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APRIL 2008

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April 28

That's Miss Mallory outside for a romp just days after she was born.  She's quite the go-getter and as a result, has gotten herself a boo-boo and is now relegated to her bedroom until she heals.  But there she is with her momma, Mint (a Keys to the Mint mare) out for a roll and a romp in the spring sunshine.  There are several babies out there now, Mallory was the first, I think.

My usual craziness went on this weekend.  Bob had reserves.  Poor man started reserves on Thursday and of course, they went into the weekend.  He had to be at the base by 5:00 a.m. every morning.  Needless to say, when he got home, I spoiled him and bed time came very early each night. 

Saturday, I met with my namesake and his dad (you might recall his mother passed away recently) for breakfast. We went to Eggspectation.  I have a love/hate relationship with that place.  It was nice to catch up with my former father-in-law in a setting other than a funeral home.  My heart really goes out to him.  I can’t imagine the devastation.  Yes, I know what it feels like to lose my mother but I do not know what it feels like to lose my mate after nearly 50 years.  He was sweet and gave me some old pictures that I’d completely forgotten about which also pictures my old hair color which my sister coveted. 

I used to have women comment on that hair color all the time.  Basically, it was just my hair color with the ends all fried from not being cut ever and from being permed once.  To keep the top of my hair the same color at the ends, I’d go buy something off the shelf but then never remember what it was so I’d get something different the next time.  Thus, I created a multi-tonal hair color which women pay lots of money for.  One day, I got hair dye on the toilet and floor in my apartment and that’s when I decided I wasn’t going to do my own anymore.  I’d also decided long ago that throwing one color on was a hell of a lot easier than something higher maintenance.  Therefore, what you see these days is a product of my laziness.  One day I’ll write a book called, “The Lazy Woman’s Guide to Beauty.”  It’ll involve everything from never washing your face with soap (except on really nasty days) and never styling your hair.  There.  That’s it.  My beauty secrets in a nutshell.  Read it and weep.

After the breakfast, I headed to Loudoun County Animal Shelter to drop their Gold Cup tickets off.  It was great to see Amy, the volunteer coordinator and some of the other girls I worked with from volunteer days.  Amy took me to see two minis they’d seized.  One of the minis was body clipped but the other still had a very heavy coat that was trying to shed out.  He’d just not had proper care from his past owners.  So, since I was there, I volunteered to use my nifty shedding flower on him.  He was adorable.  A little stallion, actually. 

After grooming the mini stallion, I volunteered to walk a dog.  I got to walk little Renee who was absolutely the sweetest and most adorable thing.  She’s very sad since her sibling got adopted and has really drawn into her shell.  She didn’t want to go out for a walk at all.  We hung out for a bit in a fenced in area.  She’d only take a few steps then she’d lie down.  So, I decided to carry her all the way down the hill and walk her back up.  That worked.  She walked all the way up the hill with eagerness to get back to the shelter.  They do such a great job there that I’m sure she’ll be fine in no time.  She’s so sweet, I know she’ll also have a new home where she’ll be loved very quickly.

My next stop was Stonegate.  Jim mentioned that the guys had not had time to mow the grounds lately and as only a few of you know, I have this thing about mowing.  I don’t get to mow my lawn anymore because we pay someone to do it (well, Bob does) and it’s a kid that does it so I’m not about to take money out of his pocket.  But I’ve missed mowing and wanted to get my mow on so Jim fired up the tractor for me and off I went.  Yay!  I mowed up until it was time for me to meet Lori for lunch.

Lori and I went to this Irish pub-wannabe place that has the worst service known to mankind.  We’ve only been there once before and trust me, we won’t be going back.  A lunch that should have taken maybe a half-hour took 2.  Therefore, I had no time to ride later.  Time was a ticking and I had to get to Forrest.

I got to Blue Ridge and things just looked very bleak all the way out there.  The storm was clearly moving in.  I decided to at least get Forrest groomed and see how things went.  As expected, the rain started.  I thought maybe I could bathe him but heck no.  He acted like the apocalypse was happening and was out to kill me in the bath house so I thought it might be wise to head back to his stall.  I managed to sling the water off of him and get him back to his stall with only a few interesting dance steps from him.  And, off I went, back home.

Next day, I put Forrest at the top of my list.  Things still looked bleak but it was only lightly misting.  I went for it and got all tacked up and Forrest and I practiced some of the things Torrance has been trying to drill into our heads.  We had some successes.  He definitely didn’t feel as heavy as he has felt in the past – a sign that he is sitting more on his haunches like we want him to.  We ended things on a good note and I headed to Stonegate.

At Stonegate, I got to ride my little buddy Mowgli, who I hadn’t ridden in some time.  I love him and have a blast on him.  I got to jump him around a few jumps and ended our ride at about a half-hour.  Next, I rode Nick, one of the new horses.  Nick is learning some new things and tried hard.  He definitely looks much better and is putting on some weight and is getting some muscle tone.  We also had a nice ride.

It was too wet to mow so I didn’t get to do more mowing. L  I headed out at around 2:00 for my hair appointment in Leesburg.  My last stop of the day (aside from collecting some fabulous yummies for my sweetie from a bakery there) was Wegman’s where I wanted to get a special dinner for Bob.  You have no idea how much I hate Wegman’s.  Shopping there on any given day at any given time is like shopping somewhere else before Christmas.  The place is crazy, there are too many people, everyone is rude, people will stop dead in their tracks with their carts as if there are the only cart-pushers there or they’ll follow right on your heels as you try to take your time to look at various things.  This one man would not get off my heels while I looked into a refrigerated section that held all kinds of salads.  There was plenty of room for him to walk around me and get ahead of me.  Instead, he stood closely to me as if we were in a ticket line at a movie theatre and as I moved, he stuck right with me.  Finally, I decided to use the “stop dead in your tracks” method.  Did so, cocked one hip and stomped my other paddock shoe shod foot (complete with spurs) as if to say, “I am NOT moving.  You will HAVE to go around.”  And so he did.  Not before having to stare at me while he did it.  Just MOVE ON!

Needless to say, it is out of sheer love that I went to Wegman’s for Bob.  Because I hate, hate, hate it so.  Yeah, I get that the food is good but quite frankly, I could live the rest of my life on frozen entrees without ever missing a trip to Wegman’s.  But my sweetie deserved a special meal for all his hard work this past weekend.  So, I soldiered on.

April 25

Lesson for the day -- if you have enough sense to tell yourself to take off your jewelry before you head to the barn, at least have enough sense to listen to yourself.  Do I listen to myself?  Not really.  I swear I think other people listen to me way more than I listen to myself.  So, please listen.

There I was, putting on my hairnet and helmet when, god forbid, my hairnet was stuck on my earring.  This bugs me so I was trying to jimmy it out of there and POP! there went my pearl earring.  I heard it hit -- somewhere, but wasn't sure.  I was standing pretty much over my grooming bag.  I looked all around the floor and couldn't see it.  Now, these pearls, they are pretty decent size.  They were a gift from me to me, along with a pearl necklace, that I picked up in NY on a visit to Lisa.  So, there is some sentimentality attached to them. 

It is very rare that I will spend a significant amount of money on myself.  Actually, dependent upon your earnings and perspective, I won't even spend $50-$100 on myself without some hesitation.  Let me make a correction here -- I'll drop $400, $500 or so in a heartbeat on a horse-related piece of equipment.  But for me to buy something non-horse-related for myself is very rare.  In my world, that's a luxury and an unnecessary expense.  Horse stuff, to me, that's totally necessary.  I cannot stand to not have every piece of equipment I need to do my job while I'm working around or on a horse.  It's very funny my perspective.  If I'm in a discount clothing store, I'll balk at an item that is $50 but I'll throw down $35 on a new pair of gloves when I already have probably 10 pair.  Oh, but not these...these are different, special, and I like them and must have them.  So, I do.

So, after having the barn guys on their hands and knees, me included, we could not find the pearl earring.  Almost nothing bums me out more than a ruined ride before I even get on a horse so I decided to ride and hope for the best -- that the earring had dropped into my grooming bag. 

As luck would have it -- and mind you, I never feel like I am very lucky, once I got home, I took my grooming bag out back and started to take its contents out (not before Sassy ate a few of my horse treats AND a wad of horse hair (most likely Forrest's) and there, gleaming bright and shiny and practically smiling was my pearl earring.  Phew!

Now, on to the horse stuff.  Last night, I went out to ride Forrest.  I'm desperately trying to grasp, apply and perfect things that Torrance is yelling herself hoarse at me so that not only will she be delighted to see me next but so that I can have the same results on Forrest when I'm alone as I do when I ride with her.  So, I gathered up my reins and made a conscious effort to keep them short without having to readjust them.  I made a conscious effort to keep my elbows close to my side and I pressed right leg, left leg on and on for the more active walk.  Then, I tried for the trot that was in 'slow motion' that would make Forrest work hard each and every stride.  I did shoulder ins on a circle and lots of changes of direction.  I worked on halts and going right back up into a rising trot. 

We had little improvements and successes here and there.  But certainly nothing that is in stone just yet.  When I was done, Patricia came over to console me somewhat, saying that it'll soon be solid in my brain and so forth.  I explained how my brain is just a bit overwhelmed with all the new information so what does Patricia do?  She decides to give Torrance a call.  Sure!  Give her a ringy-dingy.  Ack!  They chit chat for a bit -- Torrance was in Kentucky at the Rolex Kentucky 3-Day event.  She proceeds to say, "I know you're busy but Jana has an important question."  She hands the phone to me and actually, I had more than one but wasn't about to take up her time.  So, I said, "Actually, I'm only going to ask you one question but I have several."  "Sure!" she said.  I asked her a question about the shoulder in, she answered it and then I said, "I think when you see me again, you'll see a much improved leg from me."  She's trying to change my leg position -- it's a different style of riding she's teaching me, for those of you who don't know horse stuff. 

I've been riding hunt seat for EONS and now I'm learning some real-deal dressage from an Olympian no less.  One that is so good at Dressage, although Eventing is her discipline, it was rumored that the United States Equestrian Team (USET) was going to ask her to try out for the Olympic Dressage team.  No clue if that happened or its validity but having lessoned with her three times now, I'd venture to say there is some truth in that.  Anyway, so, she says to me (and I'm just so tickled), "Jana, each time I see you, you are much improved."  I was so flattered!  Of course I said, "Oh thank you!  Well, I try really, really hard."  And she said, "I know you try hard and I know I'm hard on you too but you know what, you take it and that's good!"  See, in the horse world, there are some trainers who are tough and good, tough and bad, some who are soft and bad, and soft and good.  I'm sure there are several other types but that's the majority.  Anyway, she is tough and good.  And a good rider -- a seasoned rider riding as a student shuts up, makes no comments unless directly asked, is serious and focused.  So, if that trainer is yelling at you, "KICK HIM NOW!!!"  You kick him NOW and so on.  Torrance really gets into what she's doing and isn't going to spend any time unless it is time spent right.  I 'get' this and we're on the same page with that.  So, I said to her, "Well, you're my kind of trainer -- I don't want to skip over one thing -- I want to get everything right."  And I do.  Nothing would irk me more than a trainer that was like, "Eh -- you didn't get it right but neither of us has the energy so let's stop."  No, Torrance was practically chasing me around through the grass at some points.  I'd expect Forrest and I got her a bit dizzy after a bit. 

It's probably a once in a lifetime experience for me -- this riding with Torrance so trust me, I'm not going to gripe one bit or not make time.  My ass is going to be there with bells on and unless I black out from exhaustion (which actually, I'm prone to do in the heat), I'm going to be busting my ass to get it right for Torrance. 

On to tonight.  Spotz was my designated ride tonight at Stonegate.  I adore Spotz -- he's just the little man.  I actually got some pix of him tonight which, if I get off my butt, I will post along with pix of little Mallory, one of the babies at Blue Ridge.  When I brought Spotz in from the field, we were walking down the aisle and all of a sudden, he stopped in his tracks and I heard a bigger horse nicker.  I turned around and realized that Winston, one of Spotz old field mates, had been brought in.  Winston is very social and wants to be all in your business.  But he is clearly fond of little Spotz because the two of them just nuzzled and sniffed and everything.  It was so cute.  I let them visit for awhile before putting Spotz on the crossties to tack him up.  Spotz seemed to be showing off a bit for Winston.  He seemed to say, "See, I'm cool now.  This is my new job.  And those jumps in there -- I'm gonna jump them really awesome."  And we did.  Mr. Spotz who used to jump everything like a troll lived under each jump motored around like a champ tonight.  He's gotten so much more confident.  We had some decent fences.  A few were icky where I didn't see my distance but for the most part, I'm happy with the ride.

I took Spotz for a little stroll out to his old pasture to visit with his friends there.  They were too far down in the pasture to see little Spotz.  Back to the barn we went and we stopped again at Winston's stall so he could visit some more.  This time, the two of them nibbled each other's faces like how dogs chew fleas.  I've actually never seen horses do this.  Clearly, these two are very attached and since Winston is new to being in the barn I'm sure he enjoys seeing the familiar spotted face of Spotz.  Lot of love and kisses went back and forth.  It was very sweet.

Tomorrow is a big day.  I gotta stop typing.  My prince awaits.  He has to be at Andrews AFB at 5 a.m. tomorrow so I must go and sneak very, very quietly into the room.  'll fill you in on the weekend if I can muster the energy after it all.

April 18

Well, I am completely pooped.  I don’t think I’ve used the word pooped in years but exhausted just sounds so dramatic so I’m going with pooped.

Last night was my night to ride Forrest.  Driving out to Upperville, the weather was beautiful but sometimes, that fabulous sun beating on you in your car just makes you feel all the more comfy and makes you want to curl up and take a nap.  So, that’s kind of how I felt.

I enjoyed seeing all the horses along the way, grazing lazily in their fields with the sun on their backs.  The shine on the horses coats was wonderful to see. 

No fabulous nature sightings.  No pinto deer (I really have to get a picture of that thing), no fox.  I did have two geese fly by at eye level while I was on Forrest.  That was kind of cool.  And for some odd reason, the herd in the Graveyard Field decided to run like the wind while I was trying to do the gate from Forrest’s back.  I was just praying that no one would come up to socialize with us.  Thankfully, they did not and Forrest stood like a gentleman while I completed my task.

I’m getting ahead of myself.  So, given that Bob had to go to the boathouse and investigate a break in, last night was EMFH (in our household, that means every man for himself for dinner – a little acronym I created to save time in discussion because I’m all efficient like that).  Being that it was EMFH, I tend to not rush around the barn.  So, I took an especially long time to groom Forrest because he has not quite yet shed his winter coat.  He is lovely and dark but after working my shedding flower (don’t ask – it’s a goofy horse girl tool) very aggressively in counter-clockwise circles, all the dirt at the base of Forrest’s coat was stirred up and he was now khaki in color. 

Forrest loved getting scratched with the shedding flower so much that he pursed his lips just so, twisted his neck a bit and hiked up his back leg and nearly fell over.  He basically did the equine equivalent to, “Oh baby, oh baby”.  I gave Forrest some Bob-class lovin’. 

After stirring up all of that dirt and hair, I went over his coat as best I could with a dandy brush and then with one of my horse hair brushes.  Which brings me to a question – doesn’t it seem a little weird to use a horse hair brush on a horse?  Lord knows the circumstances of the poor guy who died for that brush.  Always makes me wonder about the horse.  Was it someone's pet?  Was it just some poor thing left for dead?  Sorry – had a PETA moment. 

Anyway, I also used a new brush on Forrest’s face.  Like any rough and tumble little boy, Forrest constantly has a very dirty face.  I have to wipe the goo out of his eyes and try to clean his beautiful, yet dirty face.  He is not fond of having his face messed with but using a very gentle brush is acceptable to him.  While shopping at good ol’ Harris Teeter the other day, I happened upon the Housewares section where the shoe shine stuff was and couldn’t resist a brush intended to shine some corner office executive’s shoes.  Every other woman passing through there would probably pick one up for her man so he’d look dapper, presentable and be taken seriously on a corporate level so he could continue to make a good salary and keep her from having to go back to work.  But there I was running it over my hand to determine its acceptability for use on one of my treasured mounts.  Again, seeing “100% Horse Hair” under the familiar Kiwi logo struck me as odd but I couldn’t resist it and was delighted to add it to my collection of grooming utensils in my already over-burdened grooming bag. 

As predicted, Forrest liked the brush very much and lowered his head dutifully as I gently stroked his face.  He also seemed to enjoy sniffing my armpits while I did it and attempted a few gropes at my boobs like Justin used to do.  Gotta watch those boys.  They get a little grabby.  Unlike his still khaki rump, Forrest’s face shone when I was done and I was glad to have given him a good experience having his face done (whether that means the brush, my armpits or my boobs – I have no clue).

Finally on Forrest, we struck out towards the Graveyard Field and Forrest marched by the giant round bale stuck on the end of the tractor that Patricia was moving to another field.  It was an odd sight, this round bale moving along the lane, because it was so large, you could not see the tractor behind it.  His completely erect ears told me this looked an oddity to him as well so I ‘chattered’ to him with my spurs (as Torrance taught me) to keep him focused and moving forward.  He complied and soon, Patricia stopped the tractor to let us pass and all was copasetic in the world.

We got to the Graveyard gate (mind you, we’re not strolling across the dead here – it is simply called that because high atop a ridge in that field, there is a small graveyard enclosure which we marvel at because there is no gate to it and we are curious as to whom or what is buried there) and yet again, Forrest was excited to show off his gate-doing prowess.  He sidestepped up to it, neck arched, ears pricked and stood stock still while I undid it.  Once inside, the herd began galloping up the hill and their hooves made a thunderous noise.  Young, old, crippled, spry – all of them galloped past, each one just as gorgeous as the next, manes flying, noses high, tails like flags and sunshine on their sides.  So pretty.  The scene excited Forrest too but the new and improved Forrest is trying his best to concentrate on his work these days.

After refocusing Forrest on the gate, we locked it again and meandered on down the hill.  We spent some time in that field trotting back and forth and it was just as we crested one that I noticed a goose couple flying in tandem at eye-level with me.  It was almost as if I could have reached out and touched them as they went by.  It spooked Forrest a bit but he kept his concentration.  You know you’re close when you can see the gleam in a bird’s eye.  I love that little sparkle.

Back and forth we went until I felt it was time to stop and we made our way through the fields all the way back up to the barn.  By this time, many were headed in for dinner. 

Being that I wasn’t pressed for time, I took Forrest to the bath house and hosed him off.  We have hot water and he seemed to enjoy getting some of the deep down dirt out of his coat.  Actually, I’m sure he enjoyed the prospect of lying down again and rolling and making some nifty mud on his coat.

Because the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, I like to let Forrest graze a little around the barn area while I pack up.  Could he possibly just graze and mind his own business?  No.  Let’s go galloping along the fence to the gravel road maybe.  Let’s gallop back.  Let’s nearly decapitate ourselves on that nifty low-hanging branch.  How ‘bout we scare the begeezus out of the little babies that are just days old?  Let’s make an example of ourselves to them so that their mothers can say, “That’s why they geld you boys.”  Maybe we can visit another boy horse but strike our feet out and squeal like a mare?  What a great way to bring everyone on the once peaceful property together. 

Yes, it was wonderful and magical and made my once mellow mood disappear a bit.  A certain someone will no longer be trusted to free-graze in the barn area anymore because a certain someone has to act like a ninny.  Ahhh but he had a marvelous time and isn’t that what it is all about?  Mm-hm.

I’d called my friend Kelly to see if she could do dinner.  I call my friends up that way when I don’t have plans to meet Bob back home and try to see them as often as I can.  Typically, the only thing I have time to do when I’m in that area is ride.  So, it is a treat when someone has the time for dinner. 

Kelly met me with her ‘friend’ (I have to put that in quotes because I was corrected when I referred to him as her ‘boyfriend’).  I have my suspicions but if I have a ‘friend’, I explained to them, I call him my ‘buddy’.  Like Dave is my buddy.  It is my experience that when a woman says, “Can I bring my friend?” a little something is going on but let’s all just keep that on the downlow.  That way no one gets hurt.  I have my eye on them.

So, we ate at the former Magpie’s, now Red Horse Tavern, which has lost its epicurean appeal but not its charm.  I got fish and chips and had to rein myself in when they brought the dessert for me and Kelly’s ‘friend’ to share because I realized I was pretty much single-handedly killing the dessert, nearly leaving nothing for the poor man to enjoy.  When Kelly asked her ‘friend’, “Is it good?” I kind of took that to translate to, “Can you even get your spoon in there sideways since she’s eating it like it’s the last supper?”  I could be wrong but I’ll have to check with her the next time I see her.  By then, I’ll be ready for another one of those things and this time, I’m not sharing. 

I should also add, for the benefit of Maurice (a 'buddy' of mine) in case he reads this, that the last time I was at Red Horse Tavern was with Maurice and yes, I danced by myself in front of a three man band and all six of the other patrons in the place.  No, there was no pole and I collected no tips (pity).  But Maurice was amused and captured the scene on video on my phone.  That was also the night I backed my car into my tack trunk in my garage.  Good times....

Other news from yesterday is that I spoke with Hakim Maloum, the guy that is walking from New York to California.  I text him from time to time to see how he is.  He called me back yesterday after we texted and was in search of a sports equipment store to buy some bike shorts.  It was funny to hear all the people driving up to help him out or people honking.  As usual, he sounded in good spirits.  He said he’d used the footwarmers I gave him in trade with another hiker for a night’s stay somewhere.  He kept a few on hand and said they came in handy the other night which was apparently the coldest night he’d had since he started.  He was thrilled at how well they worked.  I was glad I gave them to him.

His stories about the generosity of people were encouraging.  Unfortunately, he’d lost some cash – he wasn’t sure how but he’d lost $260.  He was in a bar one night after the loss having a beer when a couple asked him if he’d eaten dinner.  He said he was OK.  The man said, “That means you haven’t eaten.”  They insisted he eat with them and that they buy him dinner.  Without even mentioning that he’d lost the money, the man gave him $200 and the woman gave him $60.  How random is that?  Just amazing. 

Not everyone has been so nice.  Apparently, according to a newspaper article, someone threw a bottle of beer at him and someone else shot at him with a BB gun.  What the hell is wrong with people?  I sincerely hope that is as bad as it gets. 

On a sadder note, my namesake's (ex-husband) mother died.  So weird – her service was on the anniversary of the day my mother died.  Extremely ironic.  I was trying to find the message in that one.  Only thing I can guess is it was a message from my mother to let bygones be bygones.  Not between Vince and I but between me and the parents.  Can’t say relations were very good with them for most of our marriage.  But yes, bygones are bygones.

The thing about funerals is that you do tend to see people that you haven’t seen in years and it is an odd feeling to be excited and happy about seeing old friends at an event where sadness hangs in the air like a blanket.  Having been through a few of these, I’ve seen funerals done in many ways.  Honestly, the best was one complete with hors d’oeuvres and open bar.  You’d never know you were at a wake if it weren’t for the typical ‘feel’ that funeral parlors have with the air turned way down and the less than cheery décor.

I can remember how I felt at my mother’s funeral very clearly, though.  I remember that I would not let go of my father and while we sat, I never picked my head up from his shoulder.  Afterwards, we had a get together at our house and I did enjoy catching up with old friends a family and yes, just getting on with life.  Aside from the obvious support they lend, I think friends and family are there to remind us that life is still moving and that we need to keep moving as well.  Not like anyone says it or alludes to it.  But while your world has just come to a screeching halt, you see that things are still very much in motion.  They can't help but be.  For me, it was annoying as well as helpful.  I didn’t want to deal with life but knew I had to.

How does one wrap this up on a happier note?  Eh, I have no clue.  I leave you hanging, I suppose.  Me, I get perked up just thinking about the next day.

April 7

OK, at this rate, I'm about to run out of 'rain' clipart.

Now that I’ve had a little time to decompress from the weekend, I’d like to go back and share a little more about my rides with Torrance (you thought I was done, right?).  I realized after I wrote the post, I didn’t really share how different and improved Forrest was. 

 The first day, he did a little of his head-tossing.  This is a little move he does to show other horses how lovely he is.  They are expected to notice and admire him somewhat.  Torrance taught me a few corrections for this behavior that are done with the hand, the leg or both.  He also tends to get a little peeky.  One cannot trust a roundbale, you know.  It could roll over you or something could pop out from behind it.  Cement drain pipes are to be looked at hard as well and don’t dare walk through any water you haven’t had a good opportunity to sniff long and hard first. 

These are all little rules that Forrest lives by and they’ve served him well.  He’s outlived the dinosaurs, after all.  But, in Torrance’s world, there should be one conversation going on and that should be held between horse and rider and that’s it.  No other distractions are to be tolerated. 

As a result of the tips that Torrance gave me, on Saturday, Forrest was very much humbled and much more focused and soft and was done flipping his nose about halfway through the ride.  In fact, Forrest was a horse and I was no longer a passenger waiting to see where the train was taking me.  I was driving the train.

Forrest had his mind on his job and even more so by day two.  From the start, he and I knew we had to keep up with Torrance.  Forrest walked right alongside Torrance’s mare and minded his manners instead of saying, “Aren’t I cute?  Hey, I like you.  HEY!  Look at me!!!”  His manners around mares historically have not been good.  This day, not one head toss, not one hesitation through unknown waters, a nano-second of a peek at a drain pipe pressed right by, roundbales – what roundbales?  I was so proud of him and a teensy bit proud of myself here and there for remembering some things but realize I need to practice during my other rides to correct a list of bad habits:

 

And those are only the things I can remember off-hand.  Get me back out there with her and I’ll remember a few more. 

It was such an honor to ride with her and to have her impart wisdom and assistance to piddly little me.  While the intent was for Forrest to learn, she has to teach me first.  I’m just thrilled to get to go along for the ride, thanks to Patricia.

April 6

Today is ugly but I can't complain given what a fantastic day yesterday was.  If great days are gifts, mine came wrapped with a bow on it yesterday.  Here's what went down....

You might recall my saying that Patricia had arranged for me to ride with a certain Olympic rider yesterday.  Her name is Torrance Watkins and she's pretty spectacular.  Not like I just discovered that yesterday.  When I was growing up, Torrance was a rider who I idolized and many a horse-crazy girl read about her in magazines like Horse Play, Practical Horseman and so forth.  She captured everyone's hearts when she rode the little (15.1) pinto mare Poltroon to an individual bronze medal in 1980 in the alternate Olympics in Fontainebleau, France making her the first woman to win an Olympic medal in Eventing. She was also the first woman to be inducted into the US Eventing Hall of Fame.

So, there I was, driving along Route 50, heading out to Upperville to get Forrest ready for the ride and I saw this guy walking alongside the road with a pack on and affixed to the pack was a sign that said, "Walking from New York to California".  I was so curious to know what his story was, but I didn't want to be late so I kept driving. 

Once at the barn, I put Forrest in the bathhouse and set about cleaning him up.  Because the weather is still a bit too chilly for bathing, I shampooed his tail, washed his legs and hot-toweled his head.  When it was all said and done, he looked pretty good considering he hasn't had a bath in months.  Off we went to visit Torrance.  I followed behind with all my usual hoopla in the car.  I hate being without my tackroom on wheels.  That's Forrest to the left.  You can tell but he was actually facing me.  He likes to ride backwards in the trailer. 

Once at Torrance's farm, I was busying around the trailer getting Forrest ready so when she and Patricia were calling to each other across the way, I didn't get to see her.  I actually hadn't seen her in years.  I'd met her about 20 years ago when she made a neighborly visit to our farm when I lived in Middleburg.  I was pretty star struck then too.

After getting Forrest all ready, I hopped on from the wheel well of the trailer and walked over to the barn.  I saw a person walking around very quickly -- apparently finishing up some chores cut I could not tell if it was Torrance or not.  Upon closer inspection, I realized it was her but I swear, the woman has been trapped in time.  She's still absolutely stunning.  Torrance has really high cheekbones, a great smile and gorgeous blonde hair and has a figure any 20 year old would envy.  I have no clue how old she is but as we all know, I am 43 and trust me, if I was fawning all over her in my magazines back when I was a teenager and she was doing international competition in the 70's, girlfriend ain't no spring chicken.  If we can all age like her, we'll be lucky. 

Torrance's place was exactly as one would expect an Olympian's barn to look.  Everything perfectly in repair, neat as a pin and nothing extra lying around.  Her horse was perfectly turned out.  He was clean, clipped, hooves oiled, tail neatly switched and banged, mane pulled, tack and all other equipment spotless.  Her demeanor is very serious, very professional -- basically, Torrance ain't no joke.

We struck out on our ride, Forrest moseying along as he tends to do.  Now, prior to this ride, Patricia really didn't tell me much.  She just said she arranged for a trail ride.  I figured it was a little, 'getting to know you' thing because I knew that Patricia wanted Forrest to have some lessons with Torrance.  So, I'm thinking that we're just going out for this stroll so I say in so many words that she'll be leading the way because Forrest was not one to keep up.  She said, "No, come up here and ride next to me."  Forrest and I busted the move and did what we were told!  She continued to say, "I'm going to teach you a few tricks and help you with some things.  Do you mind?"  Do I mind?  Let's see, I'm riding side by side with an Olympian who is kind enough to carve out time in their day to impart some knowledge.  Uh, yeah -- I'm gonna be hanging on every word.  And did I!

Torrance taught me some nifty things to keep Forrest focused and working.  Some things I knew, some things I thought I knew and learned more about their correct application and some things, I'd never done before.  Her delivery was concise and easy to understand and I asked questions about anything that I didn't understand.  In about ten minutes time, Forrest was listening and focused and didn't pull any of his usual antics.  I once heard someone say, "Don't let a horse's problem become yours."  Keeping a horse working and 'on the job' gives him no time to think about anything else.

Torrance commended me for staying in the center of my horse while working on certain exercises -- she said this seems to be the toughest thing for riders to do while trying to do leg-yielding -- and she commended me for keeping my hands the correct width apart versus very wide.  I typically will only open a rein wide as an 'opening rein' if a horse is suddenly not going in the direction I want it to go, say, while jumping or spooking, so that's a pretty good habit that I already have.  She also complimented me on my leg position.  But trust me, there is a laundry list of things that I need to practice to NOT do and I'm very good at remembering these things to sharpen my rides.

When we got back to the barn, Torrance said to Patricia, "She can come back any time."  I think that's a compliment too.  As a result, I'm headed back out there today and should really get the move on.  I have much more to share about the rest of my adventures that day so I will update later.

My word -- I glanced back over this quickly and couldn't believe I wrote it this morning.  Seems like a few days ago.  One thing is for sure, I do not waste the weekends and sometimes, I put so much in them, I think I do more than most people do in a week.  It leaves me feeling like a week has passed as well. 

So, back to my stories.  Completely exhausted from my ride with Torrance, I was off to Stonegate to ride a few there.  I do love, love, love my rides at Stonegate.  I love the place, the camaraderie, and I'm yet to get on a horse I don't enjoy riding.  And while I love horses, I must admit, I've ridden a few in my time that I did not enjoy. 

I stopped at Dank's on the way out of town for a juicy cheeseburger (LOVE THEIR BURGERS!) and yes, folks, sat in the sun (you who know me know I don't do that) but yes, my back was to the sun.  Shortly thereafter, driving along, I was, pondering my ride and all of the things I thought I knew, didn't know and things I had to fix (a laundry list) and I saw the guy that I'd seen earlier that was walking from New York to CA.  I HAD to turn around.  I whipped my little car around and pulled into a driveway ahead of the walker, hopped out, waved and said, "Of course, I have to ask what the deal is."  That led to a lengthy conversation and to me stocking him up with various and sundry things I tend to keep in my car at all times like: bottled water, Purell handwipes, footwarmers, crackers and a little cash.  Actually, the cash is not something I have in my car regularly, I rarely even have it in my purse (I hate getting cash and live by my debit card) and true to form, I felt bad to only have $8 to give him.  Not like he asked for it.  But as you know, my personal motto, which I made up myself is, "If you have the time, spend it.  If you have a hand, lend it.  If you have the money, give it.  If you have a heart, share it."  That pretty much sums me up.  So, I gave just about everything I could.  Good thing he didn't need any tack because I'd be minus a few baby pads, girths, bits, etc. 

His website is www.paintatlas.com.  His name is Hakim Maloum. He's a former chef.  Lives in NJ.  From Algeria.  Somehow, started painting.  Wanted to walk for a charity but didn't realize that to do so for our national charities that organize things like that, you have to build a team and show up on race day.  So, he decided to just walk for himself and he's enjoying meeting complete strangers who show him kindness along the way.  I'm sure that'll be the takeaway from this adventure -- that there really are some nice people out there in the world.  No matter what I hear in the news, I have complete faith in the overwhelming kindness that people are capable of and practice on a regular basis.  I try to live my life like that.  Just makes me so happy to help people in any capacity.

Hakim was such a nice guy and had such a great attitude even though he had to have been dog tired from having walked from NY to this part of VA.  Being the freak that I am, I actually tried to find him this a.m. on my way back out to the barns with more handwipes, some Band-Aids, bug spray and so forth.  Figuring he couldn't have gotten too far, I thought I'd see him but I didn't. :(  He's keeping a list of people to text from time to time so I hope to hear about his progress.  Sometimes, he's able to get on his webpage and update that but there hasn't been an update from him since March 21.

I'd tried to post to his site last night but no matter what, it wouldn't take my full post so I tried just writing a few lines and put a link in there to this post here.  I hope people check this out because they'll see how much weight he's lost since he started!  Granted, that's probably not his mission (not to be confused with www.thefatmanwalking.com).

Moving on, because yes, there's more.  So, I headed on to Stonegate and rode Landella and Spots.  Rode Landella first because she needs a lot of patience and she's not a ride to rush.  Much to my surprise, she was relaxed and rhythmic and just an overall joy to ride.  Next, I got little Spots ready (I really must get a picture of him for you) and did our usual.  First, I walk him back and forth over a stack of poles, then I step over an X and he'll follow me, hoping over like a little pack mule.  I pick a few smaller jumps and go around the ring and do this back and forth and I just makes me squeal because it's hilarious to stand on the other side of the jump, holding the reins and waiting for him to hop over.  This method worked great because he was so much braver to the jumps once I got on.  I was SO proud of him.  The little guy has a pretty quick stop and an unsuspecting, overly trusting rider could flip right over his head in an instant if they weren't prepared.  Plus, he's so little, there's NOTHING to press into to keep you from doing that.  Anyway, he was great and I was thrilled with his progress.  So was Carol Lynn and that makes me happy that she's happy.

Amazingly, I got out of the barn just seven minutes after my target time (4:07), got myself home and showered and left at 5:45P to meet Dave for dinner and a movie.  I think we've managed to get together three weekends in a row, which is astounding.  Of course I was all a-twitter sharing my stories from the day with him.  As always, it was great to see Dave.  It dawned on me that I probably need to tell you late-comers who Dave is.  Yes, Bob is my boyfriend.  Dave is my adopted brother.  I adopted him.  I met him years ago, actually, before my first crappy marriage.  He's actually a gift from that crappy time.  He'd contacted my husband to shop for horses and Dave and I hit it off immediately and have been friends ever since.  So, that's 20+ years which means he's family.  Dave has a harem of women who love hanging out with him and I like to fancy myself his favorite.  He rides as well and we swap riding stories regularly.  When Dave calls me on my cell, if I don't answer, he just hangs up.  He knows I'll call him.  That was a progression.  Years ago, it went like this:  "It's Dave, call me." Then, "It's me." Then, "Call me." Then, the hang up.  Very efficient.  These days, oddly, he leaves me messages but normally, they are taunting and teasing.  So, today, he hollered something in the phone to tease me about riding with Torrance.  He wanted me to share more stories.  Anyway, that's our relationship in a nutshell.  So, don't worry, when I go on and on about Dave, it doesn't mean that Bob went anywhere.  Well, he did go to San Diego but trust me, he ain't goin' anywhere.  My man loves me large and vice versa.

My word this is long...  So, today started off the same; bowl of cereal first thing then a steak McSkillet Burrito about an hour and a half after that.  Can't help it.  I burn through it fast.  Made my crazy little trek back up 50 hoping to give Hakim the little care package but didn't see him.  Actually went as far as the Appalachian trail (which is where he's supposedly headed).  How do I know this?  I saw another hiker step off the trail and at first glance, was all excited thinking it was Hakim but it wasn't.  Went so far as to hop out of the car and ask the guy if he'd seen Hakim.  Nope.  This guy was walking from NY to his home in Wytheville, VA.  Apparently, there's quite a few folks trekking around up there because he'd mentioned seeing other people but no one that fit Hakim's description. 

From there, I headed on to the barn and rode little Spots again.  I did our usual 'warm up' from the ground and actually got him to jump the brick wall by himself but he'd have none of the roll top.  Even though it is technically the same jump.  The roll top is on the other side of the brick wall.  But as we all know, it isn't the same to a horse.  I hopped on and Spots bravely jumped everything with only one stop (he forgot he'd already jumped that X successfully) and was going so well, I didn't want to add the brick wall in.  End on a good note. 

By this time, it was a little past 1:00 and I was still running on my McSkillet Burrito (God bless them).  I'd had plans to meet Patricia back at Torrance's at 1:30.  I was the first there.  Just like yesterday, Torrance's intended ride was waiting quietly in its stall, immaculately prepared and ready to go.  No sign of Torrance so I moseyed back to my car and munched my last pack of crackers. 

Once Patricia arrived, we got Forrest all dolled up and soon, Torrance and I were off on another trek.  People, just let me tell you right now.  If you thought you knew a lot about riding, forget it.  Until you ride with an Olympic calibre rider, you don't even know what you don't know.  You who know me know I've been riding for almost 40 years now.  CRAZINESS.  We walked the majority of the time and trotted just a little.  This went on for a little over an hour.  I did stuff right, I did stuff wrong, I asked questions, she demonstrated, I'd correct bad habits, forget and go back to them and yes, I worked EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.  Left, right, left, right, left, right leg THE WHOLE TIME in an effort to improve his walk (per her suggestion) and just to keep up with her.  On foot and on horseback, you ain't keepin' up with Torrance.  Earlier at the barn, Patricia and I were giggling because she moves like wind around the barn.  The woman is not harried -- she's simply on a mission.  Her whole day is a mission and I can bet you, she accomplishes everything and crosses everything off her list in a day. 

Just like yesterday, I was star struck again riding with her.  No, I'm not a dithering ninny but trust me, there is something about riding side by side with a rider of that caliber who has done what she's done and been where she's been and I very much respect that.  Look, I've seen a lot of horses 'go' in my time.  All of hers are just tuned to her every command and they all look spectacular.  She is a person to emulate. 

Honestly, after it was all said and done, it was a bit frustrating to ride with her because it made me feel like I'm starting from scratch.  By no means did she make me feel like that -- she was very encouraging.  But I am SUCH a perfectionist -- the thought that there are holes in my training at the simplest of gaits -- the walk -- is very distressing to me.  Suddenly, the road on my quest has just gotten much, much longer. 

I have more pictures to post -- some pretty ones I took out at Stonegate and some of one of Patricia's new babies.  She's adorable and I caught her out playing in the sunshine with momma.  It's late -- gotta run.

What a great, great weekend.

April 4

I am so, so behind in my writing.  As always have been riding a lot.  Pretty much more of the same in terms of news.  Only major deviations from the usual news is that Bob has been on travel recently so that gave me time to catch up with some friends.  Dave and I got to fit in a dinner at my favorite Mexican place one night and then Indian another.  We’re going to try to get together tomorrow night as well.  We do our usual catching up on each other’s horse news and crack each other up. 

Rode a new horse (for me) recently – Landella (that's her to the right -- Deb's dad was nice enough to take the picture of us).  She’s a pretty mare and quite frankly, reminds me very much of Buster so it’s not a ride I am not accustomed to.  Personally, I love a horse that is already in gear so I enjoy riding her. 

Rode little Spots last weekend.  He’s just getting better and better.  He’s darling and such a little trier.  My new thing is to ride him to and from the field bareback vs. walking.  Although, honestly, I’d get to and fro much faster walking because I walk faster than him.  The other funny thing is that my saddle is literally as big as one half of his hindquarters.  So, take the saddle, put it up against on haunch – the saddle would cover the whole thing.  I put a 42” girth on him and it is actually huge.  Seriously might get a smaller pony girth because I absolutely cannot stand to have equipment that does not fit.

One weekend, I was tasked with bringing Skittles in with Spots, as Skittles had a lesson later.  Passers by had to be entertained as they saw a woman leading one spotted pony, following a small white pony (with ears pinned back, of course) with three other horses following all of the rest of them.  The young horses are turned out with the ponies and one in particular, Winston, HAS to be a part of everything.  He wants to be caught, he wants to be in the mix of EVERYTHING.  Such a pest!!!  It was hilarious.

Finally, I got Spots out of the field, tied him to a post, then went after Skittles.  I don’t do the ‘bring some grain’ thing.  I’m going to catch an animal on the simple fact that I walked the thing down and it finally gave in.  Skittles was so annoyed with me for not giving up.  At one point, he turned and faced me and made as ugly a face as he could muster, which included flattening his ears and crinkling up his nose.  I wanted to say, “Whatever little pony.”  He’s so little, quite frankly, if pressed, I think I could kick his ass!  I mean that only in the most joking of terms but no, I didn’t feel threatened by any means.  I think I actually said, “Whatever” out loud to him which was followed by him spinning off, ears still flattened and little doughy pony-ass shuffling along.  Dude is old.  I was prepared to outrun him too if I had to. 

Needless to say, I won and came marching back to the barn a good ½ hr later with ponies in tow and was greeted by a few giggles from the barn guys.  Damn ponies.  They keep ya humble!

Have added in a night during the week to ride Forrest.  That would be Thursday.  Therefore, I am now riding everyday except Mon/Tues.  Those nights are saved for hair and nails, which I get done every THREE weeks and if I’m not doing that, it is spent picking up stuff at the cleaners, and other various and sundry errands.  Kind of explains why I never have time to get on the computer and update my site.  Plus, when I get home, Bob is on the computer dealing with jobs 3 and 4 (Potomac Boat Club or Guard stuff) and trust me, saying, “Honey, can you speed things up so I can get on and update my website?” would not go over well. 

I’m all off-track.  Back to Forrest.  Anyway, rode him last week Thursday night and went into the Graveyard Field.  Once I found a good place to pick up a trot, we did and let me tell you, Forrest was a huffin’ and a puffin’.  Every step.  He is so fat and out of shape.  In fact, at the beginning of our ride, he’ll stop and kind of say, “This was great.  I’m gonna stop here now, if you don’t mind.”  He’s gotten really used to his cream puff lifestyle.

Last night, Tracey and I went out (and rode in the rain, mind you) and Tracey kept teasing Forrest saying, “Forrest is gonna have a baby.”  It was hilarious.  The stuff we say….  But that first Thursday, as we were huffing and puffing through the Graveyard Field, we came upon some deer.  Certainly not something foreign to Forrest, but I prefer to shoo them off early on so they don’t run off so late that they do spook horses.  So, as I was saying, “Go on!  Get outta here!” the deer scurried off and in their wake was Mr. Fox.  That was neat.  I do love seeing foxes.  He has a nice little burrow in that field. 

Forrest’s new thing is to show off how good he is at gates.  And this is by no means because he’s been practicing.  I think in his mind, he thinks we’ve not ridden him much because we don’t enjoy him.  So, maybe he feels like he needs to prove himself.  Because he’s actually maneuvering gates before I even ask him. 

After an especially wonderful gate navigation on Thursday, while out for a ride with Vic on Saturday, Forrest was so excited about showing off his skills that he decided to shut the gate on Vic and Page before they even got thru the gate.  Which was hilarious.  He was tired of waiting and wanted to show his skills so he bumped the gate hard with his muzzle and started to sidepass back to the post.  Vic and Page did however make it through and we all got a giggle.

I’m headed out to Stonegate tonight.  Rain is expected but you know, the sun always shines in the indoor.  Not sure who I am riding but it never matters to me. 

Big weekend – Bob’s not back till Sun so riding and webpage fiddling tonight, lots of horse laundry (I have to sneak this stuff in while he’s gone – hee hee!), nifty trail ride with a certain Olympian tomorrow (might get rained out).  If that gets cancelled, lots of riding at Stonegate then Sun a few people are going to a show.  I’m going to help out and take pictures and just loll around – I just enjoy shows in general.

I’ll be exhausted by Monday, of course.