kids. Jordyn wore a beautiful dress and fashionable booties.

Friends Kristin, Caitlyn, Lauren and Jordyn at the reception prior to movie.
For those of you who have never heard the story of the rescued $80 plow horse years ago by Holland immigrant, Harry deLeyer, look it up. Read the books. It is inspiring. I have loved the story since I was a child. Getting to Houston I learned that two of Harry’s sons lived here and both had training barns. Many, many times Lauren has competed against them (sometimes even winning). The movie was AMAZING! It is set to go into distribution in the spring.

Go see it! Jordyn has been told the Snowman story for years. Many of the pictures and quotes in the movie she knew. To watch her laugh aloud with glee as Harry told a fallen rider, “get back on, you are fine” and see her also cry at story as Snowman was reaching his end made sharing the movie even greater.

Many of our riders got out to ride in the warmer than usual weather as we moved toward Christmas Day.

We made a lot of foods for our Christmas breakfast at Ally’s. I had lots of great helpers in the kitchen.

Christmas morning brought lots of cheer and happiness. Christmas is always better with kids.

I got a surprise gift of terrific mascara. I don’t know if the name is correct but can say this is great mascara.

We even got some much needed training time with Betty Sue. At almost 1000 pounds and 15 hands she is growing into a beautiful mare.

Lauren was headed to Malaysia on the 27th. Chris was headed in to visit for the holidays.

Then I fell going out to feed the horses in the dawn under rainy skies. Spent holiday time in the ER. Broken ribs for me. Cancelled trips for Lauren and Chris.

The end.

Farm Wife

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Exechorseluver

This is Cindy working on her vegetable gathering prior to getting supper on the table.

I have always had a career. I have worked since I was 16, before that if you count the lawn mowing I did to pay board on my first horse.

I have never been nor ever wanted to be the traditional stay at home mom. Unless perhaps as Lauren once told her teacher when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, I could be a stay at home mom with no kids and no husband. Sorry, just have always rather been outside doing stuff than inside being domestic. I love my kids and grandkids but let’s go outside!

Adding to this particular little nuance of mine, is the fact that I have not had any children at home but Lauren for the last ten years and it has been almost 18 years since I have had a man around the house.

I picked up my new man friend at the airport on Friday the 20th and he stayed on until the next Saturday night. Wow! I know! I kept expecting to find him packed and gone. Or to catch sight of a taxi pulling out of the driveway, but he stayed. Huh… It wasn’t like he didn’t know this time what to expect.

But I have to say it was a different time for me. Chris, as we are calling him to protect his innocence as long as possible, was fully engaged with me on all the horse chores. From waking up to Maui, the poodle alarm clock, at 4:30 am to falling asleep before 8:00 pm, Chris lived the farm life.

This time he got to clean stalls! He got his first taste (bad analogy) of dumping manure all the way down at the bottom pasture. He installed new feeders and fixed gates. He got beautiful Houston weather and freezing, windy downpours of rain. He walked, he lifted, and walked some more. It was impressive. Like I said, I kept expecting him to leave. He told me he was waiting for me to finish his wash. I think he was kidding.
I have to say that I think Chris took to the farm well. Which is to say that he managed way better out of his normal environment than I did out of mine.

Lauren cooks dinner a couple of times a week (if I am lucky and she is home). I manage a few meals I fix for us or for myself-things she doesn’t like (like Salmon). But in no stretch of the imagination do either of us compile whole meals like my mom used make. You might remember those and even serve them, they come with a main course, a vegetable, a starch and perhaps a dessert. But we don’t. There is never enough time.
Sheets are changed Friday night. Laundry is done on Saturday and whatever cleaning gets done in the house is on an “as-needed” basis, like “the dogs ran in with their muddy feet in and you can no longer see the pattern of the tile” basis.

This last week, with Chris so readily agreeing to do anything and everything that was needed outside, I felt compelled to step up my inside services, you know, like cooking and cleaning. I can honestly say that I cooked more meals and prepared more food in the last week than in the last several years. I made my famous enchiladas-except Lauren got FIRE hot sauce and I had to tone that down a little. I made hamburgers with actual vegetables to go with them. I made my mom’s ham waffles. I managed a fairly good rendition of beef stroganoff. I did my share at Thanksgiving, too. Although, thankfully, Ally and Luke did the majority of the cooking even though it was at my house. Jordyn helped me with pumpkin pies and our special cranberry salad.

Fortunately, I re-introduced Chris to the world of fast food so lunches were not an issue. I did fry up a couple of quasi-omelets along with the waffles for breakfast. I also felt I should keep the bathroom clean, the floors swept (before we lost sight of the tile), and counters disinfected (at least to the point one can manage that with giant Levi the cat wallowing around).

Levi lying on the Thanksgiving table.

I managed to keep up both his laundry and mine although it has been a long-time since I saw a pair of men’s underwear. Scandalous!

Seriously-how do people do this? I can clean stalls, feed at dead of dawn, handle wild horses, snakes and lots of blood but throw me in the kitchen and laundry room for a week and I am undone! I would have never made it as a farm wife!

I hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all of you and for so many things! Thanks for riding along!

Jordyn’s First Show

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Exechorseluver

And line up with your numbers to the judge! Jordyn executed this perfectly.

Jordyn has been in the show ring several times but always as a passenger, never as the driver. This time is was all on Jordyn and she had practiced and practiced to get it right. But like all things the first time around, the unknown sneaks up and creates ripples in your tummy and angst in your heart.

Jordyn has some Obsessive Compulsive Disorder like her mom, aunt, granny and grandpa. We all like things to be ordered and to be right. We are uncomfortable when things don’t go on schedule or when we think it is time. it is difficult to wait. A horse show is not a good place for anxiety or OCD because really little is in your control. Preparing, working and much saddle time certainly helps but in the end it is you alone in a new ring where all the things you practiced seem so different.

How did she do? GREAT! How did she think she did-well, I would say miserable failure would be one description. We all worked on expectations with her ahead of the show. Telling her if she got a ribbon, that would be great. And she did. She got three THIRD places but it was the fifth place in the last class that sent her over the edge. I think if she had even won the last class it would have reduced her to tears as she had so much built up tension, just being done caused the tears to flow.

_________________________________

Ten year old Lauren inher line up at her first walk trot show. Helmet is a little big.

So, let’s go back about twelve years. Lauren had just gotten Mickey and had been preparing for her first show. While she was new to riding English she had more actual riding experience under her belt (she could easily canter my big, fast quarter horse, Kid and Jordyn has not cantered on purpose yet) so she started off on her young five-year old rescue horse Mickey in the walk trot division. In those days, we had yet to gain all the proper stuff like saddles that were made well, boots and jackets that fit and Lauren did not have that top-notch look to her attire that Jordyn did going in the ring this weekend.

We even had kids come up to us and ask if the horse Lauren was riding was in fact Mickey. Apparently he had thrown a number of children and the kids could not believe she was taking a chance riding him.

The show itself was at Bridle Creek and it was a benefit for Holly Davitt (now Muehle) who had breast cancer. Holly doesn’t remember much about that show. I happened to see her at the show this weekend and stopped for a photo together. She has successfully made 12 years Cancer free. I was just older. Still it was pretty cool to see my granddaughter follow so closely in the shoes of her Aunt Lauren.

Lauren’s first show was a benefit for Holly. Here we are together at the show this weekend, 12 years later.

I am so proud of Jordyn and so proud of Mickey. Mickey was at Zone Finals jumping over three feet a couple of weeks ago and this week he is trotting around like a champ for my granddaughter.

I wish the pictures showed more happiness on my baby’s face. After all that is why you show. And Jordyn could not find one equestrian to talk to that did not have a missed fence or perfect day. Things do not go exactly they way we plan in the ring. We learn about failure and trying again. Those are important lessons.

For me it was the culmination of many dreams. That she would become a secure enough rider to go into the ring on her own and execute all the judge asked her to do. Also big shout out to our Judge Lisa Richardson who did a great job placing the kids as was their due.

I am sad we did not get pictures of Jo and Mick with her beautiful first ribbons but here are some photos below that show how professional she looked and how well they did!!

Warm-up. Gotta have braids!

Lauren walking from the warm up ring as Jordyn handled Mickey all on her own.

Love this silhouette of their profiles.

Part of Jo’s support team, Luke, Ally, Grandparents Dodie and Rick and Kendyll

What a great shot of the two of them!

Reins a little too long-starting to get in a little trouble in her last class. But Mickey was not touching that pole!

Thank you for the great day Jordyn! I know I will look back many times and tell people all about your first horse show!

Thanks for riding along!

So??????

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Exechorseluver

I am sure you are all awaiting this post. Clearly, my weekend is utmost on the minds of many. I will give you the lowdown (okay, so some of it!).

My friend and I had a good reunion. For the sake of privacy let’s call him by a made-up name which will be Chris for now. We knew each other well, way back when, but had not seen one another in many years. I guess I expected us to be the same lively, vibrant, young couple we had been once before, as it is human nature to remember ourselves the way we were.

But boy, we have both covered a lot of ground in the years that have flown by. I was a good athlete, swimming, skiing and riding. He was a terrific athlete as well,playing basketball and football. But the years have made us a little softer, a little older and thankfully, a little kinder.

When we got home from airport after the long drive where we tried to catch up some and tentatively touch one another’s hand or graze a touch across a leg, it was late. We got the bounding herd of dogs out first. I had warned Chris about them, but seeing two large poodles, a Doberman, a spaniel and two dachshunds race towards you is unnerving for anyone.

We got them outside and headed to the barn. The horses usually go back out for the night around 7:30 so we were way later than usual. Everyone was neighing, pounding their hooves on their gates and pacing with anticipation.

For someone with literally no knowledge of horses to just be handed a horse by his halter and told hang on, is a little dangerous. Fortunately the horses knew their routine and quietly followed Chris and I, one by one, out to their pastures. We got hay for the horses staying in for the night and got inside to eat the soup that had been left by our boarder. I am very grateful for our food as there is no way I could have put together any dinner at that point.

So, not to get into details as this is a family blog, there were some issues with dogs who have slept in certain spots on my bed since they were mere pups. Suddenly, those spots were unavailable. It lead to some crazy, anxious pups as they struggled to get to their favorite sleeping spots only to find someone else in residence. From Chris’ perspective, I am sure it was a little daunting to have to fight a Doberman over a place to sleep. It was long past midnight before everyone settled in to sleep.

Maui, the soon to be one year old Poodle, has a clock in his head and was exactly on time as he jumped on the bed at 4:30 am to tell us it was time to feed the horses. It was pretty cool for Houston but clear and calm as we trudged out to feed the horses on a few hours sleep. It is easy to see if you have a keeper if someone will leave a warm house for a cold barn, in the dark, to feed a bunch of horses. Mickey got a little aggressive and tried to rip out Chris’ arm but other than that it went well. This second time to the barn, he was even reliably getting the names right of most of my horses (pretty impressive feat).

Saturday was a beautiful day. We ended up with several visitors which was fine. Chris and I worked on catching up on weekend chores like emptying and refilling the big water troughs in the pastures. I always have said that God has a sense of humor and it was apparent in all the things that were happening. The first water trough had not one, but two dead squirrels in it.

I was using broken branches as chop stix to carry the dead squirrels away. Note I am carrying the squirrels and my friend is taking photos.

Nothing like a rapid indoctrination into life on the farm-life with dead animals. I illustrated how to make up the feed for 15 horses and all the types of hay they eat and supplements they take. To an outsider it is pretty overwhelming. Personally, I was glad to turn over the carrying, opening and pouring of the 50 pound bags of feed to someone stronger than me. I also liked it on Sunday when Chris remembered which feeds went in which containers. I was giving him extra points for quick learning.

Before we knew it the sun was sinking in the west and it was time to once again feed horses and get them in. The art of blanketing was introduced which also went a lot better for me with having someone to hold the horse while I blanketed it.

Saturday night we had a quiet dinner and finally had some time to talk about where life had taken us over the years. Except for college, he has remained in the same city we meet in while I have been all over the country. We recognized a couple of spots in our lives where if one of us had just done things a little differently we would not have missed out on all these years together. Still, no regrets as we both have amazing children (now adults) and neither of us would change that for anything.

Sunday morning had us going from 4 am on. It was lesson day at the farm. I was hosting a pot-luck for the riders and their families. It would also give everyone a chance to meet Chris.

Jo and Ken working on their puzzle book with Chris.

The first to arrive was Ally with Jordyn and Kendyll. From the first moment, Chris engaged them with book activity and then came up with a plan for all of us to go pick up rocks on the drive way Then we used the rocks to fill up some pretty big holes that had developed with the rain. Ingenuity.

As Jordyn got ready for her lesson, Kendyll joined Chris and I in the feed room. Kendyll was already calling out to “Grandpa Chris” and sternly lecturing him on how to manage the feed process. They were pretty cute.

Chris and Kendyll pouring the feed into the containers. What pals!

It all got pretty complicated with trailers coming in full of ponies, riders, siblings and parents that Chris had not met yet, coupled with some wild riding in ring. I think my friend got a very rich indoctrination of life a boarding and training barn. Don’t forget he had to keep throwing the tennis ball for the poodle and holding Sammi the Dachshund.

All in all, it was over too soon and we were on the road back to the airport. Kendyll was at home telling her other grandparents about her new grandparent. I figure that someone willing to get up at 4 am, learn all the horse’s names, sleep with the dogs, play with the grandkids and throw tennis balls for hours to the poodle is worth another visit.

So, where will I be tonight? Hanging out at the airport again. Huh, might just get to be a steady thing. We will see!

_____________________________

Jo getting her last practice in on Sunday.

Jordyn will make her debut in the horse show ring on Mickey tomorrow doing walk/trot just as Lauren did 12 years ago. I am trying to get Jo to understand there will be a lot of riders and there may not be any ribbons this first time out. Hopefully, they have a great day!

Cindy has a man friend??? Let’s check him out!

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Exechorseluver

Quiet, private and peaceful? Somehow I don’t think so.

I know. This is a difficult statement to conceive of after some 18 years of being divorced and not having a man friend, which is even more ironic as my ex was always certain I was going to divorce him and run off with one of the doctors I worked with at the time.

But yes, I have re-ignited a relationship with a friend of mine from long ago. You know Facebook is a marvelous thing. You can check out how people have aged and what they are doing. It seems to have worked for us. Which is even more amazing given the crazy pictures I tend to post with me standing in water troughs or with tutus on my head. Could be why it has taken 18 years to get a date.

Anyway, so we have been planning this little get-to-know-you again trip for a while now. I wanted it to be low-key. And even though, Lauren is off to the boyfriend’s most weekends, I confirmed that she would be gone. I wanted some quiet, private time to introduce the six dogs and gazillion horses to a non-farm person before adding in extra people. In fact, I had it all planned out perfectly.

Then Ally called this week to ask what time they were coming over on Saturday. I searched my mind to remember what we were planning on Saturday. “What are we doing?”, I asked. “We are coming over to meet your new boyfriend”. Not what I had in mind. Then she reminded me that her husband had volunteered to fix our horse’s run-in shed on Sunday. They would all be there all day and could I babysit Jordyn and Kendyll for a while? Why not?

One of my favorite boarders told me they might just be there Friday night when we get in from the airport, just in case we need help getting the horses out. Oh, and she is going to whip up her famous Tortilla Soup so we can have dinner all ready when we get back to the farm. Gee, perhaps her family can set the table and dress as waiters and serve us wine. (Honestly, I love the soup and am very grateful, but wow!)

Meanwhile, I learned that another one of my boarders and her boyfriend will be there Saturday to build jumps. We need new jumps. It is very nice of them to help out, but this weekend? The mower guys called to re-schedule to Saturday as well. That will be so peaceful. Looking out over the green pastures with the mowers and weed eaters running in the wind coupled with the electric saws and hammering. Idyllic.

Awesome. Lauren told me that she and Blake needed to come by because Blake was going to install the electric gate opener (which has been in a box in the garage for almost two years). Really? “When is that going to happen?”, I asked. “Oh. on Sunday. We have Dev coming to do lessons too!” Lauren told me.

I think that should only be about six riders and their families hanging out on a fine Sunday morning as Luke builds my run-in shed and Blake installs the gate opener. I feel pleased that everyone is so sweet and cares so much. This is truly a monumental event.

I finally gave up and planned a nice picnic type lunch for Sunday noon. Ally’s in-laws want to run by as well but they will wait until Thanksgiving.

Three year-old Kendyll was over this morning as I getting ready for work and doing the last-minute cleaning of the house. She was happily standing in my shower stall surveying what I was doing. “Maybe when my new grandpa comes we can put on our bathing suits and take a shower. Then you can go get cupcakes and we can have a party!”.

You know, Kendyll, we might as well. Let me know if anyone else wants to run by and check out the new boyfriend. We will be at the farm.

Fountain of Sorrow, Fountain of Life

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Exechorseluver

Sherre with her beloved dogs, Nordic and Doc. Photo courtesy of Morgan German

Sherre told me a few years back that she had cancer. I knew immediately and without doubt it would kill her. Not nice words or thoughts, for sure. Sherre even got a couple of reprieves, after all, she was a fighter. But this last time cancer came for her, I knew her time was running out.

Am I telling you how wonderful I am because I know that cancer can and will take whatever life it can? No. I have worked with oncology patients and most recently radiation oncology patients, plus my family is riddled with cancer. I know by now there is almost a direct correlation to how nice, thoughtful, kind you are and how fast the cancer takes you down.

In my experience, cancer kills the very best, before their time, before it is just. Maybe it is a way to get the rest of us from being so complacent. If cancer kills the finest of us, shouldn’t the rest of us get on the band wagon and find a way to beat this monster down?

______________________________________________

Lauren and I met Sherre one day at a horse show. We had our Corgi, Sneaky, for about a year and were looking to breed her to a fine male and have at least one litter of puppies. We spotted a beautiful Corgi at the show and we walked over to introduce ourselves to Sherre. She told us all about her Corgi, Nordic. He was destined to be neutered but Sherre said she would consider letting him sire one litter before that took place. We agreed we would call Sherre when Sneaky was ready.

Lauren and I walked away from the elaborate stall drapes and high dollar horses that Sherre worked with back to where we were still showing Mickey in hunters. We did not know much about this new “A” show world but we had just made friends with someone who was certainly at home in this environment.

Time came for Sneaky to be bred and off to Sherre’s we went. First, to her beautiful home where she made us all feel comfortable ( as Nordic chased Sneaky around in vain) to the barn where she worked which was built with standards much higher than those used to build my home. But never once did Sherre make us feel uneasy or unwelcome. We told her our dreams of getting Mickey solid at the 3’6″ jumps and she encouraged us. She talked with Lauren and give her tips. In the end, Nordic and Sneaky never consummated their love affair but Sherre was to be our friend forever.

I talked Sherre into doing a clinic at the barn Lauren rode at in those days. It was so well attended it took us all day for her to coach almost 60 riders through their paces. Lauren and Caitlyn Epperson attended. It was a day about getting back to riding fundamentals. Sherre taught traditional riding and it worked.

When Lauren wanted to attend the USEF Emerging Athlete Program, Sherre wrote a recommendation letter for Lauren. It meant a tremendous amount to us.

And through the years, no matter how busy Sherre was with her own riding and her own students, she always took time to visit with Lauren. Sherre would spot Lauren in the warm up ring and I would see them deep in conversation. She would encourage Lauren during her Mickey days and applaud her progress as Feather moved up through the ranks. She was the best possible mentor Lauren could have.

I was always so thrilled to see her white blonde hair blowing in the wind as she took a moment to bolster my daughter’s confidence just by her few simple words.

Our Bruno came from friends of Sherre’s family in New York.

Then came Bruno Sims into our life. Bruno, a huge OTTB, came into our life from Sherre via our trainer Dev. He had hoof problems I thought we could heal. Sherre and I had long conversations about the choice I was making to send him to Texas A&M for surgery. In the end, he did not live to grow old. But he fought and we fought to keep him alive and sound. I suspect that Sherre was concerned about this free horse that in the end cost us so much. But she gave us a tremendous gift with Bruno. He was one of kind. We loved this giant horse like no other.

When the cancer took hold, it didn’t change Sherre except maybe to make her kinder and more patient. She held on to her internal and external beauty as the disease ravaged her core.

Sherre was an avid reader of my blog. I did not know that until Feather’s first horse show at the GSWEC. Lauren was taking Feather in to do the baby greens in the East Arena, Cookie was talking to judge. Feather caught their movements out of the corner of her eye and shied away from the judge’s stand. It was then I recognized Sherre as the judge as she said “Easy, Feather! It is okay, Feather”. Apparently, Sherre had been reading along in the blog and knew that the horse announced as Flagmount’s Irish Freedom was my Feather making her debut in the ring.

Sherre’s passing has brought a fountain of sorrow to this horse world and this horsewoman. Yesterday, the activity ceased at the Great Southwest as the trainers learned of her passing. Nothing seemed to move, time stood still. She was the best of them in many ways.

But Sherre has left us a fountain of life as well. A simple daily challenge I will try to meet to be more kind, patient, caring, and full of life. Each day we are given opportunities to help someone brighten their day. Simple opportunities to share the fountain of life.

I am so happy that Nordic brought us to Sherre and Sherre brought life and color into our world. I will be forever grateful.

Fountain of Sorrow, Fountain of Life- Sherre Sims

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When we met Sherre I felt she looked familiar. She was the quintessential equestrian, classic in her look and clothing, but it was more than that. When I saw her truck, I remembered. Did you ever see this?

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I remember Lauren being a teenager when this came out. We were even inspired by this ad. To be professional horsewoman (and a beautiful one too!) and trailer your horses to shows-to be able to really live the life-that what this ad meant to Lauren and I. We never dreamed the beautiful lady from the ad would end up our friend.

An Open Letter to my Daughter’s Teacher

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Exechorseluver

We have a guest writer today but I think she expresses what a lot of us feel as it relates to equestrian sports. I will never forget talking to Lauren’s rural high school about getting PE credit for her horseback riding and they told it was not a sport. So many misconceptions. Anyway for any of you that were or had horse-loving kids-this sums up what they learn as they ride. I think it is outstanding!

Angie Mitchell·Tuesday, October 27, 2015

To my Daughter’s Teacher,

Today my 7 yr old daughter came home from school a bit sad. When I asked why, she said you told her that if she kept missing days, she would get bad grades. I understand where you are coming from, I’m sure it’s frustrating for you when she’s gone, but she’s missed 3 Fridays since the beginning of the year to compete in something that at 7 years old she’s found to be her true passion, Eventing. And so you know, there are not many 7 year olds that event. It’s difficult. It’s mentally and physically demanding. And she works harder than any kid I know her age because she enjoys it, and loves her pony, at a level beyond words.

It was interesting you told her that today, because in her backpack she had her report card with 6 A’s and 1 B. She also had her standardized test scores, where she scored above her peers in every category. But most interesting was the sheet of paper you also sent home, listing out what I should expect of my second grader, what I should work with her on. And as I read it all I could think is how much my daughter is benefiting from all the hours she’s spending at the barn preparing for her competitions. How much she is learning from all the hours, day in and day out, she practices. And finally, how my expectations of her are so much higher than yours, because of her riding.

Under the “Life Skills” portion it states she should be zipping zippers. She can put on a pair of leather half chaps by herself. Zipper level: Expert. It states she should be able to snap snaps and button buttons. She can put on her show shirt and jacket, a stock tie, breeches and her helmet. She can also tack up her pony by herself and apply bell boots, open front jump boots and brushing boots, and she knows which ones to use when.

It says she should know how to wash and dry her hands. Not only can she do that, but she knows how to clean and condition her boots, bridle and saddle, bathe her pony, pick his feet and apply hoof polish, organize a tack trunk and shovel and sweep manure from the grooming bays.

She’s supposed to know one parent’s phone number, and her parents names. She knows the names of the 30+ horses at the barn. She knows what size girth to use, and when to use a running martingale. She knows what hole to put the jump cups for a 2’ course, or a 2’6 course. She also knows how to change her diagonal, turn down centerline, make a 20 meter circle and how to ride a transition.

There was a section for “Following Directions” where it says she needs to be a good listener. She listens to her trainer give her a jump course consisting of 10+ fences, which she has to immediately remember, and then jump. It says she has to remember multiple directions at a time “such as brushing your teeth, putting on your shoes and moving your backpack.” She can remember and ride a dressage test, cross country course and show jump course in one day.

It says I should play “Mother May I” with her. Everything her pony does, is because she’s asked and she knows she has to ask correctly. She weighs 50 lbs. He weighs 700. She has spent hours learning how to not only ask, but listen, when she wants something from him.

It says she should have responsibilities, such as packing her lunch. She can not only feed herself, but knows how to feed and care for a pony. She can groom him, put on his blanket, braid his mane and brush his tail. She can scoop his feed, throw his hay, fill his water buckets and lug all 5 gallons 100 feet from the hose to his stall (though I do have to help her hang them.) She knows he always comes first, even when she’s hot and tired or it’s cold and raining.

But most of all, she’s learning about hard work. She’s learning how to succeed, and how to fail. She’s learning patience and compassion and best of all Love. Love for her pony, Love for her sport, Love for learning.

Dear Teacher, while I know school is important, I also know there is more to life than what can be learned in a classroom. These experiences aren’t just teaching her the things that come from a book, but things that are making her a better human being. When she looks back on her life, she won’t remember missing those 3 days of school. She will remember her last show on her beloved pony Champ, her first ribbon at a USEA show, and how she and her Best Friend spent 3 days in the rain together doing the thing they love the most, being Eventers.

Sincerely,

The proud mom of a horse loving little girl

Joy

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Exechorseluver

At three years of age, Kendyll is a wild woman! But a beautiful one.

There is something about this picture that reminds me of my long-departed sister, Betty Sue (no, not my horse). Her hair was long and similar in color to Kendyll’s now. Probably my family that is still around and remembers her as a child would not agree, but there is something here in Kendyll’s eyes, in her expression, that shows strength and determination and my sister had both. It takes me back in time and yet, secures me tightly to my future, this granddaughter is special as all of mine are.

It has been a run of several weeks of gorgeous weather and clear, cloudless skies. While this is doing little to preserve what is left of my pastures (which desperately need rain), it starts and ends each day with fresh beauty. The clear, star-filled sky as I got out early to feed and the dropping sun as the day ends again, an orange ball in the sky.

With this wonderful weather we have been spending a lot of time riding. Lauren because Zone Finals are upon us and the rest of us, because it is so lovely. A couple of nights I rode horses back to back after a long day at work. I galloped for the first time in several years, trusting my mount (Mickey) and myself (as I get stronger) to hang tough.

The arena, while dusty, seems to be drawing us all to ride.

I have been busy taking photos. Even today as I gave lessons I snap photos while my student trudges on. Did you know I am giving lessons now? It is actually going pretty well and I haven’t killed anyone yet.

Allyson is back on Snow after taking a few years off and it is like she never missed a day. Isabel planned out a tough course for them and they did great. Isabel is getting a lot practice as she has been moving up on Prosecco. They are jumping higher with tougher courses. I think she wanted to pass along her experiences. And in what is probably the crazy jumping picture of the year. I caught Prosecco jumping like a frightened cat literally off the ground and over the jump. This has to be an all-star photo!

OMG!!! Crazy jump photo of the year with Isabel and Prosecco!

Speaking of a little nuts, Mickey is headed to Zone Finals with Alex for his fourth time. We have him on some new meds and he is doing so well. He is jumping well and moving like a young horse.

Mickey and Alex get their ride on.

We have been pushing Mickey to jump higher and wider to meet the demands of the big show. He is responding well. The jump above had a wide enough spread that after jumping it successfully, they found the jump was wide enough for Alex and Mickey to stand inside of it. Now, we just need to get Lauren and Feather to jump Mickey in the middle of the jump and we will really have something!

Another milestone for me passed this week with the one year anniversary of the arrival of Fargo and baby Betty Sue. Betty Sue was only six months old when she arrived from Colorado. Fargo is in foal to Feather’s sire and she has grown a little too!

Betty Sue, tiny next to Fargo, a year ago.

Pregnant mama Fargo, me and tall Betty Sue.

The dogs are always a big part of any day and we caught a couple candid’s of them.

Sammi Dee has settled in so well to life here. But a girl does need her rest.

Alex took this one! I have a couple more dog photos to finish up. Gotta go get horses out for another cloudless night. As always thanks for riding along! Come visit us!

It’s all fun and games until someone has to wear the cone!

Allyson’s five-year old sister Gabby spending so calm time with Maui Jim.

We had joy

We had fun

We had seasons in the sun

Be Inspired

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Exechorseluver

We can learn from any situation. We can grow even if we are old and stuck in our ways. We can be re-inspired given the right set of circumstances even if our days sometimes feel grudging familiar.

I enjoyed being re-inspired to ride through my friend, Jo Ann. She is doing lessons each week (usually on one of my horses) but this was a difficult trip back for her after injuries and illness. While she has fought a lot of demons this year, she keeps coming back to her time in the saddle.

Jo Ann on my Nova.

I also was inspired in an unusual way at work. I had a new employee that was coming to work with me this last summer. He was coming back to our company from a competitor. But he was a little legendary in the path he had made when he had worked here previously. I knew he was smart, perhaps brilliant. I knew he was a hard-worker. I knew work was his life.

I was scared. I appreciate my job. I try my hardest to do my best at my work. But I leave (most days) with a clear head looking forward to the evening or weekend ahead at the farm.

Alfonso

Then Alfonso came. I was afraid he would be a sour academic with little time or thought for anything other than work. I knew he spoke six languages and that English was not his first. And then of course, there was the age thing. He was in his late 20’s. Certainly not an age (especially with guys) that I have a lot of knowledge of or much in common with. He had no knowledge of horses, dogs or cats although he said he once rode a pony in Venezuela. What we were going to talk about with one another?

I was right about the smart thing. He is smart. As I said, perhaps brilliant. But as these first 90 days have passed, I learned he was more than that. We work in a small work space. We somehow got delegated to the smallest cubicles in the company. Mine is maybe four feet by five feet. There are six of these in a tight space. Like it or not, you get to know you cube mates pretty well.

In the past 90 days, I went from having a pretty anonymous position, sitting at my desk for hours at a time without a soul coming by and quietly floating through the company without rippling the surfaces to having interruptions at least every 10-15 minutes as my new colleague wants to ask me something, get my feedback or just show me what he is working on. I might be a little ADD and sometimes it is hard for me to get back on task after these breaks in my concentration but I always learn something.

All of this I kind of expected when I learned Alfonso was going to join me in my group. What I did not know or expect was his quick sense of humor. There are times we get to laughing so hard, heads go down on the desk. No, I didn’t expect that from this human think tank. He sent me an old SNL skit on Toonces the Driving Cat. Later at the barn, everyone from Kendyll to the teenagers were laughing at the silly skit. Toonces happens to look just like my cat, Levi. Like I said, not what I expected.

Also, many days Alfonso brings some type of homemade organic goodie. Like hummus and freshly baked bread. Or popcorn cooked on the stove not in a microwave. He even insisted on bringing his own lunch when we headed to Bartlesville, Oklahoma on business a few weeks ago. Imagine the laughter as his organic cherry tomatoes spilled out on the conveyor belt of the X-ray machine at the airport. Wow. You do not see that every day.

But what I also did not expect that he would do, just through his own nature and habits, was inspire me to work harder. When we discuss something I am working on, he questions me (and he is always annoyingly right unless I can get the topic off on horses or dogs) and I dig deeper to find the answers. I can say without question that I have learned more in the last 90 days about more subjects than I have in years. I have been inspired to want to learn more. That is not an easy leap for someone headed toward sixty and pretty content in her ways.

Before this rocks off to something bordering on adulation, I with just conclude with an observation. If we are open to seeing inspiration it is all around us. From my older friend Jo Ann that I watched overcome her fears to ride again to young Alfonso that brought intelligence, but also passion for his work, I learned and I stepped up.

Now, I am riding more, riding harder and riding faster-thanks to Jo Ann. Work is more engaging, stimulating and a place I want to be because Alfonso brought learning back to me.

Find someone who inspires you. These people are all around you. Watch them. Engage them. Copy them. Life is better for them.

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My friend Jo Ann goes back to jump more medical obstacles today. Say a prayer for her and her recovery. She is one of the good ones.

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Thanks for riding along!