Fun off of the farm… on another farm.
It all began with a phone call.
A woman that I admire and who has judged both my students and myself at Dressage shows for the past several years (we’ll call her B.C.), phoned on Monday and asked me to come out to her farm to give her a riding lesson. This was a new development in our relationship to be sure… in the past she had hired me to show some of her young horses at their breed inspections, and we had attended various meetings and clinics together, but never a riding lesson.
This was too cool. Her horse, Nizelster Boi was recently imported from Holland and I covet him. Helping her to better ride him is nearly as good as riding him myself.
So, we had a merry time. When the B.C. became a bit nervous I used the old sports psychology technique of having her sing a simple tune (induces relaxation and diaphragmatic breathing). Seeing a revered judge trotting around the indoor arena singing that she was a little teapot was almost as comical as it gets.
After the ride my new student took me to lunch at the local tavern (pretty good, for bar food). Mentioning that she was traveling out of town for just over a week, B.C. asked if I would be amenable to the idea of traveling to her farm to ride Nizelster Boi in her absence. Fabulous opportunity for me, so I agreed (this horse has fabulous training and has been shown at the highest levels of our sport… my horses are up and coming prospects that I train myself and are frankly 10 years away from having the same degree of expertise). Being paid to ride a horse that will help me to strengthen my abilities almost seems ridiculous.
Then… it gets even better. B.C. told me about an upcoming event being held at the Jefferson Street Inn in March. It is an “Improve Your Judging Eye” seminar being led by a former Olympic rider who is now an Olympic Dressage Judge. Maryal Burnett. The cost, a measley $450 for the weekend. Attendance is limited to 10 riders from across the country. B.C. not only offered me a place in the seminar (she is the event coordinator and a bigwig in the National Dressage scene) but also asked if she could “sponsor” me and pay for my position.
It seems that the pro bono work I have been doing in the area with various 4-H groups and the like, to foster growth in our sport has not gone unnoticed.
Another interesting tidbit was brought to my ears by B.C. today as well… her mother has been a huge donor to the United States Dressage Foundation for the past umpteen years. The original program that she had instituted for top level riders in the US has run its course, and a new scholarship to send American bred horses and their riders to Europe for study/competition will begin in 2008. B.C. has informed me that I am on their radar for the opportunity with my up and coming horse Duncan (a Rhineland Pfalz Saar colt who will be turning 3 in May). Of course, he has not even started working under saddle so we have a great deal of work to do before we could qualify (about 3-4 years), but it is nice to know that I have been identified as a decent rider and my horse as a decent prospect (we did win every in-hand class that we entered since he was a tiny baby, which should have been an indication).
So, today was a very nice day. Lots of surprises, none of them the inconvenient type that I have become used to here on the farm.
On my way home from B.C.’s house, I did stop and take my father out to lunch in Antigo. Since I had eaten I managed to slurp down some java and have a nice conversation with Vati. He showed me some of the projects he has been working on around town and griped about the cold. Since he is off to Florida in a coupe of weeks, it is nice to spend some time together now - away from our farm where he has no opportunity to be the slave driver he would like to be.
Finally, a lovely day!
Sled and I are going to feed the horses now. It is nearly time to replace my trusty sled, he has some serious holes from being dragged over the gravel…
anonemoose said:
Wait a minute. Is dad leaving for Florida before your tractor gets repaired?
Now I know that wasn’t the focus of the post but wow. The real heart of the post is just fantastic news. It is truly refreshing to read that sometimes good deeds do come back at us in a positive way. Have you accepted the offer to attend the seminar in March?
Will be we privy to progress reports about Duncan? Or would that be like giving inside information to your competition? I have no idea how this horse culture works.
I’m beginning to feel like we need a scorecard to keep all the animals straight. From what I recall in other posts, there are more than just a couple of horses on your farm. Do you board people’s horses or are they all yours?
I hope I don’t come across as too curious because that is not really the intention but this is some truly fascinating reading about a way of life that I know nothing about.
moose
January 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am #
Billie said:
Be as curious as you like! I am an open book… well, will be once I sit down to write.
Dad and brother were supposed to arrive today to assist with tractor. No sign of them yet, but I am sure it will get done. If it comes down to it I can probably get it done myself, though not without lots and lots of trial and error.
I will share Duncan’s progress as it happens. We are pretty limited in terms of what we can do right now, without an indoor riding arena, but once the ground thaws we will be in business.
THe horse culture is as strange as it gets. Even in the midst of it, I often don’t know how it works!
Tell you what, today’s post will be about the critters that live here!
January 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pm #