Busybusybusybusybusy. Most of my writing has suffered, although I have managed to make an occasional entry in my paper journal. Gone are the days when I looked to different Internet writing lists and blogs to entertain me and inspire me to write. I’m not sure why exactly my days have changed but I’m busy from the time I get up until I got to bed. One thing I’m not willing to sacrifice is sleep. I need at least 8 hours per night or I’m not happy and many others near me are not happy either.
The good news is that I’m riding several times a week: two lessons a week plus whatever other time I can practice on Goldie in the evenings. My riding seems to have improved a notch. I’m riding my mount to the jumps (as opposed to throwing the reins up the horse’s neck near the jump) and I’m going around more complicated courses over 3~ jumps. Some day I’d like to try eventing but for now my first goal is to show in the hunter ring this fall. I bought my show breeches: Tailored Sportsman. Now I have to save up for a jacket, tall boots, ratcatcher (anyone know why the collared shirt is called a ratcatcher?), and gloves. Hopefully my velvet helmet meets the safety requirements, although the helmet doesn’t cost as much as the jacket or boots, or breeches. Go figure…
I’m also gardening a bit more lately, even though in my ’50 truths about me’ I said I only enjoyed the thought of gardening. Well, I’ve actually been enjoying, doing the gardening as I’m seeing results: peaches on the tree, tomatoes, lettuce, eggplant, bell peppers. I used to have more personal time at school but I don’t any more. Part of the reason is that Thursday is horse day every week. I take a riding lesson in the morning then volunteer at RideOn in the afternoon. Those days are incredibly satisfying and I wish every day were like them. Alas, they’re not. No one will pay me to take riding lessons. If I could figure out how to do that then write a book about it, I’d be a millionaire! In any event, because on Thursdays I get little dissertation project or class project stuff done, I actually have to concentrate all my work when I’m on campus. Sheesh, one of the reasons I wanted to be a grad student, besides to be mentally challenged, was to have more control over my time. Oh yes, horse Thursday. Did I ever get that when I worked full time? Of course not! I guess I really do have everything I want right now: challenge,horses, garden, volunteer work.
Corinna, it’s wonderful to hear you so jazzed up and satisfied with all that your life has to offer.
Formal equestrian attire includes a stock tie, as you would see at a dressage show (and the dressage phase of 3-day); it is also worn fox-hunting. Less formal attire was appropriate for less-formal sport (such as catching rats). Hence, rat-catcher.
My advice for you about eventing: go find a local pony club (yes, you are too old) but they event at a beginner’s level–maybe somebody will take you under their wing and you can try it out at the new-entry-novice level, on a borrowed horse.
Formal equestrian attire includes a stock tie, as you would see at a dressage show (and the dressage phase of 3-day); it is also worn fox-hunting. Less formal attire was appropriate for less-formal sport (such as catching rats). Hence, rat-catcher.
My advice for you about eventing: go find a local pony club (yes, you are too old) but they event at a beginner’s level–maybe somebody will take you under their wing and you can try it out at the new-entry-novice level, on a borrowed horse.
Hi Corinna. Stock ties are the most formal, and are still worn in dressage competition and the “classics” of hunter-jumper competition. Less formal sport, such as catching rats, calls for less formal attire.
About eventing: I wonder if there’s a pony club in your area. You are, I am sure, too old (over 21), but if you find a pony club, they event at a beginner level. You may be able to, eventually, borrow a horse for a new-entry-novice competition, and/or clinic, and see if you like it.
Horse Show Blogs
Links to horse blogs and first person horse show accounts and photos.
Horse Show Blogs
Links to horse blogs and first person horse show accounts and photos.
It’s good to hear your getting regular ridding, even if your much busyer! I hope your try at eventing works out.