tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37562978498982615842024-03-13T11:46:25.448-05:00Tales from a Bad EventerBad Eventer started TRYING to 3 day event as a young child, and has continued for, cough, decades being BAD at Eventing. This is her story!Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-32787163382282051672016-04-20T08:09:00.001-05:002016-04-20T08:16:01.347-05:00Follow Bad Eventer over to BadEventer.com<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://badeventer.com/"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">BadEventer.com</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8_XrMiF-i0/Vxd-ONIeqeI/AAAAAAAAORc/YYVDGY3xV-cFMIeNHAXRxLYuh3xz93sRQCLcB/s1600/BE%2BLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8_XrMiF-i0/Vxd-ONIeqeI/AAAAAAAAORc/YYVDGY3xV-cFMIeNHAXRxLYuh3xz93sRQCLcB/s320/BE%2BLogo.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Can you believe it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tales From a Bad Eventer has grown up into its very own website. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBrBlrBi2mc/Vxd-kMOlB7I/AAAAAAAAORg/pr-dI8LYOCQSsuBdyj3cTeAShg68cdGGACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBrBlrBi2mc/Vxd-kMOlB7I/AAAAAAAAORg/pr-dI8LYOCQSsuBdyj3cTeAShg68cdGGACLcB/s320/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://badeventer.com/">BadEventer.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Never fear! The ridiculous Tales will be continuing.......... and I have so many things I'm writing about right now!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKPa7Bzbvho/Vxd-ydL03wI/AAAAAAAAORk/Zqdtb2H2k3o4NtbCuZ9NPSGdKF9vNlZCQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bscreaming%2Bat%2Bcomputer%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKPa7Bzbvho/Vxd-ydL03wI/AAAAAAAAORk/Zqdtb2H2k3o4NtbCuZ9NPSGdKF9vNlZCQCLcB/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bscreaming%2Bat%2Bcomputer%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such as how I nearly died on a golf cart with no lights...... on a road with no lights....... in the middle of the night at The Fork. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VAE1_UlNnw/Vxd-_UoSrRI/AAAAAAAAORs/IYUyZRyinJsvGX9Lh66Po1uQcVoYiqv1ACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bsad%2Bfrustration%2Bface%2Bfigure%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VAE1_UlNnw/Vxd-_UoSrRI/AAAAAAAAORs/IYUyZRyinJsvGX9Lh66Po1uQcVoYiqv1ACLcB/s320/BE%2Bsad%2Bfrustration%2Bface%2Bfigure%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep, stay tuned for BadEventer's The Fork Adventure. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7_qOk_65oI/Vxd_Qjbc8ZI/AAAAAAAAOR0/rKxQ1aM0VIEL-4DbPoQK0qI3XzXFJ_RMwCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bfork%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7_qOk_65oI/Vxd_Qjbc8ZI/AAAAAAAAOR0/rKxQ1aM0VIEL-4DbPoQK0qI3XzXFJ_RMwCLcB/s320/BE%2Bfork%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the mean time, hop on over to the new site (where you should find all my old blogs) and where you can sign up for email notifications when I post new ones. Just click "Register".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gaaf4Qjdegk/Vxd_cTnxuYI/AAAAAAAAOR4/QdKbx6-p9d4sBjNAbgpCHnU-XHT-cTa7QCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gaaf4Qjdegk/Vxd_cTnxuYI/AAAAAAAAOR4/QdKbx6-p9d4sBjNAbgpCHnU-XHT-cTa7QCLcB/s320/BE%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-10914403030955053472016-04-15T18:45:00.001-05:002016-04-15T19:00:45.442-05:00Flying in Formation or How Bad Eventer Stopped Vomiting at Shows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLL5XbpOYgI/VxFygcshoPI/AAAAAAAAONQ/l4KJ-0md4FsYh5LD2fXlCSqskvvHRUqAACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bbutterflies%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QLL5XbpOYgI/VxFygcshoPI/AAAAAAAAONQ/l4KJ-0md4FsYh5LD2fXlCSqskvvHRUqAACLcB/s320/BE%2Bbutterflies%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "It's OK to have butterflies. You just have to make them fly in formation."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This quote has been used so much I couldn't find an original author to give credit to.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a time when I was so nervous before a competition I was barely functional. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEx2dGJYu3I/VxFyy5Q45pI/AAAAAAAAONY/AfHfzM6rvr4lmJxkf1FWwGbWdcUhW2WWQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bcrawling%2Bwoman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yEx2dGJYu3I/VxFyy5Q45pI/AAAAAAAAONY/AfHfzM6rvr4lmJxkf1FWwGbWdcUhW2WWQCLcB/s640/BE%2Bcrawling%2Bwoman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't leave the restroom. My hands would shake. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1owtv65qbU/VxF0Kz9f6LI/AAAAAAAAONo/Lcv3LhzrvM4a9ltoRsQjlZ9LazQppRdZACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bnervous%2Bface%2B3%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1owtv65qbU/VxF0Kz9f6LI/AAAAAAAAONo/Lcv3LhzrvM4a9ltoRsQjlZ9LazQppRdZACLcB/s640/BE%2Bnervous%2Bface%2B3%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was an exercise in torture and I wondered WHAT ON EARTH I was doing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tales From a Bad Eventer arose out of that overreaction to what is supposed to be fun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsWHUJJREhI/VxF0dU2z3dI/AAAAAAAAONw/wh8K1kgIkCA4ZJbj4i9dirIEUDMyHu98QCLcB/s1600/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jsWHUJJREhI/VxF0dU2z3dI/AAAAAAAAONw/wh8K1kgIkCA4ZJbj4i9dirIEUDMyHu98QCLcB/s320/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was hell bent on achieving my "goal" and a significant portion of my nervousness was unrealistic <make that...... completely irrational> performance expectations. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Yj3pTAL18/VxF0miitFLI/AAAAAAAAON4/Ga1IQeDN74MaLXzsoWFBrPU72cRAeuIwACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bfall%2Brefusal%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Yj3pTAL18/VxF0miitFLI/AAAAAAAAON4/Ga1IQeDN74MaLXzsoWFBrPU72cRAeuIwACLcB/s320/BE%2Bjump%2Bfall%2Brefusal%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I slowly realized I was taking this FAR TOO SERIOUSLY, and decided the best way to take myself LESS seriously was to make fun of how bad I actually was. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jny_LWclEQU/VxF1BDolDtI/AAAAAAAAOOE/KlRs1PMeguI_5kfVk7wk8V_O-xwl3TrcQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BL%2Bloser%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jny_LWclEQU/VxF1BDolDtI/AAAAAAAAOOE/KlRs1PMeguI_5kfVk7wk8V_O-xwl3TrcQCLcB/s320/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BL%2Bloser%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Wahlah! Bad Eventer was born. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9WDAN3gjc/VxF1Ynseu_I/AAAAAAAAOOM/UQNlROq71VULiEzaexlKrdXFQSZdMdnAwCLcB/s1600/BE%2BLogo%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zW9WDAN3gjc/VxF1Ynseu_I/AAAAAAAAOOM/UQNlROq71VULiEzaexlKrdXFQSZdMdnAwCLcB/s320/BE%2BLogo%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've come a long way from the days of vomiting all night < yes - seriously>. And I thought I'd share some of my secrets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the worst parts of my show anxiety was </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Dehydration meets nervous bladder"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZBt1NRzr28/VxF443b0GoI/AAAAAAAAOO0/Bk3nU0tfbJAhMigzeEv26XDhkUqsgy10gCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZBt1NRzr28/VxF443b0GoI/AAAAAAAAOO0/Bk3nU0tfbJAhMigzeEv26XDhkUqsgy10gCLcB/s320/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not very good at taking care of myself. It's easy to load horses, unload horses, bed stalls, carry buckets, organize feed & hay, walk to the show office, walk courses, sweat 2 1/2 gallons and then as you're feeling a little dizzy realize the only "fluid" you've had in the last 7 hours was the latte you had at 5:00AM. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmUQUYUn2uo/VxF3eS5FHNI/AAAAAAAAOOo/-5kMrgtWEcMU0mX6kI0Mnnk_R42P0zKIwCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bcoffee%2Bfunny%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmUQUYUn2uo/VxF3eS5FHNI/AAAAAAAAOOo/-5kMrgtWEcMU0mX6kI0Mnnk_R42P0zKIwCLcB/s640/BE%2Bcoffee%2Bfunny%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A large portion of my anxiety was just plain old dehydration. I thought, this was an easy fix! Chug water all day long!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMCB2WVCmko/VxF4kZY13tI/AAAAAAAAOOw/-hFCZh9gMgYIzhHXXe8IDmJMd-OGK__DQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bdrinking%2Blarge%2Bwater%2Bjug%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMCB2WVCmko/VxF4kZY13tI/AAAAAAAAOOw/-hFCZh9gMgYIzhHXXe8IDmJMd-OGK__DQCLcB/s640/BE%2Bdrinking%2Blarge%2Bwater%2Bjug%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not so fast. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpDE4lCi3Bk/VxF220X76yI/AAAAAAAAOOk/pzcQpH3ofQ0WpafNHHop2d0W_ut7FUFFwCKgB/s1600/BE%2Burinate%2Bnervous%2Bbladder%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpDE4lCi3Bk/VxF220X76yI/AAAAAAAAOOk/pzcQpH3ofQ0WpafNHHop2d0W_ut7FUFFwCKgB/s320/BE%2Burinate%2Bnervous%2Bbladder%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's when I discovered...... the nervous bladder. For my lucky readers who haven't experienced this, you're nervous and you feel like you have to pee. When you really don't need to. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's where guzzling water can become problematic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BosOIGflxMc/VxF5A0Q2y-I/AAAAAAAAOO4/05p6NzDIvgIethc7TPeB33RozKWPECDOQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bstop%2Bnot%2Btime%2Bfor%2Brisky%2Bmoves%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BosOIGflxMc/VxF5A0Q2y-I/AAAAAAAAOO4/05p6NzDIvgIethc7TPeB33RozKWPECDOQCLcB/s320/BE%2Bstop%2Bnot%2Btime%2Bfor%2Brisky%2Bmoves%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was struggling with the worst show nerves in history when I watched Oliver Townend's talk at the USEA convention. Someone asked him how to handle show nerves and he said, "Show more often. If you go every weekend, you don't get nervous anymore."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTgU5QY2LQo/VxF5M7kSH-I/AAAAAAAAOPA/nG_D19E5IXEnyFzFRl_ygE7icsMfM0FXACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bangry%2Bchildren%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VTgU5QY2LQo/VxF5M7kSH-I/AAAAAAAAOPA/nG_D19E5IXEnyFzFRl_ygE7icsMfM0FXACLcB/s320/BE%2Bangry%2Bchildren%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For those of us who aren't named Ollie...... we don't get to show that often. But this really made me think.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymeEUVFr9AM/VxF5kxUL-PI/AAAAAAAAOPI/85mA_j8bNY8gSvS8AuTbiHrOhhIlSB0RACLcB/s1600/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymeEUVFr9AM/VxF5kxUL-PI/AAAAAAAAOPI/85mA_j8bNY8gSvS8AuTbiHrOhhIlSB0RACLcB/s320/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have to practice like you play. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGvSWLRm0V8/VxF5x8heP5I/AAAAAAAAOPM/0IaJ0BhxVQIag4l9fHIz6U-O3HerjiDVQCLcB/s1600/Arg%2Bsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGvSWLRm0V8/VxF5x8heP5I/AAAAAAAAOPM/0IaJ0BhxVQIag4l9fHIz6U-O3HerjiDVQCLcB/s320/Arg%2Bsmile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The recognized shows were where the nerves really kicked up a notch. When I went to a "for real" horse trial I did things differently. I wore the show coat, braided my horse, put in studs, pinned a number on my horse, put on make up..............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ad31AgTQEvc/VxF5-F-8UbI/AAAAAAAAOPU/OyYspLDtLUoTk0mDs2fLFwAVRmSp9IAgQCLcB/s1600/one%2Bman%2Bband%2Bpluto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ad31AgTQEvc/VxF5-F-8UbI/AAAAAAAAOPU/OyYspLDtLUoTk0mDs2fLFwAVRmSp9IAgQCLcB/s400/one%2Bman%2Bband%2Bpluto.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I realized that those were the things that really set my hands to shaking. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just "thinking" about braiding my horse gives my stomach a flip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlj7BZJJ_cM/VxF6WHn9o4I/AAAAAAAAOPc/SOTr5_BeAA0mqhPVoIPw_P2DMbYOpdJcQCLcB/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bno%2Bmane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlj7BZJJ_cM/VxF6WHn9o4I/AAAAAAAAOPc/SOTr5_BeAA0mqhPVoIPw_P2DMbYOpdJcQCLcB/s320/BE%2BK%2Bno%2Bmane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I traipsed off to the next schooling show, and I went all out. Braids, show coat, studs, show number.........I lost count of the people that took time to say, "Honey, you don't have to do all that."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBXfV-fTEdo/VxF6h5GyviI/AAAAAAAAOPk/zLFiyssiW2UqxBk58z5loO6KRLra9YWFACLcB/s1600/BE%2Bembarrassed%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBXfV-fTEdo/VxF6h5GyviI/AAAAAAAAOPk/zLFiyssiW2UqxBk58z5loO6KRLra9YWFACLcB/s400/BE%2Bembarrassed%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, yes...... Yes, I do have to do all that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NlraqWvPdM/VxF6t5llBrI/AAAAAAAAOPo/nwNLHjdVrIs52aB3BVFdrTEK-QArKo_uQCLcB/s1600/BE%2Bgame%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NlraqWvPdM/VxF6t5llBrI/AAAAAAAAOPo/nwNLHjdVrIs52aB3BVFdrTEK-QArKo_uQCLcB/s400/BE%2Bgame%2Bface.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a few full on practice runs at schooling shows..... when I went to the "real" show the nerves were SO MUCH better. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeE_QGoDra0/VxF67IxS4pI/AAAAAAAAOPw/jbVJGTJ677I9MVTpajibd3SIn9Js079nACLcB/s1600/BE%2Barms%2Bout%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NeE_QGoDra0/VxF67IxS4pI/AAAAAAAAOPw/jbVJGTJ677I9MVTpajibd3SIn9Js079nACLcB/s400/BE%2Barms%2Bout%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was thinking about this recently. I used to never stud for anything except big shows.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And just breaking out the stud kit was terrifying.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GRUNBm69Mc/VxF7Iw-EkZI/AAAAAAAAOP4/3DqQ5AFjYBggXf6e1oxbroPRJ-0FHISxQCLcB/s1600/Fear%2Bface%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9GRUNBm69Mc/VxF7Iw-EkZI/AAAAAAAAOP4/3DqQ5AFjYBggXf6e1oxbroPRJ-0FHISxQCLcB/s1600/Fear%2Bface%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But since heading off for my working student adventure I'm jumping on grass. We stud for every jump lesson. Now that I put in studs every week, when I put them in at the show I don't get the accompanying stomach flip. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Practice like you play. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxlelH8brUM/VxF7kmvzpRI/AAAAAAAAOQA/W0GhePFNss0iFnqqtXxKQT9QBWBC6uhQACLcB/s1600/TX%2BRose%2BArg%2BInt%2BTH%2B%252822%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxlelH8brUM/VxF7kmvzpRI/AAAAAAAAOQA/W0GhePFNss0iFnqqtXxKQT9QBWBC6uhQACLcB/s640/TX%2BRose%2BArg%2BInt%2BTH%2B%252822%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It works. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-62174607214485314162016-04-10T21:16:00.003-05:002016-04-12T15:35:27.049-05:00Falling Backwards<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've heard a dozen (or possibly more)..... riding instructors tell people they won't, can't, or will never fall off backwards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeGBCVGZJfU/VwrvUTNuJeI/AAAAAAAAOJc/wOK47BK4hE0MrosNeK2QkVSjh-_bEi5Lg/s1600/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QeGBCVGZJfU/VwrvUTNuJeI/AAAAAAAAOJc/wOK47BK4hE0MrosNeK2QkVSjh-_bEi5Lg/s400/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's even an article making the rounds titled, "No You Won't Fall Off Backwards", and while I appreciate their point..... getting people to sit up straight who want to lean forward..........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some things just shouldn't come out of teacher's mouths. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I find this a bit like telling your students, "You'll never wreck your car if you follow all the traffic laws."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndidOt3-9kA/Vwrv8jvKOeI/AAAAAAAAOJk/1-Rp8mFzClUAVBQRpEEd2CqACnDHcps9w/s1600/BE%2Bcar%2Bcrash%2Bwreck%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ndidOt3-9kA/Vwrv8jvKOeI/AAAAAAAAOJk/1-Rp8mFzClUAVBQRpEEd2CqACnDHcps9w/s400/BE%2Bcar%2Bcrash%2Bwreck%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick tour of YouTube shows an awful lot of people "falling off backwards." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UaM_xIxTAs/Vwrz3pigKVI/AAAAAAAAOJw/pCpQRhjLcw0STRs8s9pl62hbXeHit029g/s1600/BE%2BLogo%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_UaM_xIxTAs/Vwrz3pigKVI/AAAAAAAAOJw/pCpQRhjLcw0STRs8s9pl62hbXeHit029g/s400/BE%2BLogo%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This lead in brings me to my latest, and possibly even 'greatest' Bad Eventer moment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAT57_u6zC0/Vwr0ARvmb1I/AAAAAAAAOJ0/_4I0d21NWegYefsh7H4jta-DJb80HUOdw/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mAT57_u6zC0/Vwr0ARvmb1I/AAAAAAAAOJ0/_4I0d21NWegYefsh7H4jta-DJb80HUOdw/s400/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a super star young horse. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5EAsXswFFg/VwruYyybAII/AAAAAAAAOJQ/EGLL-3vM4IAoX0LQ-DzOH3EeYJ3aDWEIA/s1600/BE%2Bsuper%2Bhorse%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5EAsXswFFg/VwruYyybAII/AAAAAAAAOJQ/EGLL-3vM4IAoX0LQ-DzOH3EeYJ3aDWEIA/s400/BE%2Bsuper%2Bhorse%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This horse is so amazing, occasionally I'm not convinced she's not, in fact, a robot. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gGOV7_MZcs/VwrvA60KDfI/AAAAAAAAOJU/7pdSMnph6eEFzOm6I_U21mNf5h9Y5bsjQ/s1600/BE%2Bdog%2Brobot%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gGOV7_MZcs/VwrvA60KDfI/AAAAAAAAOJU/7pdSMnph6eEFzOm6I_U21mNf5h9Y5bsjQ/s400/BE%2Bdog%2Brobot%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She's just never naughty. And she takes everything in stride. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7FvKSCN4as/Vwr2QsmzcpI/AAAAAAAAOKA/U5NhIzWhXQQySvSTJjGWTvmdzKU20pNoQ/s1600/BE%2BGen%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T7FvKSCN4as/Vwr2QsmzcpI/AAAAAAAAOKA/U5NhIzWhXQQySvSTJjGWTvmdzKU20pNoQ/s400/BE%2BGen%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During her 6th or 7th jump school she was so much braver and bolder to the fences than the older more experienced horses in her group another student named her Honey Badger. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HW9x2_Wvseg/Vwr2z0cNtGI/AAAAAAAAOKE/ZITs9gzwYNwJU7yfpGMfXnOdVLcJohGHA/s1600/BE%2BHoney%2BBadger%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HW9x2_Wvseg/Vwr2z0cNtGI/AAAAAAAAOKE/ZITs9gzwYNwJU7yfpGMfXnOdVLcJohGHA/s400/BE%2BHoney%2BBadger%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Honey Badger Don't Care" has become her little cheer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course horses have minds of their own, and the safest horses in the world can have a bad moment or hurt someone by accident. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U06nh-YcFP8/Vwr3r9YkbPI/AAAAAAAAOKQ/qqPSAQRF6es1oRvAzcKa70SqpR5j6ksqA/s1600/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U06nh-YcFP8/Vwr3r9YkbPI/AAAAAAAAOKQ/qqPSAQRF6es1oRvAzcKa70SqpR5j6ksqA/s400/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Young horses in particular are unpredictable because they just haven't experienced much and you never know what they're going to take issue with.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5qsnu6WzX8/Vwr4BfG19QI/AAAAAAAAOKU/zyNc8Ji5UuMRqD8D-n9J0sBmjUWu-r3Vg/s1600/BE%2BK%2BD%2Brear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j5qsnu6WzX8/Vwr4BfG19QI/AAAAAAAAOKU/zyNc8Ji5UuMRqD8D-n9J0sBmjUWu-r3Vg/s400/BE%2BK%2BD%2Brear.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ride a lot of young horses. And I rarely, almost never actually, come off a young horse......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGwwxEwV9rA/Vwr4w8hUEgI/AAAAAAAAOKg/PGSAnoJPzPsxLc0HRZ96Nmeuj1YUHLM6w/s1600/Bluebell%2Btarp%2Bsepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGwwxEwV9rA/Vwr4w8hUEgI/AAAAAAAAOKg/PGSAnoJPzPsxLc0HRZ96Nmeuj1YUHLM6w/s400/Bluebell%2Btarp%2Bsepia.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.......because I'm an expert at predicting bad outcomes.........and getting outta dodge before it happens. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My hard and fast rule on a baby. "When should you get off? The MOMENT it crosses your mind."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tell students, "If you're wondering whether to get off a horse - your feet should already be on the ground."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BPdTyiiXk4/Vwr48wvyy-I/AAAAAAAAOKo/GOujw-T9qnIHgZw5aku1HiME23er7W3jw/s1600/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8BPdTyiiXk4/Vwr48wvyy-I/AAAAAAAAOKo/GOujw-T9qnIHgZw5aku1HiME23er7W3jw/s400/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the horse becomes more experienced and you learn what they react, and overreact to, you can adjust this rule a bit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Honey Badger has been so amazing and perfect that I learned if she looks at something with interest, it is almost never followed by a spook or reaction, so I can carry on without much worry. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course she's been in a 6 day per week program for 6 months. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And she's a rockstar. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV30EuluF0M/Vwr6TBUYjFI/AAAAAAAAOK0/xS_3hp3080M4AnHuS8nh47rx001rVZb7g/s1600/BE%2BGen%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DV30EuluF0M/Vwr6TBUYjFI/AAAAAAAAOK0/xS_3hp3080M4AnHuS8nh47rx001rVZb7g/s400/BE%2BGen%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN.................I went out of town for 2 weeks and the day I came back I had 2 new horses to ride. The gang at the stable had a friendly wager about which one I would fall off of because they hadn't been ridden in several weeks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I rode both of them with no trouble, too bad I didn't get in on the wager. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_y2Iyb4s_A/Vwr7PklWBsI/AAAAAAAAOK8/LvGdWEXd_YY7kDeBclOtvFIHAK7HUrcTw/s1600/BE%2Bshow%2Bme%2Bthe%2Bmoney%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_y2Iyb4s_A/Vwr7PklWBsI/AAAAAAAAOK8/LvGdWEXd_YY7kDeBclOtvFIHAK7HUrcTw/s400/BE%2Bshow%2Bme%2Bthe%2Bmoney%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third I rode WonderPony who is always steady eddy, and then I decided to "squeeze in" one last ride before dark, on the baby who hadn't been ridden in 2 weeks....... while I was on such a success streak. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7INBKeVV0U/Vwr8OcH3o-I/AAAAAAAAOLE/etHlUtYzp2Y2T-7kdABPwEdov3KCbxAGA/s1600/BE%2Bhappy%2Bkid%2Barm%2Bpump%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7INBKeVV0U/Vwr8OcH3o-I/AAAAAAAAOLE/etHlUtYzp2Y2T-7kdABPwEdov3KCbxAGA/s400/BE%2Bhappy%2Bkid%2Barm%2Bpump%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's when I realized the saddle that I usually use was at the other barn. And so was her bridle. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No problem, I'll just toss the endurance saddle on her, yeah it slides around a little because she doesn't have much of a wither, but that's OK. I rode her entirely in a rope halter the first year so I tossed the halter on her and off we went. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgc6wnNPwnM/Vwr-Tc9KIgI/AAAAAAAAOLM/Kb2RCQw3y18SKYc3jPGx-ml2MokLVM1Ug/s1600/BE%2BGen%2Bjump%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lgc6wnNPwnM/Vwr-Tc9KIgI/AAAAAAAAOLM/Kb2RCQw3y18SKYc3jPGx-ml2MokLVM1Ug/s400/BE%2BGen%2Bjump%2BBE.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We lapped the pasture once and she was unusually "looky". She was stopping and sniffing and being a bit jumpy. This was REALLY out of character for a baby that I jokingly describe as "half dead" most of the time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1SjZW-I6zU/Vwr-mbPA-HI/AAAAAAAAOLQ/FW7biH_2vSQaV6Kc3w2gfVc0eep6YU4YA/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bon%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e1SjZW-I6zU/Vwr-mbPA-HI/AAAAAAAAOLQ/FW7biH_2vSQaV6Kc3w2gfVc0eep6YU4YA/s400/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bon%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we lapped the pasture again and the odd behavior continued. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><Warning Will Robinson></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The barn owner was leaving so I rode back up to the barn and we chatted a bit since I'd been gone for two weeks. As she was pulling out of the driveway, the sun was setting and I decided we'd lap the pasture "one last time" and consider it a good first ride back. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I headed back to the pasture, the neighbor's loose donkey that unknown to me had her attention, finally made his very dramatic appearance. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLYrxJBujBA/Vwr-3ezqJhI/AAAAAAAAOLY/299CORFoe9sKfjUFk4StuXVCN-HDW4l3A/s1600/BE%2Bdonkeys%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLYrxJBujBA/Vwr-3ezqJhI/AAAAAAAAOLY/299CORFoe9sKfjUFk4StuXVCN-HDW4l3A/s400/BE%2Bdonkeys%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My poor sensible baby spun, bucked, and I realized in the air I was coming off backwards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8f2siQ2RDg/Vwr_0jpe7RI/AAAAAAAAOLg/_SsoYTA8awgytIsPCWpRSZbtk-v7JBePQ/s1600/BE%2Bfalling%2Bbackwards%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l8f2siQ2RDg/Vwr_0jpe7RI/AAAAAAAAOLg/_SsoYTA8awgytIsPCWpRSZbtk-v7JBePQ/s400/BE%2Bfalling%2Bbackwards%2BDP.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh yeah, it happens. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unfortunately in her haste to get away from the dangerous escaped burro she kicked me in the chin as I was falling behind her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzQ73hnOPhI/VwsDr28BEXI/AAAAAAAAOLw/D9Maldt4SZASYChX6XRzAvMdSpPg7eHsg/s1600/BE%2Bchin%2Bneck%2Bbrace%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzQ73hnOPhI/VwsDr28BEXI/AAAAAAAAOLw/D9Maldt4SZASYChX6XRzAvMdSpPg7eHsg/s400/BE%2Bchin%2Bneck%2Bbrace%2BBE.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One E.R. visit, a chipped tooth and 6 stitches later, I reminded myself of my "baby breaking rule", and........ appropriate equipment, and listening to your horse, and perhaps lunging a few minutes first when the baby horse hasn't been worked in weeks............... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boy did I do EVERYTHING wrong. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjBL2Q5JYHY/VwsDzxhz2DI/AAAAAAAAOL0/4syvnhRyzn8wD9ianj5bg7rOmAMjG6hLA/s1600/BE%2Bchin%2Bstitches%2Bthumb%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjBL2Q5JYHY/VwsDzxhz2DI/AAAAAAAAOL0/4syvnhRyzn8wD9ianj5bg7rOmAMjG6hLA/s400/BE%2Bchin%2Bstitches%2Bthumb%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And because I'm super paranoid about knocking my teeth out, I decided to buy a mouth protector. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOg_FTfS-F8/VwsEOTjemII/AAAAAAAAOL4/Tp0O6xt4czELetZARdDEnA_887q_KdhOQ/s1600/BE%2Bpink%2Bmouth%2Bguard%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOg_FTfS-F8/VwsEOTjemII/AAAAAAAAOL4/Tp0O6xt4czELetZARdDEnA_887q_KdhOQ/s400/BE%2Bpink%2Bmouth%2Bguard%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OF COURSE Bad Eventer went with the pink sparkles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><u>_________________________________________________________________________________</u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s1600/BE%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s320/BE%2Bflask.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Get your Bad Eventer doggie hoodie & other swag at </span><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/BadEventer" style="text-align: center;">www.Cafepress.com/BadEventer</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-83263902755574413832016-04-09T19:49:00.000-05:002016-04-12T15:34:56.818-05:00"Running" Around Rolex<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsHG6mb5MDc/Vwmg4qPfQ6I/AAAAAAAAOHg/JnnGyLHgyFQPPmT-8bc5VZxoo8VIii3bg/s1600/BE%2Brunning%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsHG6mb5MDc/Vwmg4qPfQ6I/AAAAAAAAOHg/JnnGyLHgyFQPPmT-8bc5VZxoo8VIii3bg/s640/BE%2Brunning%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
My first trip to the Kentucky Horse Park was a complete spur of the moment. My husband & I had been on a pretty long road trip visiting friends & family in several different states. We were at our last stop on the way home, and I realized that cross country at Rolex was in a day and a half. So being the amazing hubby that he is, he agreed to detour 12 hours to Kentucky just in time for XC day instead of getting home a couple days early. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvmZFJy4JXY/VwmhlkT4JyI/AAAAAAAAOHo/G-atbk1XbtAmEktZUTExHm9AP3vCvaA_Q/s1600/BE%2Bhusband%2Bwife%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gvmZFJy4JXY/VwmhlkT4JyI/AAAAAAAAOHo/G-atbk1XbtAmEktZUTExHm9AP3vCvaA_Q/s640/BE%2Bhusband%2Bwife%2BDP.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Serious husband bonus points for that move.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We arrived in the evening on Friday and no one was to be found anywhere so we went out and walked the course. And yes, NOW I know you're not supposed to do that, but this was YEARS ago and we didn't know. As we were walking the course one of the riders passed us wearing jogging clothes and head phones. He ran the entire course on foot. Cue Chariots of Fire....... </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hLOmI9obZI/VwmROQjv76I/AAAAAAAAOFI/dL0W4ImUr1UIyFLxX7cQk9ekeqDPqh0dw/s1600/BE%2Bchariots%2Bof%2Bfire%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hLOmI9obZI/VwmROQjv76I/AAAAAAAAOFI/dL0W4ImUr1UIyFLxX7cQk9ekeqDPqh0dw/s640/BE%2Bchariots%2Bof%2Bfire%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in awe. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IZCD_BUDEw/VwmRwHLj8-I/AAAAAAAAOFM/cd73k2lXvMosgayFmnqLcD93YvRoqozYQ/s1600/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IZCD_BUDEw/VwmRwHLj8-I/AAAAAAAAOFM/cd73k2lXvMosgayFmnqLcD93YvRoqozYQ/s640/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All I could think was.............. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. If I had XC at Rolex the next day, I would be somewhere vomiting not "jogging" around the course. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ez9Ek5fvJiw/VwmR8bx26dI/AAAAAAAAOFU/Azs126OtsfMo4PPpWN_zdaUAQy8MTHtLA/s1600/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ez9Ek5fvJiw/VwmR8bx26dI/AAAAAAAAOFU/Azs126OtsfMo4PPpWN_zdaUAQy8MTHtLA/s320/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2. (At the time) I couldn't run from one jump to the next without needing an oxygen tent, let alone the entire course. I decided being able to run my XC course on foot was a very LOFTY but worthwhile goal. I saw it some where up there with actually riding in Rolex one day. Something to be dreamed of, but very possibly unattainable. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcFCcSa8aHg/VwmSKa-CFWI/AAAAAAAAOFY/xB_xIE2AHzoLnpHjsHhrZtMZRJNylFtCw/s1600/BE%2BMount%2BEverest%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcFCcSa8aHg/VwmSKa-CFWI/AAAAAAAAOFY/xB_xIE2AHzoLnpHjsHhrZtMZRJNylFtCw/s640/BE%2BMount%2BEverest%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And what I've learned since that day about a decade ago, is success in this sport has a lot more to do with fitness than I ever imagined. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9C7JRcFQlIs/VwmTch2buEI/AAAAAAAAOFo/yJVfm_sDyFMGO0WZSAisokZPCc5soQDwA/s1600/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9C7JRcFQlIs/VwmTch2buEI/AAAAAAAAOFo/yJVfm_sDyFMGO0WZSAisokZPCc5soQDwA/s640/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're so tired after walking your course that you can't kick your horse when needed............things don't go well. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uUcp09ilEk/VwmUAq4GAVI/AAAAAAAAOFs/xUwAlf-fgvwH-_Ra6fkGqzdauTetg8Gsg/s1600/Bess%2BTrakehner%2BMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7uUcp09ilEk/VwmUAq4GAVI/AAAAAAAAOFs/xUwAlf-fgvwH-_Ra6fkGqzdauTetg8Gsg/s640/Bess%2BTrakehner%2BMC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you're struggling to keep your gallop position at the end of the course because your legs have given out, where is the extra "gitterdone" going to come from when your horse spooks at the last combination?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWcrRQos0Vg/VwmUL4Fe1SI/AAAAAAAAOF0/DewFlrw__4MVyhJl8xzFdbIPLuiPJOg1Q/s1600/Bess%2BTrakehner%2BHolly%2BHill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWcrRQos0Vg/VwmUL4Fe1SI/AAAAAAAAOF0/DewFlrw__4MVyhJl8xzFdbIPLuiPJOg1Q/s640/Bess%2BTrakehner%2BHolly%2BHill.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I saw a girl gallop around her first 1* clean and then stop at the last fence.... TWICE...... because she flat ran out of steam and could barely sit up or keep her leg on. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppTl8K5jfHk/VwmUZk3oYmI/AAAAAAAAOF4/_kkeCT7NoLsuXDHkEihxo4mymlj-0lLuw/s1600/BE%2Bbusiness%2Bman%2Blaying%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bground%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ppTl8K5jfHk/VwmUZk3oYmI/AAAAAAAAOF4/_kkeCT7NoLsuXDHkEihxo4mymlj-0lLuw/s320/BE%2Bbusiness%2Bman%2Blaying%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bground%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would ride courses and barely remember the instructions I got on the course walk. Half the time if I did remember what I was supposed to do, I couldn't actually do it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't sit up and get way back in the tack to jump into the water because I didn't have the core body strength to do it. Not because I didn't know what I was supposed to do. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1TROSbk4PU/VwmUmvkPaYI/AAAAAAAAOGA/Cc-Hbw7g13IS6lGXZizysz96rE9Btibkw/s1600/BE%2Bunfit%2Bface%2Bgym%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1TROSbk4PU/VwmUmvkPaYI/AAAAAAAAOGA/Cc-Hbw7g13IS6lGXZizysz96rE9Btibkw/s320/BE%2Bunfit%2Bface%2Bgym%2BDP.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the coach asked what striding I got in the combinations I had no idea. I always thought it was because I was scared....... how was I supposed to remember striding when all I was trying to do was breathe and stay on top???</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-KohxrqLIM/VwmUu9aKzrI/AAAAAAAAOGE/lgNSeBZQ66McMWmRyir77RGoCbLo2w8xQ/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r-KohxrqLIM/VwmUu9aKzrI/AAAAAAAAOGE/lgNSeBZQ66McMWmRyir77RGoCbLo2w8xQ/s640/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well....... part of that was right. The reason I had to concentrate so hard on breathing was because I was an unfit sloth. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FboHX9zUf7o/VwmYCo8nrVI/AAAAAAAAOGU/8tGPPoYyELI0GIATqLRb-0SuizBBR_MiA/s1600/BE%2Bsloth%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FboHX9zUf7o/VwmYCo8nrVI/AAAAAAAAOGU/8tGPPoYyELI0GIATqLRb-0SuizBBR_MiA/s640/BE%2Bsloth%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't remember things because all the oxygen was headed to my legs to stay on and there wasn't enough left over to run any extra brain cells. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZzarBt58SE/VwmaLjKpShI/AAAAAAAAOGg/oIbXNLhbqg8NFE85xP9ClgmQSU2Fbc25g/s1600/BE%2Bfainting%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WZzarBt58SE/VwmaLjKpShI/AAAAAAAAOGg/oIbXNLhbqg8NFE85xP9ClgmQSU2Fbc25g/s640/BE%2Bfainting%2BDP.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fast forward to today, 7 months after I started my working student gig and a few months after I was told point blank "you need to go to the gym." So I've been going. And I've been getting ready to run the 5K at Rolex again. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-f0aOEBdNI/Vwmc0wAxnNI/AAAAAAAAOGs/VznHslLLKyM6laK3rKcXrn4BbAYCjc6IQ/s1600/BE%2Bface%2BT%2Btough%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-f0aOEBdNI/Vwmc0wAxnNI/AAAAAAAAOGs/VznHslLLKyM6laK3rKcXrn4BbAYCjc6IQ/s640/BE%2Bface%2BT%2Btough%2BBE.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Actually, let's back up to Thursday. I did my course walk with the fearless leader, and I wore my running clothes. The challenge was on. Even The Ninja was ready to run the course. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPl__705FUo/VwmeUu1XCQI/AAAAAAAAOG8/IaYE6c6oqmUME9LAeQzYujDQ1IqIlJzYg/s1600/BE%2BNinja%2BBE%2Bhoodie%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fPl__705FUo/VwmeUu1XCQI/AAAAAAAAOG8/IaYE6c6oqmUME9LAeQzYujDQ1IqIlJzYg/s640/BE%2BNinja%2BBE%2Bhoodie%2BBE.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hoodies found at <a href="http://www.cafepress.com/badeventer">www.cafepress.com/badeventer</a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I walked the course. And then I ran it. And then I ran back to the stables, which were REALLY far away. Then I lapped the stabling twice to get to 5K.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb59hw3z9c4/VwmfQI9j_FI/AAAAAAAAOHM/-5Bk_DODuA87nk0x-qRR6yYgJOE626qcA/s1600/BE%2Brun%2Bmap%2BBE.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb59hw3z9c4/VwmfQI9j_FI/AAAAAAAAOHM/-5Bk_DODuA87nk0x-qRR6yYgJOE626qcA/s640/BE%2Brun%2Bmap%2BBE.PNG" width="298" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's when I realized that I did it. All those years ago when I thought that Rolex rider was a superstar because he could run his 4K course. And I just ran 5............</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GL3UxUFsYFU/VwmfvIGh_8I/AAAAAAAAOHQ/n1M1MrEcpykwsFu_fbojoHpAAlQAYkQ2Q/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GL3UxUFsYFU/VwmfvIGh_8I/AAAAAAAAOHQ/n1M1MrEcpykwsFu_fbojoHpAAlQAYkQ2Q/s640/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then today I rode two cross country courses, and not only was I able to get up in the tack and down in the tack when I needed. I remembered all the instructions from the course walk, implemented them and was able to give an accurate "after action report" about how many strides I got where and exactly how things went. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwP5FxSeSqY/VwmgWv7UelI/AAAAAAAAOHY/isp7Mw1wEKIL9lJ4dhSJZscJgWuF6cf8A/s1600/BE%2Bcelebration%2Bcelebrate%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SwP5FxSeSqY/VwmgWv7UelI/AAAAAAAAOHY/isp7Mw1wEKIL9lJ4dhSJZscJgWuF6cf8A/s640/BE%2Bcelebration%2Bcelebrate%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's when I realized that so much of my former Bad Eventer-ness</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqD8cpsauKI/Vwmddz7x0oI/AAAAAAAAOG0/mloCi63xgCYbx1bb-srLAJFbwkq0V8pkQ/s1600/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqD8cpsauKI/Vwmddz7x0oI/AAAAAAAAOG0/mloCi63xgCYbx1bb-srLAJFbwkq0V8pkQ/s640/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was actually </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLPE-Ah-hAE/VwmdxcLNwDI/AAAAAAAAOG4/J63bDAzhfO8flhaouTxs7NYVtR02p2TVQ/s1600/BE%2Bsleep%2Bgym%2Bunfit%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bLPE-Ah-hAE/VwmdxcLNwDI/AAAAAAAAOG4/J63bDAzhfO8flhaouTxs7NYVtR02p2TVQ/s320/BE%2Bsleep%2Bgym%2Bunfit%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">my complete and total lack of fitness.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></span>
</u></b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>_________________________________________________________________________________</u></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s1600/BE%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s320/BE%2Bflask.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> Get your Bad Eventer doggie hoodie & other swag at </span><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/BadEventer" style="text-align: center;">www.Cafepress.com/BadEventer</a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-56952198067055252016-03-26T20:48:00.000-05:002016-04-12T15:35:50.195-05:00Reiner Klimke Couldn't Sit That Trot<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really don't understand why the sitting trot is so elusive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWxip36c8zg/VvcyCwCIVtI/AAAAAAAAOA4/hLor4Bbg0TMk-y5QxkLkPo7-STUR7iPWQ/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bfall%2Bfrom%2Bhorse%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GWxip36c8zg/VvcyCwCIVtI/AAAAAAAAOA4/hLor4Bbg0TMk-y5QxkLkPo7-STUR7iPWQ/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bfall%2Bfrom%2Bhorse%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few days ago I was running through the Intermediate tests and envisioning the Advanced tests as next on my "to be conquered" list.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zyC6sSkD0u8/VvcyL_dhZgI/AAAAAAAAOA8/z-jadkrqsd8QAflFWeMvIWuOzhn5TK1Iw/s1600/BE%2BJCHD%2Bextended%2Btrot%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zyC6sSkD0u8/VvcyL_dhZgI/AAAAAAAAOA8/z-jadkrqsd8QAflFWeMvIWuOzhn5TK1Iw/s640/BE%2BJCHD%2Bextended%2Btrot%2Bs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in Dressage Queen mode like I've never been before. Everything was beautiful, smooth and forward. If 'good riders don't bounce' I wasn't just good. I was a total freaking rock star. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rw8tkHCH_hQ/VvczcxAGlsI/AAAAAAAAOBI/09CRRhmDtxkKkU2mwqgv1qAO3IoMN4mKg/s1600/BE%2Brock%2Bstar%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rw8tkHCH_hQ/VvczcxAGlsI/AAAAAAAAOBI/09CRRhmDtxkKkU2mwqgv1qAO3IoMN4mKg/s400/BE%2Brock%2Bstar%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I changed horses. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgE8FINzaY/VvczvQMPbhI/AAAAAAAAOBM/sLWgh8pxtR8AfDb8asBVvxeKfzn2S14Ag/s1600/BE%2Bbusiness%2Bman%2Blaying%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bground%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgE8FINzaY/VvczvQMPbhI/AAAAAAAAOBM/sLWgh8pxtR8AfDb8asBVvxeKfzn2S14Ag/s320/BE%2Bbusiness%2Bman%2Blaying%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bground%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I felt like I was taking my first "up down" lesson. I couldn't even post without flopping all over the place! When it came time to sit, the wheels came off in a hurry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0JCUXeZNGg/Vvcz4HG7oMI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/lYvKInM78dsbOHlXmsF9pPRDynv2dBuSw/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b0JCUXeZNGg/Vvcz4HG7oMI/AAAAAAAAOBQ/lYvKInM78dsbOHlXmsF9pPRDynv2dBuSw/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't sit AT ALL. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8QG8JzDeU/Vvc08zbYw8I/AAAAAAAAOBc/_yvdE8pyOQgJ5IMN-2lLQXnzXuPEda6oA/s1600/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xY8QG8JzDeU/Vvc08zbYw8I/AAAAAAAAOBc/_yvdE8pyOQgJ5IMN-2lLQXnzXuPEda6oA/s320/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I lengthened my stirrups. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I lengthened them again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5jzwUFcVJ0/Vvc1K6coi2I/AAAAAAAAOBk/9OEM7bZNDZMM6PSFtYSaTjC5LHPnhVT1A/s1600/BE%2Bdisappointed%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T5jzwUFcVJ0/Vvc1K6coi2I/AAAAAAAAOBk/9OEM7bZNDZMM6PSFtYSaTjC5LHPnhVT1A/s320/BE%2Bdisappointed%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I shortened them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I took them completely off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My frustration was growing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QHwmtAEERk/Vvc1W7KhnHI/AAAAAAAAOBo/d4DCDUCTk-wuzyn0mrlFkrWkn7_Lky54w/s1600/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8QHwmtAEERk/Vvc1W7KhnHI/AAAAAAAAOBo/d4DCDUCTk-wuzyn0mrlFkrWkn7_Lky54w/s320/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP%2BC.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried leaning back, then further. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I tried stepping into my ankles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I tried trotting really really REALLY slowly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgtWB2FkU2I/Vvc1hRa_9GI/AAAAAAAAOBs/kd1nGti5nt8IONntRqA3TT4caFaKi111Q/s1600/BE%2Bsnail%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PgtWB2FkU2I/Vvc1hRa_9GI/AAAAAAAAOBs/kd1nGti5nt8IONntRqA3TT4caFaKi111Q/s320/BE%2Bsnail%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I tried sitting 2 steps and posting every 3rd step. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By this point I couldn't even get 2 steps in without feeling like I was launching out of the tack.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMa6__8BZk/Vvc1y2sOUcI/AAAAAAAAOB0/Re41_iPYlV047ff9yDsxCb9LvkKKIU2gA/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bfalling%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMa6__8BZk/Vvc1y2sOUcI/AAAAAAAAOB0/Re41_iPYlV047ff9yDsxCb9LvkKKIU2gA/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bfalling%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is something about dressage that makes me question what I'm doing on a regular basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZtJlpORT08/Vvc2IRoTAyI/AAAAAAAAOB8/mSykoW-atjwD0DsA1aryke4iFXGJHvBRQ/s1600/BE%2Bfinger%2Bsuicide%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iZtJlpORT08/Vvc2IRoTAyI/AAAAAAAAOB8/mSykoW-atjwD0DsA1aryke4iFXGJHvBRQ/s320/BE%2Bfinger%2Bsuicide%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had visions of packing up and changing sports. I don't think jumpers do much sitting trot............. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18YLlXDwCvw/Vvc2YGPQ5_I/AAAAAAAAOCA/aeEVuxCI8ospBg4H2v9_xr_DMpWR9IbVw/s1600/BE%2Bgrand%2Bprix%2Bjumper%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-18YLlXDwCvw/Vvc2YGPQ5_I/AAAAAAAAOCA/aeEVuxCI8ospBg4H2v9_xr_DMpWR9IbVw/s640/BE%2Bgrand%2Bprix%2Bjumper%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or perhaps I should switch to driving............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZpAW8g6ptg/Vvc20q1b5lI/AAAAAAAAOCI/qYgevPCMLgoHiIbmAu1GjTZrqjQImFfjA/s1600/BE%2Bdriving%2Btrot%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZpAW8g6ptg/Vvc20q1b5lI/AAAAAAAAOCI/qYgevPCMLgoHiIbmAu1GjTZrqjQImFfjA/s640/BE%2Bdriving%2Btrot%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By the time I called it a day, I had lost all the skin on the inside of my legs, and my horse deserved his massage and liniment bath more than ever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojctlnZur1I/Vvc3e2CtBpI/AAAAAAAAOCY/FWcMWhwb-jcYNEcn589mHBJ2oZSESB3Ig/s1600/BE%2Bfailure%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojctlnZur1I/Vvc3e2CtBpI/AAAAAAAAOCY/FWcMWhwb-jcYNEcn589mHBJ2oZSESB3Ig/s640/BE%2Bfailure%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to schedule a bit of an emergency lesson for the next day........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpXqLV-PsAY/Vvc3zjmtdVI/AAAAAAAAOCc/xGUY4OeXIAsccrB23-jMXvpYRQcGwW_1w/s1600/BE%2Bgirl%2Bbegging%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XpXqLV-PsAY/Vvc3zjmtdVI/AAAAAAAAOCc/xGUY4OeXIAsccrB23-jMXvpYRQcGwW_1w/s320/BE%2Bgirl%2Bbegging%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then I immediately regretted it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Failing miserably by myself is one thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Showing my full incompetence to the fearless leader is much- less - cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNeZ1cpwzZQ/Vvc4C5MGo-I/AAAAAAAAOCg/Pe3YJNuL7v8QxTnjrhI7Dnr-akEKS2BuQ/s1600/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfaces%2Bdumb%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FNeZ1cpwzZQ/Vvc4C5MGo-I/AAAAAAAAOCg/Pe3YJNuL7v8QxTnjrhI7Dnr-akEKS2BuQ/s400/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfaces%2Bdumb%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I started trotting around with my super bouncy warmblood & the first comment was, "Is this what he was doing yesterday? Because Reiner Klimke couldn't sit THAT trot!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJgHZtxqz8Y/Vvc4R3RcUyI/AAAAAAAAOCo/I0gEbVd6yPY_GYdZzZ6sJncIu0E5ar00g/s1600/BE%2Bbird%2Bflying%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wJgHZtxqz8Y/Vvc4R3RcUyI/AAAAAAAAOCo/I0gEbVd6yPY_GYdZzZ6sJncIu0E5ar00g/s320/BE%2Bbird%2Bflying%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While I appreciated the attempt to make me feel better................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">..........that's when words & phrases like 'connection', 'through', & 'in front of your leg' started coming up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's precisely where my eyes tend to roll up in my head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bH8RPF0McpY/Vvc4nf6EG0I/AAAAAAAAOCw/mSL_wGp7KvgLsMNkqB6Q2TNkX-URGpv3A/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2Bfrustrated%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bH8RPF0McpY/Vvc4nf6EG0I/AAAAAAAAOCw/mSL_wGp7KvgLsMNkqB6Q2TNkX-URGpv3A/s320/BE%2Bman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2Bfrustrated%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it comes to dressage there seem to be mystical goals that no one can quite explain to me.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example: here's a few sentences from dressage texts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<ol>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dressage Different "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: medium; line-height: 23.625px;">Ah, feel, that nebulous term that floats around dressage lessons world wide. The way some people describe ‘feel’ makes the concept seem like Flora, Fauna and Merryweather must float down to your cradle as a baby and gift it to you in front of the entire kingdom. Many dressage instructors believe that ‘feel’ is a skill that a rider either has or has not, with no room in between for growth."</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: medium; line-height: 23.625px;">Dressage Naturally "</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #504e4e; font-size: 17px; line-height: 26px;">There is a sweet spot of a certain energy, a certain balance and a certain level of relaxation where the horse can find his best healthy posture. It is different for each horse and each moment. By experimenting and being curious, we can find this sweet spot where the horse is moving in a way that allows his back muscles to move freely. When this is able to be fairly consistent, we can connect with it and enjoy a harmonious connection with the reins."</span></span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: medium; line-height: 23.625px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: medium; line-height: 23.625px;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">That makes you want to run out and try dressage right away, right? Because it's a clear and attainable goal? Um.......about that...................</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwnJkCY68Ns/Vvc47kw-jeI/AAAAAAAAOC4/7n3fHHeHPnM1nfuavKQtxldgVBNpAVEsA/s1600/BE%2BForrest%2BGump%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RwnJkCY68Ns/Vvc47kw-jeI/AAAAAAAAOC4/7n3fHHeHPnM1nfuavKQtxldgVBNpAVEsA/s640/BE%2BForrest%2BGump%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">So here's the part that is missing in the last 50 or so sitting trot articles I've read. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">Are you ready to learn the secret of the universe?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiaR31c11G4/Vvc5H_7gKZI/AAAAAAAAODA/qhT4EGFlfAkVJNfZEc1pMy_JWrHCnvYNw/s1600/BE%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiaR31c11G4/Vvc5H_7gKZI/AAAAAAAAODA/qhT4EGFlfAkVJNfZEc1pMy_JWrHCnvYNw/s320/BE%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">I think my old dressage instructor explained it the best when she said,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">"The horse has to give you a place to sit." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9R_DM22IigI/Vvc5h7YTa5I/AAAAAAAAODE/Kw15JhUIG2c6kZ-SiEmFDMdYE50tIl0uw/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Barms%2Bout%2Bfield%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9R_DM22IigI/Vvc5h7YTa5I/AAAAAAAAODE/Kw15JhUIG2c6kZ-SiEmFDMdYE50tIl0uw/s400/BE%2Bwoman%2Barms%2Bout%2Bfield%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">And before then. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 23.625px;">No one, not even Reiner Klimke, could sit <b>that</b> trot. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>_________________________________________________________________________________</u></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s1600/BE%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s320/BE%2Bflask.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> Get your Bad Eventer doggie hoodie & other swag at </span><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/BadEventer" style="text-align: center;">www.Cafepress.com/BadEventer</a></div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-47450460098304620602016-03-06T20:40:00.001-06:002016-04-12T15:36:15.925-05:00Cursed Bridles & Lucky Whips<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsFr085s9Js/Vtzfl4vi0MI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/ftslk3PXXmU/s1600/BE%2Bcurse%2Bzombie%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsFr085s9Js/Vtzfl4vi0MI/AAAAAAAAN-Q/ftslk3PXXmU/s320/BE%2Bcurse%2Bzombie%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Curses are a funny thing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcM7nfkW63I/VtzgACSQHKI/AAAAAAAAN-U/Ht-Pt2JuTaA/s1600/BE%2Bcurse%2Bvoodoo%2Bdoll%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcM7nfkW63I/VtzgACSQHKI/AAAAAAAAN-U/Ht-Pt2JuTaA/s320/BE%2Bcurse%2Bvoodoo%2Bdoll%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most of us don't think they exist. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But every once in awhile there are a string of events that make you really question whether it could be real. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My very first automobile was a small black pick up truck. It was involved in over a dozen accidents. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJkmUCxzWEs/VtzgyROks0I/AAAAAAAAN-Y/to1RhDGf2IA/s1600/BE%2Bcar%2Baccident%2Btree%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJkmUCxzWEs/VtzgyROks0I/AAAAAAAAN-Y/to1RhDGf2IA/s320/BE%2Bcar%2Baccident%2Btree%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now before you start saying, "look in the mirror", let me describe some of these.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a 200 year old tree in front of my house. It was huge and sturdy and not going anywhere. One afternoon a summer thunderstorm came through and while I was standing on the porch watching the storm, lightning hit the tree. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUNFSx1lAvg/VtzhV68JI3I/AAAAAAAAN-c/USGwuH73cUo/s1600/BE%2Blightning%2Btree%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rUNFSx1lAvg/VtzhV68JI3I/AAAAAAAAN-c/USGwuH73cUo/s320/BE%2Blightning%2Btree%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tree fell on my truck. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWAh_8q63W0/VtzhgU4nshI/AAAAAAAAN-g/dW0bCzyjR3w/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWAh_8q63W0/VtzhgU4nshI/AAAAAAAAN-g/dW0bCzyjR3w/s320/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was the first accident. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second, someone turned a horse trailer around in my driveway when I wasn't home, and they raked the side of my truck bumper to bumper with the back end of their trailer. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The third I was parked outside a shopping center and when I came back someone had hit my truck while I was in the store. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fourth, there was a tornado that passed near my house. It dumped golf ball sized hail in the yard which dented the truck and broke all the windows. (I still have some of those hail pieces in my freezer!)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully you get the point. This truck was in a lot of accidents. And not once was anyone driving it at the time. Eventually the insurance company refused to pay for any more repairs. When I discussed this with them, the agent said, "Look. I can't explain this but every once in awhile we have a vehicle like this that just keeps getting into accidents. In my experience if you get rid of it, it stops happening. SELL THAT TRUCK."</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I did. And my next truck was never in any kind of accident. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So maybe something <b>can</b> be cursed?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z71a8rEwmSU/VtzhwV8vCaI/AAAAAAAAN-o/RsgaiJLO3bg/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z71a8rEwmSU/VtzhwV8vCaI/AAAAAAAAN-o/RsgaiJLO3bg/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
My horse had been in training. Again. We seemed to muddle along for a few months until things would completely fall apart and then someone would convince me to send him to a trainer for awhile. He was just SO fancy, and SO nice, and everyone seemed to love this horse, everyone except for me that is. </span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_IFEMechY/Vtzlj5SIKEI/AAAAAAAAN-0/R-7A6wOOqao/s1600/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aV_IFEMechY/Vtzlj5SIKEI/AAAAAAAAN-0/R-7A6wOOqao/s320/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was winning at Prelim with the trainer. All day long. His show record was almost perfect and we were coming to the time that we had decided I would start riding him again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFa2DtexdOY/Vf88L4WOdUI/AAAAAAAAMcU/bM2ENfx-2vw/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bin%2Bmouth%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFa2DtexdOY/Vf88L4WOdUI/AAAAAAAAMcU/bM2ENfx-2vw/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bin%2Bmouth%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I took a couple of lessons on him and headed off to a schooling show. We decided to start at 2'9" just in case. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That turned out to be a fortuitous decision because we cantered around to the first jump and he stopped and layed down all over it, taking down all the poles and the standards. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXwWd5KFmII/Vf88cdsh3tI/AAAAAAAAMcc/9JEsk6wOUMA/s1600/BE%2BN%2BFall%2BJS%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CXwWd5KFmII/Vf88cdsh3tI/AAAAAAAAMcc/9JEsk6wOUMA/s400/BE%2BN%2BFall%2BJS%2BC.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only thing worse than stopping at a jump in stadium is destroying it so badly that a team of engineers have to be summoned to reconstruct it.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While you wait.....</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In front of everyone.....</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To try and jump it again......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAxZ_JytElA/Vtzpc3OLDvI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/e2IQjCT6CuY/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LAxZ_JytElA/Vtzpc3OLDvI/AAAAAAAAN_Q/e2IQjCT6CuY/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a very wise coach once who said, "No matter what. If he lays all over the thing make sure when it's over that you have gone BETWEEN the flags so that you don't have to jump it again." </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wiser words have never been said. </span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As my Prelim rockstar was slamming on the brakes with me at Beginner Novice I remembered another time something like this had happened. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X90sQ8kawDM/Vje8RWr3waI/AAAAAAAAM0U/87CiNcGrdN4/s1600/Horse%2Brider%2Bfall%2Bstop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X90sQ8kawDM/Vje8RWr3waI/AAAAAAAAM0U/87CiNcGrdN4/s1600/Horse%2Brider%2Bfall%2Bstop.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's when I realized he was wearing the same damn bridle. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Bad Eventer decided to start eventing again, after many, MANY years away from the sport I had a lot riding on my "first recognized event" back. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had something to prove. I had spent a lot of money to buy a top notch horse. I had driven 8 hours to get to the event. The last time I had evented a decade earlier hadn't gone well. I had a coach tell me I'd never be any good and I was out to prove her wrong. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lC1fiMt0eE/VtzpzJDX1pI/AAAAAAAAN_U/YHcLETAeL40/s1600/BE%2Bangry%2Bmean%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lC1fiMt0eE/VtzpzJDX1pI/AAAAAAAAN_U/YHcLETAeL40/s320/BE%2Bangry%2Bmean%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's how that went........ </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The warm up was a tiny configuration less than 20 meters wide. There were 2 warm up fences, both against the rail so you couldn't circle around them. One was an oxer. My steed took serious issue with the oxer and during our first attempt to go over it, not only did she stop and smash the entire jump to the ground, she broke it. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was so mangled that it couldn't be rebuilt. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While someone went to find more jump cups and another standard my time to go came up. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had to do my stadium round having never made it over the warm up fence. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My coach said, "Gallop. Gallop as hard as you can at the first jump. You have to <b>want </b>it!"</span></div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted it all right. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I followed directions, and rather predictably, my steed did the most impressive slide stop up to, into and through the first jump. And this time I skied right off her ears to the other side of the jump while yelling, " I waaaaaant it!"</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zOSQ5hDdW4/Vf87x5CwcuI/AAAAAAAAMcM/9XDM_POfFWg/s1600/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zOSQ5hDdW4/Vf87x5CwcuI/AAAAAAAAMcM/9XDM_POfFWg/s400/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not superstitious. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At all.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But when I got home from the show, after realizing 2 horses had laid all over jumps years apart in the same bridle it went straight into the trash. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCx7qOatQ3E/VhcTVoTa8TI/AAAAAAAAMnI/JGn3-BwFkdw/s1600/BE%2Bshrug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CCx7qOatQ3E/VhcTVoTa8TI/AAAAAAAAMnI/JGn3-BwFkdw/s320/BE%2Bshrug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do know a couple of people who say they have Lucky Whips. Whips that they've never had a stop while carrying. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to think mine was like that...... </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9IFy14498E/VsfTZovsbkI/AAAAAAAANqs/q14N69Q7UDI/s1600/BE%2Blucky%2Bwhip%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T9IFy14498E/VsfTZovsbkI/AAAAAAAANqs/q14N69Q7UDI/s1600/BE%2Blucky%2Bwhip%2BBE.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but its "clear record" was demolished a long time ago. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzZ6X7mUq2k/VjQCr2ajBkI/AAAAAAAAMsY/QQB6ASgrd4w/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzZ6X7mUq2k/VjQCr2ajBkI/AAAAAAAAMsY/QQB6ASgrd4w/s640/BE%2BK%2Bbank.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The funniest "stop" ever.</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently I was at a show and someone who couldn't find their whip, but desperately needed one asked to borrow mine. She'd had several stops in her first round and as I handed her my whip I said, "You know it's never had a stop." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H414qHicI-U/Vtznu9Q7ABI/AAAAAAAAN_A/08Q5-sSi41I/s1600/BE%2Bclover%2Bluck%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H414qHicI-U/Vtznu9Q7ABI/AAAAAAAAN_A/08Q5-sSi41I/s320/BE%2Bclover%2Bluck%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Her trainer had a small heart attack when I said that and sent her into the ring with my "magical whip". Her young horse jumped around that time and got it done. It was fantastic and after a couple clean rounds with my "lucky whip" everyone started calling it "The Spirit Stick."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YetKYOp_q7w/Vtzop6Now_I/AAAAAAAAN_I/3AVxkmC3qXY/s1600/BE%2Bmagic%2Bwand%2Bspirit%2Bstick%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YetKYOp_q7w/Vtzop6Now_I/AAAAAAAAN_I/3AVxkmC3qXY/s320/BE%2Bmagic%2Bwand%2Bspirit%2Bstick%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We won't tell her it's clean record wasn't really true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I didn't actually toss the 'cursed' bridle. Though I did dismantle it and put different pieces on different headstalls, just in case.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><u>_________________________________________________________________________________</u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s1600/BE%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s320/BE%2Bflask.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Get your Bad Eventer doggie hoodie & other swag at </span><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/BadEventer" style="text-align: center;">www.Cafepress.com/BadEventer</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-80337587734197311952016-03-06T19:32:00.000-06:002016-04-12T15:36:40.131-05:00Did you get a yellow card?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xj7xVgX2WRE/Vty_oGf1BQI/AAAAAAAAN8M/TkvKQ3jkSsw/s1600/BE%2Byellow%2Bsign%2Boops%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xj7xVgX2WRE/Vty_oGf1BQI/AAAAAAAAN8M/TkvKQ3jkSsw/s320/BE%2Byellow%2Bsign%2Boops%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Did you get a yellow card?"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2vh2kFppm8/VtzArn0HYiI/AAAAAAAAN8U/Gpucbq2AwQ4/s1600/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B3%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2vh2kFppm8/VtzArn0HYiI/AAAAAAAAN8U/Gpucbq2AwQ4/s640/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B3%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was the first question from my fearless leader after coming off cross country. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his defense it's a valid question after being followed around the course last time by officials. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66N0srSWZds/VtzBzgpMsZI/AAAAAAAAN8c/2O853r2pU5s/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Brunaway%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66N0srSWZds/VtzBzgpMsZI/AAAAAAAAN8c/2O853r2pU5s/s640/BE%2BWP%2Brunaway%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See </span><a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2016/02/back-at-big-kids-table-sort-of.html" style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Back at the Big Kids Table - Sort Of</a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for the full story. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtjhB3cvlgo/VtzCimXYVzI/AAAAAAAAN8g/KGTHmCElHrY/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BSt%2B3%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtjhB3cvlgo/VtzCimXYVzI/AAAAAAAAN8g/KGTHmCElHrY/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BSt%2B3%2BBE.jpg" width="379" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The challenge is that my very level headed super pony only acts like a fire-breathing-runaway-speed-freak after he comes out of the start box on cross country. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyjbEZpXbgg/VtzDL_cQsXI/AAAAAAAAN8s/DrE8y4H4xT8/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B4%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="562" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EyjbEZpXbgg/VtzDL_cQsXI/AAAAAAAAN8s/DrE8y4H4xT8/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B4%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This means any stronger hardware I use at home is too much and he objects strongly.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuL_SWdV8M/VtzDcxs5x8I/AAAAAAAAN8w/HcymSk2LktM/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bstop%2Bfence%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lOuL_SWdV8M/VtzDcxs5x8I/AAAAAAAAN8w/HcymSk2LktM/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bstop%2Bfence%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It also means the bit that works well at home is unlikely to have </span><b style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">any</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> effect at the competition. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCy_eG-9vFQ/VtzDoG4yPII/AAAAAAAAN80/T2PiWsxxZyU/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bfall%2Bfrom%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCy_eG-9vFQ/VtzDoG4yPII/AAAAAAAAN80/T2PiWsxxZyU/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bfall%2Bfrom%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So changing bits is an entire unknown until I'm on course. Oh..... Joy......</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's also really interesting that a bit that worked well last year, doesn't work this year.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj5pe5Ux4v4/VtzEC-67WpI/AAAAAAAAN84/qECaLQn7Zgc/s1600/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yj5pe5Ux4v4/VtzEC-67WpI/AAAAAAAAN84/qECaLQn7Zgc/s320/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's up with that?</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the purists in my audience, and some of my friends are thinking "If you can't ride him in a halter you shouldn't be leaving the barn." And while I agree with that on a lot of levels.......</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmtH-BVlgNM/VtzFrX5FoMI/AAAAAAAAN9E/1qErx3h_2SU/s1600/BE%2BBess%2Briver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmtH-BVlgNM/VtzFrX5FoMI/AAAAAAAAN9E/1qErx3h_2SU/s640/BE%2BBess%2Briver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Such as here......</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4jM0jGKvOU/VtzFzldN_7I/AAAAAAAAN9I/A9hLJiXGH2c/s1600/BE%2BLavender%2BTrail%2BHalter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4jM0jGKvOU/VtzFzldN_7I/AAAAAAAAN9I/A9hLJiXGH2c/s640/BE%2BLavender%2BTrail%2BHalter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and here.......</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNv00BuYrE/VtzGEi_h9mI/AAAAAAAAN9M/n5mgntN0cqw/s1600/BE%2BG%2Btrot%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BjNv00BuYrE/VtzGEi_h9mI/AAAAAAAAN9M/n5mgntN0cqw/s640/BE%2BG%2Btrot%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and here........</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUkfruspb8Q/VtzGc09fxvI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/PdcI2clyiHA/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bhalter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HUkfruspb8Q/VtzGc09fxvI/AAAAAAAAN9Q/PdcI2clyiHA/s400/BE%2BK%2Bhalter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And while I do have a couple horses that run XC in the same bit they do dressage in. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2_wroMuqo4/VtzGlIIh06I/AAAAAAAAN9U/qrCUuT3TQoQ/s1600/BE%2BHind%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2_wroMuqo4/VtzGlIIh06I/AAAAAAAAN9U/qrCUuT3TQoQ/s640/BE%2BHind%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The WonderPony is not one of them. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3IhUnbVgIA/VtzHWbOBVtI/AAAAAAAAN9Y/vPMkOVTQXcU/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B5%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e3IhUnbVgIA/VtzHWbOBVtI/AAAAAAAAN9Y/vPMkOVTQXcU/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B5%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With our new contraption in place I headed out on course. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The good news........ was that I had "total control" of my horse. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ6MX2pdkjk/VtzHwgFQJ-I/AAAAAAAAN9c/clvVPv3X2oM/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ6MX2pdkjk/VtzHwgFQJ-I/AAAAAAAAN9c/clvVPv3X2oM/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bad news........ was that I had "total control" of my horse.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dfR4cF6daQ/VtzH3YkNk0I/AAAAAAAAN9g/dIt0XL6gwXc/s1600/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_dfR4cF6daQ/VtzH3YkNk0I/AAAAAAAAN9g/dIt0XL6gwXc/s320/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He can typically be counted on to make a pretty good decision.... like here in this 5 stride line. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4K5r9O0MTlc/VtzTGNiNTbI/AAAAAAAAN9w/YJaExffAKxQ/s1600/BE_WP_water_5.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4K5r9O0MTlc/VtzTGNiNTbI/AAAAAAAAN9w/YJaExffAKxQ/s640/BE_WP_water_5.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, definitely cannot be trusted.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My </span><strike style="font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">incredibly dangerous</span></strike><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> boldly forward ride from last time where I put in all the right number of strides, was replaced by Bad-Eventer-Chicken-Shit-Riding. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfo796qxWgU/VtzYk_hYwYI/AAAAAAAAN-A/246ICfMoAi8/s1600/BE_WP_water_6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gfo796qxWgU/VtzYk_hYwYI/AAAAAAAAN-A/246ICfMoAi8/s640/BE_WP_water_6.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the record, that should have been a 5 stride line, and trotting.......is not ok........</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P85S13fT-U/Vtyz_PVV-aI/AAAAAAAAN7o/_Wbyy918eYM/s1600/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BL%2Bloser%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2P85S13fT-U/Vtyz_PVV-aI/AAAAAAAAN7o/_Wbyy918eYM/s640/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BL%2Bloser%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to having real brakes I demonstrated some<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <strike>not so</strike></span> fabulous examples of "backwards riding."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uifNfTERopI/Vty8sqCv-AI/AAAAAAAAN8A/EP_7ySXbtpg/s1600/BE%2Briding%2Bbackwards%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uifNfTERopI/Vty8sqCv-AI/AAAAAAAAN8A/EP_7ySXbtpg/s640/BE%2Briding%2Bbackwards%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really am an all or nothing rider at times........ </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWPDPIXwqC4/VtyxkgNzzzI/AAAAAAAAN7I/6GlXslZzr4o/s1600/BE%2Bbig%2Bgirl%2Bbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BWPDPIXwqC4/VtyxkgNzzzI/AAAAAAAAN7I/6GlXslZzr4o/s320/BE%2Bbig%2Bgirl%2Bbe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's hoping I can find the guts to ride my horse forward when it's my choice and not his.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b><u>_________________________________________________________________________________</u></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s1600/BE%2Bflask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUi2HF-nIeY/VwouG8zoayI/AAAAAAAAOI8/IY1ZP6s0Gs4nzFvtI4tnUmmRzE-Nayxqw/s320/BE%2Bflask.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="text-align: center;"> Get your Bad Eventer doggie hoodie & other swag at </span><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/BadEventer" style="text-align: center;">www.Cafepress.com/BadEventer</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-13946105646716623992016-02-28T18:07:00.001-06:002016-02-28T18:07:58.359-06:00Learning Lows - Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPHyAHCummE/VtNwINbh7ZI/AAAAAAAAN04/g5MS7lXZu9w/s1600/BE%2Bzebra%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPHyAHCummE/VtNwINbh7ZI/AAAAAAAAN04/g5MS7lXZu9w/s320/BE%2Bzebra%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to live by the mantra, "Frustration begins where knowledge ends."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I was having a hard time with a horse, I would stop and think, "What don't I know about this situation?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It could be that I just didn't have enough tools in my tool box to get to the right answer. Maybe I hadn't done my homework and I was asking for something more advanced than we were ready for......</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb6GS0ilXFo/VtNwTANpS9I/AAAAAAAAN08/olDn4Tx25uA/s1600/BE%2Bhomework%2Bruler%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sb6GS0ilXFo/VtNwTANpS9I/AAAAAAAAN08/olDn4Tx25uA/s320/BE%2Bhomework%2Bruler%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then there is the Dunning Kruger effect. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is something that has two sides. One side is where someone who is particularly unskilled thinks they have super powers. They don't know what they don't know, and even worse they think they know it all. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_KbNRQdh6M/VtNzJiTbuSI/AAAAAAAAN1M/Uov20AXjvs4/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bgreen%2Bsuit%2Bface%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_KbNRQdh6M/VtNzJiTbuSI/AAAAAAAAN1M/Uov20AXjvs4/s640/BE%2Bman%2Bgreen%2Bsuit%2Bface%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was me when I first started breaking horses, back at the ripe age of 14. The first several horses I started under saddle were gems. They let me muddle along and became rock star horses. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3RwO0kBbMA/VtNzZ10eGtI/AAAAAAAAN1Q/T-CRKw0N4Os/s1600/Abby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f3RwO0kBbMA/VtNzZ10eGtI/AAAAAAAAN1Q/T-CRKw0N4Os/s640/Abby.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not because I had any skills, other than sheer fearlessness at the time. They were just lovely well natured horses. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I met a horse named Trouble.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUCNcBb9m8A/VtN0tEe-U6I/AAAAAAAAN1g/oEwXlV8eCHw/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oUCNcBb9m8A/VtN0tEe-U6I/AAAAAAAAN1g/oEwXlV8eCHw/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He taught me that I didn't know nearly as much about starting horses as I thought I did. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qO2SXuuevA8/VtN1JcniqLI/AAAAAAAAN1k/8mbc6pRFPnk/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qO2SXuuevA8/VtN1JcniqLI/AAAAAAAAN1k/8mbc6pRFPnk/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"There are defining events in your life where everything becomes "before" or "after" that event." That is a loose quote from one of my favorite movies of all time, Fallen.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My horse training education has several of those dividing lines. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TukpzEXBt6M/VtN4HAI6b2I/AAAAAAAAN10/KsA9QNfoC7I/s1600/BE%2Bfuture%2Bpast%2Bline%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TukpzEXBt6M/VtN4HAI6b2I/AAAAAAAAN10/KsA9QNfoC7I/s320/BE%2Bfuture%2Bpast%2Bline%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trouble..... was one of those times. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0WaswwAaJE/VtN4qgHFOHI/AAAAAAAAN2A/Vk01rr0SrIo/s1600/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K0WaswwAaJE/VtN4qgHFOHI/AAAAAAAAN2A/Vk01rr0SrIo/s320/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was the first horse that I climbed on, that bucked and bucked and bucked. I went back to the drawing board, bought a "Colt Starting" Series of video tapes and started over. This was the beginning of my realization that there was a whole lot more to training horses than I ever imagined. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TG3o_Sn36LA/VtN4kPaVbEI/AAAAAAAAN14/JCR4Bor4jm4/s1600/BE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bthe%2Broad%2Bsky%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TG3o_Sn36LA/VtN4kPaVbEI/AAAAAAAAN14/JCR4Bor4jm4/s320/BE%2Bend%2Bof%2Bthe%2Broad%2Bsky%2BDP.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other side of the Dunning Kruger effect is people that are highly skilled at something often underestimate how skilled they are. They think if they can do something easily, others should be able to as well. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How many riding instructors fall into one of these two categories?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjPCGG6_xGc/VtN43JWJoeI/AAAAAAAAN2E/6r5E42oSXbg/s1600/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjPCGG6_xGc/VtN43JWJoeI/AAAAAAAAN2E/6r5E42oSXbg/s320/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently I've decided that frustration begins where knowledge ends, sometimes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes knowledge has nothing to do with it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2TfWohkOPM/VtN5aoYto9I/AAAAAAAAN2Q/tfDi0yauTuU/s1600/BE%2Bfunny%2Bface%2Btwo%2Bpeople%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--2TfWohkOPM/VtN5aoYto9I/AAAAAAAAN2Q/tfDi0yauTuU/s320/BE%2Bfunny%2Bface%2Btwo%2Bpeople%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">WonderPony is getting a little mature in years, and while he is still playing the game like the wonder horse he is........ </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ivPbfa0n8/VtN52M9XH4I/AAAAAAAAN2Y/1ngVUqDcOhs/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1ivPbfa0n8/VtN52M9XH4I/AAAAAAAAN2Y/1ngVUqDcOhs/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want to ask more from him than he wants to give. Of course he blasted around cross country so fast last time that the TD chased us all the way back to my trailer..........so for now I think his heart is still in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TsGE_nkMfA/VtN6DRWqbHI/AAAAAAAAN2c/q_o0GiYUl9Y/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2Bcorner%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TsGE_nkMfA/VtN6DRWqbHI/AAAAAAAAN2c/q_o0GiYUl9Y/s640/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2Bcorner%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And Baby T-Rex is coming along like gangbusters..... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUY1-LkiLgQ/VtN6TcOLfSI/AAAAAAAAN2g/mTOEgvPVEn0/s1600/Genuine%2Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUY1-LkiLgQ/VtN6TcOLfSI/AAAAAAAAN2g/mTOEgvPVEn0/s1600/Genuine%2Blog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica neue, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but having just done her very first schooling show, she's still a long ways off from becoming my main ride. With this 10 year gap in horse ages we decided I needed another horse. So we searched the world over & I brought a new one home. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qXdyExx1Ek/VtN6sPw1mFI/AAAAAAAAN2o/_4XGpwmuZPw/s1600/Horse%2Brear%2Bfor%2Bsale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6qXdyExx1Ek/VtN6sPw1mFI/AAAAAAAAN2o/_4XGpwmuZPw/s1600/Horse%2Brear%2Bfor%2Bsale.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My new pony is fancy and talented and just the right age. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itSR9gxvvDo/VtOIfaxm4lI/AAAAAAAAN48/CINHwr-APWI/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Bsmile%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itSR9gxvvDo/VtOIfaxm4lI/AAAAAAAAN48/CINHwr-APWI/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Bsmile%2BBE.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got him home, I couldn't get him to do.......... anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9lv4j6OLRw/VtN7Y5yhVCI/AAAAAAAAN2w/Lh5xQPedVq0/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bride%2Bpony%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9lv4j6OLRw/VtN7Y5yhVCI/AAAAAAAAN2w/Lh5xQPedVq0/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bride%2Bpony%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't get him to put his head down or go straight, let alone something like a leg yield. The head down problem was the first exercise in frustration. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krIA0CbXSZE/VtN8Lw5njtI/AAAAAAAAN24/VTlPjowYjlA/s1600/BE%2Bllama%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-krIA0CbXSZE/VtN8Lw5njtI/AAAAAAAAN24/VTlPjowYjlA/s320/BE%2Bllama%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The instructions went something like, "Put contact in both reins and put your leg on."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3_QROxFJWc/VtN8fuu7R8I/AAAAAAAAN28/L3SSJqNc-Z0/s1600/Dex%2Bhead%2Btoss%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3_QROxFJWc/VtN8fuu7R8I/AAAAAAAAN28/L3SSJqNc-Z0/s400/Dex%2Bhead%2Btoss%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nope. Nothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Ok, put more contact in both reins and more leg."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INLjs0Og20Y/VtN8soYTOLI/AAAAAAAAN3E/i-PB10r1oeQ/s1600/BE%2BDex%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INLjs0Og20Y/VtN8soYTOLI/AAAAAAAAN3E/i-PB10r1oeQ/s320/BE%2BDex%2Bface.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nope. Nothing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So we decided it was the wrong bit, and we changed it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ky3gHwgEbUg/VtN_GwC65uI/AAAAAAAAN3U/CJ5YNpMgt1o/s1600/BE%2Bbits%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ky3gHwgEbUg/VtN_GwC65uI/AAAAAAAAN3U/CJ5YNpMgt1o/s1600/BE%2Bbits%2BBE.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we changed it again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVw0SLSSlM/VtOLUts9JII/AAAAAAAAN5Q/88wOmlH9YC0/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaVw0SLSSlM/VtOLUts9JII/AAAAAAAAN5Q/88wOmlH9YC0/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two weeks into this "getting to know each other process" I found myself in absolute depression. I'd bought a new horse, I had all the hopes and dreams attached to this new found team, and it was not exactly smooth sailing...... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg6qi9Q4SQ4/VtOB-ftSHXI/AAAAAAAAN3g/-3pIiHKevw4/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bbuck%2Bsaloon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vg6qi9Q4SQ4/VtOB-ftSHXI/AAAAAAAAN3g/-3pIiHKevw4/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bbuck%2Bsaloon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It became an emotional tail spin.........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHMkqQ73L18/VtOI-_568-I/AAAAAAAAN5A/InejrQS1X9I/s1600/BE%2Bmind%2Bcontrol%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHMkqQ73L18/VtOI-_568-I/AAAAAAAAN5A/InejrQS1X9I/s320/BE%2Bmind%2Bcontrol%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if I never figure out how to ride him? </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What if I've wasted all this time, money & horse cookies.......... and we can't get our act together? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SSJMLz22mw/VtOCMEuNDLI/AAAAAAAAN3k/9TRjmaG3L20/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8SSJMLz22mw/VtOCMEuNDLI/AAAAAAAAN3k/9TRjmaG3L20/s400/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually I lost it, and found myself sitting on my pony failing miserably to fight back tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EMFdaQ3QM8/VtODdzJYp0I/AAAAAAAAN30/SJKho7eB7Rw/s1600/BE%2Bcrying%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--EMFdaQ3QM8/VtODdzJYp0I/AAAAAAAAN30/SJKho7eB7Rw/s320/BE%2Bcrying%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was crying.... on a horse. And no one was bleeding. This just isn't allowed in my world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9di3wwJNx8/VtODkq1K4AI/AAAAAAAAN34/-Es3_LcBW3E/s1600/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9di3wwJNx8/VtODkq1K4AI/AAAAAAAAN34/-Es3_LcBW3E/s320/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wasn't about knowledge. It was about partnership. I was telling my story to a friend, who said something like "Why would you want to keep riding that horse when you have WonderPony?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the light bulb moment, when I gave myself a giant kick in the pants. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqehfW6KLOs/VtOFw9mOD_I/AAAAAAAAN4k/ZrY4t_ODpos/s1600/BE%2Bchild%2Bquestion%2Bmarks%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqehfW6KLOs/VtOFw9mOD_I/AAAAAAAAN4k/ZrY4t_ODpos/s320/BE%2Bchild%2Bquestion%2Bmarks%2BDP.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last weekend, I have never been so proud of a comment on a dressage test as this one.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SK89pWph0/VtOEG18sUII/AAAAAAAAN4A/equktodfrIQ/s1600/BE%2Bpartnership%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7SK89pWph0/VtOEG18sUII/AAAAAAAAN4A/equktodfrIQ/s1600/BE%2Bpartnership%2BBE.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wonder Pony & Bad Eventer scored a 26 <oh yeah> and the comment was "Good partnership."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's when I shared with my friend that the WonderPony & I didn't always have such a great relationship. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqp7TSEARL0/VtOEUZIdtCI/AAAAAAAAN4I/ZRfTbSmBt8k/s1600/BE%2Bcouple%2Bchasing%2Bbat%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iqp7TSEARL0/VtOEUZIdtCI/AAAAAAAAN4I/ZRfTbSmBt8k/s640/BE%2Bcouple%2Bchasing%2Bbat%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I explained that she's looking at 4 years of lessons & practice, discussions & compromises. When I first bought the WonderPony, things were not so peachy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6UivlxySG8/VtOElAxZ2EI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/TyzkZt1ggRE/s1600/BE_Stop_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S6UivlxySG8/VtOElAxZ2EI/AAAAAAAAN4Q/TyzkZt1ggRE/s400/BE_Stop_1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I vividly remember a lesson where he ran sideways passed every jump and it was so bad my fearless leader finally said, "Just put him away. We'll try again tomorrow."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3TILIKPwcg/VtOFJuHL9ZI/AAAAAAAAN4Y/xS4XIiTDIEY/s1600/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3TILIKPwcg/VtOFJuHL9ZI/AAAAAAAAN4Y/xS4XIiTDIEY/s320/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Partnerships take time to develop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClUaZUitVug/VtOFeNUKdhI/AAAAAAAAN4g/ynfh12zbNBg/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2BInt%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ClUaZUitVug/VtOFeNUKdhI/AAAAAAAAN4g/ynfh12zbNBg/s640/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2BInt%2Bs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine if I'd given up back then on the WonderPony? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AikGdYcGv_E/VtOGXuyupSI/AAAAAAAAN4s/e9xksqpzsGM/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bsmile%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="381" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AikGdYcGv_E/VtOGXuyupSI/AAAAAAAAN4s/e9xksqpzsGM/s400/BE%2BWP%2Bsmile%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would have missed the horse of a life time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-77269166145143730192016-02-23T21:12:00.000-06:002016-02-28T07:19:04.959-06:00Why Dressage Makes my Eyes Bleed - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Tkrvdr-zII/Vs0KfSviGaI/AAAAAAAANwo/uPmdMkL3D-w/s1600/BE%2BBess%2BDR%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Tkrvdr-zII/Vs0KfSviGaI/AAAAAAAANwo/uPmdMkL3D-w/s320/BE%2BBess%2BDR%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever had someone try to convince you that you should like a food that you just don't like?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WueVkPRTlM8/Vs0LvGgJykI/AAAAAAAANww/bCtI-WE1gjg/s1600/BE%2Bbroccoli%2Bbad%2Bface%2Bgross%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WueVkPRTlM8/Vs0LvGgJykI/AAAAAAAANww/bCtI-WE1gjg/s320/BE%2Bbroccoli%2Bbad%2Bface%2Bgross%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take sushi for example. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoxIVSV7PDE/Vs0NZIASOuI/AAAAAAAANw8/du9i38i3550/s1600/BE%2Bfish%2Bsushi%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VoxIVSV7PDE/Vs0NZIASOuI/AAAAAAAANw8/du9i38i3550/s320/BE%2Bfish%2Bsushi%2BDP.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's face it. Raw fish, wrapped in seaweed paper smothered in something that tastes a lot like cough syrup......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ2zCPfaDxI/Vs0Odf0h-UI/AAAAAAAANxE/GwldEn9ufnM/s1600/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfish%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJ2zCPfaDxI/Vs0Odf0h-UI/AAAAAAAANxE/GwldEn9ufnM/s320/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfish%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is just not for everyone. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I find there are sushi lovers and sushi haters. I can't remember ever meeting someone who said, "Enh.....it's alright." Responses are more along the lines of, "Ooooh I love love love sushi, I could eat sushi every day until I had mercury poisoning! I cannot get enough!!" Well, that's usually my response.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGkQyflO_1A/Vs0OqJ3kDNI/AAAAAAAANxI/PEe5ylJ_qOQ/s1600/BE%2Bsushi%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OGkQyflO_1A/Vs0OqJ3kDNI/AAAAAAAANxI/PEe5ylJ_qOQ/s320/BE%2Bsushi%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"No. Absolutely not. Not happening. Gross. Raw fish will never touch these lips."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxX1bdaoJdY/Vs0PkaMHzUI/AAAAAAAANxM/osKTN4GTk18/s1600/BE%2Blips%2Btape%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxX1bdaoJdY/Vs0PkaMHzUI/AAAAAAAANxM/osKTN4GTk18/s320/BE%2Blips%2Btape%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Horses are a bit that way. There are horses that no amount of money could convince me to like. But those breeds and riding styles definitely have their fans. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfYRfi6N9PI/Vs0QeklOxoI/AAAAAAAANxU/WdOoGlXHx5A/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bface%2Btongue%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfYRfi6N9PI/Vs0QeklOxoI/AAAAAAAANxU/WdOoGlXHx5A/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bface%2Btongue%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A very wise friend told me once, "It's a good thing we don't all like the same horse. 'Cause he'd get awful' tired totin' us all around."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxmOiwDq0ns/Vs0RZjd_jqI/AAAAAAAANxc/Qv3NCjWoFRU/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bsitting%2Btired%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxmOiwDq0ns/Vs0RZjd_jqI/AAAAAAAANxc/Qv3NCjWoFRU/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bsitting%2Btired%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disciplines are in the same category. I had someone tell me there was NOTHING more exciting than riding a cutting horse. It was more addictive than heroin, and if I ever went cutting, I need to watch out because I'll be dragging my saddle from horse to horse looking for the next cutting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fully warned & with tons of anticipation I went to a cutting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHVGuHOJ51g/Vs0S32RsYVI/AAAAAAAANxo/yj6MelvATFg/s1600/BE%2BCutting%2BS%2BA%2B1%2BC%2B%2528640x405%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHVGuHOJ51g/Vs0S32RsYVI/AAAAAAAANxo/yj6MelvATFg/s640/BE%2BCutting%2BS%2BA%2B1%2BC%2B%2528640x405%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was fun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it wasn't the soul engulfing, mind blowing, physical, mental & endocrine rush that is cross country. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11M9a6HOYdU/Vs0TazO5QiI/AAAAAAAANxs/IaECC5mVdok/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-11M9a6HOYdU/Vs0TazO5QiI/AAAAAAAANxs/IaECC5mVdok/s640/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I told my friend that cutting was fun, but I'd pass it up for XC any day, He said, "well....just because you love lobster doesn't mean you can't enjoy shrimp once in awhile."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x65TZBDuWmk/Vs0UhlspwjI/AAAAAAAANx8/O0PZva2OJDg/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bface%2Bshrug%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x65TZBDuWmk/Vs0UhlspwjI/AAAAAAAANx8/O0PZva2OJDg/s400/BE%2Bman%2Bface%2Bshrug%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dressage. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In spite of my <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;">freaking awesome</span></strike>, reasonably good scores.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26BUQOGuu_A/Vs0DmQ7jXBI/AAAAAAAANwY/QEc55YnAlIs/s1600/BE%2BDr%2B24%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26BUQOGuu_A/Vs0DmQ7jXBI/AAAAAAAANwY/QEc55YnAlIs/s640/BE%2BDr%2B24%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.....it just isn't my thing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXR0CqdUF9g/Vs0U5zQ3m7I/AAAAAAAANyA/BHPYq1qtvbg/s1600/BE%2Bpaw%2Bhand%2Bface%2Bchihuahua%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXR0CqdUF9g/Vs0U5zQ3m7I/AAAAAAAANyA/BHPYq1qtvbg/s320/BE%2Bpaw%2Bhand%2Bface%2Bchihuahua%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yet, people keep trying to convince me that I like it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TEGAoVsVP0/Vs0VC2VC2QI/AAAAAAAANyE/a7eXG-d4nao/s1600/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TEGAoVsVP0/Vs0VC2VC2QI/AAAAAAAANyE/a7eXG-d4nao/s320/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had someone try very hard to convince me that upper level dressage is just as exciting as jumping. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6eYnTFcOhc/Vs0Vorq3_KI/AAAAAAAANyM/aF0lw8tcCPc/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bwhat%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6eYnTFcOhc/Vs0Vorq3_KI/AAAAAAAANyM/aF0lw8tcCPc/s400/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bwhat%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Um. Exactly what kind of jumps have they been going over?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Emwl-0lg7Qo/Vs0WdNbBeuI/AAAAAAAANyU/NNf7sHjMuwQ/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bjump%2Bcross%2Brail%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Emwl-0lg7Qo/Vs0WdNbBeuI/AAAAAAAANyU/NNf7sHjMuwQ/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bjump%2Bcross%2Brail%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moving to Area III was a big shock for my dressage scores. Let's see. I'm competing against Olympians. The judges have seen fabulous ride after fabulous ride....... so when you come in with "another nice ride" there are no "wow - finally a nice ride - extra credit points" like you get in other areas......... where the competition is........ less educated. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFbEZqJhTI/TsnOsW_BBkI/AAAAAAAAAxw/kIa23umws7c/s1600/Texas%2BRose%2BIcy%2BPrince%2BNovember%2B2011%2B226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VxFbEZqJhTI/TsnOsW_BBkI/AAAAAAAAAxw/kIa23umws7c/s400/Texas%2BRose%2BIcy%2BPrince%2BNovember%2B2011%2B226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WonderPony has always scored well in his lengthen trot. He's a fancy little mover and he can toss his toes in the air with the best of them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSckvDce8eQ/Vs0YrqRdc3I/AAAAAAAANyk/KTFgOba2thY/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BDr%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BSckvDce8eQ/Vs0YrqRdc3I/AAAAAAAANyk/KTFgOba2thY/s400/BE%2BWP%2BDr%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Oklahoma, that move got us a 9 for our lengthen trot. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh yeah. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I got to Area III my first show out, we got a 5.5.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72rf_02whzY/Vs0aPQ7jWNI/AAAAAAAANyw/ho17IR_-0hw/s1600/BE%2Bangry%2Bface%2Bsmokey%2Beyes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72rf_02whzY/Vs0aPQ7jWNI/AAAAAAAANyw/ho17IR_-0hw/s320/BE%2Bangry%2Bface%2Bsmokey%2Beyes%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WHAT??????</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is when I learned that "toe flicking" doesn't get good marks from experienced judges unless the hind legs are also moving forward. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4PlOoHee1mA/Vs0bXLPQcmI/AAAAAAAANy4/0_Q-25ctf4k/s1600/BE%2Belephant%2Bwicked%2Bwitch%2Boz%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4PlOoHee1mA/Vs0bXLPQcmI/AAAAAAAANy4/0_Q-25ctf4k/s320/BE%2Belephant%2Bwicked%2Bwitch%2Boz%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toto, we aren't in Kansas any more. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At my last show, coming out of the ring I said I was disappointed in our lengthen trot. It wasn't as extravagant as usual, and I even described it as "meh". My coach said it was actually quite good..... muttering something about "his hind legs were really coming through." We have been working on it in all those lessons after all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure there was an eye roll in there somewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfWxW5DvLDI/Vs0cTL52LeI/AAAAAAAANzA/JXVOAaLcV68/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bface%2Beye%2Broll%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mfWxW5DvLDI/Vs0cTL52LeI/AAAAAAAANzA/JXVOAaLcV68/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bface%2Beye%2Broll%2BDP.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Turns out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was our best score. In a test that scored a 26.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1THqSy1R4U/Vs0c4bakljI/AAAAAAAANzE/8LGvx51Eaa8/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2Bface%2B5%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1THqSy1R4U/Vs0c4bakljI/AAAAAAAANzE/8LGvx51Eaa8/s400/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2Bface%2B5%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, I have always struggled with leg yields and shoulder in. My horse has fabulous sideways buttons, but we lose our forward motion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every single time, in every single lesson when we start lateral moves I hear "FORWARD more FORWARD!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But my trusty pony always kind of trots in place, sideways for sure, but not forward.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got to thinking about this recently. The fearless leader did a few flat schools on WonderPony while I was out of town & he didn't say anything like,"boy, he won't go forward in his lateral moves."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This led me to believe that HE didn't have this problem with him........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4v_HSZ-b14/Vs0dScsXBPI/AAAAAAAANzM/5IKrOsCXLuI/s1600/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bmirror%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k4v_HSZ-b14/Vs0dScsXBPI/AAAAAAAANzM/5IKrOsCXLuI/s320/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bmirror%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">which meant it was me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After racking my brain, & trying to be aware of what I was doing when I asked for lateral work I realized that "tighter thighs" means collect & slow down. And every single time I would ask for sideways I would tighten my thighs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I looked down at my clamped thighs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And took them off my horse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtFOsDoYzPU/Vs0dfiSPYwI/AAAAAAAANzU/Qvfykbz9UZI/s1600/BE%2Bmagic%2Bwand%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtFOsDoYzPU/Vs0dfiSPYwI/AAAAAAAANzU/Qvfykbz9UZI/s320/BE%2Bmagic%2Bwand%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And like magic - we were off to the races. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Forward AND sideways. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh My Gawd, I've been doing it wrong for 3 decades. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1kcy1VExMI/Vs0eAYKx3CI/AAAAAAAANzc/Q2BIhHa2xA0/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bfail%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c1kcy1VExMI/Vs0eAYKx3CI/AAAAAAAANzc/Q2BIhHa2xA0/s400/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bfail%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep, dressage still makes my eyes bleed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you missed <a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-dressage-makes-my-eyes-bleed.html" target="_blank">Why Dressage Makes My Eyes Bleed Part 1</a>, you can check it out <a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2014/02/why-dressage-makes-my-eyes-bleed.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-81594397395793534452016-02-20T22:07:00.000-06:002016-02-21T07:26:30.528-06:00Back at the Big Kids Table - Sort Of<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGmDAWNN9js/VskeGl6wMaI/AAAAAAAANrE/VPFtthTdaPU/s1600/BE%2Bkids%2Btable%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGmDAWNN9js/VskeGl6wMaI/AAAAAAAANrE/VPFtthTdaPU/s320/BE%2Bkids%2Btable%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I always thought Preliminary was the level "preliminary" to the upper levels. Otherwise, what exactly is it preliminary to?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I think some people consider Prelim & up the "upper levels". That makes sense, because if you divide the levels in 1/2 Prelim is in the top half. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless of whether Prelim is "an upper level" or not, after my 30 year quest to get to Prelim (and yes it really took me that long) once I made it I felt like I'd finally earned my spot at the big kids' table. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDGmC_z2224/VskiGe5ZqfI/AAAAAAAANrU/XDeLRJenjGE/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2BGr%2Bwater%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDGmC_z2224/VskiGe5ZqfI/AAAAAAAANrU/XDeLRJenjGE/s400/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2BGr%2Bwater%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was just something magical about those green numbered jumps that made me feel all grown up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I'm a 42 year old woman with a horse I call WonderPony. I'm not much of a grown up in general.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNi3u4qX80E/Vskik-MYrlI/AAAAAAAANrY/n_MF4P5tQj0/s1600/BE%2Bpink%2Bprincess%2Band%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNi3u4qX80E/Vskik-MYrlI/AAAAAAAANrY/n_MF4P5tQj0/s320/BE%2Bpink%2Bprincess%2Band%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I ventured off to become the world's oldest working student, I was promptly demoted from my Prelim days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nnu9nBcQtAQ/Vskk_zAyW1I/AAAAAAAANro/m_JwpYoiQPc/s1600/BE%2Bdemoted%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nnu9nBcQtAQ/Vskk_zAyW1I/AAAAAAAANro/m_JwpYoiQPc/s640/BE%2Bdemoted%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It turns out, you shouldn't jump bigger jumps just because you CAN.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s--vkBc6NCo/Vsknm4-hFgI/AAAAAAAANr0/ucy8HaeoXek/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BBad%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s--vkBc6NCo/Vsknm4-hFgI/AAAAAAAANr0/ucy8HaeoXek/s320/BE%2BWP%2BBad%2BBE.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And though I had been competing at Prelim with the Wonder Pony, I was kind of muddling through and just "getting away with it."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znSvRWnP9RA/VskoIUOjQfI/AAAAAAAANr4/-NDJSqlCULs/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BBad%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-znSvRWnP9RA/VskoIUOjQfI/AAAAAAAANr4/-NDJSqlCULs/s320/BE%2BWP%2BBad%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My last outing at Prelim had involved <cough> 5 rails in stadium and some XC lines that involved several extra strides. You know....... it was 5 strides from the jump in the water to the corner out & I put in 7. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzzVQ2ietcU/VskoVk5JO2I/AAAAAAAANsA/rOT9Gw0iLoc/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NzzVQ2ietcU/VskoVk5JO2I/AAAAAAAANsA/rOT9Gw0iLoc/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What's wrong with that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a new "full time" rider..... I found out that kind of backwards riding just wasn't going to fly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been joking ever since my demotion....... about being in "training level purgatory". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eA9Cpy_CQGw/Vskqbmau0kI/AAAAAAAANsQ/NVTnmpWKnvc/s1600/BE%2Bghosts%2Bpurgatory%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eA9Cpy_CQGw/Vskqbmau0kI/AAAAAAAANsQ/NVTnmpWKnvc/s320/BE%2Bghosts%2Bpurgatory%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then when I got demoted to Beginner Novice on another horse..........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_L3dpscpk4/VsksHa1EQaI/AAAAAAAANsc/U_Z0rWRHBTA/s1600/BE%2BK%2BNS%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d_L3dpscpk4/VsksHa1EQaI/AAAAAAAANsc/U_Z0rWRHBTA/s400/BE%2BK%2BNS%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I vowed not to complain about training level. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tightened up my belt and decided that training level it was, from here on. And I was ok with that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFPtQ4qwork/VsktKPdmFoI/AAAAAAAANso/6QpnIuATEWE/s1600/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFPtQ4qwork/VsktKPdmFoI/AAAAAAAANso/6QpnIuATEWE/s320/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In a lesson a few weeks ago, we jumped some pretty big stuff. It went well. Very well. And when my fearless coach told another student in the group he was fine with her moving up to Prelim I leaned over thinking........"And??????????"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5i_vNYy_ZLk/Vskt6jp4kZI/AAAAAAAANsw/AkyQKSrEfWQ/s1600/BE%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5i_vNYy_ZLk/Vskt6jp4kZI/AAAAAAAANsw/AkyQKSrEfWQ/s320/BE%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Which was greeted by silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Urw3ARDr4RQ/VsmUrldwf9I/AAAAAAAANvs/zLNNCoYJJdw/s1600/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Urw3ARDr4RQ/VsmUrldwf9I/AAAAAAAANvs/zLNNCoYJJdw/s320/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We went to the next show & after a very solid & professional performance at training........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKmLeHcTE3g/VsmVObdI2HI/AAAAAAAANvw/nw7JSUMybUY/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2Bwedge%2BTR%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uKmLeHcTE3g/VsmVObdI2HI/AAAAAAAANvw/nw7JSUMybUY/s320/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2Bwedge%2BTR%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I got the "OK to move up."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kYVuhgvPbg/VskujRneDhI/AAAAAAAANs0/LRaO6hMeY9o/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kYVuhgvPbg/VskujRneDhI/AAAAAAAANs0/LRaO6hMeY9o/s400/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was excited for about 5 seconds. Then I thought I might throw up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CT8e-8FGuQ/Vskuu2OtKmI/AAAAAAAANs8/szo8xf-lev0/s1600/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CT8e-8FGuQ/Vskuu2OtKmI/AAAAAAAANs8/szo8xf-lev0/s320/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had kind of ingrained 3'3" into my brain for what I'd be jumping from now on. That 4 inch difference started looking kind of monstrous. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0C8vTFshbs/Vsku6ttDn2I/AAAAAAAANtA/pBX1-gXOZzA/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bscared%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0C8vTFshbs/Vsku6ttDn2I/AAAAAAAANtA/pBX1-gXOZzA/s320/BE%2Bman%2Bscared%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the weekend arrived, and the Wonder Pony put in a lovely test where we scored a 26.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2UNobGhYT4/VskvagXwbOI/AAAAAAAANtI/HKHITcMdng4/s1600/Argento%2BGW%2BDress%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2UNobGhYT4/VskvagXwbOI/AAAAAAAANtI/HKHITcMdng4/s400/Argento%2BGW%2BDress%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh yeah. Back in the game. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next was stadium. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBFPgOwJh_8/Vskv4BWgX5I/AAAAAAAANtQ/HQmfNSHFc9E/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bhead%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBFPgOwJh_8/Vskv4BWgX5I/AAAAAAAANtQ/HQmfNSHFc9E/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bhead%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stadium is what got us demoted to begin with, and I was sweating it just a bit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But we had a near perfect round with just a couple of unlucky rails.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzGdtqPv6jU/VsmV3mG28tI/AAAAAAAANv4/Ry0vRqtHRmk/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BSwedish%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WzGdtqPv6jU/VsmV3mG28tI/AAAAAAAANv4/Ry0vRqtHRmk/s640/BE%2BWP%2BSwedish%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and I felt completely vindicated to be back at the level.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOAvSIO2nLk/VskwwAzMlVI/AAAAAAAANtc/tNLWLckIyzk/s1600/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dOAvSIO2nLk/VskwwAzMlVI/AAAAAAAANtc/tNLWLckIyzk/s320/BE%2BBE%2Bface%2BBE.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cross country has never been an issue for TheWonderPony. This is a horse with a PERFECT XC record. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5DWP_34HrY/VsmWvMsS-nI/AAAAAAAANwA/Oe9w7xzm7VQ/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2Bcorner%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5DWP_34HrY/VsmWvMsS-nI/AAAAAAAANwA/Oe9w7xzm7VQ/s640/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2Bcorner%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seriously. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TfIpnQ14zc/VskxAN57NYI/AAAAAAAANtg/sUKNQ1Ocd7M/s1600/TX%2BRose%2BArg%2BInt%2BTH%2B%252832%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5TfIpnQ14zc/VskxAN57NYI/AAAAAAAANtg/sUKNQ1Ocd7M/s640/TX%2BRose%2BArg%2BInt%2BTH%2B%252832%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's had over 65 recognized starts and he's never had a XC jump penalty. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d19YZKlvK4/VskxV51ZyjI/AAAAAAAANtk/Gkl7fgYoo7w/s1600/Argento%2BHH%2BXC%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d19YZKlvK4/VskxV51ZyjI/AAAAAAAANtk/Gkl7fgYoo7w/s640/Argento%2BHH%2BXC%2B6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided our "return to prelim" was a chance to debut my new Bad Eventer XC shirt. I bought some shirts, thinking it would be a way for people to know it was me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAH306qbaas/VskyIyH2kRI/AAAAAAAANtw/paJyLUj18-Y/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B3%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAH306qbaas/VskyIyH2kRI/AAAAAAAANtw/paJyLUj18-Y/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B3%2BBE.jpg" width="467" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You know, like Boyd and his stripes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dt9WF96UeM/VskyzxqtWLI/AAAAAAAANt4/NePtioZFqmI/s1600/BE%2BRK%2B1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="569" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dt9WF96UeM/VskyzxqtWLI/AAAAAAAANt4/NePtioZFqmI/s640/BE%2BRK%2B1s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, I think the spectacles may be what gives me away now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zn82lZzbt70/VskzGmw-YyI/AAAAAAAANt8/mK0W1ATZX6s/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BSt%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zn82lZzbt70/VskzGmw-YyI/AAAAAAAANt8/mK0W1ATZX6s/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BSt%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm cruising around my first Prelim in a long time...... and the TD is following me around the course. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ui4KiXWKU0o/Vskz8_f3CmI/AAAAAAAANuE/GWetrsTuYQs/s1600/BE%2Bfollowing%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ui4KiXWKU0o/Vskz8_f3CmI/AAAAAAAANuE/GWetrsTuYQs/s320/BE%2Bfollowing%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He even followed me all the way back to my trailer!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxUOE5M7pB4/Vsk0OmgeYRI/AAAAAAAANuM/XhP9geOa_vs/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qxUOE5M7pB4/Vsk0OmgeYRI/AAAAAAAANuM/XhP9geOa_vs/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And no, it wasn't to tell me how much he liked my Bad Eventer shirt. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYsgoEFCvE/Vsk0dx6yQBI/AAAAAAAANuQ/uG_C_bNyfdw/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="616" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYsgoEFCvE/Vsk0dx6yQBI/AAAAAAAANuQ/uG_C_bNyfdw/s640/BE%2BWP%2BRH%2BXC%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I first made it to prelim with WonderPony I had TONS of time penalties. Everyone kept telling me to take my hand off the parking brake! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7DVogzvQAQ/Vsk0tHusFpI/AAAAAAAANuY/aq_q849viqs/s1600/BE%2Brace%2Bhorse%2Bmotion%2Bblur%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7DVogzvQAQ/Vsk0tHusFpI/AAAAAAAANuY/aq_q849viqs/s400/BE%2Brace%2Bhorse%2Bmotion%2Bblur%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I took all the brakes off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've always been an all-or-nothing kind of girl....... and apparently when I'm not adding strides everywhere......... I'm going dangerously fast. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLowHST0vqU/Vskd4AU7EMI/AAAAAAAANrA/joku6piICy0/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Brunaway%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XLowHST0vqU/Vskd4AU7EMI/AAAAAAAANrA/joku6piICy0/s640/BE%2BWP%2Brunaway%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ooooops!!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYcKBswdiM/Vsk1AltyHUI/AAAAAAAANug/WnMGHLkQeYU/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWYcKBswdiM/Vsk1AltyHUI/AAAAAAAANug/WnMGHLkQeYU/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We'll use a stronger bit next time!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">=====================================================================</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those readers chomping at the bit for Learning Lows - Part 4, it's in the works!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-46140952815346505812016-02-17T20:59:00.001-06:002016-02-17T20:59:50.779-06:00Learning Lows - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0-KT-lMNBA/VsUkNdoa8uI/AAAAAAAANnY/HL9r67Lq4Ts/s1600/BE%2Bsurprised%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L0-KT-lMNBA/VsUkNdoa8uI/AAAAAAAANnY/HL9r67Lq4Ts/s320/BE%2Bsurprised%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was fighting back tears, rather unsuccessfully.....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my first thought ....... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this menopause?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWE6iUNd9BY/VsUkYjGdW2I/AAAAAAAANnc/ZHJTmvMxUUQ/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWE6iUNd9BY/VsUkYjGdW2I/AAAAAAAANnc/ZHJTmvMxUUQ/s320/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not a cryer.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqbGxnLZkK0/VsUlNuMs2lI/AAAAAAAANnk/CVqQUjYi2bg/s1600/BE%2Bface%2BL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqbGxnLZkK0/VsUlNuMs2lI/AAAAAAAANnk/CVqQUjYi2bg/s320/BE%2Bface%2BL.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm actually a pretty tough cookie. I even have a few not-so-nice nick names at my day job because I don't get "emotional" about terrible situations. Many years in emergency medicine will do that to you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsdXRFkr8z8/VsUl1dFS4FI/AAAAAAAANnw/Lq0nzx5u9aM/s1600/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsdXRFkr8z8/VsUl1dFS4FI/AAAAAAAANnw/Lq0nzx5u9aM/s320/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here I was......... crying........ about riding.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good grief" I thought, "there are people drowning in the Mediterranean, being bombed in Syria, and starving in Sudan. I am NOT allowed to cry about this." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Ekgq1Jc2c/VsUmMmUFw_I/AAAAAAAANn4/6JBrgSKsFV8/s1600/BE%2Bembarrassed%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0Ekgq1Jc2c/VsUmMmUFw_I/AAAAAAAANn4/6JBrgSKsFV8/s320/BE%2Bembarrassed%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tears were coming none the less and it reminded me of the last time that had happened.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was <cough> about 15 years ago. I had been doing a series of clinics with a top instructor. This was a pretty intense program where you did a week long clinic, and then came back a month later and took part two.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk3y2MnrW-o/VsUoDUoUmaI/AAAAAAAANoI/mwVqeSQ-Hw4/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BDr%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk3y2MnrW-o/VsUoDUoUmaI/AAAAAAAANoI/mwVqeSQ-Hw4/s320/BE%2BWP%2BDr%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was SOOOOO excited. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was learning so much, and was accomplishing things with my horse I never dreamed was possible. The teacher gave me a list of items to accomplish and I went home determined to get them all done by clinic number two. I had 30 days and I was going to make them count. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I practiced every day. My horse learned everything perfectly and I was ready to be the <strike>teacher's pet</strike> star pupil at the next clinic. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfV2Y0YV6DU/VsUpSxTnMpI/AAAAAAAANoQ/7V72zHKV1oA/s1600/BE%2Bcat%2Bteachers%2Bpet%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfV2Y0YV6DU/VsUpSxTnMpI/AAAAAAAANoQ/7V72zHKV1oA/s320/BE%2Bcat%2Bteachers%2Bpet%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll never forget just how it went down. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfBc-kAgxCs/VsUqDRoqEwI/AAAAAAAANoY/XXjcaUYYJAQ/s1600/BE%2Bdisappointed%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LfBc-kAgxCs/VsUqDRoqEwI/AAAAAAAANoY/XXjcaUYYJAQ/s320/BE%2Bdisappointed%2Bsad%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We basically had to take a test of sorts where you perform all the things you taught your horse. It was kind of like a dressage test where you show all the moves your horse has learned. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I WAS READY.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWNDcz-aWQk/VsUtke6eIJI/AAAAAAAANow/Lt8QPHAroc4/s1600/BE%2BK%2BJ%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nWNDcz-aWQk/VsUtke6eIJI/AAAAAAAANow/Lt8QPHAroc4/s320/BE%2BK%2BJ%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day we arrived I was running through the list (very successfully) with my pony and the instructor walked by. She commented that it was looking good and was that what I was going to show her tomorrow? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not gonna lie, I was kind of hoping to show her right then because everything was falling into place, but I said, "Yes, tomorrow it is!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tomorrow rolled around and <of course> I volunteered to go first.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She walked over to see what I'd accomplished in the month I'd been gone and that's when </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">everything unraveled. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpURYedtIDs/VsUrnnZZiZI/AAAAAAAANok/tYXFg626o5g/s1600/BE%2Bshock%2Bdisaster%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IpURYedtIDs/VsUrnnZZiZI/AAAAAAAANok/tYXFg626o5g/s640/BE%2Bshock%2Bdisaster%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My trusty pony who had done everything perfectly the night before, kind of..... lost his mind and started galloping around like a lunatic. I couldn't stop him, I couldn't control him, I couldn't do anything I was going to show her. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had me restart a couple of times, and then said, "You can try again another time." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1adKtNopHdE/VsUuvTkgPYI/AAAAAAAANo4/y68IPoh47Cg/s1600/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2Bhand%2Bfigure%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1adKtNopHdE/VsUuvTkgPYI/AAAAAAAANo4/y68IPoh47Cg/s400/BE%2Bfail%2Bface%2Bhand%2Bfigure%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's when my chin started quivering and I was unable to speak. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then.......to add insult to injury...............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> she said, "See what this is doing to your emotional fitness?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And thankfully she walked away. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haOnYAqxgKE/VsUu99-UGUI/AAAAAAAANo8/q3N01fGzfK4/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haOnYAqxgKE/VsUu99-UGUI/AAAAAAAANo8/q3N01fGzfK4/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I - lost - it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started sobbing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had worked on a short list of movements for a month. I was aiming to impress. I had huge expectations....... and instead..... my horse lost his cool and then I completely and totally lost mine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hid in my trailer and cried........f</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or an hour. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ItTwhdRf18/VsUvwFGK5uI/AAAAAAAANpE/rAN24J1U_Gs/s1600/Be%2Bcrying%2Bman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ItTwhdRf18/VsUvwFGK5uI/AAAAAAAANpE/rAN24J1U_Gs/s320/Be%2Bcrying%2Bman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was definitely the lowest moment of my career training horses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I learned that day that I wasn't in control of myself. My horse acted like that because I was nervous and excited......... and he read everything I was doing in the situation and probably thought he was doing what I wanted. I'm sure if I had used the same intensity of cues that day as I had the night before, his performance would have been perfect. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IU2kUaTd8VU/VsUxC7U_9aI/AAAAAAAANpQ/s6BaaOBgFxk/s1600/BE%2Brelieved%2Bphew%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IU2kUaTd8VU/VsUxC7U_9aI/AAAAAAAANpQ/s6BaaOBgFxk/s320/BE%2Brelieved%2Bphew%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't control my emotions or my body and that affected my horse. With this very humbling, and very public revelation.............I did eventually get control of myself, and a few months later..........we redeemed ourselves. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTVoWB_43t4/VsUxl_8q6RI/AAAAAAAANpY/BNnGyO5IXds/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTVoWB_43t4/VsUxl_8q6RI/AAAAAAAANpY/BNnGyO5IXds/s320/BE%2BK%2Bface.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was the last time a riding issue brought me to tears...............until last week that is........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><to be continued></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-81872200734057538662016-02-16T21:09:00.001-06:002016-02-17T19:29:34.490-06:00Learning Lows - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RCxVPjO3Y/VsPO78n2BdI/AAAAAAAANjk/lBNJVnUke5o/s1600/BE%2Bsuccess%2Bladder%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m5RCxVPjO3Y/VsPO78n2BdI/AAAAAAAANjk/lBNJVnUke5o/s320/BE%2Bsuccess%2Bladder%2BDP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Did you know that most adults who set goals never achieve them? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bq7shVhQMoU/VsPPx4l5NgI/AAAAAAAANjs/TLGAgcxgFew/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bladder%2Bfail%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bq7shVhQMoU/VsPPx4l5NgI/AAAAAAAANjs/TLGAgcxgFew/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bladder%2Bfail%2BDP.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And no, I'm not talking about New Year's Resolutions. I mean seriously, does ANYONE keep those?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNW8NZIUwXQ/VsPQJF1X9pI/AAAAAAAANjw/6-nj0L2bZKI/s1600/BE%2Bnew%2Byears%2Bresolution%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YNW8NZIUwXQ/VsPQJF1X9pI/AAAAAAAANjw/6-nj0L2bZKI/s320/BE%2Bnew%2Byears%2Bresolution%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you start looking at the "science of change" whether it's a person or an organization, the failure rate for successful change is pretty astronomical. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2fU5LTe8mg/VsPUtwjeGhI/AAAAAAAANkA/ySXVgUWOl-0/s1600/BE%2Bcar%2Bclimb%2Bmountain%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2fU5LTe8mg/VsPUtwjeGhI/AAAAAAAANkA/ySXVgUWOl-0/s320/BE%2Bcar%2Bclimb%2Bmountain%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll cut to the chase. Looking at the various studies..... whether it's a fitness goal, a work goal, a financial goal.............the success rate for most adults is usually less than 10% and in most categories it's less than 5%.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yJQK2_GPow/VsPYFtmFgHI/AAAAAAAANkQ/jM9iaI45ZyY/s1600/BE%2Bbagpipe%2Bpractice%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yJQK2_GPow/VsPYFtmFgHI/AAAAAAAANkQ/jM9iaI45ZyY/s320/BE%2Bbagpipe%2Bpractice%2BDP.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So are 95% of us just miserable slackers that never do what we say we want to do?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Really. What's this ridiculously high failure rate all about?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ8fMosCRk0/VsPYOkF2gVI/AAAAAAAANkU/P4EdmKDRtLQ/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bfail%2Blab%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQ8fMosCRk0/VsPYOkF2gVI/AAAAAAAANkU/P4EdmKDRtLQ/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bfail%2Blab%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This brings me back to something else I learned from Dr. Stephanie Burns. If you missed my introduction about her check out <a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2016/02/learning-lows-part-1.html" target="_blank">"Learning Lows - Part 1"</a> to see how I met her & what I learned that first meeting. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IGGkJMpL498/VsPapQINXMI/AAAAAAAANkk/S_taznMEz5o/s1600/BE%2Bcomfort%2Bzone%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IGGkJMpL498/VsPapQINXMI/AAAAAAAANkk/S_taznMEz5o/s320/BE%2Bcomfort%2Bzone%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr. Burns is an expert on adult learning. She also has a horse, and learned to ride as an adult so she has unique insight into the fears and failures of the middle aged equestrian. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze36LUaeBSk/VsPbb8DXpFI/AAAAAAAANks/jWm19jkODjQ/s1600/BE%2BBess%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ze36LUaeBSk/VsPbb8DXpFI/AAAAAAAANks/jWm19jkODjQ/s320/BE%2BBess%2B1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This was my first show after 10 years without jumping.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr. Burns has an entire story about a woman that wanted to learn how to swim. The problem was that she had an irrational overpowering fear of the entire concept. So to help her achieve this seemingly unattainable goal she broke it down into tiny achievable steps.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7awFk4fwAs/VsPdaHPs4SI/AAAAAAAANk4/xi07JJmb8ew/s1600/BE%2Bhomework%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q7awFk4fwAs/VsPdaHPs4SI/AAAAAAAANk4/xi07JJmb8ew/s320/BE%2Bhomework%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 1</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No it's not have someone throw you in the pool to get over your fear by shock and awe. And no, it wasn't "get in the pool."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AL2g00-iJQ0/VsPdlmp3hdI/AAAAAAAANk8/C9QBEjUljPU/s1600/BE%2Bchild%2Bwater%2Bslide%2Bpool%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AL2g00-iJQ0/VsPdlmp3hdI/AAAAAAAANk8/C9QBEjUljPU/s320/BE%2Bchild%2Bwater%2Bslide%2Bpool%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 1 was.......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Buy a swim suit."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP61Rs5ZuhI/VsPeOS76lWI/AAAAAAAANlE/GoIoQBUvmkQ/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhard%2Bto%2Bhear%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TP61Rs5ZuhI/VsPeOS76lWI/AAAAAAAANlE/GoIoQBUvmkQ/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhard%2Bto%2Bhear%2Bhand%2Bby%2Bear%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep. You have to start at the BEGINNING.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And piece by piece she laid out tiny easily achievable steps so that each day the lady felt successful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXWXE9--9T0/VsPew7V0skI/AAAAAAAANlI/5dbIyiKEY6c/s1600/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXWXE9--9T0/VsPew7V0skI/AAAAAAAANlI/5dbIyiKEY6c/s400/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They were steps like 1. Buy a swimsuit, 2. Find a close pool 3. Figure out where to park at the pool, 4. Buy a pool membership. 5. Go to the pool, put on your swim suit, then take it off and leave. 6. Go the next day and dip your toe in the water, then leave........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnXeyUmFU-k/VsPgub2lQnI/AAAAAAAANlc/9YiOiKyPj1U/s1600/BE%2Bdinosaur%2Bdipping%2Btoe%2Bin%2Bwater%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AnXeyUmFU-k/VsPgub2lQnI/AAAAAAAANlc/9YiOiKyPj1U/s320/BE%2Bdinosaur%2Bdipping%2Btoe%2Bin%2Bwater%2BDP.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You get the drift right? Of course this is an extreme example due to her FEAR, but by the end of a few months I believe the lady was swimming a mile. If she had started with something like trying to swim a lap, she would have felt like she was drowning and that would have been the end. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkW9sMxte0U/VsPgGH7RgFI/AAAAAAAANlY/knNceitFMxo/s1600/BE%2Bdrowning%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hkW9sMxte0U/VsPgGH7RgFI/AAAAAAAANlY/knNceitFMxo/s320/BE%2Bdrowning%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But by making her feel successful with each step, she made it..... slowly, bit by bit, and she got it done. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqZiij2IwXE/VsPhGjTzJvI/AAAAAAAANlk/NNx-Id2l9ME/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YqZiij2IwXE/VsPhGjTzJvI/AAAAAAAANlk/NNx-Id2l9ME/s400/BE%2Bjump%2Bfor%2Bjoy%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The point is. If you have a goal you have to start somewhere. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bad Eventer wants to jump around Rolex. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wa2SxF2e5NI/VsPiO1fHIMI/AAAAAAAANlw/IR2rG3ARycY/s1600/BE%2BRK%2B3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wa2SxF2e5NI/VsPiO1fHIMI/AAAAAAAANlw/IR2rG3ARycY/s320/BE%2BRK%2B3s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in order to get there, first I have to......... go to the barn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How many people have riding goals, at any level......... but they</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> don't go to the barn?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lubW3dT63c/VsPinXNrFzI/AAAAAAAANl0/s2OAx6pvx-Q/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bhand%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2lubW3dT63c/VsPinXNrFzI/AAAAAAAANl0/s2OAx6pvx-Q/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bhand%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bad Eventer has a new pony. He has all the talent in the world.............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpeKkpGsWyU/VsPi0H-cFmI/AAAAAAAANl4/b0TwcRr97FA/s1600/BE%2BSW%2BG%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RpeKkpGsWyU/VsPi0H-cFmI/AAAAAAAANl4/b0TwcRr97FA/s320/BE%2BSW%2BG%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we started</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beginner Novice </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8U7PU-kicz4/VsPi-fuT3YI/AAAAAAAANmA/hg32pqG3-vY/s1600/BE%2Bswim%2Bsuit%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8U7PU-kicz4/VsPi-fuT3YI/AAAAAAAANmA/hg32pqG3-vY/s320/BE%2Bswim%2Bsuit%2BBE.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I bought the swim suit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-76525722102247664282016-02-15T21:07:00.001-06:002016-02-15T21:07:51.091-06:00Learning Lows - Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20aF68nrTho/VsKMB1Ir4iI/AAAAAAAANgQ/cPPU2NzXUkY/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20aF68nrTho/VsKMB1Ir4iI/AAAAAAAANgQ/cPPU2NzXUkY/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was following my dreams.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLTmOxMj5xw/VsKMzD4xqVI/AAAAAAAANgY/UtPOwB0WnX8/s1600/Laura_Hose-A_201%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JLTmOxMj5xw/VsKMzD4xqVI/AAAAAAAANgY/UtPOwB0WnX8/s320/Laura_Hose-A_201%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had enrolled in a very intense horsemanship course for the summer.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was going to be the adventure of a lifetime.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od0eg4EriUk/VsKM_z0hsbI/AAAAAAAANgc/E0v_cnjpR2A/s1600/Hose-A_bareback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Od0eg4EriUk/VsKM_z0hsbI/AAAAAAAANgc/E0v_cnjpR2A/s640/Hose-A_bareback.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a 16 hour a day experience with nothing but horses, horses, horses.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGub4EQ84v8/VsKNPoFWXmI/AAAAAAAANgg/qvF0EGsSKMA/s1600/Laura%2BRum%2BSmoke%2BWestern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGub4EQ84v8/VsKNPoFWXmI/AAAAAAAANgg/qvF0EGsSKMA/s400/Laura%2BRum%2BSmoke%2BWestern.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't imagine anything more fabulous.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first day they invited a guest speaker to talk to us as a group.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As an avid learner and teacher I was <strong>very</strong> interested in what she had to say. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z0049MwQOM/VsKNxAK1pOI/AAAAAAAANgo/tECfSSQAIps/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bchild%2Bwriting%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Z0049MwQOM/VsKNxAK1pOI/AAAAAAAANgo/tECfSSQAIps/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bchild%2Bwriting%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The speaker was an expert in adult learning. Her name is Stephanie Burns, she has a PhD and has written several books on the subject. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I discovered that day.......changed my life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL6d38YNHks/VsKN8J9LsDI/AAAAAAAANgs/phwu0abAxkM/s1600/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pL6d38YNHks/VsKN8J9LsDI/AAAAAAAANgs/phwu0abAxkM/s320/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love learning! Or so I thought. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNBiPxvHy8k/VsKOK2GGXNI/AAAAAAAANg0/hUdBZl4OTQM/s1600/BE%2Bcat%2Bbig%2Beyes%2Bfear%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNBiPxvHy8k/VsKOK2GGXNI/AAAAAAAANg0/hUdBZl4OTQM/s320/BE%2Bcat%2Bbig%2Beyes%2Bfear%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't we all love learning? It's why we take lessons & go to clinics & read articles on the sitting trot at 3:00AM.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_N8s_6_NUo/VsKORboZdhI/AAAAAAAANg4/udXAoOdrLyk/s1600/BE%2Baddiction%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_N8s_6_NUo/VsKORboZdhI/AAAAAAAANg4/udXAoOdrLyk/s320/BE%2Baddiction%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ok..... maybe that's just me.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWcaRD_cFrE/VsKOh7HbvUI/AAAAAAAANhA/iTvKsiq-Na4/s1600/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWcaRD_cFrE/VsKOh7HbvUI/AAAAAAAANhA/iTvKsiq-Na4/s640/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Burns introduced herself with a small bio about her qualifications and research on the subject. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She started out by explaining that adults learn differently than children.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_ruuABbRzI/VsKO3xB-1iI/AAAAAAAANhI/TeFmwOh2CtI/s1600/BE%2Bchild%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r_ruuABbRzI/VsKO3xB-1iI/AAAAAAAANhI/TeFmwOh2CtI/s320/BE%2Bchild%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The skills that got us through 4th grade social studies are different than the ones we use to learn new things as adults. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5CgHDLDEoI/VsKPCi4HxhI/AAAAAAAANhM/xEgqQf7BH6Q/s1600/BE%2Bclues%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5CgHDLDEoI/VsKPCi4HxhI/AAAAAAAANhM/xEgqQf7BH6Q/s320/BE%2Bclues%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Made sense. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She went on to talk about things like comfort zones, and how actual learning takes you out of that comfort zone........yeah, yeah, yeah........... </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpt-FY4nhYQ/VsKPNWvgeOI/AAAAAAAANhU/OuyFZ_3EGGk/s1600/BE%2Bbig%2Bgirl%2Bbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tpt-FY4nhYQ/VsKPNWvgeOI/AAAAAAAANhU/OuyFZ_3EGGk/s320/BE%2Bbig%2Bgirl%2Bbe.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then the big revelation happened.......</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf7c2Ecafek/VsKPYbUETwI/AAAAAAAANhY/mDxxWxqXd7Q/s1600/BE%2Bcuriosity%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf7c2Ecafek/VsKPYbUETwI/AAAAAAAANhY/mDxxWxqXd7Q/s320/BE%2Bcuriosity%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When adults learn, if they are actually learning something......they have an emotional response. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jLd2UipWuQ/VsKPlg5rmvI/AAAAAAAANhg/ovPdsgVq5ok/s1600/BE%2Bdesperate%2Bman%2Bface%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_jLd2UipWuQ/VsKPlg5rmvI/AAAAAAAANhg/ovPdsgVq5ok/s320/BE%2Bdesperate%2Bman%2Bface%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This emotional response......... is often negative. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She said, "I know you're all here for this 'adventure of a life time', and I'm here to tell you...... that you might just feel like crap for the next 3 weeks."</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okvy8xXDBEk/VsKPwr7VxTI/AAAAAAAANhk/Bob9WOzr7Ps/s1600/BE%2Bshrug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okvy8xXDBEk/VsKPwr7VxTI/AAAAAAAANhk/Bob9WOzr7Ps/s320/BE%2Bshrug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take Home Message........ </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Actual Learning Feels Bad</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezI7OIpIy_I/VsKP8v86kgI/AAAAAAAANhs/0uUT9sKfupA/s1600/BE%2Bmeltdown%2Bnervous%2Bbreakdown%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezI7OIpIy_I/VsKP8v86kgI/AAAAAAAANhs/0uUT9sKfupA/s320/BE%2Bmeltdown%2Bnervous%2Bbreakdown%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And she was right. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a daily basis, there were people crying in the restroom, vomiting during their lessons, refusing to leave their rooms in the morning.............. it was emotional chaos.</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-tdlj7soAo/VsKQzYjO20I/AAAAAAAANh0/s6WPrNhEXA8/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-tdlj7soAo/VsKQzYjO20I/AAAAAAAANh0/s6WPrNhEXA8/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bstatue%2BBE.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was an amazing example of how adults deal with, or fail to deal with their response to learning. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaE1rEq58mo/VsKQ_V116CI/AAAAAAAANh8/RnhcLsaOQfc/s1600/BE%2Bstraight%2Bjacket%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaE1rEq58mo/VsKQ_V116CI/AAAAAAAANh8/RnhcLsaOQfc/s400/BE%2Bstraight%2Bjacket%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news........</span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you feel like crap you may be enough out of your comfort zone to actually be learning something. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYQ_qWZ9vRs/VsKRKUUUQII/AAAAAAAANiA/Uq9Ooco5fsA/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYQ_qWZ9vRs/VsKRKUUUQII/AAAAAAAANiA/Uq9Ooco5fsA/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're happy and everything is hunky dory.........you could be wasting an opportunity. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofJMVUrJijI/VsKRVJOXz_I/AAAAAAAANiE/Umk3upxz98A/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bbirds%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofJMVUrJijI/VsKRVJOXz_I/AAAAAAAANiE/Umk3upxz98A/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bbirds%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad Eventer has been feeling pretty damn bad about her riding the past couple weeks. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KOY3lhKTPA/VsKRxAc3EsI/AAAAAAAANiM/FNIzyu9zfAc/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bfall%2Bon%2Bcactus%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1KOY3lhKTPA/VsKRxAc3EsI/AAAAAAAANiM/FNIzyu9zfAc/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcowboy%2Bfall%2Bon%2Bcactus%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suppose that's a good sign. </span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><to be continued></span></div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="color: #454545; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-45284694867465060122016-02-07T19:57:00.000-06:002016-02-07T19:57:35.181-06:00So Many Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twB2fs0DDKc/VrfoI551omI/AAAAAAAANd4/Zy7YW-HE1rU/s1600/BE%2Bconsole%2Bbuttons%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-twB2fs0DDKc/VrfoI551omI/AAAAAAAANd4/Zy7YW-HE1rU/s320/BE%2Bconsole%2Bbuttons%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a friend who acquired one of my horses. He's a good soul and had a fair amount of basic training. He's been ridden English & Western, done some basic dressage, jumped around 2'6", been roped off of and been on tons of trail rides. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFOo065qq1A/VrfobFyFlSI/AAAAAAAANd8/iogwLMHFe60/s1600/BE%2BPH%2Btrail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFOo065qq1A/VrfobFyFlSI/AAAAAAAANd8/iogwLMHFe60/s320/BE%2BPH%2Btrail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When she got him she was afraid to try anything more advanced, like a leg yield, because she didn't want to "do it wrong."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcnMYwyZtFc/Vrfo1yuvJ-I/AAAAAAAANeA/hk4vTyBKyV8/s1600/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcnMYwyZtFc/Vrfo1yuvJ-I/AAAAAAAANeA/hk4vTyBKyV8/s320/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When she said that I had to chuckle. He's an OTTB & her horse now. So what if she does it "wrong"? He won't know the difference. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yH7i03kqgg8/VrfpCO4CIhI/AAAAAAAANeE/yXSD9UAmjW4/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yH7i03kqgg8/VrfpCO4CIhI/AAAAAAAANeE/yXSD9UAmjW4/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I tried to give her a pep talk and share my confidence that she won't "mess anything up" trying something new. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxyOlvPNqkU/VrfqZpPm3dI/AAAAAAAANeM/xWVak6_4oj0/s1600/BE%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxyOlvPNqkU/VrfqZpPm3dI/AAAAAAAANeM/xWVak6_4oj0/s320/BE%2Bgirl%2Bwith%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then.................. I acquired the Velociraptor. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nUan84Oxpg/VrftBA-bHyI/AAAAAAAANeY/554avr-dsMM/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Briding%2Bvelociraptor%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nUan84Oxpg/VrftBA-bHyI/AAAAAAAANeY/554avr-dsMM/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Briding%2Bvelociraptor%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever flown a plane?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usKajD7iNZI/VrftLZxH8dI/AAAAAAAANec/qzujKl2mIsA/s1600/BE%2Bplane%2Bconsole%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-usKajD7iNZI/VrftLZxH8dI/AAAAAAAANec/qzujKl2mIsA/s640/BE%2Bplane%2Bconsole%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or a flight simulator?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Frightening as this will be to most of you I've flown a plane.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFOWJxrhgtc/VrftcBvX8QI/AAAAAAAANeg/nuObdSP7PJ0/s1600/BE%2Bremote%2Bplane%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tFOWJxrhgtc/VrftcBvX8QI/AAAAAAAANeg/nuObdSP7PJ0/s320/BE%2Bremote%2Bplane%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
no not that one, a full size one, really.....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> & a variety of simulators. The number of buttons, levers and dials would intimidate anyone with some sense. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I acquired my newest pony rock star............he came with an awful lot of buttons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJKfXsQVG4w/VrfuIcbw5jI/AAAAAAAANes/TyUrVU-STjk/s1600/BE%2Bdressage%2Bhorse%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zJKfXsQVG4w/VrfuIcbw5jI/AAAAAAAANes/TyUrVU-STjk/s320/BE%2Bdressage%2Bhorse%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And initially, I was afraid to push any of them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g73cvhg9C5c/VrfxaBxE-zI/AAAAAAAANe4/hoMW6jcR9xM/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bhorse%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g73cvhg9C5c/VrfxaBxE-zI/AAAAAAAANe4/hoMW6jcR9xM/s640/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bhorse%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was sure there was an "eject" button hidden there somewhere....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aha5s1MA8ZI/VrfxqqJTitI/AAAAAAAANe8/DNJHBnW3Pmc/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aha5s1MA8ZI/VrfxqqJTitI/AAAAAAAANe8/DNJHBnW3Pmc/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> or even a self destruct lever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37apAobzoMM/Vrfx9Q8VRNI/AAAAAAAANfA/958mxacxmZE/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bhorse%2Bstopping%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-37apAobzoMM/Vrfx9Q8VRNI/AAAAAAAANfA/958mxacxmZE/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bhorse%2Bstopping%2Bjump%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And after a couple weeks of pussy footing around and failing miserably to ride my horse successfully........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mF_CIYfINg/VrfyXejJAuI/AAAAAAAANfE/nwDJZjH9gZg/s1600/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mF_CIYfINg/VrfyXejJAuI/AAAAAAAANfE/nwDJZjH9gZg/s320/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remembered my own advice. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's my horse. So what if I do it wrong? All his buttons now belong to me and I can rearrange them if I want to!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfSu61WeGTI/VrfzG6DWfuI/AAAAAAAANfI/_ogXKmN6km4/s1600/BE%2BSW%2BG%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BfSu61WeGTI/VrfzG6DWfuI/AAAAAAAANfI/_ogXKmN6km4/s400/BE%2BSW%2BG%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With my new found determination, and <cough> dropping down several levels <cough>.........we headed out to our first show. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6uWShK6IyA/VrfzmE5pEeI/AAAAAAAANfQ/rrY6tI6-mXk/s1600/BE%2BSW%2BXC%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6uWShK6IyA/VrfzmE5pEeI/AAAAAAAANfQ/rrY6tI6-mXk/s400/BE%2BSW%2BXC%2BRH%2BBE.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Where we had a few speed faults but successfully jumped all the jumps! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don't be afraid to ride your horse!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-91777221192088519912016-02-03T22:07:00.000-06:002016-02-03T22:07:23.724-06:00Fear or Fitness <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrIYorO0QjA/VrK8scb3AxI/AAAAAAAANZs/2qB6c2EOWx4/s1600/BE%2Bweights%2Bdumbells%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrIYorO0QjA/VrK8scb3AxI/AAAAAAAANZs/2qB6c2EOWx4/s320/BE%2Bweights%2Bdumbells%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was carrying 2 bags of shavings down the aisle at a show. It was the last day, and my horses definitely deserved cushy stalls for their post cross country naps. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eNdvDltLoY/VrK8-Y35vBI/AAAAAAAANZw/yySTrMw_KP4/s1600/BE%2Bsleep%2Bsleeping%2Bkitten%2Bhammock%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0eNdvDltLoY/VrK8-Y35vBI/AAAAAAAANZw/yySTrMw_KP4/s320/BE%2Bsleep%2Bsleeping%2Bkitten%2Bhammock%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I couldn't make it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bags seemed to be getting heavier by the minute...... and the aisle longer.........It was like a horror movie where the hallway keeps growing and the more you run from your pursuers the farther you have to go. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0c-QwsUO-4/VrK95SO7kXI/AAAAAAAANZ8/b8pD3fprdYs/s1600/BE%2Bpass%2Bout%2Blong%2Bhall%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B0c-QwsUO-4/VrK95SO7kXI/AAAAAAAANZ8/b8pD3fprdYs/s640/BE%2Bpass%2Bout%2Blong%2Bhall%2BDP.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The bags were a little wet. "They're heavier than normal!" I told myself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvpRlMP9nwk/VrK-SAlXyUI/AAAAAAAANaA/-rKOOwB2scI/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uvpRlMP9nwk/VrK-SAlXyUI/AAAAAAAANaA/-rKOOwB2scI/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The aisle is especially long. That was true, but we're talking shavings, not bricks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMsO2rgnjEc/VrK-jVkVQBI/AAAAAAAANaI/bQvLBXyLzHI/s1600/BE%2Barm%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HMsO2rgnjEc/VrK-jVkVQBI/AAAAAAAANaI/bQvLBXyLzHI/s320/BE%2Barm%2BDP.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I just ran 2 cross country rounds. Ok, and what about all those people that ran 6 or more rounds this weekend?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BpBoz8AOgk/VrK-uZAdF4I/AAAAAAAANaM/i5duBOzKTEU/s1600/Buck%2Bbank%2Bcorner%2BRH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BpBoz8AOgk/VrK-uZAdF4I/AAAAAAAANaM/i5duBOzKTEU/s1600/Buck%2Bbank%2Bcorner%2BRH.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or maybe....... I'm just an unfit pansy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZUjjbnnbCA/VrK_PaUyGZI/AAAAAAAANaY/wAOxg6yQxFU/s1600/BE%2Bunfit%2Bface%2Bgym%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZUjjbnnbCA/VrK_PaUyGZI/AAAAAAAANaY/wAOxg6yQxFU/s320/BE%2Bunfit%2Bface%2Bgym%2BDP.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or perhaps........ I had just flat run out of adrenalin. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Riding Baby Seabiscuit was like that. After the whirling carnival ride that was cross country on Baby Seabiscuit, I always felt completely drained. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f5phCLJbHXY/VrK_4hELIrI/AAAAAAAANag/m4pAFWm7_6g/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bspin%2Bgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f5phCLJbHXY/VrK_4hELIrI/AAAAAAAANag/m4pAFWm7_6g/s400/BE%2BK%2Bspin%2Bgif.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Terror", I told myself, "wears you out."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyY_UKLOikc/VrLAc9fP0uI/AAAAAAAANao/GpW3X7Un0lY/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bin%2Bmouth%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FyY_UKLOikc/VrLAc9fP0uI/AAAAAAAANao/GpW3X7Un0lY/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bin%2Bmouth%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has always astounded me that professionals could ride 5, 6, 7 horses around at Intermediate or Advanced and then go play a round of golf afterwards. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXV7g7ziP-g/VrLAmCdgFQI/AAAAAAAANas/5jrvl2NqYTs/s1600/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NXV7g7ziP-g/VrLAmCdgFQI/AAAAAAAANas/5jrvl2NqYTs/s320/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I always imagined myself somewhere on an oxygen tank if I ever actually survived my first Advanced cross country.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jggaS3JEWTw/VrLBZQLey9I/AAAAAAAANa0/nGNxUpndans/s1600/BE%2Basthma%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jggaS3JEWTw/VrLBZQLey9I/AAAAAAAANa0/nGNxUpndans/s320/BE%2Basthma%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've also found the one day format rather exhausting. All 3 rides in one day, with all the prep and tack changes, usually did me in. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTHKstgJ3GI/VrLB3_UizoI/AAAAAAAANa8/xZEfrrrocM0/s1600/BE%2Bgirl%2Bsleeping%2Bon%2Bbook%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTHKstgJ3GI/VrLB3_UizoI/AAAAAAAANa8/xZEfrrrocM0/s320/BE%2Bgirl%2Bsleeping%2Bon%2Bbook%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I trapesed off for my working student adventure and I've been outside riding horses 6 days per week for awhile. I went to my first show, a one day, and rode TheWonderPony. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oH80KtF1ZY/VrLCihfCl_I/AAAAAAAANbE/thJR-GpnSAQ/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oH80KtF1ZY/VrLCihfCl_I/AAAAAAAANbE/thJR-GpnSAQ/s640/BE%2BWP%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a cake walk. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was done, I felt like I hadn't done enough exercise and even considered going to the gym that night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Am-3mgfWkK0/VrLD4HktBKI/AAAAAAAANbY/-R_wZezVKBQ/s1600/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Am-3mgfWkK0/VrLD4HktBKI/AAAAAAAANbY/-R_wZezVKBQ/s320/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TOTAL INSANITY! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pondered this new found stamina.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Surely........ I wasn't that "unfit" before...... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5S6-biuXwk/VrLGPNBuCrI/AAAAAAAANbk/kJmk9i023hQ/s1600/BE%2Bsleep%2Bgym%2Bunfit%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5S6-biuXwk/VrLGPNBuCrI/AAAAAAAANbk/kJmk9i023hQ/s320/BE%2Bsleep%2Bgym%2Bunfit%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I decided it's because I wasn't riding Baby Seabiscuit. No terror. No exhaustion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtL4rO_FOdU/VrLGpKgiyuI/AAAAAAAANbo/NmH0HFvibIo/s1600/BE_K_SDP_2%2Bgf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtL4rO_FOdU/VrLGpKgiyuI/AAAAAAAANbo/NmH0HFvibIo/s1600/BE_K_SDP_2%2Bgf.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ah hah!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8OfbUmFa1U/VrLLSGFh_gI/AAAAAAAANck/nNGH7KPNUME/s1600/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O8OfbUmFa1U/VrLLSGFh_gI/AAAAAAAANck/nNGH7KPNUME/s320/BE%2Bstop%2Bsign%2Bhand%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But then last weekend happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have a new pony. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqXKDQMxNY/VrLG2jVfx9I/AAAAAAAANbs/4D9AUaDzQsI/s1600/BE%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bpony%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4yqXKDQMxNY/VrLG2jVfx9I/AAAAAAAANbs/4D9AUaDzQsI/s320/BE%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bpony%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And with any new relationship there are some trials and tribulations as you struggle through finding a common language, or at least some areas of compromise.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8vStAB9AG8/VrLLkkJk4yI/AAAAAAAANco/IQ_j945eMWU/s1600/BE%2Bcarrot%2Bon%2Bstick%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8vStAB9AG8/VrLLkkJk4yI/AAAAAAAANco/IQ_j945eMWU/s320/BE%2Bcarrot%2Bon%2Bstick%2BDP.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I rode TheWonderPony, and then I rode my new kiddo. He's definitely part of the dinosaur gang and looks like a smaller version of Baby TRex, let's call him the Velociraptor. He is smart and quick and talented, and far above Bad Eventer's pay grade. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrL-azRCrYk/VrLHR5lquBI/AAAAAAAANb0/1i-wURzCyeU/s1600/BE%2Bjockey%2Bchihuahua%2Brace%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NrL-azRCrYk/VrLHR5lquBI/AAAAAAAANb0/1i-wURzCyeU/s400/BE%2Bjockey%2Bchihuahua%2Brace%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ruh Roh. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me tell you. There was some serious anxiety involved in our first show. I was significantly more terrified to enter the ring on this guy than I ever was on Baby Seabiscuit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZOJC_8BzAc/VrLIkm-6t6I/AAAAAAAANcA/_vJAdX8OWiw/s1600/BE%2BT%2Bshirt%2Bphoto1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZOJC_8BzAc/VrLIkm-6t6I/AAAAAAAANcA/_vJAdX8OWiw/s1600/BE%2BT%2Bshirt%2Bphoto1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baby Seabiscuit was unpredictable but he would jump anything I could actually get him in front of. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From any distance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regardless of my lack of skills........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPgSLLcUPGU/VrLJLrqrKPI/AAAAAAAANcE/f7_nWovNsVE/s1600/BE%2BN%2Bfall%2BXC%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aPgSLLcUPGU/VrLJLrqrKPI/AAAAAAAANcE/f7_nWovNsVE/s1600/BE%2BN%2Bfall%2BXC%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Velociraptor doesn't take that kind of crap. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJmIpFhX4MQ/VrLKGzr15XI/AAAAAAAANcY/wAx-c265TxM/s1600/BE%2BSw%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FJmIpFhX4MQ/VrLKGzr15XI/AAAAAAAANcY/wAx-c265TxM/s320/BE%2BSw%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I channeled as much of my inner William Fox-Pitt as I could muster and we successfully survived our first show. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXCX1dJ1QOo/VrLJa8mACvI/AAAAAAAANcM/bBvP2efBePs/s1600/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Byes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXCX1dJ1QOo/VrLJa8mACvI/AAAAAAAANcM/bBvP2efBePs/s320/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Byes%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then it dawned on me. In spite of 2 rides, and one complete with nausea and terror. I was still ready to hit the gym afterwards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really <strong>had been</strong> an unfit slug. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ef2LGB7qzU/VrLKUtivyiI/AAAAAAAANcc/3ZzwA_QDa6s/s1600/BE%2Bsnail%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ef2LGB7qzU/VrLKUtivyiI/AAAAAAAANcc/3ZzwA_QDa6s/s320/BE%2Bsnail%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No. More. Excuses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-58459672854602414532016-01-27T20:00:00.000-06:002016-01-28T07:36:50.744-06:00Ambivalence - Realism or Excuses?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gIOAyA2FgM/Vqlp5uPaBWI/AAAAAAAANXc/2-A3imO8utQ/s1600/BE%2Bcrisis%2Barrow%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gIOAyA2FgM/Vqlp5uPaBWI/AAAAAAAANXc/2-A3imO8utQ/s320/BE%2Bcrisis%2Barrow%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's an article that's been circulating on Facebook titled, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.horsecollaborative.com/day-gave-riding-forever/" target="_blank">The Day I gave up riding forever</a>."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPtyf1dxzvU/VqlqOhvHVxI/AAAAAAAANXk/4NG-tF9JwYc/s1600/BE%2Bauf%2Bvedersehen%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPtyf1dxzvU/VqlqOhvHVxI/AAAAAAAANXk/4NG-tF9JwYc/s320/BE%2Bauf%2Bvedersehen%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you haven't seen it, here's the synopsis:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A horse crazed teenage girl who never had the opportunity to have her own horse, grows up. As an older adult she finally gets the chance, buys a horse and realizes that it scares her and she doesn't enjoy riding. After struggling with this for awhile she gives it up. Forever.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkA-xOZNgqI/Vqlqz1DhEZI/AAAAAAAANXs/7Mj_zWQePLc/s1600/BE%2Bchain%2Bbreaking%2Bpoint%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkA-xOZNgqI/Vqlqz1DhEZI/AAAAAAAANXs/7Mj_zWQePLc/s320/BE%2Bchain%2Bbreaking%2Bpoint%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've spoken to several friends over the past couple of years who don't want to compete at the level they once did. Most aren't giving up horses altogether but they are giving up their previous dreams and goals. Some were injured. Some had life circumstances that changed. Some just lost the desire. People change. Priorities change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LS348sCOFVo/VqltzVekxiI/AAAAAAAANYQ/BeXAkJ5D1lk/s1600/BE%2Bbirds%2Btry%2Bflying%2Bwithout%2Ba%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LS348sCOFVo/VqltzVekxiI/AAAAAAAANYQ/BeXAkJ5D1lk/s320/BE%2Bbirds%2Btry%2Bflying%2Bwithout%2Ba%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've always had pretty lofty goals. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edmjGVNDa3U/VqlrHgb8LaI/AAAAAAAANX0/CPpaz0Qahe0/s1600/BE%2BRK%2B3s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edmjGVNDa3U/VqlrHgb8LaI/AAAAAAAANX0/CPpaz0Qahe0/s400/BE%2BRK%2B3s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><cough> Rolex <cough></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But. I know that being Bad Eventer and all, the likelihood I will ever even sneeze in the direction of a 4*, let alone run one........... is pretty slim. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WPyi6Ul9p4/VqlrdYLjiRI/AAAAAAAANX8/b8gTgBkhiJk/s1600/BE%2BDex%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WPyi6Ul9p4/VqlrdYLjiRI/AAAAAAAANX8/b8gTgBkhiJk/s640/BE%2BDex%2Bface.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And some time in the recent past I decided that if I never make it, that's ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LxMPP89vO0/Vqlr31ZKT0I/AAAAAAAANYE/KN_oplkZal4/s1600/BE%2Bpuppy%2Bshame%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LxMPP89vO0/Vqlr31ZKT0I/AAAAAAAANYE/KN_oplkZal4/s320/BE%2Bpuppy%2Bshame%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It <strong>has</strong> to be ok.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't spend all my time and money trying to reach a goal that is highly unlikely. Well. At least I <strong>shouldn't,</strong> if I want to retire one day. My reason for wanting to run around Rolex is because it has always been "what you do if you event". Back when my pre-teen self decided that "Rolex was the goal" I still thought I wanted to be a full time professional. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJVLS4R1hEs/VqlhJxNnc7I/AAAAAAAANWM/9_4yfs8NWWE/s1600/Laura%2BPhred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJVLS4R1hEs/VqlhJxNnc7I/AAAAAAAANWM/9_4yfs8NWWE/s1600/Laura%2BPhred.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had to seriously think about my goals lately. I'm the only person I know of that went off to be a full time working student for the one and only reason of improving her riding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uppG636KMI/Vqlnr7_wL7I/AAAAAAAANXU/HXhjtWLXNbc/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bditch%2Bbrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uppG636KMI/Vqlnr7_wL7I/AAAAAAAANXU/HXhjtWLXNbc/s640/BE%2BK%2Bditch%2Bbrush.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I never want to be a full time horse professional again. I've been one and those days are over. This puts me very much on the outside, in a group of working students, who are all universally pursuing that dream. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrS7oTLkdNs/VqlijId3GJI/AAAAAAAANWg/QM5tnzAnKIM/s1600/BE%2Bdifferent%2Bgreen%2Bfish%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrS7oTLkdNs/VqlijId3GJI/AAAAAAAANWg/QM5tnzAnKIM/s640/BE%2Bdifferent%2Bgreen%2Bfish%2BDP.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what exactly is the point of my goal? Why do I want to ride at the highest level? </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And is my ambivalence about getting there holding me back? Am I lying to myself when I say I don't want to be a pro? Am I lying to myself when I say it's ok if I never get there?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq3xcv0TCqc/VqlzUd-eu8I/AAAAAAAANYg/dGakt9qUX3E/s1600/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq3xcv0TCqc/VqlzUd-eu8I/AAAAAAAANYg/dGakt9qUX3E/s400/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have I accepted failure already?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JUUlEqQjOU/Vqlzq_h8vKI/AAAAAAAANYo/rwLtw5WooJM/s1600/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JUUlEqQjOU/Vqlzq_h8vKI/AAAAAAAANYo/rwLtw5WooJM/s320/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a very tough conversation recently. It was something along the lines of, "Do I want a superstar packer that will take me around like a monkey?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGVcHFUbE0o/Vqli2Y8o34I/AAAAAAAANWo/1K3fx5j118k/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2BInt%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aGVcHFUbE0o/Vqli2Y8o34I/AAAAAAAANWo/1K3fx5j118k/s640/BE%2BWP%2Bwater%2BInt%2Bs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do have The WonderPony!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "Do I actually want to learn to ride?" Because the horses that are really good at the higher levels, <strong>require</strong> some serious skillz..... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-668L4fBshnI/Vql08422V-I/AAAAAAAANY0/P__9YQI5_NU/s1600/BE%2BWFP1%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-668L4fBshnI/Vql08422V-I/AAAAAAAANY0/P__9YQI5_NU/s640/BE%2BWFP1%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">After a very bad afternoon that involved some serious soul searching and a few tears of frustration I discovered that.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Accepting probable failure, however realistic, isn't going to get me anywhere........in reality it's just another excuse..............</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52Rzehvg1h4/VqlmKhocUFI/AAAAAAAANW8/nFc9XmanBuc/s1600/BE%2Bno%2Bmore%2Bexcuses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-52Rzehvg1h4/VqlmKhocUFI/AAAAAAAANW8/nFc9XmanBuc/s400/BE%2Bno%2Bmore%2Bexcuses%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I decide I'm a 42 yr old amateur who only rides ponies that can take a joke........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcMojwB7hk/Vqlm-aY8t2I/AAAAAAAANXE/f2sCVmsl-Ts/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcMojwB7hk/Vqlm-aY8t2I/AAAAAAAANXE/f2sCVmsl-Ts/s640/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or do I want to get my sh*t together and start channeling my inner William Fox-Pitt? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHxMwHgVNr4/VqliA8H3j3I/AAAAAAAANWY/g1qrXndBijA/s1600/BE%2BSw%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HHxMwHgVNr4/VqliA8H3j3I/AAAAAAAANWY/g1qrXndBijA/s640/BE%2BSw%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">No. More. Excuses. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-89369215323486733912016-01-26T20:20:00.000-06:002016-01-26T20:20:16.244-06:00Why I Count out Loud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-SBWiWafNE/VqgbUG_POUI/AAAAAAAANS8/EnZ0-DQPv5M/s1600/BE%2Bconfession%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b-SBWiWafNE/VqgbUG_POUI/AAAAAAAANS8/EnZ0-DQPv5M/s320/BE%2Bconfession%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was nervous. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Really nervous.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TtzJ7FLk1o/Vqgb0mRXOqI/AAAAAAAANTE/CFblDY77q7Q/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TtzJ7FLk1o/Vqgb0mRXOqI/AAAAAAAANTE/CFblDY77q7Q/s320/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was strange. I hadn't been that worried about a stadium round in a long time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. My normal response to even thinking about stadium jumping is to try not to vomit. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TaZdxyugsw/VqgcLOH8FkI/AAAAAAAANTM/YMNrcGXJt14/s1600/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TaZdxyugsw/VqgcLOH8FkI/AAAAAAAANTM/YMNrcGXJt14/s320/BE%2Bgreen%2Bnauseous%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there is a direct correlation with the height of the fences and the level of nausea I experience. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These jumps were fairly small but I was on a new pony and ...............well.....I'm BAD at this!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MfqnICmVNKo/VqgcrHchz4I/AAAAAAAANTY/MpsIHzsGyXk/s1600/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MfqnICmVNKo/VqgcrHchz4I/AAAAAAAANTY/MpsIHzsGyXk/s320/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I picked up the canter I realized my heart was absolutely pounding out of my chest. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFPcW-t_yHI/Vqgf3m3AvSI/AAAAAAAANTk/l5mqHAasFZA/s1600/BE%2Bheart%2Blifting%2Bweights%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFPcW-t_yHI/Vqgf3m3AvSI/AAAAAAAANTk/l5mqHAasFZA/s320/BE%2Bheart%2Blifting%2Bweights%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cantered over the first 4 fences and as we rounded the turn to fence 5....... I had a familiar feeling. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqKPyYjvVAo/VqghbljXAoI/AAAAAAAANTw/cZQNj1RPOw8/s1600/BE%2Bpug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqKPyYjvVAo/VqghbljXAoI/AAAAAAAANTw/cZQNj1RPOw8/s320/BE%2Bpug%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's like my legs won't work anymore and everything starts looking a little off color. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6v7C0o2mXg/Vqgi9dnjx6I/AAAAAAAANT8/-HE7dpS3Kfk/s1600/BE%2Bcolors%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n6v7C0o2mXg/Vqgi9dnjx6I/AAAAAAAANT8/-HE7dpS3Kfk/s320/BE%2Bcolors%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a feeling I haven't had in a long time...... but I instantly recognized it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's called LACK OF OXYGEN.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5l3b2IyJciw/VqgkYTdQDqI/AAAAAAAANUI/iEZIXTyUyGM/s1600/blue%2Bface%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5l3b2IyJciw/VqgkYTdQDqI/AAAAAAAANUI/iEZIXTyUyGM/s1600/blue%2Bface%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad Eventer forgot to breathe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HZ9Q4TNHBw/VqgkkkOiexI/AAAAAAAANUQ/IkaZSA2mPbA/s1600/BE%2Bfrustrated%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1HZ9Q4TNHBw/VqgkkkOiexI/AAAAAAAANUQ/IkaZSA2mPbA/s320/BE%2Bfrustrated%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hadn't done that in years. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I started sucking in wind I got the feeling back in my legs and finished the round.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxBjryooeKo/VqgkylM6ClI/AAAAAAAANUY/cYxmxJVrJ0c/s1600/BE%2Bsurvival%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HxBjryooeKo/VqgkylM6ClI/AAAAAAAANUY/cYxmxJVrJ0c/s320/BE%2Bsurvival%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My fearless leader was giving me the after action review and said "in short" that I should have made a better turn to the green jump. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WLsFzc4X9s/VqglBmP9-2I/AAAAAAAANUg/83SxCWfISEo/s1600/BE%2Bquestion%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WLsFzc4X9s/VqglBmP9-2I/AAAAAAAANUg/83SxCWfISEo/s320/BE%2Bquestion%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I guess from the look on my face........ he continued saying that I should at least KNOW that I should have made a better turn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzVWIYJAxRY/VqglOGJUlsI/AAAAAAAANUo/QnAWLgCoEuI/s1600/BE%2Bmagnifying%2Bglass%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzVWIYJAxRY/VqglOGJUlsI/AAAAAAAANUo/QnAWLgCoEuI/s320/BE%2Bmagnifying%2Bglass%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm thinking, green jump....... WHAT green jump? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I looked out at the course I see it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOP278hkIt8/VqglZCB69UI/AAAAAAAANUw/-HAS3HiyvvE/s1600/BE%2Beye%2Bchart%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOP278hkIt8/VqglZCB69UI/AAAAAAAANUw/-HAS3HiyvvE/s320/BE%2Beye%2Bchart%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh jump 3, yeah about that....... during the first 4 jumps where I, you know, forgot to breathe I don't really remember what happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f5gOUpYYnw/Vqglh9dDV4I/AAAAAAAANU4/xV9r1s4tj_k/s1600/BE%2Bmemory%2Berase%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1f5gOUpYYnw/Vqglh9dDV4I/AAAAAAAANU4/xV9r1s4tj_k/s320/BE%2Bmemory%2Berase%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's hard to work on details when you're killing brain cells by the second........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6bYdLPtwwM/VqgnNRH8uxI/AAAAAAAANVE/S3kh3cmPpk8/s1600/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP%2BC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6bYdLPtwwM/VqgnNRH8uxI/AAAAAAAANVE/S3kh3cmPpk8/s320/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP%2BC.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess I'll go back to counting out loud. Moments like this is why I started doing that in the first place. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vwrmx8u2k/VqgoBVxavWI/AAAAAAAANVM/NMMsJlbAp9c/s1600/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vwrmx8u2k/VqgoBVxavWI/AAAAAAAANVM/NMMsJlbAp9c/s320/BE%2Bkid%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breathe. Really. It helps. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-5026965922907183852016-01-11T19:50:00.000-06:002016-01-11T19:56:49.154-06:00Where oh where has my sitting trot gone............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F52vbm8gYFw/VpRGt0xN_EI/AAAAAAAANNU/HxpQWq4tElE/s1600/BE%2Bmusical%2Bnotes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F52vbm8gYFw/VpRGt0xN_EI/AAAAAAAANNU/HxpQWq4tElE/s320/BE%2Bmusical%2Bnotes%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sing along now. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where oh where has my sitting trot gone?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where oh where can it be?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With a bounce and a grunt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and a rub and a bump</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where oh where can it be?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STiEpAZP6EU/VpRHIs0yuFI/AAAAAAAANNc/_XkhatIv6bQ/s1600/BE%2Broad%2Bquestion%2Bmark%2Blost%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-STiEpAZP6EU/VpRHIs0yuFI/AAAAAAAANNc/_XkhatIv6bQ/s320/BE%2Broad%2Bquestion%2Bmark%2Blost%2BDP.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They say riding a bicycle is something that you never forget. Once you finally manage to balance upright on 2 wheels, after all those scraped knees and elbows it's supposed to be effortless forever after. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAOsc7il2Rs/VpRJGKJ4iNI/AAAAAAAANNo/Qm9Pt9lPRqs/s1600/BE%2Bbicycle%2Blightning%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAOsc7il2Rs/VpRJGKJ4iNI/AAAAAAAANNo/Qm9Pt9lPRqs/s320/BE%2Bbicycle%2Blightning%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And perhaps the sitting trot is like that for <strong>some</strong> people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcf1V1TD5rQ/VpRJxGvG6bI/AAAAAAAANNw/k_CYQ56cX9I/s1600/BE%2Bnot%2Bme%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcf1V1TD5rQ/VpRJxGvG6bI/AAAAAAAANNw/k_CYQ56cX9I/s320/BE%2Bnot%2Bme%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But not this person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For some reason Bad Eventer has found sitting the trot consistently and on different horses as elusive as that crisp validating photo of The Lochness Monster. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQAVANzq4Qg/VpRKZVvmm1I/AAAAAAAANN8/seLy-IuqhE0/s1600/BE%2Blochness%2Bmonster%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQAVANzq4Qg/VpRKZVvmm1I/AAAAAAAANN8/seLy-IuqhE0/s400/BE%2Blochness%2Bmonster%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other words, it's freaking impossible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-up0QwQm0Cbc/VpRKu5VOfmI/AAAAAAAANOE/PQDXuGld_IU/s1600/BE%2Bsitting%2Btroll%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-up0QwQm0Cbc/VpRKu5VOfmI/AAAAAAAANOE/PQDXuGld_IU/s320/BE%2Bsitting%2Btroll%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lately every time I see myself in the mirror I consider suicide. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7udVULKueW4/VpRLgjhupAI/AAAAAAAANOU/mwoM121ClRE/s1600/BE%2Bfinger%2Bsuicide%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7udVULKueW4/VpRLgjhupAI/AAAAAAAANOU/mwoM121ClRE/s320/BE%2Bfinger%2Bsuicide%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see a lot of wiggling and bouncing going on whenever I glance over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBP54WUO9fI/VpRMXIA_xxI/AAAAAAAANOc/pJBibEWvKgc/s1600/BE%2Bjello%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gBP54WUO9fI/VpRMXIA_xxI/AAAAAAAANOc/pJBibEWvKgc/s320/BE%2Bjello%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I just can't come to terms with that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTmF7gGUMkU/VpRMpbkbOWI/AAAAAAAANOk/Izmn2yb9LkQ/s1600/BE%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tTmF7gGUMkU/VpRMpbkbOWI/AAAAAAAANOk/Izmn2yb9LkQ/s320/BE%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ride in this "advanced rider mecca" where everyone around me looks elegant and effortless as they glide past on their fancy horses looking every bit the part of the champagne class champions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkReJbq5sJs/VpRNVeYhW4I/AAAAAAAANOs/4ttqukv4Q_I/s1600/BE%2Bballet%2Bdancers%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkReJbq5sJs/VpRNVeYhW4I/AAAAAAAANOs/4ttqukv4Q_I/s320/BE%2Bballet%2Bdancers%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And then........ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see myself................ and four little words give me nightmares. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sO-RkPEthAk/VpRN5TWUjgI/AAAAAAAANO0/X6DLQoKr1xE/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bbouncing%2Bsprings%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sO-RkPEthAk/VpRN5TWUjgI/AAAAAAAANO0/X6DLQoKr1xE/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bbouncing%2Bsprings%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Good riders don't bounce."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQVaobUltco/VpROhxyk3rI/AAAAAAAANO8/FaZ_LJHtQcI/s1600/BE%2Bpaw%2Bhand%2Bface%2Bchihuahua%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQVaobUltco/VpROhxyk3rI/AAAAAAAANO8/FaZ_LJHtQcI/s320/BE%2Bpaw%2Bhand%2Bface%2Bchihuahua%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I couldn't really quite figure out why I look to be bouncing so much. I don't FEEL like I'm bouncing that much. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I thought perhaps it's my relatively small but noticeable layer of blubber, bouncing around making me look bad........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DhKxmQQyc/VpRQZvH7QxI/AAAAAAAANPI/uMV3Fq99-F0/s1600/BE%2Bblubber%2BDP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-DhKxmQQyc/VpRQZvH7QxI/AAAAAAAANPI/uMV3Fq99-F0/s1600/BE%2Bblubber%2BDP.JPG" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the solution Bad Eventer came up with....... would be tighter riding pants!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoPSHWzqyHs/VpRSFjzOo6I/AAAAAAAANPU/KzVW6EndBYw/s1600/BE%2Bpants%2Btoo%2Bsmall%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MoPSHWzqyHs/VpRSFjzOo6I/AAAAAAAANPU/KzVW6EndBYw/s400/BE%2Bpants%2Btoo%2Bsmall%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello skinny jeans!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made the mistake of mentioning this to my fearless leader, and when I said, "maybe it's just my fat bouncing around making me look bad, I could get some compression pants or something."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He paused for 2 seconds and said, "I was going to say 'more squats', but tighter pants is um...............I suppose another option...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycyxP1r0nxg/VpRTwFdzGAI/AAAAAAAANPg/74JAFKI91S8/s1600/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ycyxP1r0nxg/VpRTwFdzGAI/AAAAAAAANPg/74JAFKI91S8/s400/BE%2Bsurprise%2Bface%2Bman%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I should probably back up a few weeks and explain the reason for my latest Sitting Trot Woes......... is that Bad Eventer has acquired a fancy, bouncy, floaty, new pony. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpgzCzaWTiI/VpRUGnm83HI/AAAAAAAANPo/xkgIJHlnwV0/s1600/BE%2BHind%2B1%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hpgzCzaWTiI/VpRUGnm83HI/AAAAAAAANPo/xkgIJHlnwV0/s400/BE%2BHind%2B1%2BBE.JPG" width="290" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tee hee hee hee..................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's call him The Hindenburg. A talented Hindenburg that can jump anything, but a 17+ hand Hindenburg nonetheless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lka1IxoGyLI/VpRUjat4ehI/AAAAAAAANPw/B7viSi3tzGU/s1600/BE%2Bhindenburg%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lka1IxoGyLI/VpRUjat4ehI/AAAAAAAANPw/B7viSi3tzGU/s320/BE%2Bhindenburg%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well........ that's what my coach called him in our last lesson. He is definitely larger than life............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-g0D3JQZns/VpRVQND5SPI/AAAAAAAANP8/QrRJxnG2NNA/s1600/BE%2BHind%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="554" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-g0D3JQZns/VpRVQND5SPI/AAAAAAAANP8/QrRJxnG2NNA/s640/BE%2BHind%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and my favorite comment so far was that I should "get him to Intermediate as soon as possible because he just isn't going to fit in the small dressage arena."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmVjKju-rv4/VpRWBrb1NBI/AAAAAAAANQE/JdwMjjew4cI/s1600/BE%2Bdinosaur%2B6%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mmVjKju-rv4/VpRWBrb1NBI/AAAAAAAANQE/JdwMjjew4cI/s640/BE%2Bdinosaur%2B6%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, he's a dinosaur.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he has a trot to DIE FOR......... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.............that I can't sit to save my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvCIxlN6n64/VpRWSvHbD2I/AAAAAAAANQM/0cu3uVd8lgc/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wvCIxlN6n64/VpRWSvHbD2I/AAAAAAAANQM/0cu3uVd8lgc/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Brider%2Bhorse%2Bupside%2Bdown%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I lost sleep watching sitting trot videos on YouTube.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jYBz061BrqQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jYBz061BrqQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read every article I could find. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried everything I could think of.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fabulous instructor said, "Don't worry about it, you're in a good program. You'll be able to sit the trot in the next few months, it's not a big deal."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said, "You know I've been riding since I was 6 right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm 42?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MccCD_BR5us/VpRXyBmdkUI/AAAAAAAANQY/njCnltVJXV8/s1600/BE%2Bhands%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MccCD_BR5us/VpRXyBmdkUI/AAAAAAAANQY/njCnltVJXV8/s320/BE%2Bhands%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When exactly will I acquire this mythical ability?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBomm-Xxj1M/VpRYGqGL4-I/AAAAAAAANQo/1JCkXlKssik/s1600/BE%2Bmagic%2Bpotion%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pBomm-Xxj1M/VpRYGqGL4-I/AAAAAAAANQo/1JCkXlKssik/s320/BE%2Bmagic%2Bpotion%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tried no stirrups, l</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eaning back, l</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eaning forward, b</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ouncing higher, m</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">oving side to side.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I broke out the yoga tapes......a</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">nd the exercise ball. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NE_apm_u5mc/VpRX8horxnI/AAAAAAAANQg/mYs8JegNb0k/s1600/BE%2Bexercise%2Bball%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NE_apm_u5mc/VpRX8horxnI/AAAAAAAANQg/mYs8JegNb0k/s1600/BE%2Bexercise%2Bball%2BBE.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought of every lesson I've ever had (and yes I've had more than you can imagine) and every suggestion I'd ever heard about sitting the trot..................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1c3CCooAdc/VpRYheQEbNI/AAAAAAAANQw/G6GL6Z6Laxs/s1600/BE%2Bchild%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1c3CCooAdc/VpRYheQEbNI/AAAAAAAANQw/G6GL6Z6Laxs/s320/BE%2Bchild%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ride a bicycle backwards.........(for the record, this is one of the best techniques I've found)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't absorb the movement, anticipate the movement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move more than you think you should.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move less than you think you should.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Move every joint from your ankles to your neck, not just your back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can't sit, it's because your horse isn't giving you a place to sit, focus on the training scale and fix that first. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_OsQvipq8/VpRYvGnzt9I/AAAAAAAANQ4/b_H1m4YCiQk/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bstretching%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG_OsQvipq8/VpRYvGnzt9I/AAAAAAAANQ4/b_H1m4YCiQk/s640/BE%2Bwoman%2Bstretching%2BDP.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My frustration grew and every time I looked in the mirror I vowed not to do it again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekbYvFB7C5Y/VpRY5zkejfI/AAAAAAAANRA/knQyWVtBMEQ/s1600/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bmirror%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekbYvFB7C5Y/VpRY5zkejfI/AAAAAAAANRA/knQyWVtBMEQ/s320/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bmirror%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fearless leader said I was being too hard on myself. It's a new horse, a ridiculously bouncy horse.... unlike ANY I've ever had.............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_-YqEiuZLg/VpRZbBS-t3I/AAAAAAAANRI/VQakEnwHvE0/s1600/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_-YqEiuZLg/VpRZbBS-t3I/AAAAAAAANRI/VQakEnwHvE0/s640/BE%2Btrampoline%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">& these things take time...........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally asked "the question."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It went something like. "I assume you're one of those people that is so good at this you don't have to think about it anymore. Is that true?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The reply,"Not really. When I have a horse that is tough to sit I just slow them down until I can sit, and then when it gets too big I post a bit until I can sit again." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TL-uOj8B92E/VpRZtW4dI2I/AAAAAAAANRQ/61Mev1a1Xh0/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TL-uOj8B92E/VpRZtW4dI2I/AAAAAAAANRQ/61Mev1a1Xh0/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bcaveman%2Bwheel%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whaaaaaat???, the master has horses he can't always sit on..........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The universe just reversed its polarity and I saw a bright light beam out of the sky. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_NIWHcM244/VpRZ1SFrUHI/AAAAAAAANRY/xwawNsY5lVE/s1600/BE%2Bbird%2Bflying%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_NIWHcM244/VpRZ1SFrUHI/AAAAAAAANRY/xwawNsY5lVE/s320/BE%2Bbird%2Bflying%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad Eventer found hope for the first time in weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And whether his tale was true or not (which I rather doubt), makes no difference. Because today....... for the first time..... Bad Eventer successfully sat the trot on the bounciest fanciest Hindenburg in the world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZcdSdVe1ew/VpRaTH_9orI/AAAAAAAANRg/SIROV3UzzAw/s1600/BE%2Baustin%2Bpowers%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RZcdSdVe1ew/VpRaTH_9orI/AAAAAAAANRg/SIROV3UzzAw/s400/BE%2Baustin%2Bpowers%2BDP.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh yeah baby.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-60230021391325433022016-01-07T20:59:00.000-06:002016-01-07T21:23:51.449-06:00Can you see it?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ac9P7HCqak/Vo8iD09cLiI/AAAAAAAANMM/TFrc2yzVKJA/s1600/BE%2Beye%2Bchart%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ac9P7HCqak/Vo8iD09cLiI/AAAAAAAANMM/TFrc2yzVKJA/s320/BE%2Beye%2Bchart%2Bfunny%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't remember how the subject even came up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Seeing a distance"</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZWLbA_K4w8/Vo8iilBGYuI/AAAAAAAANMU/JxJwv55sarM/s1600/BE%2Bmagnifying%2Bglass%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NZWLbA_K4w8/Vo8iilBGYuI/AAAAAAAANMU/JxJwv55sarM/s320/BE%2Bmagnifying%2Bglass%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me pause here to give brief mention to what an unusually contentious subject this can be. The topic of "seeing a distance" wades into equestrian dogma akin to the Republican versus Democrat hatred..... with riders and coaches behaving just as rabidly on both sides of the issue. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9Ejy8TQct4/Vo8i-rM5g8I/AAAAAAAANMc/LMwRHjPpyRc/s1600/BE%2Bpolitical%2Bdebate%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9Ejy8TQct4/Vo8i-rM5g8I/AAAAAAAANMc/LMwRHjPpyRc/s640/BE%2Bpolitical%2Bdebate%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many instructors believe & teach that you should NOT look for a distance, while others believe & teach that it's a crucial must-have skill. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2GTDd101Mc/VoxuYSlpa_I/AAAAAAAANJA/wrbQ8kpJxP8/s1600/BE%2Barrows%2Bhitting%2Bwall%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2GTDd101Mc/VoxuYSlpa_I/AAAAAAAANJA/wrbQ8kpJxP8/s320/BE%2Barrows%2Bhitting%2Bwall%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have observed many a debate on the truth or fiction of whether you need to "see a distance" and its importance..... with no clear winner on any side........... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlKpnsHNHfs/VoxvyB1yoOI/AAAAAAAANJM/Y3Fh69MqB6E/s1600/BE%2Bwinner%2Bwinner%2Bchicken%2Bdinner%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AlKpnsHNHfs/VoxvyB1yoOI/AAAAAAAANJM/Y3Fh69MqB6E/s320/BE%2Bwinner%2Bwinner%2Bchicken%2Bdinner%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fall firmly on the side of the argument..... that if you can't get your horse somewhere in the vicinity where it's comfortable for them to jump, you're going to have problems as the jumps get bigger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLEKCXlwVOY/Voxw1iHM7gI/AAAAAAAANJU/_UQ6imqUeiI/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLEKCXlwVOY/Voxw1iHM7gI/AAAAAAAANJU/_UQ6imqUeiI/s320/BE%2BZ%2Blong%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A beginner novice rider shouldn't be looking for a distance.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xcwpQInLGw/VoxxVBoLAQI/AAAAAAAANJc/3b9MQpY1RKc/s1600/BE%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bpony%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xcwpQInLGw/VoxxVBoLAQI/AAAAAAAANJc/3b9MQpY1RKc/s320/BE%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bpony%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But if you're galloping down to a serious 4 star question and you MISS, it may not end well for anyone involved. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxbIWT4Nct0/VoxxqGQ7IdI/AAAAAAAANJk/lBTwT0ECmoM/s1600/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxbIWT4Nct0/VoxxqGQ7IdI/AAAAAAAANJk/lBTwT0ECmoM/s320/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere.... somehow..... between that humble baby novice start and a 4 mile course the FEI calls "the ultimate cross country test" you just might need to develop some skillz......... to get your horse where it needs to take off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnQNDr6jEaQ/Vox5oyBOjPI/AAAAAAAANJ0/FXq_CIlxn4U/s1600/BE%2BZ%2Bgood%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vnQNDr6jEaQ/Vox5oyBOjPI/AAAAAAAANJ0/FXq_CIlxn4U/s320/BE%2BZ%2Bgood%2Bspot%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SO.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had been complaining that I couldn't even consistently get my horse to the same spot with a lousy ground pole.............. and no wonder I'm still BAD at this sport. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7h1RGNmw3mc/Vox6DCJsGXI/AAAAAAAANJ8/gUVqajKjayo/s1600/BE%2Bkick%2Bme%2Bimage%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7h1RGNmw3mc/Vox6DCJsGXI/AAAAAAAANJ8/gUVqajKjayo/s320/BE%2Bkick%2Bme%2Bimage%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sometime after this conversation my fabulous instructor discovered that I own a pair of spectacles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QqEixMuuEc/Vox6Mr0xb0I/AAAAAAAANKE/69rR2kwthP4/s1600/BE%2Bsherlock%2Bholmes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QqEixMuuEc/Vox6Mr0xb0I/AAAAAAAANKE/69rR2kwthP4/s320/BE%2Bsherlock%2Bholmes%2BDP.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">You know...........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">glasses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIgzjclZm04/Vox6bcPB4qI/AAAAAAAANKM/oo7k5Op0JQs/s1600/BE%2Bglasses%2B10%2BBE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIgzjclZm04/Vox6bcPB4qI/AAAAAAAANKM/oo7k5Op0JQs/s320/BE%2Bglasses%2B10%2BBE.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Four eyes.........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Those things that help you read road signs .....at night..... in the rain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xiIxDFPh2Q/Vo8kp5Vwr5I/AAAAAAAANMo/ukEqkSWe1fg/s1600/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xiIxDFPh2Q/Vo8kp5Vwr5I/AAAAAAAANMo/ukEqkSWe1fg/s320/BE%2Bbinoculars%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">And he adamantly said I needed to wear them when I jump. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Huh?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6Q_T1vc_2E/Vox6mg4RLnI/AAAAAAAANKU/opznb8uPecE/s1600/BE%2Bbagpipes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D6Q_T1vc_2E/Vox6mg4RLnI/AAAAAAAANKU/opznb8uPecE/s320/BE%2Bbagpipes%2BDP.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ok, seriously. I don't wear them when I do surgery. And I'm REALLY good at surgery....... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FqTPZrXA68/UlDN4o7IIRI/AAAAAAAAIJY/dE0wS7UOAY8/s1600/BE%2Bsun%2B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9FqTPZrXA68/UlDN4o7IIRI/AAAAAAAAIJY/dE0wS7UOAY8/s320/BE%2Bsun%2B11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I couldn't imagine they would aid in my quest to become less bad at this sport..............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjb4TzqziM0/Vox63ZE5ZCI/AAAAAAAANKc/sxocgIbEG4Y/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qjb4TzqziM0/Vox63ZE5ZCI/AAAAAAAANKc/sxocgIbEG4Y/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bshrug%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">but I decided I better accommodate the request. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjt33RNWR_0/Vo8cNpJFEuI/AAAAAAAANLY/ZA3LPV3keOc/s1600/BE%2BGlasses%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jjt33RNWR_0/Vo8cNpJFEuI/AAAAAAAANLY/ZA3LPV3keOc/s400/BE%2BGlasses%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm not sure if they helped my jumping, but I did scare the heck out of my fearless leader when I turned to the biggest jump on course................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95mvcCFvYN8/Vo8hENM9M6I/AAAAAAAANME/z-fAE5STH-E/s1600/BE_glasses_push_BE.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95mvcCFvYN8/Vo8hENM9M6I/AAAAAAAANME/z-fAE5STH-E/s640/BE_glasses_push_BE.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">and took my hands off the reins to push my eyewear back up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWjCQBw4TmE/Vo8dodVsvgI/AAAAAAAANLk/k-LokmuXo5s/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWjCQBw4TmE/Vo8dodVsvgI/AAAAAAAANLk/k-LokmuXo5s/s640/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="497" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Rule #1 Don't Scare The Coach</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Soooooooo..............just in case they actually help. I decided I had better get some that stay on my face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's the new sportswear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ2DoRaBVi8/Vo8fNGPsUdI/AAAAAAAANL4/Z0lmmFDtU-g/s1600/BE%2Bglasses%2Bsuper%2Bhero%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nJ2DoRaBVi8/Vo8fNGPsUdI/AAAAAAAANL4/Z0lmmFDtU-g/s320/BE%2Bglasses%2Bsuper%2Bhero%2BBE.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can't decide if I look more like Bad Eventer Giant Insect? ..............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">or Bad Eventer Super Hero?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axMMSUaZ24s/Vo8e3DPIynI/AAAAAAAANLs/-G0sbFHlVX8/s1600/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axMMSUaZ24s/Vo8e3DPIynI/AAAAAAAANLs/-G0sbFHlVX8/s320/BE%2Bsuperhero%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-24955658779829451422015-11-28T17:14:00.001-06:002015-11-28T17:14:25.229-06:00Is it a Crisis?<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Crisis</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Srp6HJhjFKA/Vlofbb60LMI/AAAAAAAANFQ/z6gOYA4lJuM/s1600/BE%2Bcrisis%2Barrow%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Srp6HJhjFKA/Vlofbb60LMI/AAAAAAAANFQ/z6gOYA4lJuM/s320/BE%2Bcrisis%2Barrow%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong></strong> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<em><span><span class="oneClick-link">1. a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">dramatic</span> <span class="oneClick-link">emotional</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">circumstantial</span> <span class="oneClick-link">upheaval</span> <span class="oneClick-link">in</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">person's</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">life.</span> </span><span class="def-number"><span> </span></span></em></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="dbox-italic"><span><em> </em></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="dbox-italic"><span></span></span><span><em><span class="oneClick-link">2. the</span> <span class="oneClick-link">point</span> <span class="oneClick-link">in</span> <span class="oneClick-link">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">course</span> <span class="oneClick-link">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link">serious</span> <span class="oneClick-link">disease</span> <span class="oneClick-link">at</span> <span class="oneClick-link">which</span> <span class="oneClick-link">a</span> <span class="oneClick-link">decisive</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">change</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">occurs,</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">leading</span> <span class="oneClick-link">either</span> <span class="oneClick-link">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link">recovery</span> <span class="oneClick-link">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link">to</span> <span class="oneClick-link">death</span></em></span><span> </span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovJKoKBYj_w/VloiKiEcYNI/AAAAAAAANFc/w_2g7p2lJ4Q/s1600/BE%2Bcrisis%2Bstick%2Bfigure%2Bon%2Bstring%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ovJKoKBYj_w/VloiKiEcYNI/AAAAAAAANFc/w_2g7p2lJ4Q/s320/BE%2Bcrisis%2Bstick%2Bfigure%2Bon%2Bstring%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was 11 or 12 years old I remember telling my riding instructor that I wanted what she had. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QLScRI4xAA/VloiUqbKDeI/AAAAAAAANFk/XSxQiowOs3A/s1600/Laura%2BPhred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QLScRI4xAA/VloiUqbKDeI/AAAAAAAANFk/XSxQiowOs3A/s1600/Laura%2BPhred.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She had her own stable, horses, arena, cross country course...... It was my dream. I thought I wanted to be just.... like..... her. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oag2HVRv3DU/VlokjzHctMI/AAAAAAAANFw/EHR8bsstq-c/s1600/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oag2HVRv3DU/VlokjzHctMI/AAAAAAAANFw/EHR8bsstq-c/s400/BE%2Bmirror%2Blion%2Bweight%2Blifter%2BDP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She looked down at me, and without pausing a moment said, </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<strong>No you don't.</strong> </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you want is a nice job where you can board your horse at a place like this and all you have to do is come ride her after work."</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6frNJ_Qm9E/VloluCbFVMI/AAAAAAAANF4/uBraPsD4tjU/s1600/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6frNJ_Qm9E/VloluCbFVMI/AAAAAAAANF4/uBraPsD4tjU/s400/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2Bgirl%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30 years later. I understand. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4AExcGaW0k/VlomKqzi4cI/AAAAAAAANGA/nVkzDSaSXg0/s1600/BE%2BToast%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4AExcGaW0k/VlomKqzi4cI/AAAAAAAANGA/nVkzDSaSXg0/s320/BE%2BToast%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I followed my "dream", and I started my own stable at the ripe age of 18..........</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjgyCCC8FV0/Vlom_6vhbQI/AAAAAAAANGM/d4ObZzROkf8/s1600/BE%2BRum%2Bgrass%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjgyCCC8FV0/Vlom_6vhbQI/AAAAAAAANGM/d4ObZzROkf8/s320/BE%2BRum%2Bgrass%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I've been running a stable full time (along with my "other" full time jobs) for 24 years. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've got the farm...</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPxIC1t0cGQ/VlooCCoia-I/AAAAAAAANGU/kaaVDyMdD5A/s1600/BE%2Bfarm%2BZJ%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPxIC1t0cGQ/VlooCCoia-I/AAAAAAAANGU/kaaVDyMdD5A/s640/BE%2Bfarm%2BZJ%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the arena...</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVUMJYAx2OM/VlopWRCcJeI/AAAAAAAANGg/Z9j9miynLZg/s1600/BE%2BArena%2BSunrise%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qVUMJYAx2OM/VlopWRCcJeI/AAAAAAAANGg/Z9j9miynLZg/s640/BE%2BArena%2BSunrise%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> cross country jumps...</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ZWCr02Hp4/Vlop3fShCBI/AAAAAAAANGo/gDdn9XsYgwo/s1600/BE%2Bjumps%2Barena%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3ZWCr02Hp4/Vlop3fShCBI/AAAAAAAANGo/gDdn9XsYgwo/s640/BE%2Bjumps%2Barena%2BBE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in the past 24 years I've spent infinitely more time mending fences, thawing hoses, and feeding horses................. than I ever have riding. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CaYwPBQP7o/VloratyEAYI/AAAAAAAANG0/TMJjEKWWP4o/s1600/BE%2Bbroken%2Bfence%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5CaYwPBQP7o/VloratyEAYI/AAAAAAAANG0/TMJjEKWWP4o/s400/BE%2Bbroken%2Bfence%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All I've ever <strong>really</strong> wanted to do is ride. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stable ownership definitely didn't make room for riding. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEieO4HUyU/Vlowy1ad2hI/AAAAAAAANHE/gc6h9WDWarU/s1600/BE%2Bcrazy%2Bman%2Bface%2Bshovel%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RKEieO4HUyU/Vlowy1ad2hI/AAAAAAAANHE/gc6h9WDWarU/s400/BE%2Bcrazy%2Bman%2Bface%2Bshovel%2BDP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At least it didn't for me. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Now that I've spent a few months in the land of good footing and plentiful tack shops.......</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I can't possibly imagine going back to all work and no play............</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSICb_KrWN4/VloxZwFC-hI/AAAAAAAANHM/HR24toqGnCQ/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bred%2Bhair%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSICb_KrWN4/VloxZwFC-hI/AAAAAAAANHM/HR24toqGnCQ/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bred%2Bhair%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">If only I could tell my 12 year old self how right that advice was. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">With great excitement I've decided to sell all of it. I'm going to live in my horse trailer, board my event horses at fabulous facilities (where I don't have to mend fences) and follow my life long dream of riding.................just riding.................</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6zz4Z1KaQA/VloycnOnZII/AAAAAAAANHY/B5MPXRRZPhY/s1600/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6zz4Z1KaQA/VloycnOnZII/AAAAAAAANHY/B5MPXRRZPhY/s400/BE%2Bbasics%2B1s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I have never been more excited about anything. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJPger_bPg4/VlozOm_quGI/AAAAAAAANHo/aa9JxoLmrC4/s1600/Icy%2BLaura%2Bsmile%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rJPger_bPg4/VlozOm_quGI/AAAAAAAANHo/aa9JxoLmrC4/s400/Icy%2BLaura%2Bsmile%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Yet....... I keep getting messages like, "I'm so sorry you're selling your farm." </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Are you having a midlife crisis?"</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Have you been diagnosed with something terrible?"</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"We're really sorry to hear you're selling your equipment."</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_NE1S3viok/Vloywb5ajrI/AAAAAAAANHg/cJ3H4kKH_cE/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bangry%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_NE1S3viok/Vloywb5ajrI/AAAAAAAANHg/cJ3H4kKH_cE/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bangry%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I suspect all of the so-sad messages are from people who still believe what my 12 year old self believed. They think the house & the farm is "the dream". </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9536Wjoxuo/Vlozehz8LNI/AAAAAAAANHw/VvXOC4P67xs/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bgirl%2Bdreaming%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q9536Wjoxuo/Vlozehz8LNI/AAAAAAAANHw/VvXOC4P67xs/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bgirl%2Bdreaming%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It isn't.</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upct_EOkkEM/VloznatUaOI/AAAAAAAANH4/LBOPfO_IVyU/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upct_EOkkEM/VloznatUaOI/AAAAAAAANH4/LBOPfO_IVyU/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhands%2Bon%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">It never was.</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">And I have never been so excited and happy to turn loose of it. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Is it a Crisis?</span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Definitely not. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-swMGjGS55Sk/Vloz2MFWX8I/AAAAAAAANIA/Gbl3Ko09L_E/s1600/BE%2Bfamily%2Bjumping%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-swMGjGS55Sk/Vloz2MFWX8I/AAAAAAAANIA/Gbl3Ko09L_E/s320/BE%2Bfamily%2Bjumping%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyone looking for a perfect 60 acre farm? I happen to have one for sale. </span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span> </span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
<div class="def-content" style="text-align: center;">
<span></span> </div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-75874618767841106602015-11-15T12:00:00.001-06:002015-11-15T12:06:21.160-06:00Conscious Incompetence<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are lots of stages of learning. In the beginning you have no idea about anything, so you don't know just how much you don't know. As you learn more, at some point you HOPEFULLY, discover just how vast the chasm in your knowledge really is. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LftMicwPtw/VkjBVVMKTaI/AAAAAAAANBw/a7K4z2r4zOc/s1600/BE%2Bjump%2Bcliff%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0LftMicwPtw/VkjBVVMKTaI/AAAAAAAANBw/a7K4z2r4zOc/s320/BE%2Bjump%2Bcliff%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been riding for 36 years. Yes, I know I'm a dinosaur. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uUySD2xJIQ/VkjBnTLjYrI/AAAAAAAANB0/t2UnamBxLGA/s1600/BE%2BT%2BRex%2Bdinosaur%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0uUySD2xJIQ/VkjBnTLjYrI/AAAAAAAANB0/t2UnamBxLGA/s320/BE%2BT%2BRex%2Bdinosaur%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I've found that approximately every 2-3 years I discover that I STILL have no idea what I'm doing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naJPVJMPGvU/VkjBzTYflcI/AAAAAAAANB4/V_Ni30RQLys/s1600/BE%2Bbagpipes%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naJPVJMPGvU/VkjBzTYflcI/AAAAAAAANB4/V_Ni30RQLys/s320/BE%2Bbagpipes%2BDP.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week was one of those times. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrx5Mfc9z-c/VkjB-Aof_nI/AAAAAAAANCA/YGnmOz4iw3o/s1600/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrx5Mfc9z-c/VkjB-Aof_nI/AAAAAAAANCA/YGnmOz4iw3o/s320/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last event went well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfFmDRXe6o/VjaRbfgVRKI/AAAAAAAAMug/6jUG7hZksxI/s1600/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfFmDRXe6o/VjaRbfgVRKI/AAAAAAAAMug/6jUG7hZksxI/s320/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ok, let's back up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I <strong>thought</strong> it went well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiFDYxFwATo/Vje1uOryiRI/AAAAAAAAMzI/FtEzTXQ8zxQ/s1600/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiFDYxFwATo/Vje1uOryiRI/AAAAAAAAMzI/FtEzTXQ8zxQ/s320/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We scored in the 20s in dressage and jumped around. The problem, is when you have a super star Intermediate horse, they don't typically take kindly to slowing down and jumping little stuff. That's just not Wonder Pony's thing. So we BLAZED around the stadium & cross country with lightning speed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr3qMktUNhw/VkjCu-188hI/AAAAAAAANCM/u_uDZ6iFw8w/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bman%2Bducking%2Bduck%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sr3qMktUNhw/VkjCu-188hI/AAAAAAAANCM/u_uDZ6iFw8w/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bman%2Bducking%2Bduck%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We finished with a number & not a letter. We jumped all the jumps. And seeing that I've competed this horse at Intermediate, I thought we should get back to Prelim ASAP so I can slow him down a bit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we entered our next show at Prelim. This really isn't a stretch. This last February I hadn't competed in MONTHS and I took him out at Prelim cold turkey. Other than a few rails <cough, cough five, cough cough> the weekend went well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N23HfRV9Vjo/VkjC_em-_eI/AAAAAAAANCU/ItWX3DUAaiI/s1600/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N23HfRV9Vjo/VkjC_em-_eI/AAAAAAAANCU/ItWX3DUAaiI/s320/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B5.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or did it??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hrRlkSzSUE/VkjDOXleA5I/AAAAAAAANCc/nyA0v09ZeM0/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hrRlkSzSUE/VkjDOXleA5I/AAAAAAAANCc/nyA0v09ZeM0/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Blooking%2Bover%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I'm having my last jump school before the show this weekend, and the wheels completely came off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCO4xRTxI_8/VkjEdDQNJ0I/AAAAAAAANCs/HsQ5IH_Qp9w/s1600/BE%2Bold%2Bcar%2Bno%2Bwheels%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yCO4xRTxI_8/VkjEdDQNJ0I/AAAAAAAANCs/HsQ5IH_Qp9w/s320/BE%2Bold%2Bcar%2Bno%2Bwheels%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I guess I was due. Since I headed off for my working student adventure all of my lessons have been pretty fantastic. When you have that many good lessons in a row, you're just adding to the possibility of a really bad one in your future. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPkLSgMnSMY/VkjE0VG9yuI/AAAAAAAANC0/UlRvB8oQMTM/s1600/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPkLSgMnSMY/VkjE0VG9yuI/AAAAAAAANC0/UlRvB8oQMTM/s320/BE%2Bbreathing%2Bin%2Bbrown%2Bbag%2BDP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a bad lesson. It was bad enough I questioned why I was here. Why I wanted to event. Why I had left my nice house with a pool to live in a horse trailer.....................</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLBM-Z6wAf8/VkjFTZJeaEI/AAAAAAAANDA/fU8b-6wEglY/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bstretching%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLBM-Z6wAf8/VkjFTZJeaEI/AAAAAAAANDA/fU8b-6wEglY/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bstretching%2BDP.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I even thought maybe I should go home and go back to working as a vet full time, I'm REALLY good at that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have this maybe-not-so-irrational fear that I'll never be any good at this sport. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htBwc7TSYpo/VkjFcTu1KCI/AAAAAAAANDI/KYGTRy3HEZs/s1600/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-htBwc7TSYpo/VkjFcTu1KCI/AAAAAAAANDI/KYGTRy3HEZs/s320/BE%2BBess%2Bfall%2B10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I know someone who spent her entire adult life trying to get to the upper levels. She bought nice horses, trained with top people, rode several horses every day...............and she never made it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Could that be me? Am I just - incapable? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0SqA1qWMfE/VkjFpq8C0wI/AAAAAAAANDU/m1QycFQLj3U/s1600/BE%2Bbirds%2Btry%2Bflying%2Bwithout%2Ba%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i0SqA1qWMfE/VkjFpq8C0wI/AAAAAAAANDU/m1QycFQLj3U/s320/BE%2Bbirds%2Btry%2Bflying%2Bwithout%2Ba%2Bparachute%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So we have a lesson this week where we don't jump the jumps. And when we do jump them it's so wild and out of control I can't get to the next jump. We finished the lesson with some cross country jumps, which are my ponies' specialty and my fabulous coach says, "Soooooooo. I know you can jump Prelim cross country no problem. But I'm concerned you won't GET to cross country....... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0YJk0MyNRw/VkjAzsqMRXI/AAAAAAAANBo/yaULrEkbTJc/s1600/BE_Stop_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0YJk0MyNRw/VkjAzsqMRXI/AAAAAAAANBo/yaULrEkbTJc/s320/BE_Stop_1.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe you should just go training level?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaGn9u1Jklc/VkjF8KZvNsI/AAAAAAAANDY/nd5yebJF7Yg/s1600/BE%2Bbegging%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kaGn9u1Jklc/VkjF8KZvNsI/AAAAAAAANDY/nd5yebJF7Yg/s320/BE%2Bbegging%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's nothing quite like a demotion. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Training level. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On an Intermediate horse. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It feels like sitting at the kids table at Thanksgiving. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0f8L0auFLV4/VkjGyQzhUEI/AAAAAAAANDk/S1ZGeb71Nbs/s1600/BE%2Bkids%2Btable%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0f8L0auFLV4/VkjGyQzhUEI/AAAAAAAANDk/S1ZGeb71Nbs/s320/BE%2Bkids%2Btable%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But after the terrible, horrible, gawd awful lesson we had right before the show - I had to agree with the decision. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then something happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got to the show and we walked the stadium course & talked about how many strides should be in each line. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ok, here's the reality. I've never once managed to jump a stadium course and make the striding work out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtB0Pt7rI2U/VkjHBPwBhBI/AAAAAAAANDs/vNUyunvUprI/s1600/BE%2Bbrain%2Bnumbers%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtB0Pt7rI2U/VkjHBPwBhBI/AAAAAAAANDs/vNUyunvUprI/s320/BE%2Bbrain%2Bnumbers%2BDP.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm too busy trying to remember to breath and remember the course, and keep the horse between me and the ground. I've not once managed to even know how many strides I got, let alone how many were supposed to be there. Isn't it good enough that we went between the flags? Who cares that I did 6 strides in the 7 stride line and 5 1/2 strides in the 4 stride line, right? This is eventing, we don't care about that stuff. Just go between the flags and leave the jumps up and the score is the same whether it's pretty or terrifying..................right??!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2nWtaabHc/VkjHpcfY2nI/AAAAAAAAND0/Kc8e1rsBEU8/s1600/Jester%2BMC%2BBad%2B1%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kx2nWtaabHc/VkjHpcfY2nI/AAAAAAAAND0/Kc8e1rsBEU8/s320/Jester%2BMC%2BBad%2B1%2Bs.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the first time in my life, I paid attention to the strides I should be getting in stadium. And I made them happen. That's when I realized that I've been "getting away" with competing at Prelim for years, while having no clue what I was actually doing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnofMG647Is/VkjH3tyIC_I/AAAAAAAAND4/pjO89zOCkgo/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AnofMG647Is/VkjH3tyIC_I/AAAAAAAAND4/pjO89zOCkgo/s320/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B10%2BDP.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then I demoted <strong>myself</strong>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I decided I had better sort this out before we go back to the bigger jumps. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEgs00n2jUE/VkjIFRlZoHI/AAAAAAAAND8/Xplx4vDLnBs/s1600/BE%2Bcrawling%2Bwoman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEgs00n2jUE/VkjIFRlZoHI/AAAAAAAAND8/Xplx4vDLnBs/s320/BE%2Bcrawling%2Bwoman%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every few years I figure out I have <strong>no</strong> idea what I'm doing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here we go again. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-13159733721127659442015-11-11T18:29:00.001-06:002015-11-12T17:04:09.306-06:00Dedication or Excuses<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I ride every day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the cold. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSJ8uLhd9wU/Vj1G1OP7_EI/AAAAAAAAM2c/CwpU5zuXt2s/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSJ8uLhd9wU/Vj1G1OP7_EI/AAAAAAAAM2c/CwpU5zuXt2s/s320/BE%2BK%2Bface.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the rain. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhXLAwaIRdc/Vj1G8gAQ5oI/AAAAAAAAM2k/Cq5lYNWtirM/s1600/Jester%2Brain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhXLAwaIRdc/Vj1G8gAQ5oI/AAAAAAAAM2k/Cq5lYNWtirM/s320/Jester%2Brain.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the heat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8336zw_8UC8/Vj1KKymmZLI/AAAAAAAAM2w/tFOj3c2HThU/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bno%2Bjacket%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8336zw_8UC8/Vj1KKymmZLI/AAAAAAAAM2w/tFOj3c2HThU/s320/BE%2BK%2Bno%2Bjacket%2BBE.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the dark.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7znCryNPCa8/Vj6Sj63-vXI/AAAAAAAAM3E/UHACSaBOAtk/s1600/BE%2BWP%2BDark%2B1%2Bs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7znCryNPCa8/Vj6Sj63-vXI/AAAAAAAAM3E/UHACSaBOAtk/s320/BE%2BWP%2BDark%2B1%2Bs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even when I worked 10 hour days 42 days in a row, I got up in the morning and rode before work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's hoping I NEVER have to work like that again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xh2SkM_ypB0/Vj6StiqmGCI/AAAAAAAAM3M/RZED8vfjhxI/s1600/BE%2Boverworked%2Bbooks%2Bfalling%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xh2SkM_ypB0/Vj6StiqmGCI/AAAAAAAAM3M/RZED8vfjhxI/s320/BE%2Boverworked%2Bbooks%2Bfalling%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's always been a bit of a badge of honor for me. Oh you want to ride? But you didn't ride because it was raining? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjSh1Wom0hI/VkPaxknX5PI/AAAAAAAAM_g/nyDLHO5068o/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bfunny%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjSh1Wom0hI/VkPaxknX5PI/AAAAAAAAM_g/nyDLHO5068o/s320/BE%2Bman%2Bfunny%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So ..............you want to ride, but only in nice weather? That means you don't <strong>really</strong> want to ride. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Me? Oh yeah, I rode in the rain. Yep.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__X7bsftpQQ/Vj6TDHa-8wI/AAAAAAAAM3U/PvtS2sIAa3c/s1600/Jester%2BMC%2Brain%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__X7bsftpQQ/Vj6TDHa-8wI/AAAAAAAAM3U/PvtS2sIAa3c/s320/Jester%2BMC%2Brain%2B3.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">OK, I'm a total snob about the fact that I want to ride and I actually do it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But yesterday something happened. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was having a jump lesson, and I screwed up. Imagine that..........Hello.......Bad Eventer here!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkEctEh9Fk0/Vj6WFK51A1I/AAAAAAAAM3g/L8yTF04hyqU/s1600/Icy%2BCorner%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xkEctEh9Fk0/Vj6WFK51A1I/AAAAAAAAM3g/L8yTF04hyqU/s320/Icy%2BCorner%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I got a bit of a talking to. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course, I'm thinking, "but I'm BAD at this sport. Haven't you read my blog?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ2nF96tXT4/Vj6WuPnKAfI/AAAAAAAAM3o/bepXW4-pwOk/s1600/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJ2nF96tXT4/Vj6WuPnKAfI/AAAAAAAAM3o/bepXW4-pwOk/s320/BE%2Bpuzzled%2Bface%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the comment was, "Actually, you're quite good........ but you lack discipline."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WHAAAAAAT??!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqZkv9zOAhM/VkUayvg66RI/AAAAAAAANBU/S--U-sFKsMQ/s1600/BE%2Bscared%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqZkv9zOAhM/VkUayvg66RI/AAAAAAAANBU/S--U-sFKsMQ/s320/BE%2Bscared%2Bface.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Of course the fact that anyone who has jumped around a few 4 stars said I was "good" has never ever happened in my entire riding education. Of course I'm not sure I believe it......... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But then he said, "Yes, you're funny. But being Bad Eventer becomes an excuse............."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkZ05SqbJrI/Vj6XaOFCdCI/AAAAAAAAM34/54mjv2mgTDs/s1600/BE%2Bchild%2Bquestion%2Bmarks%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CkZ05SqbJrI/Vj6XaOFCdCI/AAAAAAAAM34/54mjv2mgTDs/s320/BE%2Bchild%2Bquestion%2Bmarks%2BDP.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh Wow. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've never questioned my dedication. I'm proud of it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It never occurred to me that I could be dedicated but not disciplined and that could be holding me back. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wqnn4iwdUU/Vj6XtPyH37I/AAAAAAAAM4A/n9C7P5qWYs8/s1600/BE%2Bsurprised%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wqnn4iwdUU/Vj6XtPyH37I/AAAAAAAAM4A/n9C7P5qWYs8/s320/BE%2Bsurprised%2Bcartoon%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, let's back up a few <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;">decades</span></strike> years. In college I wanted to go to the Rolex. I had Olympic dreams and I took my riding so seriously that I would literally spend the entire night before the show vomiting. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And no - alchohol was not involved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XotMnP7T8JU/Vj6YEAIp2sI/AAAAAAAAM4I/tGLp6TFNb4k/s1600/BE%2Bno%2Bdrinking%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XotMnP7T8JU/Vj6YEAIp2sI/AAAAAAAAM4I/tGLp6TFNb4k/s320/BE%2Bno%2Bdrinking%2Bsign%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believed my life depended on winning, and I ruined the entire competing experience by taking it FAR TOO SERIOUSLY. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynTsvHeRUWo/VkPdDRIdPsI/AAAAAAAANAk/1tQrsRIFv3c/s1600/BE%2Bface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynTsvHeRUWo/VkPdDRIdPsI/AAAAAAAANAk/1tQrsRIFv3c/s320/BE%2Bface.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Part of why I began Tales from a Bad Eventer was to TAKE MYSELF LESS SERIOUSLY. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qY_ti7bX9Jw/Vj6ZV-fsHgI/AAAAAAAAM4U/_uGP7DDK4U0/s1600/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfaces%2Bdumb%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qY_ti7bX9Jw/Vj6ZV-fsHgI/AAAAAAAAM4U/_uGP7DDK4U0/s320/BE%2Bfunny%2Bfaces%2Bdumb%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah, I suck at this. And that's ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxqDb6CcNFA/VkPbTk1-80I/AAAAAAAAM_o/cuEUxHgMtsM/s1600/Bess%2BMeadow%2BCreek%2BFall%2B%252822%2529%2B%2528640x400%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxqDb6CcNFA/VkPbTk1-80I/AAAAAAAAM_o/cuEUxHgMtsM/s320/Bess%2BMeadow%2BCreek%2BFall%2B%252822%2529%2B%2528640x400%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah, I have big dreams (Rolex) but it'll never happen, and that's ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5v-xp7o374/VkPbeF0rgZI/AAAAAAAAM_w/xkunp3TYI8w/s1600/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bladder%2Bfail%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5v-xp7o374/VkPbeF0rgZI/AAAAAAAAM_w/xkunp3TYI8w/s320/BE%2Bcartoon%2Bladder%2Bfail%2BDP.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeah, I fell off at the event AGAIN, and that's ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1sbVyw5m7E/VkPbmAKC_EI/AAAAAAAAM_4/kuYewCJ2Ayo/s1600/BE%2BET%2BCH%2BFall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1sbVyw5m7E/VkPbmAKC_EI/AAAAAAAAM_4/kuYewCJ2Ayo/s320/BE%2BET%2BCH%2BFall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I managed to find joy in competitions. I entertained......thanks to my embarrassments, I took the pressure off, started having fun, and stopped puking in the start box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAtnLX8Q1qY/VkPbw_XuLKI/AAAAAAAANAA/P8AN09iFkiI/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B3%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rAtnLX8Q1qY/VkPbw_XuLKI/AAAAAAAANAA/P8AN09iFkiI/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bthumbs%2Bup%2B3%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those are all good things. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But maybe.....somehow along the way, I started accepting my "bad riding" instead of fixing it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipr34g-N974/VkPb4wZmYDI/AAAAAAAANAI/BjVKkeOeS5M/s1600/BE%2Bgirl%2Bbig%2Bhead%2Bfunny%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipr34g-N974/VkPb4wZmYDI/AAAAAAAANAI/BjVKkeOeS5M/s320/BE%2Bgirl%2Bbig%2Bhead%2Bfunny%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I have to find that happy in between where I'm not throwing up, but I'm not accepting mediocrity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">All the pieces of the puzzle...........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14EM9u6AWPk/VkPcJoLHnBI/AAAAAAAANAQ/b0H8v5lUfqg/s1600/BE%2Bhorse%2Bpuzzle%2B3%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14EM9u6AWPk/VkPcJoLHnBI/AAAAAAAANAQ/b0H8v5lUfqg/s320/BE%2Bhorse%2Bpuzzle%2B3%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My new goal: No excuses....... while still having fun...............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">and slowly but surely becoming</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xs11E6RbZ4A/VkPcUj2WG3I/AAAAAAAANAY/k36heyG9qIM/s1600/Bad%2BAss%2BEventer%2Blogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xs11E6RbZ4A/VkPcUj2WG3I/AAAAAAAANAY/k36heyG9qIM/s320/Bad%2BAss%2BEventer%2Blogo.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Bad Ass Eventer!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">============================================================</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Due to overwhelming requests, 85 "Bad Ass Eventer" products have been added to the shop! </span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><a dir="ltr" href="http://www.cafepress.com/badeventer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.cafepress.com/badeventer</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-18598813368738398872015-11-02T14:17:00.000-06:002015-11-02T14:48:28.846-06:00Feeling Like A Failure.....<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you ever noticed how <strong>everyone</strong> has a solution to your training issue?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D30f222gC-4/Vje-uihoIrI/AAAAAAAAM1A/EyTCMmSJk-c/s1600/BE%2Bopinion%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D30f222gC-4/Vje-uihoIrI/AAAAAAAAM1A/EyTCMmSJk-c/s320/BE%2Bopinion%2BDP.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have one of the spookiest horses on the planet. If you read through the adventures I've had with Baby Seabiscuit you'll get a small glimpse of our life together. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's not just a spooker, he's a "Spooker Plus". That means the spook is often accompanied by bolting, rearing or bucking, and sometimes all 3. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W6zwq5wC_o/Vje-6Kdtv9I/AAAAAAAAM1I/SPvuPRNHIQg/s1600/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0W6zwq5wC_o/Vje-6Kdtv9I/AAAAAAAAM1I/SPvuPRNHIQg/s320/BE%2Bbucking%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's the only horse I've ever come off of backwards, because he spooked and bolted forward so quickly. He definitely has mad ninja skills. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgaW16UTuk/VjfC4iwlqfI/AAAAAAAAM1c/A8wMouqBUVI/s1600/BE%2Bkarate%2Bkids%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ISgaW16UTuk/VjfC4iwlqfI/AAAAAAAAM1c/A8wMouqBUVI/s320/BE%2Bkarate%2Bkids%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think the most amazing thing is that I haven't actually fallen off of this horse more times than I have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But don't get me wrong. There's a reason the body count is only a dozen or so. Because I train babies & ride problem horses, I have a very <strong>very</strong> strong rule about when to get off a horse. I follow this rule religiously and I use it with my students. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here it is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>When should you get off? </em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em> The MOMENT it crosses your mind.</em> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That means, if you're thinking, "I wonder if I should get off............" your feet should already be on the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If it weren't for this rule, when things spiral out of control with my spooky horse I would have involuntarily dismounted many more times than I've "voluntarily" dismounted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While we've made all kinds of improvement over the past couple of years, the spook + bolt + rear + panic moments have never completely gone away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's some of the advice I've heard during my trials and tribulations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"He needs to be more afraid of you than whatever he's spooking at, that'll fix him!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TndDVSWjT0c/Vje0dHmxSVI/AAAAAAAAMys/a5s9syvJw_Q/s1600/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TndDVSWjT0c/Vje0dHmxSVI/AAAAAAAAMys/a5s9syvJw_Q/s320/BE%2Bskeptical%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's a trust issue. He doesn't trust you enough to be in charge. He's looking for a leader and you haven't proven yourself to be a good one."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J_UKVNi3iM/Vje1PpEv9sI/AAAAAAAAMy0/RFJGDekcYXU/s1600/BE%2BK%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0J_UKVNi3iM/Vje1PpEv9sI/AAAAAAAAMy0/RFJGDekcYXU/s320/BE%2BK%2BXC%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's just about desensitization, you need to expose him to more stuff until he gets over it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eirK28vXCnc/VjezDMVcNAI/AAAAAAAAMyg/avPrYGnalTI/s1600/BE%2BK%2Btarp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eirK28vXCnc/VjezDMVcNAI/AAAAAAAAMyg/avPrYGnalTI/s320/BE%2BK%2Btarp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You have to break it down into smaller steps."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0XmX8kq8Lg/Vje1cGYtddI/AAAAAAAAMy8/MRwrT32hHkg/s1600/Klumsy%2BWeldons%2Bonline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V0XmX8kq8Lg/Vje1cGYtddI/AAAAAAAAMy8/MRwrT32hHkg/s320/Klumsy%2BWeldons%2Bonline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"He must have a pain issue, a hearing problem, a vision problem, a teeth problem, a saddle fit issue, the wrong feed, an allergy, he was a zebra in a former life.........................." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rvPD3JyrUM/Vje2Bfz5ZmI/AAAAAAAAMzM/Dfga5u7YUhk/s1600/BE%2Bstick%2Bfigure%2Bvaccines%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rvPD3JyrUM/Vje2Bfz5ZmI/AAAAAAAAMzM/Dfga5u7YUhk/s320/BE%2Bstick%2Bfigure%2Bvaccines%2BDP.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I definitely went down the vet med path and had him X-rayed, palpated & flexed, head to toe, more than a few times. I had a super thorough eye exam done, checked his back, checked his feet, checked his tack & equipment, changed his tack & equipment and basically plead with my lameness vet, my dentist, my chiropractor, my farrier, & my saddle fitter to find a legitimate complaint this horse might have...................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiFDYxFwATo/Vje1uOryiRI/AAAAAAAAMzI/FtEzTXQ8zxQ/s1600/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiFDYxFwATo/Vje1uOryiRI/AAAAAAAAMzI/FtEzTXQ8zxQ/s320/BE%2Bdoctor%2Bface%2Bglasses%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The diagnosis: "Nope, no problem other than "the lameness between his ears". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmSiI7rCs44/Vje2hDRe0WI/AAAAAAAAMzU/buO5zqt80wM/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bspin%2Bgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmSiI7rCs44/Vje2hDRe0WI/AAAAAAAAMzU/buO5zqt80wM/s320/BE%2BK%2Bspin%2Bgif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We've muddled along for 2 1/2 years and some days are fantastic, and some days involve more than one emergency dismount. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf6UQm2ox28/Vje4MmMyUxI/AAAAAAAAMzg/PMvW4hlkUI4/s1600/BE%2BK%2Brear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yf6UQm2ox28/Vje4MmMyUxI/AAAAAAAAMzg/PMvW4hlkUI4/s320/BE%2BK%2Brear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">The main problem is that once he gets amped, and I mean really "UP" he doesn't come back down. He turns into a fire breathing dragon and no amount of human intervention gets him back. This has resulted in a long walk home on more occasions than I can count. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Missing my very own fox hunt was one of the more memorable times this happened. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-bad-eventer-missed-her-foxhunt.html" target="_blank">How Bad Eventer Missed Her FoxHunt</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWgzQ4gfm4s/Vje4ZnVhoQI/AAAAAAAAMzo/W2pQdFTmvVM/s1600/BE%2Bfork%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad%2B2%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hWgzQ4gfm4s/Vje4ZnVhoQI/AAAAAAAAMzo/W2pQdFTmvVM/s320/BE%2Bfork%2Bin%2Bthe%2Broad%2B2%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Here's the thing. At home, he's fine. If he is in familiar surroundings where nothing moves, he's a rockstar. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Check this out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hZw9f7u_GQ/VjewJLehCfI/AAAAAAAAMxk/d1NulO-wRTs/s1600/BE%2BK%2BHF%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hZw9f7u_GQ/VjewJLehCfI/AAAAAAAAMxk/d1NulO-wRTs/s320/BE%2BK%2BHF%2B2.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And this.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyROnXBLKnU/VjewWfJdEVI/AAAAAAAAMxs/NAVAJe28NMU/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bditch%2Bbrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gyROnXBLKnU/VjewWfJdEVI/AAAAAAAAMxs/NAVAJe28NMU/s320/BE%2BK%2Bditch%2Bbrush.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And this.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04cmJtFEFB8/Vjewu7Vf9mI/AAAAAAAAMx0/jCS1mQoZI4E/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bjump%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-04cmJtFEFB8/Vjewu7Vf9mI/AAAAAAAAMx0/jCS1mQoZI4E/s320/BE%2BK%2Bjump%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He's not bothered by ditches, </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">or corners, or trakehners. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV0NP0FL5M4/Vjew4KO2zNI/AAAAAAAAMx8/pZHGAAuWD9k/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bchevron%2Bnew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eV0NP0FL5M4/Vjew4KO2zNI/AAAAAAAAMx8/pZHGAAuWD9k/s320/BE%2BK%2Bchevron%2Bnew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He's fancy on the flat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPEnXKW1iN4/VjeyOdIuGDI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/5mnSun9QAmI/s1600/BE%2BK%2BDr%2B3%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SPEnXKW1iN4/VjeyOdIuGDI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/5mnSun9QAmI/s320/BE%2BK%2BDr%2B3%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">He's so stinking handsome. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HvzHL2A2C0/VjeyYLwgyRI/AAAAAAAAMyY/Hdo1YpaBf0A/s1600/BE%2BK%2BDr%2B2%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3HvzHL2A2C0/VjeyYLwgyRI/AAAAAAAAMyY/Hdo1YpaBf0A/s320/BE%2BK%2BDr%2B2%2BBE.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I've looked at him a dozen times after he tried to kill me and said, "It's a good thing you're so damn cute."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But 2 1/2 years later, survival is still the name of the game.</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzfkogPxow/Vje43clJrII/AAAAAAAAMzw/ScCRdtz2aqI/s1600/BE_K_SDP_2%2Bgf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlzfkogPxow/Vje43clJrII/AAAAAAAAMzw/ScCRdtz2aqI/s1600/BE_K_SDP_2%2Bgf.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">A few days ago I was riding out with a friend. We were riding through a neighborhood and I was cautiously telling her about how far he'd come. We passed a school bus, dump trucks, an ambulance...............all of which he handled bravely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gm6Lk1qPnvQ/Vje6C9IMkOI/AAAAAAAAMz8/kjl4rn0MfBo/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bambulance%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gm6Lk1qPnvQ/Vje6C9IMkOI/AAAAAAAAMz8/kjl4rn0MfBo/s320/BE%2BK%2Bambulance%2BBE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Things were going well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">That's kind of the problem. 99% of the time he's a total rock star.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRfghobMEgE/Vje6fCOSksI/AAAAAAAAM0E/6fdzp9VPMkQ/s1600/BE%2BK%2BRH%2BST%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wRfghobMEgE/Vje6fCOSksI/AAAAAAAAM0E/6fdzp9VPMkQ/s320/BE%2BK%2BRH%2BST%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But when that 1% happens..............................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZnMf_U07cQ/VjfBodTBZ9I/AAAAAAAAM1U/bt0U2fCAL8o/s1600/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZnMf_U07cQ/VjfBodTBZ9I/AAAAAAAAM1U/bt0U2fCAL8o/s320/BE%2Bbad%2Baccident%2Bwire%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Some dogs were barking in their yard. He was dealing with it pretty well and then the dog on the other side of the street came down to the fence and he absolutely came unglued. It didn't matter that my friends horse was bravely and quietly leading the way. Baby Seabiscuit spun sideways, ran sideways & backwards across the road, slammed into the chain link fence on the other side, reared, ran backwards until he slammed into a tree, then lunged forwards bolting, & started rearing some more, lunge, rear, spin, lunge, rear................it was like being in a carnival ride that had just broken & was crashing into things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">As he was slamming his body into fences & trees I thought I was going to come off. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X90sQ8kawDM/Vje8RWr3waI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/p4A3Pu61EKg/s1600/Horse%2Brider%2Bfall%2Bstop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X90sQ8kawDM/Vje8RWr3waI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/p4A3Pu61EKg/s1600/Horse%2Brider%2Bfall%2Bstop.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But I didn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Coak8Szo4wM/Vje8bfR_JqI/AAAAAAAAM0Y/VE799qdTY20/s1600/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Coak8Szo4wM/Vje8bfR_JqI/AAAAAAAAM0Y/VE799qdTY20/s320/BE%2Bshocked%2Bface%2Bwoman%2BDP.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">And then as the full on panic - freak out - melt down worsened, I was really <strong>really</strong> sad that I was still on him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCRe5dA09b0/Vje8nuy1OAI/AAAAAAAAM0g/gpa5bFOPXTA/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Btriple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCRe5dA09b0/Vje8nuy1OAI/AAAAAAAAM0g/gpa5bFOPXTA/s320/BE%2Bface%2Btriple.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Fortunately, I may have the world's most practiced emergency dismount. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUGmsccttQg/Vje8yYdZC8I/AAAAAAAAM0o/Q5tUT6finF8/s1600/BE%2Byoga%2Bpose%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hUGmsccttQg/Vje8yYdZC8I/AAAAAAAAM0o/Q5tUT6finF8/s320/BE%2Byoga%2Bpose%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Once I leaped off.........now he was rearing and panicking on the end of the reins....................my friend ( & her stunned horse) were staring horrified, the dog owner was staring horrified, the cars driving by stopped and stared horrified......................my XC vest was torn in 1/2 and I started to realize just how close to death and mangling I had just come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I did some ground work and tried to get his attention back. I lead him up & down the road and back and forth. I eventually tried to get back on.................that didn't fly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Eventually, after half an hour of trying to get him to settle down, I lead him the 2 miles home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-jFb-2R4c/Vje9vHXVRgI/AAAAAAAAM04/uHPiSz3LX6k/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bfear%2B1%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv-jFb-2R4c/Vje9vHXVRgI/AAAAAAAAM04/uHPiSz3LX6k/s320/BE%2BK%2Bfear%2B1%2BBE.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It wasn't the first time, or the 5th time, or the 15th time I've had a near death experience on this horse & then had a long walk home. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">But it was the last time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9x134R_d4w/Vje9bvU4h_I/AAAAAAAAM0w/HNbea_GMMVk/s1600/BE%2Bme%2Byou%2Barrows%2Bdivorce%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r9x134R_d4w/Vje9bvU4h_I/AAAAAAAAM0w/HNbea_GMMVk/s320/BE%2Bme%2Byou%2Barrows%2Bdivorce%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">I hate to give up, and in many ways it makes me feel like a failure.......... but sometimes you just have to save your life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">===================================================================</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Baby Seabiscuit is going to the most perfect of homes, where the expectations are low, and he can stay home where he's happy if that's all he wants to do. </span>Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-23443934336174544032015-11-01T20:52:00.001-06:002015-11-02T08:38:21.551-06:00Stadium Demons & Run Aways<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few years ago I was riding a young horse who wasn't very impressed with smaller fences. He would hurl himself with abandon at anything that wasn't substantial and it was <strike><span style="font-size: x-small;">terrifying </span></strike>an interesting experience to say the least. I had started him myself and did his first several starts at beginner novice and novice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvuPuFA9oOs/VjVZ4xDw53I/AAAAAAAAMuI/jRrsLQGaFEI/s1600/Jester%2BHH%2BXC%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvuPuFA9oOs/VjVZ4xDw53I/AAAAAAAAMuI/jRrsLQGaFEI/s320/Jester%2BHH%2BXC%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When it came to stepping up to training level I handed him off to a pro. He was pretty bad about ditches and I wasn't about to be the person to take him over his first trakehner. The trainer took him around his first several competitions at training level & preliminary. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I got the ride back I started out at training. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RclnReU0C0/VjaS7qbuMmI/AAAAAAAAMus/n5lmkoKFl3g/s1600/Jester%2BTR%2BStad%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3RclnReU0C0/VjaS7qbuMmI/AAAAAAAAMus/n5lmkoKFl3g/s320/Jester%2BTR%2BStad%2B2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my pre-show pep talk, my coach said, "You're going to get somewhere out there on the cross country course and you're going to realize, 'This isn't much fun.' You need to move him back up to prelim as soon as possible." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6PIIMUs6M/VjaTIxpk5yI/AAAAAAAAMu0/P8mLz2e7GIk/s1600/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mL6PIIMUs6M/VjaTIxpk5yI/AAAAAAAAMu0/P8mLz2e7GIk/s320/BE%2Bwoman%2Bhorrified%2Bface%2B1%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was right. I was hurtling towards a pretty square table in front of the water jump and the horse didn't even peek at it. As we climbed over it with no regard to his, or my, well-being I remembered what my coach had said.................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Osn41o9tDJ0/VjaXt2cNNhI/AAAAAAAAMvA/lq6VSDumVcM/s1600/BE%2Bman%2Bhand%2Bup%2Bby%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Osn41o9tDJ0/VjaXt2cNNhI/AAAAAAAAMvA/lq6VSDumVcM/s320/BE%2Bman%2Bhand%2Bup%2Bby%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh yeah, this is definitely not fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This weekend reminded me of that experience!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuLG72oklsE/VjbJMAckYZI/AAAAAAAAMvw/sY6iUsZ1jX8/s1600/BE%2BWP%2Bhead%2Bup%2Brun%2Baway%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cuLG72oklsE/VjbJMAckYZI/AAAAAAAAMvw/sY6iUsZ1jX8/s400/BE%2BWP%2Bhead%2Bup%2Brun%2Baway%2BBE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wonder Pony is not impressed by training level jumps..................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iP0lkZlSrLI/VjbKTOo0I6I/AAAAAAAAMv4/rYagMgyspAk/s1600/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iP0lkZlSrLI/VjbKTOo0I6I/AAAAAAAAMv4/rYagMgyspAk/s400/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUT - we have some stadium demons........which is why we were jumping training level to begin with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAPCI_yHv6E/VjbL_VbgvWI/AAAAAAAAMwE/4wLEDzOnXdM/s1600/BE_Stop_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jAPCI_yHv6E/VjbL_VbgvWI/AAAAAAAAMwE/4wLEDzOnXdM/s320/BE_Stop_1.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the face I made today entering the stadium ring.........I was even saying in my head, "smile for the photos!!!!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And in spite of my best effort this is what came out!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt4_T5nqHq0/VjaYGM_ItGI/AAAAAAAAMvI/ygaSVKxVS0w/s1600/BE%2BStadium%2Bfear%2Bface%2BBE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt4_T5nqHq0/VjaYGM_ItGI/AAAAAAAAMvI/ygaSVKxVS0w/s640/BE%2BStadium%2Bfear%2Bface%2BBE.jpg" width="401" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today was unbearably unbelievably hot. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7tQRbSnudU/Vjadl_ei2HI/AAAAAAAAMvY/ISthfnJjfS0/s1600/BE%2Bheat%2Bwave%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O7tQRbSnudU/Vjadl_ei2HI/AAAAAAAAMvY/ISthfnJjfS0/s320/BE%2Bheat%2Bwave%2Bface%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The horses were standing around sweating in their stalls with fans on. They waved coats first thing, but I had gotten up at the crack of dawn to braid my horse! After braiding my horse for the second time in 2 days, I wasn't ABOUT to not wear my jacket! I wanted good photos! (Then I didn't smile..........FAIL.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHJ3UepVC8g/VjaeROuxsnI/AAAAAAAAMvg/AFICzNGLL7k/s1600/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHJ3UepVC8g/VjaeROuxsnI/AAAAAAAAMvg/AFICzNGLL7k/s320/BE%2Bboy%2Bhead%2Bin%2Bhands%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">We survived stadium............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTxoOnjYcjA/VjdzE2oBVII/AAAAAAAAMws/iYkdu_0EzQ4/s1600/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mTxoOnjYcjA/VjdzE2oBVII/AAAAAAAAMws/iYkdu_0EzQ4/s320/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B1.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">It's a good thing there aren't speed faults for stadium!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf4xh3nTDPI/VjdzQCkn81I/AAAAAAAAMw0/CyOkBePhN3c/s1600/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cf4xh3nTDPI/VjdzQCkn81I/AAAAAAAAMw0/CyOkBePhN3c/s320/Argento%2BStadium%2BRH%2B5.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But he's a cross country machine, and across the country is WAY more fun on him when the jumps are bigger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I knew the jumps at training level wouldn't hold him & it was going to be a bit of a wrestling match. As I left the start box I told myself, just don't do anything that will get you yelled at when your coach sees the photos!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfFmDRXe6o/VjaRbfgVRKI/AAAAAAAAMuc/o867YGrAIvc/s1600/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQfFmDRXe6o/VjaRbfgVRKI/AAAAAAAAMuc/o867YGrAIvc/s400/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We <strike>raced</strike> skipped around the course with no delays and skated in just over the speed fault time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKBmXc8WSpI/VjdyD4KqfEI/AAAAAAAAMwk/g-46PT0qbDA/s1600/BE%2Brabbit%2Bwatch%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mKBmXc8WSpI/VjdyD4KqfEI/AAAAAAAAMwk/g-46PT0qbDA/s320/BE%2Brabbit%2Bwatch%2BDP.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">OK, ok I know this drop isn't that big..............................</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbkBAD0ft1M/VjaSZsg3t-I/AAAAAAAAMuk/keARhorVplM/s1600/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="596" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wbkBAD0ft1M/VjaSZsg3t-I/AAAAAAAAMuk/keARhorVplM/s640/Argento%2BXC%2BRH%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bad Eventer has to pretend she's jumping into the Head of the Lake every chance she can - right??!!</span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1eo1OkskgU/Vjd0if2h7jI/AAAAAAAAMxI/nJ9mXycM3Wo/s1600/BE%2Bface%2Bgirl%2Bdreaming%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1eo1OkskgU/Vjd0if2h7jI/AAAAAAAAMxI/nJ9mXycM3Wo/s320/BE%2Bface%2Bgirl%2Bdreaming%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
The</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WonderPony & I survived our first outing in a long time...........at training level. Whoop!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3756297849898261584.post-231431180280237902015-10-30T19:25:00.001-05:002015-11-23T05:57:03.520-06:00Use it or Lose it<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a time...........when Prelim looked down right possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWFExh0Io4/VjQHFKgkNUI/AAAAAAAAMs4/Z1Qs_vC_qcw/s1600/Argento%2BCHP%2BXC%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWFExh0Io4/VjQHFKgkNUI/AAAAAAAAMs4/Z1Qs_vC_qcw/s400/Argento%2BCHP%2BXC%2B1.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I even wrote a blog about how the jumps looked smaller than I had remembered them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEE3xyf15wQ/VjQGzEre80I/AAAAAAAAMsw/yzE51oqKasE/s1600/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WEE3xyf15wQ/VjQGzEre80I/AAAAAAAAMsw/yzE51oqKasE/s320/BE%2BEinstein%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://badeventer.blogspot.com/2012/10/relativity-or-those-sinking-jumps.html" target="_blank">Relativity or Those Sinking Jumps</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those days........ are over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq9Nc2jP498/VjQJlg10iOI/AAAAAAAAMtM/VCnwTIT-Jyk/s1600/BE%2Bcat%2Bbig%2Beyes%2Bfear%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cq9Nc2jP498/VjQJlg10iOI/AAAAAAAAMtM/VCnwTIT-Jyk/s320/BE%2Bcat%2Bbig%2Beyes%2Bfear%2BDP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's been quite awhile since I was able to compete regularly. Life gets in the way sometimes. And between work & the limited riding time I had..... I've mostly been riding babies over itty bitty things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzZ6X7mUq2k/VjQCr2ajBkI/AAAAAAAAMsU/cxjw61wxlP0/s1600/BE%2BK%2Bbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OzZ6X7mUq2k/VjQCr2ajBkI/AAAAAAAAMsU/cxjw61wxlP0/s320/BE%2BK%2Bbank.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you jump two foot jumps all the time.............. 3'6" starts looking impossibly huge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPz7FBr-FLw/VjQDdTP9WII/AAAAAAAAMsc/fxpuUsBICFA/s1600/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPz7FBr-FLw/VjQDdTP9WII/AAAAAAAAMsc/fxpuUsBICFA/s320/BE%2Bfear%2Bface%2B11%2BDP.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finally have an opportunity to get back in action, and it didn't take long for me to figure out that Prelim doesn't look very doable to me any more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAPEnf5Miag/VjQGBaVywcI/AAAAAAAAMso/anXqmQkCqUc/s1600/BE_Stop_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QAPEnf5Miag/VjQGBaVywcI/AAAAAAAAMso/anXqmQkCqUc/s400/BE_Stop_1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm heading off to my first show in a LONG time, and I completely chickened out & decided Training level was a good place to start. The only problem with that, is when you have a fabulous upper level horse......... training level fences just don't get their attention. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZzDYra2zMQ/VjQI3JskNQI/AAAAAAAAMtE/CRMF7Irc1tw/s1600/BE%2Bjockey%2Bchihuahua%2Brace%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZzDYra2zMQ/VjQI3JskNQI/AAAAAAAAMtE/CRMF7Irc1tw/s640/BE%2Bjockey%2Bchihuahua%2Brace%2Bhorse%2BDP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I fully expect to be completely run away with...............</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N78ps3UFlz4/VjQKARr3WbI/AAAAAAAAMtU/nXp_8hz7LM4/s1600/BE%2Bsuper%2Bhorse%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N78ps3UFlz4/VjQKARr3WbI/AAAAAAAAMtU/nXp_8hz7LM4/s320/BE%2Bsuper%2Bhorse%2Bcartoon%2BDP.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the good thing....... is at that height I can pretty much steeplechase everything!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />Bad Eventerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16399965918885581229noreply@blogger.com5