Author: Amanda C

I haven’t given much update on The Saddle Quest, mostly because I was pouting. The first saddle finally arrived from Devoucoux, and while it fit Henry great…

unfortunately my concerns about the 17.5″ were legit. The seat was ok, but my knee hung over the front block in a really awkward way. Definitely too small.

Considering how Trainer’s 18″ fit (borderline roomy), I was kind of surprised at how tiny the 17.5″ both looked and felt. I checked the stamp twice to make sure I wasn’t crazy. They’re very very different for what’s only supposed to be 1/2″.

So, reluctantly, I boxed the 17.5″ back up and shipped it back to Devoucoux. It was in my possession for less than 24 hours. However, I think the universe must REALLY want me to have my Unicorn, because it just so happened that an 18″ popped up too. For $200 cheaper than the other one. And it was newer.

I had to wait for the refund to go through from the first saddle, which made me really nervous, hoping no one bought the 18″ out from under me while I waited. Pretty much the second it hit, the new one was purchased. Say hello to Unicorn 2.0…

which arrived literally 10 minutes after I dropped Henry off at Trainer’s for the week. Sigh. So now here it sits, looking beautiful and smelling amazing, until this weekend when I can finally try it. Maybe second try is the charm?

My mom passed away one year ago today.

I’ve never lost anyone that close to me before, and coping with it has been, well, weird. Sometimes I forget she’s even gone, usually when I find myself having the urge to call or text her about certain things before remembering she’s not there. Reality hits hard every time. Like during breeding season – my first reaction to every ultrasound was to send a picture to my mom. She would have been super excited about another baby horse.

Flagstaff was also one of her favorite places, and while we were there I thought about her a lot. There’s no doubt she would have thought that was one of the coolest trips ever, except for maybe the 10 days of camping part.

At her funeral we handed out CD’s with Love Shack on it… that CD lives in my CD player in my truck. If I find myself thinking of her and need a pick-me-up, I play it. Two button pushes and there she is, personified in a song. Works every time.

And yes, I still put a purple rubber band in one of Henry’s braids on show jumping day, in honor of her. Ok, she would probably prefer head-to-toe purple and lime green, but she’s gonna have to settle for a purple braid. I think she’d be ok with that compromise.

I’m in the middle of a 10 day barnsitting stint, and while barnsitting is absolutely my favorite way to make a some extra cash to add to my budget, regular work hours plus barnsitting duties make it difficult for me to have time to ride Henry. Instead of giving him another week off, since he just came back from vacation, I decided to send him down to Trainer for the week.

This actually worked out pretty well (for once) since apparently it’s suddenly monsoon season in Texas. It’s been raining like crazy, which has turned our pastures to mud pits and our arena into a lake. Trainer’s place is a couple hours away, on really nice sandy soil, so even with tons of water it stays rideable. If Henry was at home he’d just be standing in his stall anyway, so – perfect timing.

He’s been a bit frustrating on the flat lately (not bad, just really “lit”) so I’m not gonna lie, this is a little fun for me. Yesterday I took the day off from work (how do I still have 19 vacation days left???), packed his bridles and his food/supplements, loaded him up, and drove him down to Trainer’s.

I kind of understand how parents feel now when they drop kids off at camp. On one hand you love them and miss them as soon as you start to pull out, but on the other hand you just can’t seem to press down on that accelerator fast enough.

The first update, from yesterday’s ride, was pretty entertaining – “I didn’t die today, but… it was touch and go for a few minutes.”. 30 degree drop in temperature plus a very fit Henry… yep, this is gonna be a fantastic week. Mostly for me, since all I have to do is write the check. Money well spent.

I dunno how closely any of you have been following the Olympic updates on social media, but two sources have really stood out to me over the past week. Mostly because they really aren’t afraid to say what they think, and I’m always 110% behind that.

The Horse Magazine

THM is an Australian based publication that has been posting real time updates from Rio on their facebook page plus end-of-day wrap posts on their website. With such gems as:

Yes, Rebecca, it is better to watch a not so talented horse ridden beautifully than a brilliant horse ridden by a terrorist.

Just a wonderful test from Spencer Wilton – the new style of British dressage, soft, rhythmic, beautiful. But the toads in the judges boxes know they have to keep the big marks for later in the day.

Just accepted very lame Japanese horse, oh well, it’s a long way from his heart.

Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice home just 3.2 but the US only has two riders left in the field (er, both of them Australians).

Yeah I am sure the Dutch spin doctors will come up with a story, but the truth is an old gelding, with his best a long long time ago, should never have been brought here. Now they are in a right pickle of their own making.

… how do you not love it? Agree with them or not, it’s pretty refreshing to see a journalist tied to a major publication that isn’t afraid to put forth a REAL and HONEST opinion. Plus they used the phrase “in a right pickle”.

 

The Sort of OK Show About Horses

Sorry Buck, I love you, but Kyle is the real star of this masterpiece. For those who haven’t seen it – before and after a lot of major events, Buck and Kyle do a little “show” where they talk about what they think is going to happen, who they think will do well, then what actually happened, and their impressions of such.

In a world where most high profile pro riders are SO afraid to say what they really think, I absolutely love seeing Kyle be completely candid. He never hesitates to really lay it all out there, even if it’s critical of a horse, a rider, or a program. He’s not mean about it, but he’s honest. His assessment of what happened with the US team on XC was exactly spot on with what I was thinking too (commentary on the US team starts around the 26:19 minute mark, which I’ve linked to above). Thank you Kyle for having the cojones to say what you’re really thinking!

 

I’m officially at the point where I don’t even remember my own birthday until the day before. All the sudden today – BAM – I’m 33.

This morning my dad posted this picture on facebook, which might be the best thing I’ve ever seen, mostly because that’s still my default facial expression.

And then my brother and sister-in-law memed it…

So… best birthday present ever. Still laughing.

Some days I still don’t feel like I should be trusted with adult responsibilities, yet I’ve been an “adult” for a long time now. It’s been a weird journey, probably not what I would have pictured, but I have no complaints about where I’m at or how I got here.

I’ve worked at the same place for almost 12 years (holy. crap.) and I don’t hate my job. I’d rather have a job in the horse industry somehow (sales? marketing? product development? no idea), but maybe someday the perfect thing will come along.

Henry was supposed to be a short term resale, and we all see how that worked out. He’s my shining star and has made life a lot more interesting and fun and rewarding. That horse isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

 

As far as what the next 33 will bring… who knows. I don’t have much of a plan, so I’ll just follow the swing of things and see where it all ends up. Hopefully there will be a lot more ups, inevitably several downs, and I’m sure plenty of surprises along the way. With horses staying firmly at the center of my world, naturally.

I do know one thing – today I get CAKE!