"Things are going great, and they're only getting better"

After a brief return to normal winter weather (i.e. rainy), it has dried out again and is supposed to remain unseasonably dry and warm for the rest of the month. Very odd, and worrisome in many ways – but good for riding, at least!

The farrier came to give pedicures to the ponies this morning, and my friend Kate hauled Dinah here to be trimmed as well. Afterwards we rode together, then switched mounts. Dinah's canter departs aren't confirmed yet and Kate is still getting her core strength back after years out of the saddle, so she asked me to canter Dinah both directions while she walked Lance around. I almost had to laugh at how different our horses feel; Dinah is like a quick, slender dragonfly to Lance's big bumblebee!

I'm going to take my bumblebee to a lesson with Julie on Thursday. Kate wants to haul Dinah along to audit during my lessons, but isn't able to this week. I shared with her some of what we've been working on that will benefit Dinah, though, and in sharing, it is confirmed and strengthened in my own mind and muscles. Win-win. For us and our equine partners, the future's so bright – like the forecast for the rest of January – we gotta wear shades!

Check

Managed to steal another ride from the weather (that's what it feels like when I get in a dry ride during wet weather) this morning; yay! At the top of my long mental list of goals today was to have a horse with a foamy mouth, indicating relaxation. We've been missing that the last couple rides at least, and those rides weren't stellar in other ways as well. It's all connected; it always is.

Towards the end of yesterday's ride I was racking my brain to remember all the things I'm supposed to do (oh, to have the time and money for weekly lessons!), and when I corrected my position and got out of Lance's way, he was suddenly able to give me what I was asking for. Of course.

Apparently I rode better from the git-go today, as evidenced by Lance's improvement. And this:

Double-yay!

Splish-splash; now he needs a bath!

At least it's mostly wet sand, not mud!

Yes, "normal" winter weather has returned to the Willamette Valley. I managed to time our ride pretty well today, mostly between showers. However, I was determined to ride 'come well or high water' and tacked up Lance with my Wintec saddle just in case.

Last night at our dressage chapter meeting, a sport psychologist spoke about mentally preparing for competition. He asked attendees what mental images help them achieve their riding goals. One of our members said she once saw a clip on TV of Prince Philip competing in the rain in his silk top hat, and that inspires her to keeping on riding, even in less than ideal conditions. I haven't seen that footage, but remembered a video I bookmarked that shows amazing focus (on the rider's part) and willing partnership (on the horse's part), obviously backed by hours – years – of solid preparation. (If you don't have a lot of time, you can skip to minute 4.00 and watch from there.)



Amazing, isn't it? It gives a whole new meaning to "Singing in the Rain"!

On to year two!

Last Thursday was the one-year anniversary of Lance's arrival here. It went by without fanfare, but we had a good schooling session after our recreation the day before. That night the wind brought a change in the weather, blowing out the fog and smog from the inversion that sat on us heavily for two weeks and ushering in sunshine. Without the blanket of fog its getting colder at night, but not so cold as to solidify our arena footing. In other words, it's great. I just came in from another good ride, as well as some excellent ground work in his stall and paddock before and after with the help of "sticks and carrots" (a dressage whip and lots of commercial treats).

Last night our Christian trail-riding club had its annual planning meeting. I am looking forward to taking Lance on more horse-camping trips, another visit (this time with the club; any of you want to join us for the group rate?) to Perrydale Trails, and hopefully, several more day-trips to the beach and elsewhere with my friend. I've got four dressage shows bookmarked so we could possibly earn enough scores to qualify for USDF All-Breed Awards, too. It would appear that this is the Year of the Horse, all right! I'm excited, and so very thankful to have this special partner in my life.

Lance & me, one year ago tomorrow, our first ride at home

Starting 2014 off right

We didn't get to the beach, but Lance and I did get to go for a ride with our "beach buddies" at Willamette Mission State Park this afternoon. We had a great time, made proud again by our young horses. I'll let my camera do the rest of the talking; Happy New Year!

(eagle's nest)