:)

They say princes learn no art truly but the art of horsemanship. The reason is the brave beast is no flatterer. He will throw a prince as soon as his groom. ~Ben Jonson

Myrddin Short Course

... and the weather held off too (at least until we were done)...

We enjoyed this show, it was well organized and had a nice course... we enjoyed the fact that there were a number of XC jumps (I believe 12) on top of the show jumping ones (5 at the beginning and 2 at the end).

Found a funny set of quotes from 'International Velvet' on eventing:
"This is dressage, it is meant to be like a ballet, Mr. Clark, not a barn dance”

“Now, some of you may have come here with the impression that dressage is frightfully boring compared to the greater glories of the cross country event. This is because you all lack sophistication, amongst other things.”

“The origins of dressage, however, are very deeply rooted in the classical tradition, so you just have to approach every dressage test as if it were a concerto of Bach. That’s Bach as in the German composer, Mr. Armstrong, not Bach as in Dog.”

Myrddin tomorrow....

Tonight: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Showers beginning overnight. Risk of a thunderstorm. Wind south 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low 21.

Sunday: Showers ending early in the afternoon then cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Becoming cloudy periods in the evening. Risk of a thunderstorm. High 27.

.... how nice of the rain to hold off until everyone is showing tomorrow...
boooooooooooooo.
:(

Headin' to Headwaters today for some XC !! :)

Today we are heading out to Headwaters in Orton to do some Cross-country - just for fun!
It is always great to get the horses out and have them do some fun stuff - without being in a show!

Found a funny set of quotes from 'International Velvet' on eventing:


“The Cross Country event is considered by some, Ms. Brown, to be an opportunity to display carefree abandon. This is a mistake for which I would cheerfully reintroduce capitol punishment. It is a test of brains. And since horses are only marginally less stupid than some of the people who ride them, an observation which carries with it the experience of a lifetime, I would urge you not to sit on your brains but to use them.”

“The great thing about this sport is it’s here to stay.”

--------
A few others quotes (not from the movie).. but pretty interesting all the same...


Experienced riders are not prone to brag. And usually newcomers, if they start out being boastful, end up modest. -C. J. J. Mullen
(LOVE that one!!!)

Anyone who is concerned about his dignity would be well advised to keep away from horses.
-Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
(te he he !!)

But a horse is a labor of love as well as a responsibility, an aesthetic as well as a dynamic pleasure, something to contemplate as well as to ride.
-Sarah Montague
(very nice)

Horses are something to dream about...and to wish for; fun to watch...and to make friends with; nice to pat... and great to hug: and, oh, what a joy to ride!
-Dorothy Henderson Pinch
(ooooooooh so true!)

... When I looked at life from the saddle and was as near to heaven as it was possible to be.
-Frances, Countess of Warwick
( :] )

It's what you learn after you know it all that's important.
-Legendary Californian rider and trainer Jimmy Williams

Every time you ride, you're either teaching or un-teaching your horse.
-Gordon Wright

Hamilton Hunt - Hunter Pace

August 8, 2010

We had a fun time with the Hamilton Hunt Club

... a fairly long Hunter Pace with all kinds of footing... but a good time had!

Two teams entered from our stable and two sets of ribbons!

:)

Busy weekend... hit the Old Orchard show as well!

August 2, 2010.

.... givin' some of the hunters a run for the ribbons!

Awesome time at the Mimosa Cup and Summer Games 2010!

If you ever want to get your horse out and have a great time - this is definitely not one to miss!

This was our second time at the Mimosa Cup in Caledeon. We rode on the Hunter Pace in the morning (5 min too fast for a placing!! he he!), and in the Parade of Hounds/Mock Hunt. My horse 'finally' got to catch up to the hounds at the end of the demo hunt- so he was completely thrilled! Just a carpet of hounds all around his feet! And ... lastly we entered into the Mimosa Cup pairs race held over the same ~6km course as the Hunter Pace in the morning. Tali and Steel got a pretty respectable 8th place finish at 21min+20sec... only about 28 sec off of 7th place!

Overall- a completely great day for riders and horses at a great, friendly club with excellent terrain and footing (and jumps) on the course!

The horses have so much fun getting a good gallop on through the long forested pathways... and you just can't stop smiling. How wonderful is that!!!

Sunrise at Hopewell Creek Stables....

“The grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapour is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.”
- John Muir

The Hunter Pace course at the Mimosa Cup.

Fun day and awesome weather (as usual)
:)