It's been awhile since I've last posted anything but lots has happened.  Norman continues to do well with one eye, he has setbacks but they have all been relatively minor thankfully.

I started writing a kid's book about Norman last year and just this past November it actually got published and is getting some positive feedback.  Helps that a portion of the proceeds are going to LongRun and Heaven Can Wait equine rescues and Norman is putting his hoof print on some of the…

On Tuesday evening I fell in my house (NOT off a horse) and I ended up with two scraped and bruised knees, a scraped foot, a scrape down my right arm, and shaken confidence about my walking.  I had been practicing holding my head up when I walked so I would form a good habit for my riding instead of  what I really needed to do, looking down to where my feet go.  Since my fall I am putting practicing good riding posture while I walk into the failed experiment column.  When I…

This Summer's Great Read Comes Right OUT OF THE BLUE

Out of The Blue by Cheryl Bruder

Self-published paperback, 359 pages

Cover photos by Rachelle Rousseau

Front cover art by Patrick Berry 

        When I read author Cheryl Bruder's previous novel, My Mezeppa, a couple years ago, my review said I thought the story provided an entertaining and unpredictable plot, interesting and unique characters, believable dialogue and heartfelt emotion,…

I had some one ask if I could give them some good tips for the show season.   This is a good question and yes, as a veteran of the show ring I certainly can give you some good tips.  It doesn’t really matter what discipline you are in, as showing is showing and it takes its toll on both the horse and the rider.  (the horse in this photo was my 27 year old…

This week, since I haven’t gotten the girth billets on my Stubben fixed, I was riding in my Wintec 250 GP saddle for both my lesson with Mick and for my ride on Mia.  I had put the rear shims back in my Corrector pad but this week I did not feel as secure as I had before when I used them, I guess something in my body changed yet again. 

On Wednesday I woke up to rain, and Debbie called and we rescheduled for Thursday.  So I was out bright and early on Thursday, and…

Jan 1 2013

We worked on the ground again to begin using the 12' rope attached to the bit for about 20 minutes, changing sides often. I didn't do any giving to the bit tonight.

144th ride, we walked to the back of the arena following another horse again. Cooper did good, he tensed up a little but continued on with no spooking.

We did some more sit trot, jogging tonight. We didn't do any circles but worked on Lyons 3 Step Stop exercise and rollbacks again. He started to stop…

Hey bloggers,

This week's blog is going to be based on our new Canadian Team Eventing Coach. Our new team coach is Clayton Fredericks, who is the next International Technical Advisor (ITA) for the Canadian Eventing Team. Clayton Fredericks will replace current ITA, David O’Connor in January 2013, so our Canadian eventing coach officially is now Clayton Fredericks! Our country owes a big thank you to David O'Connor for all his help in the Canadian eventing program, his knowledge, and…

Its been almost a year since I first started out, and I am about to complete my level 2 Equestrian.  I am so happy with the progress, but most of all, so grateful for the horse that has become a true friend. We have learned how to 'talk' with each other, or I should say, we continue to learn, and he now respects my 'leg' as a rider.  How far we have come, given that initially, I couldn't even find my balance, and hadn't even understood that the process is life-long, not a matter of 'levels'…

Sleek,

his coat shines

Coppertone’s aglow

Muscles tense as etched glass lines.

Drugged,

Eyes all a glare.

Fear, sweat and agony turns,

While running nostrils flare.

 …

Walking up the chute, through the in gate, into the ring and into the unknown at an important show? Who doesn’t have butterflies ?? 



What about at the gate of the New Year? These words give me perspective and still my butterflies as I consider the unknowns of 2013 – the economy, health, family…you name it. 



I said to the man who stood at the Gate of…

My original plan was to post about Force, Stress, and the Hoof at this point.  In fact, I prepared and (briefly) posted just such a blog entry -- one filled with mathematical calculations and numbers -- on my website.  But I wasn't satisfied with it, for very important reasons.  So the post appeared, disappeared, and then reappeared with changes over a span of several days as I wrestled with my goals for posting it.  It wasn’t a small matter that I put it up to begin with . . .  and it…