Dear Diary.....

Well, it's almost the new year and it is cold, windy, and there is still some snow on the ground. Wait a minute....I live in the South!!! Are you kidding me??? This means that I will not be riding until 1) the temps are consistently above freezing, and 2) the mud dries to at least a depth of 2 inches...instead of the current 6 inches in my riding arena. Ughhhh. 

Since I have no pressing engagements, goals, or deadlines, it will give me lots of time to prepare (or, as Eddie would believe: "to plot") and look forward to a productive and exciting 2011. I laid the groundwork for some improvement this past year, so now it's time to take it to the next level, and then (hopefully) GET BACK TO COMPETING.


When I was in high school, I was given a pretty little "Riding Diary" that has about 3 sentences written in it. While I enjoy tradition and do occasionally get nostalgic, I'm going to leave that diary just the way I left it in 1993 and I'll use this blog space instead (on the whole) to log my riding plans, lessons learned, inspirations, and amazing revelations. I've done that a tiny bit this year, after various riding experiences, but I always tried to comment on what had happened or what I was working on and how I was progressing. I now want to also document things I read, hear, and discover that will (hopefully) contribute to me and Eddie's future successes this coming year. So, I will attempt to update this more often and I do intend to have more interesting and important things to say. Unless, of course, that rumor of an upcoming Family Guy theater movie proves true. Then, I'll probably get side-tracked....

"No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle" -- Winston Churchill

Above photo of Colin Davidson and Draco from Eventing Nation

I wasn't sure I would post anything on Colin Davidson's passing, but he was such a remarkable person that it seems disrespectful not to acknowledge the pain and sorrow that is being felt by the number of special people he left behind. I didn't know Colin personally, but I had seen him ride and I have passed him casually in the commonplace goings-on that occur on grounds at your average horse trial. What I have heard and seen of him proved him to be gallant, intelligent, talented, loving, and brave. This particular web post (made by a friend of Colin's) speaks to the very subject that struck me when I heard the news that he had passed and that he would selflessly live on as an organ donor.

I have commented before on this blog about the incredible world that we eventers live in. We eat with fellow eventers, we drink with them (a lot.....but, we'll talk about that another day), we ride with fellow eventers, we train, learn, listen, experience, argue, grow, mature, laugh, cry, fight, and soar with fellow eventers. Our world is small and we know almost all of its denizens (whether we have met them in person, or not).

Colin's death has caused a shockwave to ripple through our small community that has stopped us in our tracks, brought a furrow to our brows, sprung angry tears to our eyes, and has compelled us to question the influences of luck, fate, fairness, and grace. Like John mentions in his Eventing Nation post, I feel that Colin's passing will cause all of us to pause and think about what makes us tick; what makes us who we "are;" what makes us live; what makes us breathe. For Colin, that was eventing. And, for Colin, it was horses. As this post title so aptly imparts: no day spent with a horse, or another rider,  or another eventer is never, ever wasted. Let us be grateful for our sweet horses. Let us give thanks for our fellow riders (and our families who so lovingly and graciously understand our dedication and our desire), and let us hold dear that passion that ties the knots that bind us together: eventing.

Our community will mourn the seemingly senseless loss of one of our most promising, bright young stars....but our family will also grow stronger, knowing that we daily question our resolve and challenge our worth, and -- as always -- we find ourselves made better by that which does not take us away as well. It makes me think of a quote taken from the ever-popular YouTube video that inevitably makes its rounds every-so-often amongst my crowd: "There is nothing stronger than eventing, because there is nothing stronger than an eventer."

Rest in peace, Colin.

Pony Club FAIL

This is a picture of me circa my freshman year in college. That is my late horse, Awesome, back in the day when we were still running and jumping around together. Besides this being a sentimental photo of me and one of my sweet horses, it is a shocking example of how I let the Pony Club ethic slide drastically in the days when I wasn't actively competing. Note the "non-approved" hunt cap I'm wearing for jumping. Not only is it practically ornamental (certainly not protective), but it has slipped down over my eyes, so who knows what happened after we landed from this jump. Also note that I'm not using a breastplate with my saddle, I'm not wearing gloves while jumping, and I'm riding in a baggy sweatshirt, jeans, chaps, and -- most horrifying of all -- tennis socks and Sebago slip-on moccasins. Were it tennis socks and tennis shoes, it would be bad enough. But, Sebago's? It's like I just walked in off the street, got on my horse, and pointed him towards a jump (which, I may well have done just like that). Shame, shame!

With that being said, I do have to say I did a sweet job of wrapping those white polos, though. Bandaging is the one thing that I have always taken very seriously. So, pony club wasn't totally lost on me, after all!

What the Deuce???

Now, I know that Becks has had a rough time lately with the press, his career, the various affair scandals, bidding for England as the host of the 2018 World Cup, and promoting his charitable interests all over the world, but that doesn't mean he has to let himself slide down that slippery slope of middle age. I mean....what is going on with the hair??? If lovely Becks gets to looking rough, then there is no hope for the rest of us!

Answered prayers

Schooling in Nashville
September 2010

I'm all about the power of prayer, and I feel that the Lord answers prayers in many different ways. Sometimes it's overt, sometimes it's subtle; sometimes it's in a way that is unexpected, and sometimes answers seem to never come at all. Yesterday, as I tacked up to ride for my second jump school of the week, I felt like it was a beautiful day and that -- inevitably -- I was due for a bouncing. I've been jumping in earnest again this week here at home and Eddie has been great. We've been getting back into our previous form, but I have a healthy skepticism for what looks like a winning streak....it's never good to get overly optimistic: pride comes before a fall. I've also changed Eddie's bit from the small, hollow-mouth Eggbutt snaffle I've been riding him in to no effect for the past 2 years. I've reinstated his old bit, a Happy Mouth Mullen-mouth loose ring snaffle. He has been much better about contact and responds immediately to my pleasant half-halts. I just don't think he liked the eggbutt snaffle. This "new" bit is hardly more severe. I guess it's just different. Whatever works, though, is fine with me!

As I tacked up, I was thinking about how I should be enthusiastic, yet still wary, regarding Eddie's recent attitude adjustment and "good," "willing" behavior (yes, it is time he lived up to his name again). I said a little prayer along the lines of "Dear God, if I do fall off today, just let me break my left arm....for at least the 4th time in my life...and not my right arm. I need to be able to continue to type, write, and teach to make money! So, please, if I'm due for an injury, just make it my left arm."

To make a long story short, I didn't fall and Eddie wasn't bad. BUT...we did get an awkward 1/2 stride into a vertical, whereby I jumped up Eddie's neck, and when he took off, his neck came back into my hands and hyperextended my left thumb so badly that I thought I heard the pop echo across the entire field! I was sure that when I took off my glove that my thumb would just be hanging there, completely out of the socket. I cantered away on landing and then pulled up and shook my hand for a few minutes until the pain subsided. Then, I turned around and jumped a few more times (much more successfully) and we finished up with a nice one-handed hack out through the back of the property for about 30 minutes while I regained the feeling in my hand.

My thumb is bruised, swollen, and definitely sprained. Good thing is, God granted my prayer and injured my left hand. Maybe I should pray for a new job while I'm on a roll. :-)

"And God took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it, and created the horse."



Photo by Marc Manning



It has taken me a few days to sit down and write this post, but I'm finally getting the time to stop and reflect. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games ended this past weekend in Lexington and the news in the horse world has been shockingly quiet as the happenings and goings-on of these exciting 2 weeks start to evaporate into thin air. I had intended to go to WEG for several years leading up to the competition (I had a free place to stay with my college roommate and her husband and 2 wonderful kids), but as the time approached, other things took priority and the expense of the travel just didn't seem worth it, afterall. But, knowing that all of those riders, owners, competitors, horse lovers, and horse sport enthusiasts were gathered together in one place, at one time, for the first time in this country (and, only 2.5 hours from where I live), it is a bit exciting to think about.

Horses have been a part of my life from the time I could walk (even before I could walk!) and they will be a part of my life until the day I die. Horses are amazing, incredible animals, and I'm not just saying this because I love my guys so much. I was very moved by the inclusion of the Para-equestrian competition at the recent WEG. The disabled athletes should compete alongside the traditional disciplines and I hope that they enjoyed their experience in Kentucky and that the para-disciplines will always be a part of WEG from now on. I've included a link, here, to a photographer's online album that I saw that captures some of the most beautiful images of the entire games. What the traditional riders accomplish is astounding, but to see a person who cannot walk on her own, or who cannot stand without assistance, riding atop a horse to victory, satisfaction, and pure enjoyment is one of the most inspiring things a fellow rider can witness. The good Lord created the horse for many reasons, but the one I find to always be so special is the realization that a horse doesn't see people with disabilities. A horse will run, and jump, and fly even, no matter what the rider is capable of doing on his own. A horse alone is an animal standing in a field; a person is just a member of our human population. But together, they become something that is almost not even of this earth.

When God created the horse, he said to the magnificent creature: I have made thee as no other. All the treasures of the earth shall lie between thy eyes. Thou shalt cast thy enemies between thy hooves, but thou shalt carry my friends upon they back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. And thou shall fly without any wings, and conquer without any sword. ~ The Koran

Photo by Marc Manning

From A to Z

Here is a list of my favorite things about the 2010 World Equestrian Games (soon to be ending on Sunday, October 10).

A -- Australia's event team members, Peter Atkins and his wonderful horse, Henry Jota Hampton (known affectionately by all as "Henny")!

B -- BOYD

C -- Canadian eventers!!!

D -- Dressage drama

E -- EVENTING!

F -- Britain's tall, cool, calm, and collected eventer (and individual silver medalist): William Fox-Pitt

G -- Great Britain's gold medal-winning event team

H -- Helmets worn by the various competitors in warm-up or when otherwise not "required" in order to protect themselves against potential head injury. I would also like to mention the great news coverage and "helmet updates" given frequently by http://www.riders4helmets.com/!

I -- The Italian event team who put in a good showing and has deepened the field for the various national teams in international competitions. I also want to mention that the Italian event horse, Iman du Golfe (who cut his shoulder at the corner fence #20 on cross-country) was stitched and treated at Rood & Riddle and is expected to make a full recovery.

J -- The Jump Jet and his rider, Capt. Geoff Curran, of the Irish eventing team. I loved watching them go this weekend and get their chance on the world stage! I hope to see more great outtings for this pair in the future.

K -- Kentucky Horse Park. I've been there numerous times, and I compete there myself, but I'm sure it was like nothing I've ever seen before these past two weeks. Way to go Bluegrass State!

L -- Laura Bechtolsheimer of Great Britain rode Mistral Horjis to 3 silver medals last week: one for team dressage, one for individual dressage, and one for the freestyle. This is the first time in 32 years that a British dressage rider has medaled in international competition....and she did it 3 times!

M -- Michael Jung of Germany who won the individual gold medal in eventing by being strong from wire-to-wire, showing his mastery of all 3 phases of the eventing competition. He and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW were outstanding on show jumping day, sealing the deal with a solid and unquestionably dominating double-clear round. It was beautiful to behold!

N -- Andrew Nicholson and the New Zealand event team! Great job by Andrew to move up the leader board and snag an individual bronze medal! Great job by New Zealand for taking the bronze team medal, as well. Those old guys (Andrew and Mark) still got it!!!

O -- The 2012 Olympics are now right around the corner and for the U.S. (particularly the show jumping and eventing teams) there needs to be some serious work and re-organizing going on before we are ready to present outstanding teams to the world in London. As John stated on Eventing Nation: "But perhaps the biggest frustration is the notion that our eventing team could potentially write the WEGs off as bad luck and head to London with a similar strategy." I, personally, do not think the U.S. fans, competitors, and the past and future team riders will let this happen. Everyone seems very disenchanted right now, so what better opportunity is there to bring about a revolution in our nation's approach to building an international team?

P -- Para-equestrians and the para-dressage competition. Competing the first time at a WEG and having a great time while in town. Congrats to Sophie Wells of Great Britain on her individual and team gold medals, proving yet again that the Brits know their way around international equestrian competitions.

Q -- Quarter horses everywhere in the reining competition!!!

R -- The U.S. reiners stole the show! Great job by all those guys on their home turf. I just wish Shawn Flarida and RC Fancy Step hadn't had the broken stirrup in the individual competition. But, they'll be back!

S -- Steffen Peters (U.S. dressage rider) who won bronze as an individual and bronze in the freestyle competition. He also repeatedly demonstrated tremendous class as he honored his friend Courtney King-Dye and dedicated his medal-winning freestyle performance to her as she continues to fight to recover from a devastating head injury incurred during a fall from a young horse this past spring. His helmet-wearing sparked nods and applause from riders and horse enthusiasts everywhere, and I can only hope his example will be followed by all (professionals, amateurs; competitors and joy-riders) in the days and weeks to follow. You're a class act, Steffen!

T -- Moorlands Totilas. Need I elaborate????

U -- Universal Sports and NBC for their great online and television coverage of all the action for those of us who couldn't be there in person!

V -- All the many, many volunteers who made the competition possible. As a competitor at equestrian competitions that could never be held without the help of volunteers, I know how important each and every one of them is. As a frequent volunteer myself, I know that it is hard work, yet rewarding, and thanks to all of the workers at WEG these past 2 weeks (not to mention the countless years/months/days of preparations leading up to and after the games, as well).

W -- Jimmy Wofford, for his involvement on every level in the games and, particularly, the eventing competition. "The Woff" as a legend in U.S. eventing provides great commentary on t.v., an entertaining and educational XC course walk the day before cross-country, and his online blog is funny, honest, and endearing....as always. We're very lucky to have him as a leader and as a personality in our great sport!

X -- XC!!! Congratulations to Michael Ethrington-Smith and Mick Costello and his team for such a truly beautiful and challenging (yet fair and appropriate) XC course. It will be sad to see ME-S retire, but he has provided a legacy that will be put to good use as courses are designed, built, and developed for years and years to come.

Y -- Kyle Carter. Yes, I know this is a stretch, but we all love Kyle and his infectious good humor, as well as his total dedication to the sport. We also love that Kyle leads and guides the USEA Area III Young Riders every year....so, there is your "Y," folks!

Z -- Zeal! That sums up the amazing rides of the Canadian eventers on cross-country day. And, to prove that point, I present this video in total and perfect evidence of this concept: Jessica Phoenix and Exponential at the "Land Between the Lakes" water complex. This is how you do NOT want your horse to jump a blind drop into the water, but if you have a horse with the zeal and courage of Exponential (and you can ride like Jessica) then it's a fitting display of enthusiasm, horsemanship, and the determination it takes to be an eventer.

Friend Therapy, Part II

(Photo by Ilse Schwarz/dressage-news.com)

Straight from the source: Courtney King-Dye relates how special the WEG dressage week was for her and how happy she was to be there. I can only imagine how much she has improved through all of the energy and enthusiasm she has experienced the past few weeks. Keep going, Courtney!