WooHoo - TWO in 2010!

Lessons, that is. Today my friend Debbie drove us and our horses through torrential rain to our second clinic with Julie Ronning (the first was in October). We both really enjoy Julie's manner and method, and she's reasonable, too. Knowing she was coming back to Oregon to see her parents for the holidays and give lessons again has kept me committed to riding as much as possible. Not that 2-3 times a week is anything to brag about, but both Russell and I were in better shape for this clinic than we were in October, so I'm happy. We've also made progress in some of the areas we worked on last time. This time we worked quite a bit in counter-canter; it obviously needed work! Straightness is key to getting the most out of Russell (as it is with any horse), and counter-canter really addresses that. We're hoping it also helps strengthen his left hind and cleans up his flying change from left to right lead.

Julie is planning on returning in a couple months; there's my motivation for winter riding! Hopefully the weather will cooperate more than it has this week; it has been very wet, even by western Oregon standards.

Happy New Year!

For once, the perfect test result!

No, I'm not talking about a dressage test.

You're a Horse!

Versatile, powerful, and true, you have quite a reputation for hard
work and a certain unbridled spirit. Many look up to you as an example of what
people can really become, though somewhere deep down, you admit to feeling a little
bit broken. You hate racing, but are still exceptionally good at it. Beware broken
legs, dog food, and glue. If your name is Ed, you do a surprising amount of
talking.


Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

This will come as no surprise to my mom, who used to worry that I would ruin my young knees with all the galloping and bucking I did while pretending to be my favorite animal.

Saddle up!

In the midst of the holidays and well into the rainy season, I am still getting in 2-3 rides a week (except for just one ride during the week of Thanksgiving) and am pretty happy with that. With our weather and my responsibilities (including being a homeschooling mom and part-time home business owner), that is probably the most I can hope for.

I rode on Monday, but the rest of the week looked like a wash according to the weatherman. Still, sometimes we get breaks between showers, and today we got a nice, long one. I jumped at the chance. Since the arena was too sloppy to use, I suggested to Brian that he ride with me so I could head down the road. When he declined I turned it into a mandate. After all, his pony needs exercise and a reason to justify all the care and expense involved in having her. He ended up having a great time, even though she sent him tumbling over her head early in the ride. That's what the helmet is for....
We really do live in a scenic area, built up as it has gotten to be. I love our green winters, too. I remember how brown and barren the Midwest was in the winter (except when covered with snow), and I definitely prefer green.
(You know it's wet when both moss and ferns grow in the trees!)

Russell says the best part of the ride was the apple at the end. ;-)

Thanksgiving

My mother-in-law is here and Thanksgiving Day was busy with lots of things, but I managed to squeeze in the one thing I really wanted to do yesterday - ride my horse. Russell and I had a great jaunt around the "neighborhood," and said hi to the thoroughbreds down the road. They've never come up to the fence before; isn't the young chestnut's head beautiful? And when they decided to turn tail and thunder back to the safety of their stable, Russell probably looked pretty impressive himself. He got on the muscle and contemplated trying some airs above the ground, but stuck to some fancy prancing down the road.

Today it is "blowing spit in the wind" (Oregonians will know what I mean), so I am doubly thankful for the chance to ride yesterday!

Wet feet

I was determined to ride today because the rest of the week is supposed to be really wet. Today was just "off and on" wet. But wouldn't you know that the one window of time I had was during one of the wet periods? But I played along, grooming and saddling Russell in his stall while the rain rattled down on the corrugated roofing then going up to the house to check on Brian's school project. After half an hour, another break in the rain rolled over the coast range and I got in a short schooling session in the arena. I try not to ride in there when it's this wet, but with Brian home I didn't have the option of riding up and down the road. The sand cleaned up Russell's hooves nicely, at any rate. He's been stocking up in his back legs every day, so working the edema out is an added motivation to get regular rides in. That, and being ready for another clinic around Christmas!