I Speak of Dreams

Farewell, noble horse

   Riding Denali in a dressage test, several years ago.

His time was up, was all.  He had developed a neurological condition that made it difficult for him to walk.

One of the things about owning animals is that most -- dogs, cats, horses and all -- don't live as long as people, and sometimes responsible people have to make the decision to end the animal's life.

He was still bright and interacting while we hung out with him this morning, feeding him carrots and peppermint treats.  The vet came, and fed him more peppermint treats as she administered an anti-anxiety drug, and then an overdose of sedatives.  He was still mouthing peppermints as he folded up and went on to the next thing, whatever that might be.

Euthanizing him was the right decision. Horses don't fear death.  I don't think they conceptualize death.  But they do fear predators, and it must be awful to be a horse, whose only real defense is to run away, and be unable to run.  I don't think he had fearful moments, this last week, but it was only a matter of time.

I'm really sad.  Not only was he a noble horse, he was part of a number of stories, all completed now.

 

The Great Northern Adventure: Vancouver & Oru Restaurant

Last year, we had a wedding in Seattle and then proceeded on to Echo Valley Ranch, June 29-July 4 -- the third trip for some in our party; the first for Jumper Girl and myself.  We had such a good time the group decided to return.  The timing this year was July 27 to August 4.

On July 27, JG and I flew to Vancouver, and met up with the East Coast contingent, Renee, Ruth and Leona (Boston, New York)  at our hotel,  the Fairmont Waterfront.  The East Coasters were doing other things, so JG and I walked around the Gastown district, ducking into shops to ogle --especially jewelry and First Nations art.  We missed the SteamClock.  It's a charming (if touristy) district and is a good afternoon in Vancouver.

In a future Vancouver expedition, I would make time for the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, particularly to see Bill Reid's art..  There's also an online virtual gallery, Aboriginart

We then met up with the East Coasters at Oru in the Fairmont Pacific Rim.  JG & I shared the

Tasting Menu

• Heart of Palm and Grapefruit Salad (avocado, cilantro, cashews, coconut vinaigrette)
• Albacore Tuna Spring Rolls hajikami ginger, shiso ,yuzu teriyaki
• Abalone Mushroom and Yunnan Ham (sake, ginger, scallion)
• Tandoor Lamb Chop and Prawn (mint chutney, baby lettuce)
• Nasi Goreng (tamarind, lettuce, zucchini, cucumber, chili, fried egg)
• Seared Halibut (shimiji mushrooms, soy beans, potatoes, bonito, sake-dashi broth)

The East Coasters  all had the heart of palm salad as a starter; Renee had Lobster Tom Kha Talay (enoki mushrooms, tofu, clams, lemongrass, sweet potato, coconut broth) while Ruth had the Nasi Goreng (with spot shrimp) and Leona had the seared halibut.

I want to mention the cocktail Ruth ordered: a chili infused vodka, saké, giffard ginger, lime, and fresh cilantro drink --I had a sip. mmmmmmmmmmm.

The room is delightful -- a minimalist decor with well-spaced tables.  However, the service and the food  were uneven.  For starters, when JG and I ordered the tasting menu, our waiter said, "Wait!  Chef won't always do it because it's difficult to integrate with other orders."  Well, why have it on the menu, then?  The cocktails arrived at three separate times, after the salad had been served.  Leona and Renee were drinking water; they had to signal the busboy at least twice for refills.

The heart of palm salad was excellent. In general, I felt things were overpriced.  For example, the spring rolls were good, but not $13 good.  The Nasi Goreng (Indonesian-style fried rice) was greasier than I prefer, and a bit on the bland side. Again, it's sort of street food; one expected better for $19 ($28 with the prawns).  The three wins were 

• Tandoor Lamb Chop and Prawn ($15) -- moist, succulent, and the flavor combinations were great.  I would go back for that
• Lobster Tom Kha Talay ($38)-- Renee reported it was excellent.  I'm not a shellfish or bivalve enthusiast, so I'll take her word for it.
• Seared Halibut ($29) -- perfectly cooked and beautifully presented.  My one reservation: as much as I like fresh soy beans, they were misplaced in this dish: the texture and taste brought nothing to the party.

Bottom line?  Would I go back to Oru?  Probably not. 

What are These Hunter-Jumper Medals Anyway?

For a lot of folks, the world of equestrian competition is a mystery. "Medals" test the riding style and ability of the competitor.

• Almaden Farms Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a minimum of 8 fences 2’9 in height, with two changes of lead after the first fence, and one combination which must include an oxer. Two or more tests will be incorporated in the original course.
• Horse & Hound Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a hunter or jumper course of 3’ fences with 2 tests included.
• Carousel Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a minimum of 8 fences 3’3 with two changes of direction and one combination which must include an oxer. 2 or more tests will be incorporated in the original course.
• Hudson & Company Medal Junior or Amateur Medal -- To be shown over a course of hunter and jumper type fences approximately 3'3 in height with flat work incorporated into the course. No work off is required; but further testing is at the judge's discretion.
• The Cloverleaf Equitation Classic Class is open to Junior & Amateur riders not showing in any classes over 3’6 in height. To be judged over a Jumper course of not less than 9 fences at 3’ in height. To be judged on hands, seat guidance & control of the horse on a Jumper type of ride. No time allowed; a tone will be used to signal the rider to start the course. Any Jumper type bit or equipment is allowed. Jumping penalties per USEF Equitation rules. Additional work-off after the initial round will be at the Judge’s discretion, and any number of riders may be asked to test.

More medals explanation in this PDF Download Westcoastmedalspecs

United States Equestrian Foundation Tests (more here)

1. Halt (4 to 6 seconds) or halt and back.
2. Hand gallop.
3. Figure eight at trot, demonstrating change of diagonals. At left diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when left front leg is on the ground; at right diagonal, rider should be sitting the saddle when right front leg is on the ground; when circling clockwise at a trot, rider should be on left diagonal; when circling counterclockwise, rider should be on the right diagonal.
4. Figure eight at canter on correct lead, demonstrating simple change of lead. This is a change whereby the horse is brought back into a walk or trot (either is acceptable unless the judge specifies) and restarted into a canter on the opposite lead. Figures to be commenced in center of two circles so that one change of lead is shown.
5. Work collectively or individually at a walk, trot and/or canter.
6. Jump low obstacles at a trot as well as at a canter. The maximum height and spread for a trot jump is 3’ for horses, 2’ for ponies.
7. Jump obstacles on figure eight course.
8. Question(s) regarding basic horsemanship, tack and equipment and conformation.
9. Ride without stirrups, riders must be allowed option to cross stirrups.
10. Jump low obstacles at a walk as well as at a canter. The maximum height and spread for a walk jump is 2’.
11. Dismount and mount. Individually.
12. Turn on the forehand.
13. Figure eight at canter on correct lead demonstrating flying change of lead.
14. Execute serpentine at a trot and/or canter on correct lead demonstrating simple or flying changes of lead.
15. Change leads on a line demonstrating a simple or flying change of lead.
16. Change horses. (Note: this test is the equivalent of two tests.)
17. Canter on counter lead. (Note: no more than twelve horses may counter canter at one time.)
18. Turn on the haunches from the walk.
19. Demonstration ride of approximately one minute. Rider must advise judge beforehand what ride he plans to demonstrate.

Weekend Report

Went to the Pebble Beach Spring Horse Show to observe Jumper Girl and Claudius. 

As usual, we stayed at the Beachcomber in Pacific Grove

Saturday she had one good round and one oopsie -- Claudius stumbled and JG fell off, landing on her feet.  No harm, no foul -- but no ribbons either.

Saturday night dinner was at the Rio Grill.  When we went there several years ago, they had a grilled Romaine salad.  I was disappointed that it was not on the menu any more.  The smokehouse chicken was excellent.

Sunday morning JG rode first thing.  The sun was just peeking out of the fog and the white tents were terrifying to Claudius (again).   This time he stopped instead of zooming away.

Even though Sunday was disappointing, I see huge improvements in JG's riding. 

Fugly Horse of the Day!: A Horse's View of Natural Horsemanship

Link: Fugly Horse of the Day!: A Horse's View of Natural Horsemanship.

Initially I went along with it. I'd lope around the pen real nice like, and everyone would oooh and cooo over my "natural horse" abilities. Then, just when everyone had gathered around to watch, I would see the SCARIEST!! (tehehehe) Shadow in the history of scary shadows and switch directions and take off with my rider clinging terrified to my back. Every other horse on the place was envious of me because their owners would take them out back and beat them with that overpriced stick when no one was watching, but I knew my Phyllis would not.

Eventually Philly (as I like to call her) gave up on the whole natural horse idea when Pat tried to talk her into jumping me without a bridle over some barrels. Off we went in search of another guru. In our search we found Monty. He threw a string at a horse and talked to the horse with winks and stares. I spent some time with his clinic horses. I saw the demonstration where an unbroken 2 year old became an overnight Reiner. Later I talked to the 2 year old. He was actually 5 and had been doing this same routine for about 5 clinics now.

More House Blathering #3

Today was moving day for my horse, who is going to live at a friend's farm.  He can be a pain to load in a 2-horse trailer.  Being raised in Germany, I suspect he didn't see one until I imported him.

But he loaded like a champ, didn't step on me (that'd happened a couple of times) and didn't try to crawl out the hatch.

Whew.  Back to packing.

Final Pacific Grove Update: Radiant

Jumper Girl competed in the 3' 3" Showjumping Derby (a biggish step up, since she didn't ride from September-May), and came in 5th out a field of about 40.  Twenty-one jumping efforts, including a triple combination of a one-stride to a two-stride. 

When JG was still riding ponies, we would discuss less-than-perfect results with the question: "Pilot error or pony error?".

No un-corrected pilot errors.  One brilliant pilot course-correction.  No pony errors, and in fact, one or two pony-saves-the-bacon moments.

Oh!  Ponies are a maximum of 58 inches tall, measured (more or less) at the base of the mane (the withers).  Claudius is at least 67 inches tall, and quite long.  So speaking of Claudius as a "pony" is a bit of an in-joke.

There's a lovely photo of Claudius and JG from the derby, with Claudius jumping in excellent form and a big grin from JG, that I'll post in a couple of weeks.

Previous JG-Claudius photos are packed away--I don't have any on the harddrive, for some reason.

What pleasure is greater than seeing your child's pride in achievement?

Equestrian Humor

A friend sent me the link to Trish's compilation of equestrian humor.  I particularly recommend How Many Horses Does  It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

Horses: Breathing and Breathing

Bora Zivkovic , who writes as Coturnix at Blog Around The Clock, has a great post on how horses breathe in the different gaits, and how a rider can use his or her breath to influence the horse.  Link: A Blog Around The Clock : Running, breathing and being a horse.

One of the most important things in riding horses, something I always did and always taught, although it is rarely taught by others or mentioned in books, is the necessity for the rider to breath in sync with the horse's movement. This is especially important when riding a nervous or spirited young horse who would otherwise explode. When trotting - three steps for inhale, three for exhale. Canter is more complicated.

Bora's post was prompted by Chris Clarke's post, here (with a cool movie!).

A link to all of Bora's horse posts.

Brain Injury: The Hidden Danger in Youth Sports

Have you, or your child, ever suffered a "ding" or a "bellringer" when playing a sport?  That's a concussion: mild traumatic brain injury.

Mark Emmons published an excellent article on concussion in youth sports in the Mercury News, which you should read if your child is involved in any type of sport. 

Then head over to Heads Up, the CDC's initiative to raise awareness of the dangers of concussion in youth sport.

Teach athletes and parents that it’s not smart to play with a concussion. Sometimes players and parents wrongly believe that it shows strength and courage to play injured. Discourage others from pressuring injured athletes to play. Don’t let athletes persuade you that they’re “just fine” after they have sustained any bump or blow to the head. Ask if players have ever had a concussion.