NOVEMBER

November 27, 2006

I think I might have just had the best Thanksgiving I've ever had in my life.  To start off, Randy Williams came back from Iraq and surprised us all at work with a visit.  So, so good to see him come back safely and in our Thanksgiving prayer at the table, I thanked God for bringing him back.  It's not often I have chats with God but felt like this deserved a special thanks.  On Tuesday, I left for Florida to see my dad and Kathryn.  Thankfully, this time, my travels were uneventful except for the mean TSA man who insisted on going thru my toiletries and making me part with a few, even though I had carefully followed TSA's 3-1-1 rules.  I think he was bored.  What annoyed me the most though was that he never looked me in the eye.  I found that a bit dehumanizing and I think if you are really concerned someone is packing some explosives, you might want to get a good look at them before you send them on their way.

The weather in FL wasn't especially warm but did warm up by the time I was ready to leave.  Dad and Diaa picked me up at the airport and we went for a nice lunch at The Crab Shack on the way home.  Yummy.  Dad and Kathryn and I went for a walk in the city park, down at the marina, went to a movie and I took them out to dinner.  Thanksgiving dinner was great, as usual. 

I came back on Friday in time to hop on Justin.  We marched out for a solo tour of the neighborhood and this time, Justin behaved quite well.  We have a wonderful gallop in the now completely off-limits hayfields (more on that later).  The next day, Lori and I went out for a ride.  We were headed past a neighboring farm and were cutting through the woods when suddenly, Topper saw dead people and spun hard to the left.  Lori did a fantastically unscheduled dismount, landing on her feet, scoring what I would consider a 10 in that department.  Now, when you are wearing chaps, you don't want to part company with your horse out cross country because there is nothing to assist you in getting back on your horse.  For Lori, this is especially a challenge because she isn't exactly tall.  But, in the wondrous world of Jana and Lori, we have things like chairs that appear in the woods for you to re-mount your horse.  Yes, there it was, a green, plastic chair, completely intact, waiting for Lori to put it to good use as a mounting block.  In mere moments, Lori was back on Topper and we were on our way.  We did our usual turn through the hay fields after the acrobatic experience.  While we passed through the field some distance from the owner's home, a man called out to us and told us we were trespassing.  We politely apologized.  Now, certainly, one would think we were idiots for being on someone's property.  But at no point entering the people's property is there a sign saying NO TRESPASSING.  One also does not expect that if you live in the country, in a horse community, with a large horse farm across the road from you and you grow hay which you later sell to horse owners, that you are going to have an issue with riders passing politely through your property, riding only on the perimeter.  Such is not the case.  We soon learned that our unfriendly neighbor didn't even want us riding OUTSIDE of his property on the other side of his fence.  Lori and I could not figure out how a man could be so angry on such a beautiful day on a holiday weekend.  But then again, don't most people commit suicide during the holidays?  Maybe it was his time... Say it ain't so... (I'm bad, I know) Needless to say, Lori and I plan on doing a little orienteering this weekend in search of a new path to follow.  We have a lead on a few and will charter new territory.  We hope to time it perfectly right so that as we pass in front of the mean man's place, our horses might feel the urge to pass their breakfast right in front of his property.  Justin pooped on a driveway in a park once.  I wonder if he could do that again?  He's so smart....

Moving on -- somehow, I managed to talk Lori into yet another adventure -- hunting.  We went hunting with Snickersville and had a blast.  It was Lori and Justin's first time.  Justin did quite well considering he is Justin, after all, except he did kick out at a Staff member who whisked by him but startled a horse closer by causing the horse to throw his head up to miss getting it in the chops and the horse broke his breastplate (equipment).  Needless to say, the owner, Anita Baarns and I became friends before the end of the ride because we had to swap contact information.  Anita was very understanding and gracious and hung out with Lori and I at the tailgate later.  But I'm getting way ahead of myself.  To make the day even more special, Alyssa met us there and took a bunch of pictures of us.  She took some black and whites and some color shots and I just can't wait to see how they turned out.  Alyssa has taken several pictures over time that I have really loved so I'm sure there will be some great shots.  I will add them later. 

No horse-related outing is complete without experiencing the Six Degrees of Jana DiCarlo.  I ran into a little junior, Mackenzie Canard, who I remembered from my days coaching at the pony ring.  Such a nice young lady who was out with her friend Isabelle.  Both girls were perfectly turned out on their darling ponies and motored around without any adult supervision, outriding people three times their age.  Then, while introducing myself to a woman named Chris, she said, "Jana DiCarlo?!!" and just when I thought I was famous, it was because Linda Nichols, who knew I was hunting with Snickersville, told Chris to be sure to find me and say hello.  My friend, Afshin also came out and rode a lovely big bay horse that was to drool over.  It was on loan from a friend. 

The day was beautiful.  Just a bit too warm for hunting though, but the company was wonderful and we met new people, as you always do when out hunting.  Nowhere is there a friendlier, more social horse setting than hunting.  And I always say that on days like that, I am so thankful that I live in Virginia in the heart of horse country and that I do this sport.  If you've never seen the countryside from horseback, you haven't lived.  And every horse person should definitely have the opportunity to enjoy watching hounds and hunt staff at work.  There is nothing like it.

Augh!  Look at the picture of Lori and I there!  See that field?  It is both thrilling and petrifying to gallop at full tilt (just ask Lori) with a field of about thirty people (that was just second flight) across fields like that.  Trust me, whenever I see a golf course, I can think of something much more fun to do across it than chase after a little white ball.  Crazy Chris took that picture of us not long after we enjoyed her pineapple slices marinated in Grand Marnier.  Between that and the wine I brought and the Amaretto I put in my flask, I was tanked while I shopped for groceries at Harris Teeter later.  OK, not tanked but let's just say grocery shopping was a little less painful.

Well, as always, my faithful (and in some cases, nosey -- you know who you are) readers, yet another wonderful horse weekend to go into the books.  And as always, there will be more to come!

November 19, 2006

So behind on catching up.  I guess the coolest thing I can report is how Justin's new springs are working out.  Lori and I took him to Charlestown last Friday and got his hocks and his left ankle (that's the bad one) injected.  He is a different horse.  So glad.  Normally, I can feel him being a little stiff with that left front but yesterday, from the get go, he felt great.  Yesterday, I just did a light hack in the ring then did some hill work in the field.  He bucked like CRAZY in the field.  Such a brat!  Today, with all the bucks out, he was a lot better.  Since Lori and I are thinking of going hunting this coming Sunday, we decided to see how the guys would do with long sets of trotting and cantering.  Surprisingly, no bucks out of Justin and he seemed to love the fast pace.  What was really cool is how much longer his stride was at both the trot and the canter.  Very cool.  A few times, I actually felt him really get his hind end under himself and create some suspension!  Now, if only I could duplicate that all the time.  Anyway, it was a really nice ride.

I went to Middleburg Tack Exchange yesterday.  Since I'd body clipped Justin recently, I wanted to see if there was a quarter sheet for him.  I picked up a green one with a nifty Bath County Horse Show logo on it.  It is a hair small for him but for $35, it'll do.  I also found a brand new cob sized Edgewood flash attachment.  Fits him perfectly and matches the new bridle.

Elizabeth got her new horse!  I've only seen pictures and he is really adorable.  Was going to try to see him today but timing just didn't work out. 

Was supposed to ride with Alyssa but same thing -- the day just got away.  Had carpenters here this a.m. and waiting for them set me back 2 hrs. 

Swung by to see Liz to pick up the shads I loaned Codi.  Got to see pix of Codi at the SWVHJA finals.  She's just all grown up!  Liz was nice enough to give me a stock tie she bought, which is longer than the one I have, so I think I will use that hunting next weekend. 

Didn't make it out to Sabrina's.  By the time I was done with Justin, I had a headache that I didn't tend to and I needed to get some lunch and my meds and chill.  Just never enough time to ride everything and see everyone!

Leaving for FL on Tuesday.  Going to try to ride tomorrow night.  Need to keep Justin tuned so he'll be prepared for the weekend. 

November 2, 2006

I know, I know -- I really need to update the links, etc. up there.  I've got all my news back to August sitting on this one page.  If you've never done website designing, you won't know what a drag it is to update stuff and keep continuity.  But, that's the beauty when it is your own -- you get to do it when you want to!

Got to ride last night.  Got to work just a little after 7 a.m. so that I could leave at 3:00.  Actually worked out quite well.  I left the office exactly at 3:00 and headed down the toll road to Jeffersonton.  Amazingly, I made it to the gas station near Sabrina's by 4:05 p.m..  Once at Sabrina's, I tacked up the Missy Mare, who would be my ride for the night.  Since daylight was not on our side, I groomed her much more quickly than I normally groom a horse (I take forever) and did a fairly short warm up before Sabrina headed down to spot me. 

Missy is good practice for me because she wants to leave very long.  She makes me pay careful attention to pace, rhythm and placement.  It is difficult to get Missy to go directly to the base.  Thankfully, she is extremely athletic and can leave from anywhere.  After having her insist on taking over the last two strides, thus leaving long for the oxer several times, I decided to do with her what I did with Boomerang the last time I rode him:  jump and immediately turn on the landing, the opposite way she wants to land.  It is always fun to see the surprise in the horse when you land and make them turn the opposite way.  It definitely gets their attention.  It makes them listen more carefully on the approach and deters them from wanting to motor through the turn on the landing.  After a few surprises, they come more quietly and land and wait to hear which way you might have decided to turn.  This plan worked like a charm and ended with Missy listening carefully, waiting to the base (with the help of a placement pole) and landing and cantering quietly through the turn.

Improvements I have seen in my riding are: a) I'm not scared sh*tless of a 2'6" jump anymore.  I know, I know, it's only 2'6"!  But I haven't done this in a long time and most of my anxiety has simply been that I hate to get there wrong.  It isn't the jump, it is the mistake that I hate.  Now, I motor up there with nary a care in the world and simply rely on the rhythm and pace to get me there. b)  I am starting to be a little more organized, although I have a long way to go in that department.  c) I'm also starting to be stronger about holding my body in the air, and again, I have a long way to go in that department as well.  But, at least I know enough to know what is right and what is wrong and I remember what I'm supposed to do to get back to how I rode in college. It will just take focus, practice and plan to get me there.  I will get there.

After my ride at Sabrina's, I headed to my 7:00 hair appointment.  I was a little early.  In fact, I made it from Jeffersonton (that is in Culpeper County) to Walney Road, just minutes from my destination, in 35 minutes.  I love where I live!  I am convenient to all the barns!  With the extra time, I managed to pick up a quick dinner and make it on time to my appointment.  After getting my hair done, it was off to Haymarket to drop off feed for Justin and give him his latest installment in his series of Adequan shots.  He's gonna be a new man when we are done with him! 

Elizabeth rode Justin for me last night.  Justin was munching grass in the field when I showed up.  He is such a good boy.  I just wiped his neck with alcohol and gave him the shot right there while he searched me for treats.  Such a good boy!  And treats he did get.  Afterwards, he followed me like a dog up to the barn, looking for more treats of course.  He let me kiss and kiss and kiss his little nose and give him hugs.  I just love him to death!  He gets his teeth done tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to hearing what the dentist finds.  Not that I know of anything potentially problematic, but I tend to expect interesting findings whenever the dentist goes in.  This will be the first time I have had a dental done on Justin since i've owned him.  He was due in August (oops!).  Dr. Johnson from Piedmont is doing him and I've heard good things so I'm sure he'll take good care of my boy.

Had the nice surprise of a call from Codi who I hadn't heard from since summer.  She's busy as a bee with school and doing so well.  She expects to graduate with honors, which is just phenomenal.  She talked about the possibility of heading to grad school -- excellent news.  It was fun to hear about her new mare who she has great plans for.  She's only three and I'm sure Codi will do a great job finishing the mare.  She's already proven herself to be a very good girl in her first show -- Codi should have a blast with her.  Codi and I hope to be able to get together when she is home.

Elizabeth and I are riding Topper and Justin on Saturday.  Looking forward to that ride.  Afterwards, I'll head to Sabrina's.  Sunday, more riding and LOTS of clipping.  Bleh!!!  But it must be done.  Justin is starting to look like a goat.

Alyssa emailed me today from school in Rochester saying it was snowing hard.  She is back on November 20 and we are hoping to ride together while she was in town.  Note to me to call Terri!  Bob is in Spokane, Washington and called me with the same news.  Yuck!  I just hate the thought of winter and snow and am missing spring and summer already.  I just want it to hurry up and come again so I can ride and ride and ride and ride.....