MEGAN: In addition to taking care of Simba, I also was in charge of graining and watering Tina’s two horses: a big, bay, beautiful stallion named Colecto and a gray stallion-like Andalusian named Avatar. They are both very sweet and have great personalities. After the indoor (sweeping the corner) and tracking down Heather, I cleaned Simba’s stall, Colecto’s stall, and handwalked Simba to the field for a nice graze in the shade of a big tree. Walking down, I talked to Simba: You may be the teacher here, but I am in charge of our rides. What am I going to do to make things change? I decided that more half-halts and going forward from the very beginning of our ride, no matter what I had to do were going o be my changes for the day. Walking Simba back to his stall, I heard Lendon over the loudspeaker teaching Morgan on Timmy. She was telling her that she needed to check in every 3 to 4 strides in order to keep Timmy forward, because he sure wasn’t going to give it to her! That thought was very helpful as well, and helped me immensely in my warm-up. With Simba contently munching his breakfast, I cleaned our tack and did laundry. I started tacking up for the clinic an hour before my ride to give myself time to warm-up, and Laura came over with Ivan all braided!
Oh no! Braiding takes me at least a half hour, even if I cheat and use rubber bands. Rachel, however, had developed the skill of 15 minute braids- so, I did the forelock, she did the mane, and a few pictures later (see above) we were on our horses warming up. Annie had recommended earlier that I fold a leg wrap in two and use it under my sheepskin pad to prevent the saddle from hitting Simba in the back, and so I tried it today. What a difference!!! He was FORWARD- really, truly forward, though not without work and energy on my part. Feeling like a queen I marched into the indoor with Rachel, Emma and Laura to begin our lesson. We did trot and canter to warm up, then shoulder-in and shoulder-in to half pass. Tina was very happy with all of this work from me, and the only thing she mentioned was that I needed to keep my hands steadier. While Emma worked with Ali, Rachel, Laura and I did walk pirouettes, and mine were the best they have ever been! As we went to canter, Tina said to keep my elbows in (to prevent me from looking like a pelican), my left shoulder up and sitting over to the left a bit more, my upper body back and my legs forward, most of which sounded very familiar (Thank you Lendon and Maryal!). Overall it was a super ride. I was soooo pleased, and after a canter in the field, untacked and re-groomed Simba. Leaving him with his lunch, I did laundry, cold-hosed Lucy’s leg, organized towels in Mica’s barn, scooped half of her grain, and worked on the fundraiser which is very rapidly drawing near. After a nice hack on Brasil with Laura and Rachel, I took care of Tina’s horses and fed Simba, rescooped in Mica’s barn, put standing wraps on Joris and met the man from EuroAmerican Saddlery who donated two bridles for the fundraiser. Amazing, huh? People are so generous; I can not believe the donations we have received. I am just blown away by how willing people are to help with both their time and money. After finishing up at the barn, Annie took the three of us to Mt. Kisco to get a forty dollar gift certificate signed by the owner of a little Jamaican café. After we got home I went for a run, showered, and Emma and I had dinner. Lendon, going on four hours of trying to fix her email, didn’t want any. I can’t stand trying to figure out computer problems- it is one of the most frustrating things in the world! As I fall asleep I am thinking of you, Lendon (and my awesome ride :).
SIMBA: You can call me Simba the Superstar from now on. Mom, keep that in mind for all of those show entries you sent out. You must contact the show secretaries and have them change that. Maybe, while you are at it, add king to that title. All of my loyal subjects may now address me as: King Simba the Superstar. Got that, everyone? If I am going to behave and work hard, I at least need an impressive title to make up for it. Mom is so happy with me, even though I didn’t do anything differently. She added the riser to my back, and she made me go and rode me well. Oh, well. I can’t tell her otherwise and as her primary instructor, I will take the credit. Off to finish my dinner, loyal subjects. You may bow as I leave the room.
Oh no! Braiding takes me at least a half hour, even if I cheat and use rubber bands. Rachel, however, had developed the skill of 15 minute braids- so, I did the forelock, she did the mane, and a few pictures later (see above) we were on our horses warming up. Annie had recommended earlier that I fold a leg wrap in two and use it under my sheepskin pad to prevent the saddle from hitting Simba in the back, and so I tried it today. What a difference!!! He was FORWARD- really, truly forward, though not without work and energy on my part. Feeling like a queen I marched into the indoor with Rachel, Emma and Laura to begin our lesson. We did trot and canter to warm up, then shoulder-in and shoulder-in to half pass. Tina was very happy with all of this work from me, and the only thing she mentioned was that I needed to keep my hands steadier. While Emma worked with Ali, Rachel, Laura and I did walk pirouettes, and mine were the best they have ever been! As we went to canter, Tina said to keep my elbows in (to prevent me from looking like a pelican), my left shoulder up and sitting over to the left a bit more, my upper body back and my legs forward, most of which sounded very familiar (Thank you Lendon and Maryal!). Overall it was a super ride. I was soooo pleased, and after a canter in the field, untacked and re-groomed Simba. Leaving him with his lunch, I did laundry, cold-hosed Lucy’s leg, organized towels in Mica’s barn, scooped half of her grain, and worked on the fundraiser which is very rapidly drawing near. After a nice hack on Brasil with Laura and Rachel, I took care of Tina’s horses and fed Simba, rescooped in Mica’s barn, put standing wraps on Joris and met the man from EuroAmerican Saddlery who donated two bridles for the fundraiser. Amazing, huh? People are so generous; I can not believe the donations we have received. I am just blown away by how willing people are to help with both their time and money. After finishing up at the barn, Annie took the three of us to Mt. Kisco to get a forty dollar gift certificate signed by the owner of a little Jamaican café. After we got home I went for a run, showered, and Emma and I had dinner. Lendon, going on four hours of trying to fix her email, didn’t want any. I can’t stand trying to figure out computer problems- it is one of the most frustrating things in the world! As I fall asleep I am thinking of you, Lendon (and my awesome ride :).
SIMBA: You can call me Simba the Superstar from now on. Mom, keep that in mind for all of those show entries you sent out. You must contact the show secretaries and have them change that. Maybe, while you are at it, add king to that title. All of my loyal subjects may now address me as: King Simba the Superstar. Got that, everyone? If I am going to behave and work hard, I at least need an impressive title to make up for it. Mom is so happy with me, even though I didn’t do anything differently. She added the riser to my back, and she made me go and rode me well. Oh, well. I can’t tell her otherwise and as her primary instructor, I will take the credit. Off to finish my dinner, loyal subjects. You may bow as I leave the room.
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