If they REALLY want to make money...

...they should do horse and rider products. Gucci is sponsoring the brand new Gucci Masters (the Paris International Show Jumping Event, part of the Paris Horse Show, ooh la la) and has flirted with the idea (see picture 1) and Ralph Lauren has done it for the polo team they sponsor (see picture 2) and I must say that Nacho is nothing short of à chaud in all that gear, and that polo pony looks simply lovely in the RL Crest pad. And from what I understand RL has even put their signature pony on the polo wraps too. Charmant!

So why not go main-stream? (At least for people who want to have it and can afford to want to have it haha! Certainly not me!)

But honestly, what kind of people dish out money for fad-ish (and occasionally fashionable and classic) products? Well.... horse people! Dressage queens and hunter princesses and show jumping rockstars and eventing royalty! Though probably the first two more so than the latter two, but I have seen exceptions!

Besides, a Gucci earnet (picture 1), a saddle or boots or a bridle made of stamped Armani leather, a Tiffany bit (dream come true, then Greta could really be Greta GOLIGHTLY), or a Juicy Couture bridle charm (picture 3) sounds kind of cool, if not wonderfully frivolous (says the girl who scrounges the outlet stores and eBay for those wonderfully frivolous brands). Just hopefully they would make it durable enough so one would not have to special handle it every time it even gets close to a barn.

So haute couture folks, think about it, just think about it......

Stylish!

Wonderful!

Juicy!

Relax....

Well, I wasn't able to ride since Sunday, although that ride went very well (and holy cow I was posting without stirrups, and when I did use my stirrups, my feet practically weren't in them! I felt like SUPER RIDER!) and after a few days of light lunging and hand-walking, I was able to ride her today. Lessons got started much earlier (on Thursdays they start at 5:00, and today they started at 3:00!) and the outdoor arena is still wet from all the rain we've got (which we NEED) so Greta and I tried to sneak in a walking warm-up in the covered arena, and when the first student came in, we made our way outside.

Firstly, Greta McPrissyhooves walked through a large puddle (it's about as long as her and little bit wider than her) after only giving it a quick little sniff. No turning around or fussing, just a sniff, and then she walked through unproblematic. Yay!

Then we walked up and down the driveway, working on focusing by doing tight little serpentines here and there, stopping, backing up, and turns on the forehand and haunches. She was bit tense through all that (she always gets tense and spooky on the driveway) but far from what she used to be. And then we went back around the round pens and everything and she began to relax. Really relax. Like, ears flopping and listening to me, submissive to the aids, light in the bit, tracking up, I felt her back lift up when she got rounder and rounder and lengthered her topline more and more, so I tried to get lighter in my seat and push her forward to back her up. Then I tried halting, and I didn't have to REALLY convince like I had to earlier. I thought "halt" and she halted. So we walked and halted several times, and because this was just so crazy how relaxed she was (and because we can't trot on the grounds when they're wet, and the covered arena was packed with a lesson of 5 youngins') I figured it would be best to stop there and call it a day. Tomorrow I want to try her in the big field next door, now that they've mowed all coastal hay down.........

Merry Christmas

First of all, a little video to spread some holiday Greta cheer.

Now, a continuation from yesterday...

2010 has been a crazy, wonderful year for Greta and I. I feel like we have matured and grown so much together in both our riding and in other areas. At the beginning of the year, riding still deeply frustrated me, and I didn't know who to blame, nor what to do. We did a lot of things under pressure and immaturely, and I'm thankful that we were able to get out that situation, for Greta's sake. I began to see more and more what a wonderful, talented mare she is. She is beautiful!

We went through 3 trainers this year! And now, on the third, we have found somebody who truly understands Greta and I: no forcing, no complications. I feel like in these past 6 lessons that I now am just learning to ride Greta, without fear of a spook, nor a care if it does happen. She looks so relaxed and happy whenever I ride her now, it is truly amazing.

But mostly, like any partnership, I've begun to discover even more about Greta, her quirks, her personality. I am starting to tell her different expressions. I am seeing that she is an incredibly smart girl, smarter than me sometimes. It is unfathomable how fortunate I am to have a horse that has never done anything to purposely dismount me. Sure, I've taken a tumble or two, but bless her she has never run off, she always spins around and looks for me. She has never kicked out or bucked or reared. Bless her.

I rode several other horses this year: two ran off on me, one of which succeeded in dismounting me (well, I had to dismount MYSELF for safety's sake less I wanted to land beneath him because he was bucking like a bronc, and I will say that those are the WORST kinds of falls, when you have make yourself fall) and then proceeded to trot back to the barn and not even care that I was there haha! All of these other horses I rode this year were geldings, and they were very food-driven, and really could care less about me. You could say I'm something of an unfortunate ex-gelding fan? Well, I still have my geldings that I adore out at the barn, so I'm not really an ex-fan. I guess when one becomes so used to Greta's well-hidden motherly nature (but when it shows, it shows) then, well.................... but anyway.......

All these horses, including a very well-mannered QH stallion who was a dream to ride, each taught me something and I did enjoy the time I spent riding them, even with their qualms. So along with progressing extremely fast with Greta, I realized my goals in life. I want manage barns, to train horses, I want to teach students, I want to make sure not a horse or person goes through the pressuring, forceful methods I allowed myself to believe in. I want to make sure every horse I meet comes away from me a better horse. I realize that I might not always be successful, but I know now that I really want to do that as my future career. I like that kind of manual, hard work. And I know that I can still take a step further and go to vet school if I want, with my grades (thank GOD.)

And I know that through all of this in the future (even possibly going for the Texas State University IHSA hunt-seat team! Some good skills to be learned lie in wait there!) that I will have a partner beside me the entire time. Somebody I can count on and learn from. Somebody I can go to when I am far from home and it seems I can turn to nobody. Somebody that makes me not care about silly boarder or trainer quarrels and disagreements. Greta, and everything we have accomplished in two years, and really in the past two months, makes me proud.

If I come in crying, she gets those worry wrinkles and nudges me. If I give her a big pat after a job well done, I can just feel pride radiating from her (watching the videos of us jumping, you could just see it in her face and carriage, and I also realized she is a very cute jumper!) She really tries for me, I have yet to meet a person who hasn't said that about her, but she is honest and will let me know if she just can't do something or if I need to back her up.

I could go on all day, or all into next year, but I will end on this note: Greta Golightly, m'dear, I love you very much. ♥

2010's Top 5

Firstly, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays if you're sensitive). Secondly, as I was going through the many 2010 top 5 or 10 or however-many lists people have made about movies and events and such of this year (by the way, I'm very happy to see that the two most original movies of the year, Inception and Black Swan, which were stunning, are inspiring movie execs to *gasp* produce original films!) that I would do a little list of important events in the dressage world in general (which was incredible this year what with everyone building up to the WEG) and even more so, for Greta and I (even though it shall not be as exciting and of as much worldly importance, but still!)

Dressage in General:

1. Courtney King's bonk on the head back in March (or maybe it was February?) that really served as a bonk on the head for the rest of the community. I guess it's all fun and games until somebody gets hurt? But honestly, I am very glad she was okay in the end, and I suppose that if this is what it takes to show I'm-too-good-for-a-helmet stars that they, in fact, are not too good for a helmet, then so be it. I am very happy to see this change. Honestly, I used to think I would "graduate" from a helmet once I became a good, upper-level rider, because the "cool kids" didn't wear helmets, so I certianly shouldn't. I, and I'm sure many more at my level, didn't know any better. Lead by example, right?
2. Steffen Peter's "rising up, straight to the top" at the WEG. First time an American has ever medaled at a WEG game in dressage, I believe. And he most certainly deserved it for not getting that medal due to cranking his horse's head in and around and about. It's like a horsey Rocky.
3. The Genetic Jewels of Totilas and siblings Bussard and Uusminka. Brentina was bred twice to Totilas this year with frozen semen followed by an embryo transfer (Brentina's owners do not want to risk her going into foal because of a genetic history of death during foaling and a previous colic surgery, understandably) but both of these attempts failed when the embryo would not take. Is this super cross meant to be? Would the baby be doubly spectacular or unfortunately mediocre? A cross between two "superhorses" will be something to behold. Also, Totilas' full siblings, the 5yo stallion Bussard and the 10yo mare Uusminka, could have the makings of greatness in them as well. Seeing the extreme success of Totilas, will his full siblings be just as great? What about Totilas' babies? At this rate, will we see Pegasus pop out of a mare in the near future? If so, I think I might steal him ;)
4. Juan Manuel Muñoz and Fuego XII's rockin' (and relaxed) ride at the WEG, even with the understandable rear at the end once the audience roared their approval. Firstly, and I've always found this odd, this was practically a first for a Spanish breed to be ridden at the WEG. Definitely stood out from the usual sea of warmbloods. I've always thought Baroque breeds did dressage far prettier than most warmbloods (though Swedes can be more baroque-y than the typical warmblood, as they are a far older warmblood breed)and with the uphill build and killer hind end they are usually quite the naturals, and Fuego was just so fluid and free and expressive and unrestricted that he made some of these other riders (and I hate to say this, but I did not see this amount of freedom in Edward Gal's and Totilas' ride, the horse just seemed quite restricted at times). Plus the lack of slobbering, dripping, excess foam in the horse's mouth and the loose, relaxed reins just screamed good, relaxed riding to me. So it was shocker to me that he didn't do better than he perhaps should have, and this in turn made me wonder if there was any bias in the scoring? Well, anytime you have a human scorer, bias is a given. We are all human, right? Plus, imagine the uproar against FEI judges if the flawless Edward Gal and Totilas didn't win. Still, I was happy to see such a wonderful pair get such good audience reviews at the WEG. They were a pleasure to watch.
5. Anky's fall from grace was relatively quiet, even with the unprofessional I'm-telling-on-you lawsuits and online outcries against people saying icky, mean things about her! But nonetheless, it is kind of significant. The torch, though still in Dutch turf (unless the lucky fella who gets to ride Totilas in Germany has equal success as Gal) has been passed. Van Grunsven is now part of the reining crowd. I kind of feel bad for the horses. But one thing is for sure: the Americans will still be king of the reining ring for some time. We kind of created the sport. Kind of :)

Stay tuned for Greta's big top 5 tomorrow!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

BTW Greta was a star on the longeline today. Just a short little trip since it was pouring rain and a cold front was coming and everyone was left inside, so she could get out and stretch her legs, and she was ace. Now she is snuggly tucked up with her fleece cooler and blanket over that, and apples and foodles and hay and her besties on either side of her, Mia and Belle and Choco across the way. And tonight they'll all be curled up waiting to see what Santa brings them tomorrow (like a big bag of peppermints, apples, and carrots. Nothing unusual really, but Greta and Choco won't mind.) Have a merry one, y'all.

I'm feeling impish....

"Je vis, donc je suis." -Descartes ♥

P.S. I realised that my earrings kind of look like I'm wearing gages, but I'm not... they're gold, diamond, and sapphire. I repeat: I am NOT wearing gages! I may lop my hair off (and donate 5 separate foot-long chunks to Locks of Love, go me) but I will not stretch my ears! Eek!

BUT I will say that this hair is so low maintenance that's it's crazy! My helmet used to not entirely sit on my head and now the dial adjustment is almost on its tightest setting, but there is still room to spare to go a bit tighter or a bit looser. It's nice! My "bed head" this morning involved a few strands slightly out of place, easily fixed with water and the Redken stuff my hairdresser told me to use. Looks great with beanies and headbands. I think it looks great on me, and I oft I don't say that! I LOVE IT! I don't miss that mess that would get tangled so easily!

Recent Pictures

Enjoy some recent pictures that my wonderful friend took the day before I got my hair cut off!

For Inspirational Purposes...

I know show season is still a few months away for most of y'all, but get inspired early! Oh, and enjoy one of the comments from YouTube:

"Keira Knightly shows more believable conviction than Brad Pitt or Colin Ferrell. Bulky wimps, both of them. And if you were going to use a clip from Lord of the Rings, it should have been Theoden's speech, hands down."

Amen to that. Too bad Theoden's speech is a bit suicidal, not as inspiring as VIGGO'S!

And LOL at the Peter Pan bit!

More Interesting The Horse Articles

The Horse | Uneven Feet in Sport Horses Related to Other Conformation Traits

"Proper shoeing or barefoot trimming!!! at an early age can also help to prevent further development of uneven feet."