"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and once it has done so, he/she will have to accept that his life will be radically changed." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Penn State family lost our greatest leader on Sunday. Joe Paterno was more than Penn State's football coach. Coach Paterno strived to make an impact. I count myself as a fortunate recipient of that impact. JoePa, as he was commonly known, dedicated his life to making Penn State a high quality school while coaching a strong football team. It turns out, much to our honest surprise, that JoePa was human and made mistakes. When we remember his legacy, let us also remember his mortality. We are all mortal and so, as JoePa did, take time to contemplate and build your legacy.
(This is a serious blog. I'll do a much more relaxed one next.)
Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is announcing she will step down from her position this week. I know nothing of her political history, but I do know that she has strength few other people will ever experience. Giffords was shot in the head a year ago at the Arizona Congress on Your Corner event. She will return to the site and finish that event. Thirteen people were wounded and six were killed last January. I applaud Congresswoman Giffords for her fight to not only recover, but thrive in the future.
Yawn. What a crazy last few weeks! My Mama got on my case New Year's Day about not blogging recently. She's right, I need to start typing. I had two weeks at home and as you can probably tell, I avoided the laptop like the plague. I use this machine every single day and sometimes I need a major separation from it.
Mom, Me, and MaMa
The boys. Same spot about 3 years apart.
We can't talk about the holidays without discussing presents. Let's be honest, I'm more about the commercial holiday. Back on Black Friday, I bought myself an awesome chrome toolbox for the back of the diesel. Then I moved all the equipment from the back seat of the truck to the toolbox and still had lots of room in it. The only solution seemed to be a chat with Dad. He told me to wait for Christmas. Holy smokes, be careful what you ask for!
The "starter" kit.
This is all I really wanted.
I feel extra unstoppable in the Green Giant now!
Another crazy present story is that LClark and I took a trip on the Friday before Christmas Sunday to Park City Mall. We were expecting to die and honestly, it wasn't so bad!
In between the holidays we had the HVS party. It was at the Lawn Fire Hall. I thought it was a great success. I had a great time watching the polo wrapping relay, pin the nose on the reindeer, and Pictionary. And the food, YUM! So very good.
The Christmas Hulu Rat. It's my Mom's...
The kids took revenge on me for spinning them too much.
I spent almost everyday riding and at the gym so I slept through the New Year's celebration. It was all part of my plan to start the New Year rested and relaxed. Ok, so rested anyway. Yeah, and about this gym thing. I know some of you are tired of seeing my FB posts about it already. But I also hope some of you will nag me if I start to slip. I have big riding plans this year and my fitness must improve. I'm running about 2.5 miles a day right now. I didn't think I could do it, but I am and it feels GOOOOOOOOD! Trust me, I think it's weird too. Let's just go with it.
Fred is still out of commission. The test results have come back as normal on all accounts. Now we move on to a phenobarbital trial. Phenobarbs are used to treat seizures. We should know in a month or so if that addresses Fred's twitch.
Cindy has very generously let me ride Patrick over the last few weeks. (THANK YOU!) He was amazing to ride almost 5 years ago when I started at HVS and now that I've learned a little since then, I think he and I are having some fun.
Jean, Crabby Paddy, Me, and Gadget
Lauren G and I stopped by Watermark Farm during our time off. Ellie and her mother Anne have an amazing herd of horses. They gave Lauren and I an amazing opportunity by letting us ride Oz (Wizard WF) and Lauren also rode Liam (Don William WF). Oz is a 5 year old stallion and moves like nothing I have ever ridden before. Liam is a 4 year old gelding who is probably around 17.2! It was cool and such a treat. Check out Ellie's website and drool over the horses. Go on, you know you want to.
Lauren and Liam
After our trip to Watermark Farm, I went to Cindy's first lesson with Kim Walnes. I'm not gonna lie, my head hurt from an information overload. Kim taught everyone in attendance many things. You probably want more details, but I'm not kidding, it was a lot of good stuff and I'm not sure that I can start without covering everything. I'm glad I was on the ground for the first lesson because I would be overwhelmed in the saddle. There will be more opportunities to audit her lessons and I encourage riders to attend at least once.
Ok, so that wraps up the holidays in an express manner. I'll have to talk about the new year in the next post, and Fred :( , but that will have to wait until later this week.
Apparently 2011 is the year of undiagnosed neurological diseases for my horses. In the middle of November, Sarah noticed that Fred's nose and neck were twitching simultaneously. Two days later, Fred was not himself during a jump school. A week later he had an abscess and the twitching was very intense. A week after that Dr. Kent came to look at Fred. She did a full exam of his body and x-rays of his withers. Dr. Kent couldn't find anything abnormal.
The twitch is only between Fred's left shoulder to his nose. We can't determine one trigger point. It waxes and wanes without any clear influence. It is involuntary and hasn't changed his normal routine at all. Fred seems fine to ride on the flat however jumping is not comfortable for him. I've only been on him once in the last few weeks. The video is from the day he came in with the abscess and was very uncomfortable. Stress does seem to play a role in the intensity. An interesting fact is that the facial nerves are not directly connected to the neck and chest so it is odd that the twitch is simultaneous. Also, after observing him, you'll notice that the twitch builds. If his chest is twitching, everything else is.
After massages and body work and time off, I took the vets' recommendation and we made an appointment with the neuro specialist at New Bolton. Dr. Johnson was great. Fred had a gait exam, blood work, endoscopy for his pharynx and larynx, and a spinal tap. Yep, two horses and two spinal taps in one year. We're awaiting results, which should be in early next week. The outcome could be either Lymes or seizures. I don't like either option, but both are treatable and we should be able to return to work this year. I must also say that I was very impressed with how well Fred handled the commotion. He was a trooper yesterday!
There is a lot to catch up on. However, this is not an equine entry. I should write about Fred's lesson with Julio Mendoza and his current hiatus, but honestly, I don't want to.
For my fellow IBMers, I ask you not share this blog with let's say, my current project PMs or my SAM. I'll do some document work for you in return.
My current project is in the DC area. Due to some schedule changes Rob and I have some extra time on our hands. (Oh yeah, Rob and I are working together again. I think he must have been on some seriously hard core cold meds when he agreed to work with me again.) Extra time for us is very dangerous. It's especially bad in DC considering Rob majored in anthropology and as much as he calls me a dork for my Mobile work he is a dork for history. I don't mind history, so off we went.
Today I told him I was picking our lunch location. It just so happened to be by the Pentagon. It really doesn't matter what landmark you pick, Rob is cool with it. We passed the Air Force monument but we couldn't stop to admire it. On the way back to the office, I decided the weather was nice and I that I was wearing the right shoes and that we should walk around the cemetery.
The visitor center is spectacular. We had a bit of time but not all day so I asked if we could see the Tomb of the Unknowns. There was a lot more to see but our field trips can't take all day. I wanted to see JFK's grave site and walk around. I thought the Milwaukee VA cemetery was big. Turns out that is nothing compared to Arlington. One of the facts Rob taught me to today is that the cemetery was once General Lee's plantation.
As we walked up to the tomb, we heard a military band and marching. A procession was coming down the hill. The band was in the front followed by rows, maybe 15 or 20, of a military branch I couldn't identify.
Then it hit me. This isn't a happy affair passing us. The formality of the situation was due to a funeral service. The cemetery does more than 20 services each weekday. Yes, read that sentence again. According to the details of a military funeral, an enlisted personnel earns a casket team, firing party, and bugler. This procession also included the caisson, band, and escorting troops.
The caparisoned (riderless) horse marched proudly down the path. The funeral we were watching was for either an Army or Marine Colonel or higher.
I hate that feeling when your throat closes and you feel the tears about to spill over. As the casket passed and the caparisoned horse strutted by, you could feel the sorrow, respect, and pride that thousands have felt on that sacred ground. It was hard not to mourn someone I will never know who spent most of his life saving and protecting mine and yours. The strangers around us moved on. I watched the movement turn at the bottom of the hill and go on. The moment was stunning to the eye and heart, but I felt it was disrespectful to capture it by photos.
I put myself back in working order. We watched the changing of the guard ritual. The tomb's setting is remarkable. On a brisk, clear December day, you can see from a top the hill out over DC. The trees were bare and sad, but stood tall in respect. Our backs were to the Memorial Amphitheater. I've never seen the ruins in Greece, but I think this structure is about as close as I can get in the US. The amphitheater is made of marble. Above the west entrance is a Latin phrase (the title of this post) which is translated to "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."
On our way back to the visitor center and ultimately to the office, I knew I should write down how I felt today. I read a quote the other day, "If you won't stand behind our troops, stand in front of them." There is not a strong military identity in my family. Both of my grandfathers served as did my dad, but I can't say we consider ourselves very loyal to one particular branch. Being in the Maximo practice I have met a lot military men and their families. What I was strongly reminded of today was that these people are not Republican or Democratic or Tea Party or Independent. The military from the past, present, and future give of themselves for the rest of us. Whether it is right to send troops into battle or not, we must support them and their families.
Few of the many headstones.
Tomb of the Unknowns - Changing of the Guard Ritual
It only took me two weeks catch up on blogs. I've returned to the normal travel work week and it has severely impacted my blog. Fail!
Since we were snowed out at Plantation, I squeezed Fred into Waredaca's starter trial that was rescheduled. I had only been to Waredaca once before, maybe 2 years ago, but always liked the facility. Amanda was so very wonderful to accompany me to the event. This was her second HT and I couldn't ask for a better companion! It was a long day and Amanda made it much easier. Amanda also captured some great photos. Dressage was fantastic. We had one small bobble during a down transition. We had a 35.5 which put us in 5th or 6th after dressage. I was quite pleased.
Stadium was a little crazy. Fred was calm and happy until warm up. Then his frisky fun side let loose. We had an energetic and clean ride through the stadium course, which rode great. We almost crashed the Ravens' oxer but somehow left it up. You'll see below what I mean.
The cross country course was a great BN challenge. There were 16 jumps and some were more than I had seen in a while. Fred was really good on the XC course until I started losing some brake control at the end. Again, see below. That was a minor complaint as I was thrilled to end our first season together on such a great note. We have lots of homework in front of us and the potential for a lot of fun.
Probably our only quiet jump.
Entering the two stride that we rode just right.
Yeah...
Over the last and clear.
First XC jump. Fred says "la de da..."
Headed to the finish and Fred can't hear my request to half halt.
We finished third and we earned it. I can't believe Fred and I did six event this year. We had three not so great outings and three that ended better than expected.
I learned a lot about riding, maintaining, and training horses this year. The lessons about motivation, perseverance, patience, and dedication are what will stick with me for a long time. I look forward to many more good days with Fred in and out of the saddle. I also look forward to the simple visits with Tyler where I can forget about everything else and hang out with my friend.
Sally Cousins sent out her 2012 Aiken letter. As it asks, I am passing the info along.
When my computer was knocked off the couch earlier this year by a dog who shall not be named ( ok I shouldn't have had it on the couch) I lost all my Aiken records so please pass this information along to anyone who might be interested.
Our place in Aiken is set on 27 acres 5 1/2 miles out of the center of town. It is convenient to many hotels , stores and restaurants. We have lots of show jumps, some cross country jumps and a dressage ring. We have lots of turn out available in individual paddocks. Lessons are available daily and we go cross country schooling many times a week. Pine Top is an hour away and all the other events are within 20 minutes. There are 5 cross country courses nearby that we use to school. There are many derbies ,combined tests and some unrecognized events held in Aiken while we are down there. Hitchcock Woods is close to our place. It is a 2000 acre park that is great for trail riding. We are 25 minutes from the Augusta airport and an hour and 15 minutes from Columbia airport. Megan Papler also rents a house 5 miles from the farm and that is a great place to stay especially for the young riders.
Many people have mentioned that they are concerned that their horse is not far enough along in its training to come down, but Aiken is a great experience for greener horses. The footing is sand so we are able to school more in good footing and the environment is relaxed. I try to get my babies far enough along to be able to cross country school them while we are down there. For example, Walle was concerned about water at first and he was able to get out to many different water jumps and is now quite confident. At the time he wasn't even doing much jumping.
Costs:
self care
- under 30 days $15 a night per stall
- over 30 days $10 a night per stall
lessons $65
training board $400 a week (shipping to local events and schools included)
there is a discounted rate in January
I will be taking a deposit of $5 per night to hold a stall.
If you have any questions please let me know. Thanks, Sally sallycousins@aol.com
I couldn't help but add Walle's horse trial debut video. (Wall-E, like the robot in the movie) Walle is one of the biggest and sweetest horses I have ever encountered.
