Two weeks ago I was doing a pre-show groom on a horse at the barn. I was pulling his mane when a song by classic 90's angst queen Alanis Morrisette came on the stereo. The song sparked a small lecture on 90's alternative music, and the relative success of Ms. Morrisette throughout the years. Ebony (the horse getting groomed) was fascinated by the discourse on the irony of 90's angst rock getting rehashed on stripped down intimate acoustic albums a decade later. "Really Eb, she only ever had that one successful album, so I mean she had to re-release it. Everyone has a mortgage to pay!"
The horses love my music lectures.
Of all the things in this universe there are two I love above all else
1: My horse
2: Rock Music
Lucky for me, the proprietor of Colby Creek Stables (our home) is a kind soul whose young son shares my enthusiasm for a good guitar riff. It is under these conditions that I am able to rock out while I'm at the barn. A typical visit to the stable starts thusly: greet Dobby, use the restroom, turn on barn stereo. Dobs and I generally rock out to Fremont's Classic hits 105.5, and I'll argue here this is one of the better classic rock stations in Nebraska. From time to time, pending the presence of teenaged souls in the barn we jam to 98.5, modern hit music. Sometimes we even bop along to the oldies, depends on the day really.
Under no circumstance however, will country music be played when I am at the helm of the stereo system.
Good music, and a good horse, well it just puts me into the best mood possible. After a long day of legal wrangling at work I need to cut loose and unwind with my best man (Dobs) and I feel really blessed to have a place where I can enjoy both of my favorite things without fear of retribution. Rides seem better, tack gets cleaner time just flies at the barn with some rock music rolling in the background.
...and occasionally I am known to sing to Dobby. I'll bust out with most anything. Despite being a self-professed rock snob I happen to know the lyrics to 90% of the songs on the radio, and even if I don't like it, if I've had a good ride and I know the coast is clear I do sing along with the radio to dearest Dob. He seems to prefer my renditions of Eagles and Queen songs. It isn't all together uncommon to hear me mumbling lyrics to him while I groom, or do a little dance while cleaning tack.
I can't help it, when I'm happy I move I sing, there is nothing to be done about it but join in or laugh.
Showing posts with label DQ Confessions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DQ Confessions. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Friday, November 16, 2007
Mothers and Daughters and Horses OH MY!
23 years into my career as a dressage rider, I come to find out my mother has wanted to ride this whole time.
Mom found a little black quarter horse he's not quite ready for prime time, but she likes him. I picked him up last night, now he's on trial with me for the next couple weeks. He can be young, but he's got to be kind. I don't care about looks, movement anything. Any horse my mom calls her own must be quiet. In spite of all the years on the side-lines my mother is a little out of touch with certain realities of the horse business, last night she was a little hesistant.
My initial thoughts are that a green-is horse, and a green rider is an awful idea. There is a lingering part of me that thinks maybe it will be okay, and they can both learn together. Of course it will be a lot of work for me to teach the two of them. The horse needs to learn, the rider needs to learn, and I'm the bridge bringing them together. Maybe though, it will be good. My mom and I will both learn how to communicate with this fella, and maybe, just maybe communication between mother and daughter will improve. Horses do have a way of breaking down barriers.
We haven't decided yet if we're keeping him yet. My mom hasn't decided how dedicated she will be to her riding. All she knows at this point is that he's cute and she really wants to give this a shot. Both of my parents have supported me in my riding all these years, even when I quit. My mother has been especially wonderful, I owe this to her after all that she's done I can share this with her.
For those of you who know my mom, wish me luck!
Mom found a little black quarter horse he's not quite ready for prime time, but she likes him. I picked him up last night, now he's on trial with me for the next couple weeks. He can be young, but he's got to be kind. I don't care about looks, movement anything. Any horse my mom calls her own must be quiet. In spite of all the years on the side-lines my mother is a little out of touch with certain realities of the horse business, last night she was a little hesistant.
My initial thoughts are that a green-is horse, and a green rider is an awful idea. There is a lingering part of me that thinks maybe it will be okay, and they can both learn together. Of course it will be a lot of work for me to teach the two of them. The horse needs to learn, the rider needs to learn, and I'm the bridge bringing them together. Maybe though, it will be good. My mom and I will both learn how to communicate with this fella, and maybe, just maybe communication between mother and daughter will improve. Horses do have a way of breaking down barriers.
We haven't decided yet if we're keeping him yet. My mom hasn't decided how dedicated she will be to her riding. All she knows at this point is that he's cute and she really wants to give this a shot. Both of my parents have supported me in my riding all these years, even when I quit. My mother has been especially wonderful, I owe this to her after all that she's done I can share this with her.
For those of you who know my mom, wish me luck!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Achieving Balance
Perhaps some of the Elder Stateswomen of the Dressage community can help me out with this issue.
Balance.
It's necessary for good dressage, and necessary for a good life. I find it difficult at times to balance the needs of my dressage life and the rest of my life. I feel a tinge of guilt turning my friends down for drinks and dinner on a Thursday night because I've got a lesson, or I'm in the throws of preparation for a horse show. I've discovered in my 20's that very few people continue to pursue time consuming hobbies as they get older, and thus the threshold of understanding for my non-work Passion is diminishing. I guess they're all gettin' married and havin' kids n' stuff.
Or whatever.
Luckily, my SO, Chad is very understanding of my hobby. In fact, he is extremely proud of me, and admires my dedication. He was even good enough to volunteer as the announcer for the LEC Schooling Show. That's love baby! He's really fantastic about my late nights at the barn and I'm so grateful. I just wish everyone were as understanding as he was. (Side note: the day after the Lancaster County Fair, I'll be cheering him on at his first Mountain Bike race!!)
But it's not just relationships, its housework and gym work, family and "Margo time." I want to dedicate so much of my time to this sport, but in doing so, other parts of my life seem to slide down the slippery slope of neglect. Perhaps I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I can't be perfect at everything, and maybe there aren't enough hours in the day for everything I want to do.
Acceptance. Balance. Boy, dressage is everywhere!
Balance.
It's necessary for good dressage, and necessary for a good life. I find it difficult at times to balance the needs of my dressage life and the rest of my life. I feel a tinge of guilt turning my friends down for drinks and dinner on a Thursday night because I've got a lesson, or I'm in the throws of preparation for a horse show. I've discovered in my 20's that very few people continue to pursue time consuming hobbies as they get older, and thus the threshold of understanding for my non-work Passion is diminishing. I guess they're all gettin' married and havin' kids n' stuff.
Or whatever.
Luckily, my SO, Chad is very understanding of my hobby. In fact, he is extremely proud of me, and admires my dedication. He was even good enough to volunteer as the announcer for the LEC Schooling Show. That's love baby! He's really fantastic about my late nights at the barn and I'm so grateful. I just wish everyone were as understanding as he was. (Side note: the day after the Lancaster County Fair, I'll be cheering him on at his first Mountain Bike race!!)
But it's not just relationships, its housework and gym work, family and "Margo time." I want to dedicate so much of my time to this sport, but in doing so, other parts of my life seem to slide down the slippery slope of neglect. Perhaps I'm just going to have to accept the fact that I can't be perfect at everything, and maybe there aren't enough hours in the day for everything I want to do.
Acceptance. Balance. Boy, dressage is everywhere!
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
All Wrapped Up
If you were to drop by my apartment on an average Sunday evening you'd find me parked on my sofa between a mess of tangled white leg wraps and a stack of scraggly looking hand towels, colored black or grey. In my dining area you'd see white all- purpose pads air-drying over my chairs, having been bleached within an inch of their lives.
I'm fanatic about my horse laundry. I have tons of it because I only use my wraps once, and my saddle pads twice before they are washed. Yes, it's a lot of work to roll the polos, and a lot of bleach to keep saddle pads white. (Right now, I have to wash my pads twice to get all the spring hair and dirt off of them) I am dedicated to the cause of clean white "socks and underwear" for my Dobby. He's always worn white, and for the most part he probably always will.
Yesterday the horse undergarment white-out ended with the arrival of baby blue polo wraps. This is a big deal. In the 4 years I've owned my horse he's only ever been ridden in white. There are so many options now, saddle pads with beautiful ribbon trims, polo wraps in lovely colors, bling for bridles, spurs and now half-chaps. It's been hard to resist. I broke down over baby blue and I may again by ordering a pair of camel colored wraps.
I've been all white so long I don't think I'll ever be able to go full color. I love the way white looks. In my own mind, by riding in all whites all the time I honor the elegant legacy of my chosen sport. Now I'm trying to have a little fun with it, and some lovely muted colors.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
An Attitude Adjustment
Since the adult clinic I’ve found myself thinking a lot about my attitude. Jane Savoie’s first lecture was all about the power of positive thinking and the “laws of attraction.” I walked in as she was describing a person she calls the “stinky thinker.” A stinky thinker is basically a person who points out the negative in every thing and bitches endlessly without even attempting to find a solution.
*gasp*….I’m kinda like that
I’ll readily admit to being a glass-half-empty gal. I am most negative about myself, especially my riding and my looks. Here are some of my greatest hits:
“Oh I’m such a chub!”
“I would completely humiliate myself if I stepped into the show ring.”
“I’m not a good enough rider.”
“I can’t halt worth a shit.”
“I haven’t gotten Dobby as far as he should be.”
Reading over this now, it sounds so awful! I’ve made a tremendous dark cloud over my head. No wonder I’m lacking in confidence when I promote this negativity in my own mind. Sheesh!
Savoie advised all of us to let negative people, or their negativity, drift by like debris in a river. In her lecture she pointed out that when we’re at a picnic beside a river we don’t reach into the river to pull out garbage drifting by put it in our purse, and take it home. Savoie encourages us to do the same with the people/energy in our lives. We shouldn’t let our downer friends and their endless “drama” drag us downstream.
And furthermore if you, yourself, are that downer perhaps it’s best to change your cruddy attitude, lest you continue to drift down a polluted river into the ocean where you and the rest of your environmentally unsound negative pals kill oceanic wildlife! I’m taking this polluted river metaphor further to demonstrate the cumulative nature of negative thought. If you let it, negative attitudes can contaminate your entire sense of self, and erode away your confidence. It might even stifle you from making positive life changes.
I may not agree wholly with the physics Savoie used to support her assertion that we all vibrate good and bad energy. (The Law of attraction: What vibes/energy you give out with your attitude determine what energy you attract back). I do, however, 100% agree with the notion that a positive attitude will take you farther in life than a negative one. I also agree a negative attitude will only serve in making the achievement of goals much more difficult.
Why should we act as our own enemies? Why would we want to repel possible allies (friends) with a crappy attitude? Who will support the downer? Isn’t this sport difficult enough without creating your own mental obstacles?
I was very pleased by the end of Savoie’s Saturday morning lecture. I am glad that Savoie is traveling the country delivering her message about having a positive attitude. USDF has made a wonderful choice in Savoie as their spokesperson for adult dressage riders.
We can probably all agree it isn’t only the DQs, but society in general, that has become more negative in recent years. It is so easy to be snarky. We all do it. Let’s all try to reduce it, just like we try to reduce the pollution in our rivers. Think of your negativity as a form of pollution contaminating the space we all share.
I realize this post has very little to do with dressage, and perhaps it could find a better home elsewhere. I wanted to post it here for a reason. So often in my life I find that horsewomanship makes me a better person. Dressage enhances my life both in and out of the barn. The adult clinic is another example of this phenomenon.
*gasp*….I’m kinda like that
I’ll readily admit to being a glass-half-empty gal. I am most negative about myself, especially my riding and my looks. Here are some of my greatest hits:
“Oh I’m such a chub!”
“I would completely humiliate myself if I stepped into the show ring.”
“I’m not a good enough rider.”
“I can’t halt worth a shit.”
“I haven’t gotten Dobby as far as he should be.”
Reading over this now, it sounds so awful! I’ve made a tremendous dark cloud over my head. No wonder I’m lacking in confidence when I promote this negativity in my own mind. Sheesh!
Savoie advised all of us to let negative people, or their negativity, drift by like debris in a river. In her lecture she pointed out that when we’re at a picnic beside a river we don’t reach into the river to pull out garbage drifting by put it in our purse, and take it home. Savoie encourages us to do the same with the people/energy in our lives. We shouldn’t let our downer friends and their endless “drama” drag us downstream.
And furthermore if you, yourself, are that downer perhaps it’s best to change your cruddy attitude, lest you continue to drift down a polluted river into the ocean where you and the rest of your environmentally unsound negative pals kill oceanic wildlife! I’m taking this polluted river metaphor further to demonstrate the cumulative nature of negative thought. If you let it, negative attitudes can contaminate your entire sense of self, and erode away your confidence. It might even stifle you from making positive life changes.
I may not agree wholly with the physics Savoie used to support her assertion that we all vibrate good and bad energy. (The Law of attraction: What vibes/energy you give out with your attitude determine what energy you attract back). I do, however, 100% agree with the notion that a positive attitude will take you farther in life than a negative one. I also agree a negative attitude will only serve in making the achievement of goals much more difficult.
Why should we act as our own enemies? Why would we want to repel possible allies (friends) with a crappy attitude? Who will support the downer? Isn’t this sport difficult enough without creating your own mental obstacles?
I was very pleased by the end of Savoie’s Saturday morning lecture. I am glad that Savoie is traveling the country delivering her message about having a positive attitude. USDF has made a wonderful choice in Savoie as their spokesperson for adult dressage riders.
We can probably all agree it isn’t only the DQs, but society in general, that has become more negative in recent years. It is so easy to be snarky. We all do it. Let’s all try to reduce it, just like we try to reduce the pollution in our rivers. Think of your negativity as a form of pollution contaminating the space we all share.
I realize this post has very little to do with dressage, and perhaps it could find a better home elsewhere. I wanted to post it here for a reason. So often in my life I find that horsewomanship makes me a better person. Dressage enhances my life both in and out of the barn. The adult clinic is another example of this phenomenon.
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