tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post6539512886089523111..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Racing a ShadowJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-4400952268558112482012-12-29T18:30:46.766-08:002012-12-29T18:30:46.766-08:00wzlv [url=http://cheapbeatsbydrdrestores.com]beats...wzlv [url=http://cheapbeatsbydrdrestores.com]beats by dre sale[/url] exfbrn http://cheapbeatsbydrdrestores.com bbvl [url=http://cheapbeatsbydredreshops.com]dr dre beats[/url] gaylsj http://cheapbeatsbydredreshops.com hzehx [url=http://beatsbydrdreaustraliasale.com]dr dre headphones[/url] elqxff http://beatsbydrdreaustraliasale.com pghqx [url=http://beatsbydrdresaleaustralia.com]beats by dre sale[/url] okysw http://beatsbydrdresaleaustralia.com aon [url=http://cheapbeatsheadphonesaustralia.com]beats by dre[/url] btuse http://cheapbeatsheadphonesaustralia.com gpjAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-9347016141296930702012-12-10T07:27:54.744-08:002012-12-10T07:27:54.744-08:00Breathe--I think you put that very well. In my own...Breathe--I think you put that very well. In my own case, I guess you could say that I still use the things I learned in twenty years of training and competing, but I simply use them intuitively, in order to get along with my horse well. If we're loping up a hill that has a right hand bend in the trail, I put the horse in the right lead. I don't think about it, I just do it. And thus our trip up the hill is a little bit more balanced and comfortable for both of us. But I'm definitely not improving as a horseman any more...in terms of improving my skills. I think I get along with my horses better than I used to, but I also think its because I don't put as much pressure on them as I did when I was trying to achieve certain goals. It all depends on what you want to achieve, I guess. And I think your goal of connection is maybe the best goal of all.<br />Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-36429027888463743642012-12-09T03:19:54.077-08:002012-12-09T03:19:54.077-08:00I'm not competitive by nature, but I have a hu...I'm not competitive by nature, but I have a huge drive to improve my ability. These days I do it by focusing on little things, just like people do in competitions, but they are little things I care about. <br /><br />I really, atthe end of the day, only care about connection. When I can go to my horse and find the words and way that put her in her "zen spot", I have earned my horse buckle.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-22004830868073615962012-12-06T18:32:40.706-08:002012-12-06T18:32:40.706-08:00Dom--thanks--I love that photo. It just makes me s...Dom--thanks--I love that photo. It just makes me smile. Henry can still really execute a good long trot.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-87217639037447895852012-12-06T15:53:13.668-08:002012-12-06T15:53:13.668-08:00What a heart warming photo :)What a heart warming photo :)Domhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00139769676714813261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-71332585883030023012012-12-06T08:18:18.979-08:002012-12-06T08:18:18.979-08:00Linda--Its weird. I know just what you mean. In my...Linda--Its weird. I know just what you mean. In my twenties and thirties I was obsessed with performance and somewhat proud of how much I knew. I could take the correct lead (and teach a colt to do this), I could execute spins and flying changes...etc. Then I pretty much gave up riding in my forties and when I returned to it in my fifties, I just didn't care about all that stuff any more. I'm back to that teenager riding along the trail enjoying the relaxed partnership with a horse. i'm not sure if this is a step forward or backward.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-25115251817934611422012-12-06T07:39:41.943-08:002012-12-06T07:39:41.943-08:00When I first started riding, I didn't know or ...When I first started riding, I didn't know or care about such things as leads and form either, but I did, eventually, go through a stage when I felt inferior to others who did. Now I look back and I kind of miss the ignorant me just having fun and enjoying myself and my horse. Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14303523299217618526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-20320573200274745912012-12-06T07:14:11.779-08:002012-12-06T07:14:11.779-08:00Thanks for the comment, Christine. I love basing m...Thanks for the comment, Christine. I love basing my posts on a photo that evokes a few thoughts.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-87192334112055653442012-12-05T19:31:57.244-08:002012-12-05T19:31:57.244-08:00I love what that photo evokes for you! That's ...I love what that photo evokes for you! That's how i feel about teaching others about horses :)<br /><br />It's such a beautifully exciting world, the horse world.Christinehttp://equus-blog.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-39718970122665371612012-12-05T15:34:56.825-08:002012-12-05T15:34:56.825-08:00Val--You are so right about showing being expensiv...Val--You are so right about showing being expensive. Its so long since I've done it that I've kind of forgotten about that part, but I used to feel terribly guilty about all the money I spent on competing.<br /><br />And I hope my kid is enjoying his horsey childhood--I'm sort of giving him the life I wished I had had as a child. Thanks for the comment.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-71337023419964422522012-12-05T14:08:02.687-08:002012-12-05T14:08:02.687-08:00When I was a kid, I wished that I could compete. ...When I was a kid, I wished that I could compete. I took lessons with a bunch of rich kids who could enter every show and afford lessons twice a week. I held my own with them, even though I could only ride once a week and for part of the year, but I always thought that if I just had more lessons and got to go in shows like them I would be able to beat them. I did not get the opportunity to show until high school and college, but, honestly, I did not love it. I like to improve and better myself and my horse, but I do not like being a slave to goals and deadlines. I guess that I have too much of that at work now and during my years as a student. And showing is so expensive. I have trouble justifying it.<br /><br />I love that you have given this gift to your son, regardless of how it turns out in a few years.Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-56058801262221895752012-12-05T12:36:11.899-08:002012-12-05T12:36:11.899-08:00jenj--I think its kind of cool that everybody find...jenj--I think its kind of cool that everybody finds a different path. I'm wondering if my son will some day have a big realization that this non-competitive path that I'm currently on is NOT him, and be annoyed with me for "wasting" all these years that he could have been training for some event (!) I guess time will tell.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-57622395564898115082012-12-05T11:49:01.125-08:002012-12-05T11:49:01.125-08:00Doh, Laura, I didn't mean to imply that there&...Doh, Laura, I didn't mean to imply that there's anything wrong with not competing! In fact I kind of enjoy it, and boy was it a HUGE relief after a crazy year of showing. But having been out of it for a while, I find myself getting a little bored. I don't know what to do with myself or my horse, and there are only so many times I can go for a trail ride, to be honest. I definitely enjoy taking lessons - goes with that whole "improving" thing. As I said, we all have to find what makes us happy with our horses - it will be different for everyone. I'm so glad that you have such a wonderful time with your boys and your son - that is truly special and you have such lovely memories!jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-66643476552388956822012-12-05T11:39:15.667-08:002012-12-05T11:39:15.667-08:00jenj--I'm not sure if this reflects poorly on ...jenj--I'm not sure if this reflects poorly on me or what, but so far I do NOT miss the challenge of competing, but am rather delighting in the freedom from pressure and that need to be "improving." I still enjoy looking at the buckles and such that I won, and the memories of our competitive days are one reason I treasure my retired horses, but I am honestly just as fond of my little trail horse and think I will equally treasure the lovely memories of rides I have had with my son. I guess everybody's different and that's great. Its been a surprise to me how happy I am not to be training/competing any more.Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-20658293412478876382012-12-05T10:02:18.808-08:002012-12-05T10:02:18.808-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-8107064136743499602012-12-05T09:40:33.088-08:002012-12-05T09:40:33.088-08:00I used to be super-competitive... with myself. I w...I used to be super-competitive... with myself. I wanted to go out there and have a great ride, and Cash and I were very successful at what we did. It really wasn't about the ribbons for me, although we brought quite a few home. It was about improving, and having goals, and meeting them.<br /><br />These days I don't compete much, and I miss it. I don't miss the hassle, or the nerves, or the early mornings, but I miss the thrill of going "hell yeah, WE OWNED THAT". Sure, I can go XC schooling and have a great time and jump big fences, but it's not the same as in a show. There's not the pressure to do your best. <br /><br />On the other hand, there's no pressure now. I can go blast down our "Sleepy Hollow" trail near sundown after a long day at the office, and clear out the cobwebs. I can go school flatwork just to see what buttons are there and how far I can push them. When we foxhunt, nobody cares if my position is perfect or anything, as long as we keep up and get over the fences. But then it feels like there's no room to improve. Yeah, I can get the job done... so what? I'm always looking for a challenge, and when I don't show, I don't challenge myself enough.<br /><br />Someday I will find my happy medium :)jenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01737679332792618499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-83526633802584664412012-12-05T07:42:16.511-08:002012-12-05T07:42:16.511-08:00Cindy D--I know my kid may lose interest in horses...Cindy D--I know my kid may lose interest in horses when he hits the teenage years--it often happens.<br /><br />I did enjoy my days of competing, so I am not running it down. I just enjoy the freedom from that pressure more--these days. A lot of people enjoy the Ranch Horse class, which really wasn't around much, back when I competed.<br /><br />Thanks for your comment!Laura Crumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15200878892304748308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-77344465753688754012012-12-05T07:31:34.657-08:002012-12-05T07:31:34.657-08:00My son has a 5 year old filly, of wonderful confor...My son has a 5 year old filly, of wonderful conformation and tempermant. She was well started under the saddle, and he has ridden her many times in controled situations. Recently I gave him the opportunity to show her in a conformation class and he turned it down. He said he prefers to just be with her and ride. No pressure. It is his horse and his choice. Now she has a broken coffin bone and is in rehab mode, and my son who is becoming a full blown teenager seems to be losing interest. I don't know if it is because he cannot ride her, or if it is an age thing. Or, perhaps it is due to the weather, which sort of makes me lose interest too. Maybe it is a combination of all three things. I have talked about selling her, and he throws a fit. So for now she stays. <br />I personally would like to do some Ranch Horse Competitions and am working towards that, but my favorite days are when my best friend comes to town and we just go for a ride on some secluded trail. Just like I did when I was a kid. Riding for just the pure joy of spending time with my horse. As far as I'm concerned competing is nice, but the one on one time is what it is really all about. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15617546413512282387noreply@blogger.com