The plan was simple. As long as Ella was going to suffer through conditioning sets, I would suffer with her by riding at least one of those sets without my stirrups. I ride four to six horses a day most days, if not more. I can totally handle that.
And while we’re at it, I would ride in my Shoulders Back. The videos from this weekend showed me that I’m sitting very straight and erect everywhere but my shoulders, which is silly. The Shoulders Back rubs my arms when I wear it in a short-sleeved shirt, and since this is (God willing) the last week of long-sleeved weather for a while, I’d better carpe diem.
OWWWWWWW.
I am sore in the obvious places—my stomach muscles, my shoulders. But some strange places too—my shins, for example. What are my shins doing to get sore? And what aren’t they doing with stirrups?
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Fortunately, Ella is not the vindictive type, so she feels nearly as sorry for me as she does for herself. And I am only indulging in a little whining and self-pity before getting my game face back on. Because this horse is too dang special for me to not be at my peak, too. I’m back on the eating well bandwagon, and I’ve been a good girl about getting to the gym. It’s on!
Ella has recovered well from the show, as has Midge. Both felt fresh and strong today, which is good news. Ella’s in for conditioning week—one more day in the arena, then out to the hills. The weekend’s rain means my fields need one more day to dry up. Midge is in Boot Camp University, getting his certificates in Half-Passing Left Without Falling Over, Counting To Three Politely, and Passage-Big Trot Transitions Without Drama.
Poor little Fender had 10 days of almost no work, recuperating from a hideous bell boot rub that just wouldn’t close up. I took advantage of the down time to get his teeth done, and today he was not only a model citizen, he was also quite good in the bridle. He’ll be enrolling at Boot Camp University too, in preparation for next week’s show, but he’s in the age-appropriate classes of How To Make It Down The Centerline Without Staggering Too Drunkenly, and possibly Wearing The Big Horse Pants. He’s showing training level and Materiale next weekend, in preparation for his 4-Year-Old test debut in early April. Baby’s growing up!
