Arizona Fried Neep
Jul. 10th, 2006 03:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancinghorseOoog am fried Ooog. Got up ohgodearly (even for me--by the time ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
smoemeth cracks an eyelid, I've been up for hours) to feed horses and do chores so I could be at Teacher's place at 8:15 (takes about an hour to get there--more if one has to stop for gas because the orange "you're almost empty" light is on) for a lesson on ze keed. It is rather hotter there than here, but it's not exactly cool here, either, today. Monsoons are taking a short break, though I see thunderheads forming in defiance of the weathercritters' predictions.
At any rate, keed had been waiting for me to come--when I got there, Teacher was warming him up and I got the Happy Ears fixed in my direction. Also a very agitated and furiously jealous Gaudia, who had to be shnoogled and placated before I went to ride der Moose. Gaudia has continued to expand and is clearly going to give her Aunt Camilla a run for her War-Maredom. That is one massive young horse. Which is good. Teacher wants massive, to take up her longish leg.
Keed is much lighter-framed and Araby, but he's muscled up pretty impressively, too. He has been called "that nice little Lippy-Arab," but he's 15.1 and although he looks fairly refined, he's straining out of Teacher's old Trakehner's fly sheet. Tigger was 16.1 and very imposing.
Anyway. Happy keed; Teacher had been promising a mom visit and ride all weekend. I had some apprehension that he wouldn't be thrilled to have me on his back after all these months of Teacher's much superior riding, but he was lovely and the happy ears continued.
The lesson was in Precision. Teacher had cones set up to make circles of 20m, 15m, and 10m. First I had to get the parameters of his aids. Unlike the mares, who need a lot of rein support and a very solid circle of aids, and Pook, who wants a firmly supporting hand, keed wants a very light, open front end. He carries his own head (if you try, he sucks back, his back gets hollow, and he starts to prop behind), but his body needs a lot of balance and seat from the rider. I had to be very much in the middle, and there was a lot of tailbone involved. A Lot. Good thing the midsection has been toning itself up since the May clinic.
We spent a good 45 minutes getting the calibration, getting him to reach forward for the bit and then come "on the bit" (actually on the aids since the contact was just barely there), then riding larger and smaller circles in walk and trot. Never did get to canter. We'll have to do that on Thursday, when Teacher is coming to teach me on Capria. More precision on a tougher horse but one I've been riding consistently. I was particularly interested to feel the difference between bad elbows and good ones--good ones felt good, relaxed and comfortable. So that's shifting over and slowly becoming default mode, which is a good thing.
Keed and I were both wrung out after our lesson. He got to go out and finish his breakfast. I drove home with a stop at the grocery, went comatose for a bit, then had to deal with the barn chores I let go this morning: water barrels and fence repairs. That fried me up nicely. Notable was the fact that Oreo now marches up to me and lets his nose be kissed, then demands scritchies. That's a DHF baby. He even let me hug him, lightly and carefully so as not to trigger the trapped-panic reaction he had when he got here. He's about ready to meet some other, Lipp-savvy humans (casacorona take note).
Preparations for the Dallas clinic proceed apace. Along with all the admin stuff I've been doing (scheduling rides--50 rides in 5 days with various restrictions, limitations, and variations--arranging stabling, working on various associated events and details), I've been dealing with a bit of pressure from Teacher and Torture Lady to be Properly Prepared (hence today's keed lesson--the horse I'm borrowing, a full Lipp, is shorter but almost exactly the same barrel size) and Properly Attired. Since I usually ride in endurance tights and riding sneakers, this has taken some work. I started off thinking I'd go the high-casual route: paddock shoes and half chaps, and I rode in these for several weeks. Very comfortable and not too unattractive.
But Teacher hinted and guilted, and then the lady whose horse I'm borrowing said she was going for dress boots and misery. So, with fear and trembling, I brought out the sacred dress boots which I had been avoiding for over a year. Dress boots can be excruciating to wear (what with the stiff leather and interesting blisters), and custom dress boots that cost more than my saddle tend to end up in the box, being preserved for posterity. Also, they are a royal bitch to break in.
But lo and behold, apart from still being a little bit tall (ow back of knee ow) and giving me a major calf cramp trying to get out of them before I got smart and went for the talcum spray, they fit as custom boots are supposed to do--perfectly. They've been breaking themselves in while I've avoided them. Kind of Pooka-like that. And yes, they do make for a better leg especially when riding a horse with a less extreme barrel than the usual crew here. I'll need an extra suitcase to transport them (they're too tall for my usual wheelie bag), but they are going. And the rest of the equipment has been mustered, including leather gloves, nice helmet, and suitable breeches and shirts. We may not have much of a rider's figure, but we'll be tidy at least, and try not to embarrass Teacher.
Just think, I'd be going through all this fuss for the horse, too, if I were taking one of my own--what with all the tack, saddle pads, baths, and titivating required. Next time. (We are already talking about a next time. This clinic is full full full, and we have a lot of interest in continuing.)
smoemeth cracks an eyelid, I've been up for hours) to feed horses and do chores so I could be at Teacher's place at 8:15 (takes about an hour to get there--more if one has to stop for gas because the orange "you're almost empty" light is on) for a lesson on ze keed. It is rather hotter there than here, but it's not exactly cool here, either, today. Monsoons are taking a short break, though I see thunderheads forming in defiance of the weathercritters' predictions.At any rate, keed had been waiting for me to come--when I got there, Teacher was warming him up and I got the Happy Ears fixed in my direction. Also a very agitated and furiously jealous Gaudia, who had to be shnoogled and placated before I went to ride der Moose. Gaudia has continued to expand and is clearly going to give her Aunt Camilla a run for her War-Maredom. That is one massive young horse. Which is good. Teacher wants massive, to take up her longish leg.
Keed is much lighter-framed and Araby, but he's muscled up pretty impressively, too. He has been called "that nice little Lippy-Arab," but he's 15.1 and although he looks fairly refined, he's straining out of Teacher's old Trakehner's fly sheet. Tigger was 16.1 and very imposing.
Anyway. Happy keed; Teacher had been promising a mom visit and ride all weekend. I had some apprehension that he wouldn't be thrilled to have me on his back after all these months of Teacher's much superior riding, but he was lovely and the happy ears continued.
The lesson was in Precision. Teacher had cones set up to make circles of 20m, 15m, and 10m. First I had to get the parameters of his aids. Unlike the mares, who need a lot of rein support and a very solid circle of aids, and Pook, who wants a firmly supporting hand, keed wants a very light, open front end. He carries his own head (if you try, he sucks back, his back gets hollow, and he starts to prop behind), but his body needs a lot of balance and seat from the rider. I had to be very much in the middle, and there was a lot of tailbone involved. A Lot. Good thing the midsection has been toning itself up since the May clinic.
We spent a good 45 minutes getting the calibration, getting him to reach forward for the bit and then come "on the bit" (actually on the aids since the contact was just barely there), then riding larger and smaller circles in walk and trot. Never did get to canter. We'll have to do that on Thursday, when Teacher is coming to teach me on Capria. More precision on a tougher horse but one I've been riding consistently. I was particularly interested to feel the difference between bad elbows and good ones--good ones felt good, relaxed and comfortable. So that's shifting over and slowly becoming default mode, which is a good thing.
Keed and I were both wrung out after our lesson. He got to go out and finish his breakfast. I drove home with a stop at the grocery, went comatose for a bit, then had to deal with the barn chores I let go this morning: water barrels and fence repairs. That fried me up nicely. Notable was the fact that Oreo now marches up to me and lets his nose be kissed, then demands scritchies. That's a DHF baby. He even let me hug him, lightly and carefully so as not to trigger the trapped-panic reaction he had when he got here. He's about ready to meet some other, Lipp-savvy humans (
casacorona take note). Preparations for the Dallas clinic proceed apace. Along with all the admin stuff I've been doing (scheduling rides--50 rides in 5 days with various restrictions, limitations, and variations--arranging stabling, working on various associated events and details), I've been dealing with a bit of pressure from Teacher and Torture Lady to be Properly Prepared (hence today's keed lesson--the horse I'm borrowing, a full Lipp, is shorter but almost exactly the same barrel size) and Properly Attired. Since I usually ride in endurance tights and riding sneakers, this has taken some work. I started off thinking I'd go the high-casual route: paddock shoes and half chaps, and I rode in these for several weeks. Very comfortable and not too unattractive.
But Teacher hinted and guilted, and then the lady whose horse I'm borrowing said she was going for dress boots and misery. So, with fear and trembling, I brought out the sacred dress boots which I had been avoiding for over a year. Dress boots can be excruciating to wear (what with the stiff leather and interesting blisters), and custom dress boots that cost more than my saddle tend to end up in the box, being preserved for posterity. Also, they are a royal bitch to break in.
But lo and behold, apart from still being a little bit tall (ow back of knee ow) and giving me a major calf cramp trying to get out of them before I got smart and went for the talcum spray, they fit as custom boots are supposed to do--perfectly. They've been breaking themselves in while I've avoided them. Kind of Pooka-like that. And yes, they do make for a better leg especially when riding a horse with a less extreme barrel than the usual crew here. I'll need an extra suitcase to transport them (they're too tall for my usual wheelie bag), but they are going. And the rest of the equipment has been mustered, including leather gloves, nice helmet, and suitable breeches and shirts. We may not have much of a rider's figure, but we'll be tidy at least, and try not to embarrass Teacher.
Just think, I'd be going through all this fuss for the horse, too, if I were taking one of my own--what with all the tack, saddle pads, baths, and titivating required. Next time. (We are already talking about a next time. This clinic is full full full, and we have a lot of interest in continuing.)
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no subject
Date: 2006-07-10 10:51 pm (UTC)WHOO! My elbows are starting to stay stable a good 20% of the time now, I think. Though i need teacher torture to be sure. It is DEFINITELY good. I noticed SUCH a difference in Miss Shaughns when mom and I went for a trail ride Saturday morning. She was full of fire and "let's GO"-ness, and yet, it was all easy. YAY! (THough poor Mom found out just HOW fast Beau can gallop and there was screaming and losing stirrups and realizing she could hug his barrel with her legs and staying on and dealing, so that was Good. There was also shaking afterwards. Oops. My fault. Shaughns kicked it into 5th gear right quick, because I was open and asked her too. oopsie.)
Full dress boots. Mine are not custom, but they sit in the box anyway, because Not. Comfy. And I DID break them in. They don't hit the backs of my knees anymore (2 weeks of consistent riding in them would fix that, you know ;). But they don't take my orthotics and so....
And you will look BEAUTIFUL at the clinic. Shush on this "not a rider's figure" riff. My first clinic with D, she used me as an example. "Doesn't she look beautiful? Just like a teenager (I was almost 30). So skinny and pretty and perched*key word choice here alarm* in the saddle. LEt's fix that, mmk?"
Good riding is good riding. It is NOT about a figure shape. And you are NOT slovenly, so just accept that you will look GREAT! And fit in fine ;). We DO expect photos, though, I think.... *nods*
no subject
Date: 2006-07-10 11:18 pm (UTC)Will settle for tidy. Beauty we ain't got, at middle-aged, busty, and looking truly dire when wearing shirt tucked in. Will have to wear shirt out, so there will be some floppiness (but not as bad as the flour sack with string around middle effect of tucked in with belt). Can't afford those nice fitted riding shirts even if they were made in Short But Busty size, though later I may see about Suitability patterns and having some made.
I do at least have a toned middle. And how. And toned legs. Middle-aged arms and middle-aged face will have to cope. Will get hair cut this week to avoid shaggy-dog effect.
Most of the people riding in the clinic are of the slim and blonde persuasion. My style is more Carol Lavell. (She is a shining inspiration to all of us with less than perfect riding figures.) I'm not a pretty rider, either, and wasn't even at 30 and slim, but I've been working on that and should be at least acceptable. I'm figuring by the time he sees me, he'll have run a gamut of American dressage riders, and may be somewhat relieved to see someone trained more in his style.
The hardest part is going to be that "ride every stride" thing, for 45 minutes. It was a challenge this morning. Will have to focus on that (literally) from now until then.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-10 11:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 12:10 am (UTC)Oh, what you said -- I'm taking three mares to this (http://www.davenportsquest.org/), and I have already begun to mutter darkly about having to plan the !@#$ Normandy Invasion. Only without any boats.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 12:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 01:57 am (UTC)I was originally going to take two horses. That ended up being zero horses. I'm severely bummed about not having at least Pooka there, but I'll plan on it for the next one.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 01:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 03:08 am (UTC)There are some lovely fashions available from 18-24. I used to drool through their catalogs till the wookie pushed me into uncharted territory. I think I'm doomed to duct tape and tents now.
We are getting !LIGHTENING! so must fly
http://1824catalog.com/index.html
no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 01:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 05:03 pm (UTC)Have you considered (again, I fear the heat, so ignore at will) trying a tailored vest over your shirt, to hide the floppiness and emphasize the toned parts? I dunno, just a thought!
As for the "ride every stride" thing, I have no doubt that you will do brilliantly! When do you leave?
no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 05:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-11 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 04:09 pm (UTC)"Taditi told him to walk in there like a King. Expect people will obey his commands."
;)
Walk in there KNOWING you *are* beautiful (I've seen pictures and shush you!) and that you have EVERY RIGHT to be there (more right than most, actually) and that you CAN ride every stride and that you CAN learn tonnes and still be respected. And you will be ;). Of this, I have no doubt.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:22 pm (UTC)the moral of the story: back things up like a religious fanatic.
Thanks,
Sean
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:29 pm (UTC)I don't know how to get data off the hard drive, no, alack. Have you tried googling? How about the Geek Squad or local equivalent?
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:34 pm (UTC)I'm leaning toward getting a pattern and having some fitted riding shirts made for future clinics. Shouldn't be hugely pricey compared to buying them and having them not fit.
Everybody is fussing about some aspect of riding in this clinic. It's a big deal for most of us and we all want to do well.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:39 pm (UTC)Dublin just came out with a redesign of a dress boot that comes with a zipper in the back for a good price - not top of the line, but I really like the lines of them. Dublin RCS Aristocrat Dress Boot. Not that we'll be competing past Training in the next few years, but still.
no subject
Date: 2006-07-12 06:39 pm (UTC)And I DO understand the fretting. I did a fair bit back in may, as memory serves. And clothes were part of the equation. Though in the end, they were the LEAST of my worries! You will do GREAT! and though I know it's disappointing not to have Pooka or Pandora there, it will allow you to focus on YOU and your riding at the clinic, in ways that is more challenging if you have a horse to look after, too. But you know that ;).