Epic save

I embrace my inner 12 year old

August 25-30 a friend and I took the train to Vancouver, BC, to attend a convention for fans of the TV show "Supernatural." Picture a bunch of middle-aged women acting much like those girls in the audience when the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. OK, we weren't quite that bad, but it was close.

Friday night, a bunch of the actors hosted a karaoke party. I almost wasn't even going to go, 'cause seriously? Karaoke? But it turned out to be an absolute blast, mostly because the actors were having such a good time.

For me, the most amazing thing about the event was the actors: they were all smart and funny, and they genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. To a one, they were all gracious with their fans -- none of them was just going through the motions. I got my picture taken with Steven Williams, who played Mr. X on "The X-Files"! He was a real sweetheart to this fangirl.

I've had some interest in Willow from an eventing barn in Texas. A student there may be taking her for a trial lease--I'm waiting to hear. I hope it works out. I'd like for her to have her own person again.

Huey and Flash cross country video

Huey's kinda hard to see, but my impression is of a very willing performance. No hesitation; just getting the job done.

I don't know much about jumping, but even I can tell that Flash is being pretty darn challenging! Best comments: "Is that her? "Mmm hmm" "Holy moly!" -- and -- "Finishing neck and neck as they come to the last fence . . ." Flash was not lollygagging.

Willow over fences (video)

I just got this video of Willow jumping -- the first time I've ever seen her in action jumping, except for a picture. Something's wrong with the video quality, but you can still get a good idea of how she's going. I think she looks happy, happy, happy! Trainer Gwen says she is rhythmical and honest to the jumps, and Gwen thinks she will tighten her knees as the jumps get higher. Willow is 16.3, so she can pretty much step over the jump at that height.

I am asking $4500 for her, btw, and she is located in Dubach, LA.

Huey got 7th place at a rated event this past weekend! Go, Mr. H! Apparently his dressage was a wreck, unfortunately. Distracted, tight, and all-around thoroughbredy. Oh well, he jumped his heart out. I should have some video soon.

Cool canter exercise

I tried a cool canter exercise out with Huey the other night -- one that I learned from Wolfgang a long time ago. It can be used as a baby step towards schooling canter pirouette. I seem to remember that when I learned this exercise I trotted it at first, to get the feel for the pattern.

In this exercise you ride the whole figure on the same lead. So, you pick up the right lead where the arrow is (you're in counter canter to the wall). In the corner you circle right as small as you can for three-quarters of a circle, sending you onto your next straight line, lather, rinse, repeat, all the way around the square. As the horse's collection increases, you can decrease the size of each 3/4 circle, and theoretically eventually achieve 3/4 pirouettes at the corners.

Huey's first response to this was "go fast!" Which is his first response to anything new and/or difficult. This exercise makes use of the corners as half halts, so you don't have to rely on your hands. It didn't take long for Huey to realize that blasting down the straightaways wasn't getting him out of anything, and he slowed down and seemed to enjoy the exercise. Left got very easy; right needs some more work.