A very sad day yesterday. Sporting Chance, the first really good horse I ever rode and one I had ridden and then helped care for for 21 years, was put down yesterday. She coliced and wasn't recovering and her owner bravely and wisely made the right decison for her.
Sporting Chance (known in the barn as "BS" since she had raced under the name "Bold and Sensitive") had foundered a little more than 2 years ago. She had already been retired from riding and recovered so that she was completely comfortable and able to enjoy retirement. Either her owner, Leslie, or I would visit her almost every day to groom, hand graze, feed treats and generally fuss over her. She would see either car coming up the driveway and trot across her paddock to nicker and greet us. Always made me feel as if I was the person she most wanted to see in the world. Little did she know I realized she did the same for Leslie. Her success as an adult hunter, even when I showed her, was remakable. Her talent and ring presence overcame her rider's lack of skill. She was truly a diva, always enjoying the shows. Practice at home--not so much. She will be missed by many people.
That was one ending part of yesterday. Another was the 2009 Mass Medal Finals for the adults. Three adults from my barn rode and represented the barn very credibly, with one getting a second place in the open class, another receiving a very high score and the third having great trips, too. I'll have to ask the riders if the course seemed easier this year than last. Seemed to be, but it always looks easier when I'm not riding.
So today we are all back on equal footing trying to qualify for next year. Am hoping to be able to start taking lessons again this week--ribs are better. Hoping to not have to wait til August this year to try to qualify!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Days 2&3
Day three, today, is as usual a day off from riding.
Rode two horses yesterday. Ribs a little sore but much fun to be riding again. Good for one's mental health. My trainer, Lauren, is having a new sales prospect vetted. Seven years old (I think) and a thoroughbred. Fun!
Saw on Facebook today that a friend who manages a stable is marrying a trainer on Friday. They are going to a horse show the next day and have horse shows lined up for about the following four weeks. Only horse people!
Rode two horses yesterday. Ribs a little sore but much fun to be riding again. Good for one's mental health. My trainer, Lauren, is having a new sales prospect vetted. Seven years old (I think) and a thoroughbred. Fun!
Saw on Facebook today that a friend who manages a stable is marrying a trainer on Friday. They are going to a horse show the next day and have horse shows lined up for about the following four weeks. Only horse people!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Beginning...
I'll confess to be inspired by the "Julie and Julia" movie. In case you haven't seen it (you should-- especially for Meryl Streep's portrayal of Julia Child) Julie blogs about her efforts to make every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook within a year. Many riders will also know of an Animal Planet program called "The Road to the Maclay" which followed several juniors riders on their journey to qualify for one of the most important national equitation finals.
As far as I know, no one has yet described what an average adult rider's experience is like. This is likely because it would bore most people to tears. I hope, though, that since there is a large group of unsung "normal" (e.g., not uber-wealthy or able to devote every minute of their lives to horses) riders out there who are serious about riding, this may be a chance to share experiences. And yes, I also recognize that "normal" is a word rarely used by our non-horsey friends to describe us.
Case in point--I have hit the ground involuntarily five times in the past 13 months. Even for me, this is a lot. My co-workers and friends have suggested knitting as an alternate interest. Of course, then they go on to point out that knitting invoves sharp objects and might thus also be hazardous. Did I mention being accident-prone? Most recently I broke two ribs by dissassembling a jump with my body after a stop. At a horse show, with an audience, naturally, ending my one and only chance to qualify for this year's Medal. (For the unintiated: first, you're still reading? Second, the Mass Medal is a year-end final run by the Massachusetts Horsemen's Council. An adult rider qualifies by winning a certain number of points during the year in qualifying classes at horse shows. It is a reasonable goal for a rider limited by lack of horses, training time, funds, and/or talent. Gives us an opportunity to compete with skilled, experienced riders, too.)
So, on the first day of the qualifying year for the 2010 Mass Finals, here I am propped up in bed waiting for the ribs to heal. I did try riding 2 weeks after the fall but my physician did not feel more percocet was in order simply to facilitate riding. I may have the only physician around who is suggesting sedentary interests. Back to hacking tomorrow, hope to jump in another week.
Hope you will comment with your own experiences!
As far as I know, no one has yet described what an average adult rider's experience is like. This is likely because it would bore most people to tears. I hope, though, that since there is a large group of unsung "normal" (e.g., not uber-wealthy or able to devote every minute of their lives to horses) riders out there who are serious about riding, this may be a chance to share experiences. And yes, I also recognize that "normal" is a word rarely used by our non-horsey friends to describe us.
Case in point--I have hit the ground involuntarily five times in the past 13 months. Even for me, this is a lot. My co-workers and friends have suggested knitting as an alternate interest. Of course, then they go on to point out that knitting invoves sharp objects and might thus also be hazardous. Did I mention being accident-prone? Most recently I broke two ribs by dissassembling a jump with my body after a stop. At a horse show, with an audience, naturally, ending my one and only chance to qualify for this year's Medal. (For the unintiated: first, you're still reading? Second, the Mass Medal is a year-end final run by the Massachusetts Horsemen's Council. An adult rider qualifies by winning a certain number of points during the year in qualifying classes at horse shows. It is a reasonable goal for a rider limited by lack of horses, training time, funds, and/or talent. Gives us an opportunity to compete with skilled, experienced riders, too.)
So, on the first day of the qualifying year for the 2010 Mass Finals, here I am propped up in bed waiting for the ribs to heal. I did try riding 2 weeks after the fall but my physician did not feel more percocet was in order simply to facilitate riding. I may have the only physician around who is suggesting sedentary interests. Back to hacking tomorrow, hope to jump in another week.
Hope you will comment with your own experiences!
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