Just add trail time.
Showing posts with label mimi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mimi. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
learning to tell the story
So I'm a bit behind...I owe you guys three run write-ups, a 26k from Jan, a 35k from Feb, and a half marathon from this past weekend. The 26k was awesome, was just waiting on the forensic evidence pro photos...but the 35k was not-as-good...and those are the stories I struggle to tell.
I've come to the realization I have a habit of either skipping the bad stuff, or giving it a footnote mention. Mainly because I'm not sure how to talk about it. Especially when it comes to endurance and the horses.
Some things don't make the blog because they fall under the header of "personal" or "can't do anything to change it so not going to complain/talk about it." And other things...I don't know. Sometimes it's due to diplomacy (especially under the topic of "Other Peoples' Horses") and politics and politeness and being raised to not air my dirty laundry to an unsuspecting public.
But the badder times on my own pony? I dunno. I realized I've never gone into major detail of any of my "pull" rides with her. Maybe because I was usually in a funk afterwards and didn't feel like revisiting them...or maybe because I didn't want to be judged/criticized/scoffed at.
And that's a mindset I need to change...maybe I coulda/shoulda/woulda done something different...or maybe there was nothing I could have done to change an outcome...but they're all learning experiences, for better or for worse, and ultimately deserve their time in the spotlight. Maybe I screwed up...and maybe someone will learn something from it. (Or it'll at least serve as a Reminder To Self.)
I'm not out to detail every blip or detail of my day (my life isn't that exciting/interesting, for one), and some things, due to the aforementioned reasons of diplomacy/politics/politeness, are better left for private conversations, but I think I can do a better job of learning to tell the story -- the good and the bad -- and embracing the learning experience.
Sometimes I wish I had been blogging back when I first started distance riding. I sort of did, in a way -- a personal journal, the sort that will never see the light of day -- but I would have liked to have a more detailed record of some of my earlier rides. I have photos, and I have vet cards, and generally a "best of" highlights reel that plays in my head, but it's only been in the last few years I've started doing really detailed ride stories (mostly for my benefit, because I enjoy writing them, as well as for future reference...and I know how much I enjoy reading others' ride stories).
So that's my task...I've got the stories...now I need to tell them. :)
I've come to the realization I have a habit of either skipping the bad stuff, or giving it a footnote mention. Mainly because I'm not sure how to talk about it. Especially when it comes to endurance and the horses.
Some things don't make the blog because they fall under the header of "personal" or "can't do anything to change it so not going to complain/talk about it." And other things...I don't know. Sometimes it's due to diplomacy (especially under the topic of "Other Peoples' Horses") and politics and politeness and being raised to not air my dirty laundry to an unsuspecting public.
But the badder times on my own pony? I dunno. I realized I've never gone into major detail of any of my "pull" rides with her. Maybe because I was usually in a funk afterwards and didn't feel like revisiting them...or maybe because I didn't want to be judged/criticized/scoffed at.
And that's a mindset I need to change...maybe I coulda/shoulda/woulda done something different...or maybe there was nothing I could have done to change an outcome...but they're all learning experiences, for better or for worse, and ultimately deserve their time in the spotlight. Maybe I screwed up...and maybe someone will learn something from it. (Or it'll at least serve as a Reminder To Self.)
I'm not out to detail every blip or detail of my day (my life isn't that exciting/interesting, for one), and some things, due to the aforementioned reasons of diplomacy/politics/politeness, are better left for private conversations, but I think I can do a better job of learning to tell the story -- the good and the bad -- and embracing the learning experience.
Sometimes I wish I had been blogging back when I first started distance riding. I sort of did, in a way -- a personal journal, the sort that will never see the light of day -- but I would have liked to have a more detailed record of some of my earlier rides. I have photos, and I have vet cards, and generally a "best of" highlights reel that plays in my head, but it's only been in the last few years I've started doing really detailed ride stories (mostly for my benefit, because I enjoy writing them, as well as for future reference...and I know how much I enjoy reading others' ride stories).
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| a waaaaay before blogging moment...Mimi and I at the POA World Show in Spanish Fork, UT, July 2002...our last show ring hurrah, and the final events/points needed to get her Supreme Championship in the POA registry. |
So that's my task...I've got the stories...now I need to tell them. :)
Saturday, January 24, 2015
TOA Blog Hop: Worth 1k Words
Worth 1k Words.
Let's share our favorite photos of our stud muffins. No limit.
Oooohhh, boy...you asked for it...an excuse to plaster all of my fave photos in one place. Some will have been seen before, others may be new. Obviously, the pony garners the most of these...but with 18+ years of photo-taking together, we've gotten some keepers. (This doesn't even count all of our show-ring days, all of which are hard copies that haven't been scanned yet.)
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| first LD, Man Against Horse 25 2006 |
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| second LD, in which she is still pulling on me into the first check |
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| bittersweet...our last competition (and the one that decided her retirement) photo by Laura Bovee |
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| my favorite ride photo ever, Valley of the Sun 2009 |
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| ignore my position...she has much better jumping form than I do |
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| such a stinker...this is why we didn't use snaffle bits at ridesphoto by Jane Grey Photography |
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| first distance ride, First of Spring NATRC 2002 photo by Jane Grey Photography |
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| playing in the Salt River |
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| playing in the wash at Catalina |
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| one of my favorite ear-cam shots...playing in the pines in Flagstaff |
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| Man Against Horse 50 2009 -- best ride accomplishment ever |
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| war mare face |
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| Las Cienegas LD -- I love the going away shot |
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| she's not big on cuddles usually, so I love that her ears are up and she's actually happy about it |
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| first back-to-back LD, day two...thrilled with how perky she was! |
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| love all ear-cam shots...so attentive and alert |
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| first 50! I'm a dork and she's like 'whatever' photo by Laura Bovee |
And I've done enough rides and gotten enough good pics of her that I feel Liberty qualifies to be included here as well...
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| love this...another one of my favorite ride photos Bumble Bee 25 2014 photo by Susan Kordish |
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| the precursor to the above awesome photo, I'm gabbing and she's hydrating photo by Susan Kordish |
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| majestic view, dorky green horse, silly rider and granted, I had my stirrups a hole too short (green horse security thing) but dang, she's tall and I'm short photo by Susan Kordish |
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| another favorite going-away shot photo by Susan Kordish |
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| our first ride together and we kinda look like we know what we're doing (after she spent the prior several minutes balking at the photographer) Prescott Chaparral 30 2013 photo by Susan Kordish |
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| an interesting side profile shot...this mare has the most interesting face...and yes, while the photographer is below us, my feet are that high up on her sides photo by Susan Kordish |
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| Libby's first ride, Gina riding...doing her trademark "thing" of air-pawing whenever she's impatient |
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| more ear-cam! |
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| forcing cuddles and how-to-take-a-selfie on her |
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| dork mare (mid-shake) |
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| love it...can actually drop my reins on the crew bag and she stays put! |
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| being a twerp...post-ride, 30 miles wasn't enough...digging to China and sticking her tongue out about being yelled at |
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
cover girls
Not too long after we started distance riding, one of Mimi's and my ride photos was the cover page for the Long Riders Gear (now Riding Warehouse) catalog. I think it was one of the 2003 catalogs, since the photo was from 2002.
We were both babies then...Mimi was 9, I was 16. I chuckle a bit that yes, at one time, I actually started with basic black tack. (As I gaze now at my current tack hooks loaded with all things purple and orange and colorful... :))
Looking back, it makes me smile...I had us loaded down for a safari expedition with bags and packs...all for one 20-mile NATRC ride. This was only our second ride...we were both still learning. (Witness Ashley riding in paddock boots and Mimi pulling to go faster...well, at least one of us learned, since someone still likes to pull at opportune moments.)
That was the Helen Logan River Romp ride, held in Santa Ynez, CA...still one of the prettiest rides I've done.
I was so glad I found this the other day during my magazine sorting. All sorts of happy memories.
We were both babies then...Mimi was 9, I was 16. I chuckle a bit that yes, at one time, I actually started with basic black tack. (As I gaze now at my current tack hooks loaded with all things purple and orange and colorful... :))
Looking back, it makes me smile...I had us loaded down for a safari expedition with bags and packs...all for one 20-mile NATRC ride. This was only our second ride...we were both still learning. (Witness Ashley riding in paddock boots and Mimi pulling to go faster...well, at least one of us learned, since someone still likes to pull at opportune moments.)
That was the Helen Logan River Romp ride, held in Santa Ynez, CA...still one of the prettiest rides I've done.
I was so glad I found this the other day during my magazine sorting. All sorts of happy memories.
Monday, January 5, 2015
start as you mean to continue
If you follow the "start as you mean to continue" logic as applied to New Years and the rest of the year, I had a very good start. Since it was basically one long extended weekend (although I did work on Friday), I managed to actually do all of my favorite things and set myself up well for the upcoming year. (Hopefully.)
On New Year's Day, Artemis and I day-tripped down to Catalina State Park just north of Tucson to visit with friends Lucy and Patrick, who were once again spending their holiday in the "warm" desert. Only, y'know, snow happened.
This year's trip didn't involve the pony or camping for me, but we had a fun day of hiking and letting the dogs play. L&P have Finn-the-poodle, whom Artemis met last year, and now they have Spike, who is Artemis's full, 8-month-younger brother.
It was like a terrier cage match o' fun.
As I mentioned already, I did work on Friday...and work in the form of boot fitting and troubleshooting on Saturday morning.
And the crowning touch was this morning, when I woke up before 4AM to go out for a morning run. (Which is what you do when you live 30 minutes in any direction from the closest trails.)
The (mostly) full moon was still up and shining (which was good since I forgot my headlamp and had to use my phone flashlight...fail), and it was so quiet and peaceful. I brought Artemis, so she could get her morning exercise, and she did wonderful...she's really turning into a Good Trail Dog.
On New Year's Day, Artemis and I day-tripped down to Catalina State Park just north of Tucson to visit with friends Lucy and Patrick, who were once again spending their holiday in the "warm" desert. Only, y'know, snow happened.
This year's trip didn't involve the pony or camping for me, but we had a fun day of hiking and letting the dogs play. L&P have Finn-the-poodle, whom Artemis met last year, and now they have Spike, who is Artemis's full, 8-month-younger brother.
It was like a terrier cage match o' fun.
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| "Really, Mom? Make him stop." This is payback, since you're usually the one bugging other dogs. |
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| Snow on the Catalinas |
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| Terrier twinsies! (Artemis is on the left.) |
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| First experience in the snow...and the cold- weather wimp didn't freeze. |
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| Snow is a novelty. |
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| Hiking with the dogs...a whole 3.5 miles in an hour and half, which is what happens when half the hike is the terriers jumping on each other. |
As I mentioned already, I did work on Friday...and work in the form of boot fitting and troubleshooting on Saturday morning.
And Sunday saw the first saddle time of 2015. And it was even trail time. Mimi was having a very good day (her bad days seem to be the ones where it is cloudy, overcast, cold, and damp...as long as the sun is out, she's good to go), and we did 4.5 miles out at Usery Mtn Park with some barn friends.
She was so happy to be out again. And so was I.
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| "All dressed up...do I get to go?" |
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| my favorite view |
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| still some dusting of snow on the Superstitions |
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| perfect day |
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| "*My* sloppy. *Mine.*" |
And the crowning touch was this morning, when I woke up before 4AM to go out for a morning run. (Which is what you do when you live 30 minutes in any direction from the closest trails.)
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| Not fast...but one party was on the Injured Reserve list, and one party (myself) was doing the first run back post head cold. I tell myself it's tapering for the upcoming race this weekend. |
The (mostly) full moon was still up and shining (which was good since I forgot my headlamp and had to use my phone flashlight...fail), and it was so quiet and peaceful. I brought Artemis, so she could get her morning exercise, and she did wonderful...she's really turning into a Good Trail Dog.
With that wraps my extended New Years weekend...hope everybody else had a safe, fun weekend and is looking forward to whatever 2015 brings. (Please let it be good.)
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