"A Blue Ribbon Kind of Day" a poem

Oberon - Full of tests, tricks and a heart of Gold

A Blue Ribbon Day

It was a summing up

kind of day,

of hours spent

collecting, posting,

diagonals, leads,

shoulders back,

thumbs up, heels down,

look, leg, lead

(don't forget... smile!)

September is a time

to celebrate achievements,

wrap up a season's progress,

teamwork, companionship.

Our Oberon, full of fun,

tricks, and a heart of gold...

or is that blue?

by Margaret Bednar, September 21, 2013

A Blue Ribbon Day

Warming up... Oberon not wanting to "collect",
my daughter light of hands and patient.  We don't collect for long
as we are building up his strength.

 It was an overcast day, but that kept things a bit cooler.  It is still rather warm here in North Carolina and very green - trees don't show any hint of color yet - and it misted for part of the day - didn't rain until after we were done with our classes.   My daughter has come a long way in her riding, and Oberon is a pony with a wonderful mind - doesn't do anything dangerous, but will test her to see if she knows what she is doing.  Being a pony, he is always looking for an easy way out of work ;)

They were in 6 classes.  Placements: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and two 5ths. (one was 5th out of a class of 15!) Classes were all good sizes, but she did place 5th of 5th in her first pattern class - and he took the wrong lead cantering - but we can work on that for next year.  All in all, a great day.

"The Eastern Breeze" a poem reflecting on the Friesian spirit

The Eastern Breeze

Does the eastern breeze
call your noble name
as you crane your neck
toward centuries old?

Do you gaze toward
the Northern Sea, hear
the Roman Legions march,
seek Hadrian's Wall?

Do the clouds conjure
ancient battles of Munster,
Aduard, and Cologne

as the eastern breeze
calls your beauty black
to reclaim a spirit bold?

by Margaret Bednar, September 3, 2013

Sebastian is only half Friesian, yet there are times he looks up and gazes in the distance and I can really see the influence of his magnificent ancestor!   I don't own him anymore, James Cooler does, but I get to see Sebastian at the barn where I board Oberon, my Quarter Horse who is adorable and cute - but he doesn't quite have the presence Sebastian does.

Below is a beautiful video and a few pictures of a Friesian Stallion being ridden at the beach (they LOVE water)

My Favorite Cowboy! Being Sponsored by Twisted X Boots

This video is a bit oversized and I couldn't figure out how to make it smaller.   It is filmed in Montana, I believe and

Twisted X Boots is sponsoring James Cooler in his journey to "Road to the Horse Wild Card Competition" taking place on March 13, 2014.  HERE is more information about the RAM Wild Card Competition 2014 which is FREE to the public in Lexington, KY.

HERE is an Event Schedule for Thursday (Wild Card Competion where one individual will be selected to move on to Road to the Horse) and Friday-Sunday (Road to the Horse International 2014)

"A Moment, Realized". A Poem

A Moment, Realized

Life is a series of moments, flickering quickly,
soon forgotten as I hurtle myself
toward each new sensory and you, often
with me, eagerly round each bend,

traverse each hill, two souls adventuring
into seconds, minutes, hours.  My youth
beats to the rhythm of your hooves,
your name caresses my lips each night

as I pray our connection lasts,
hope we learn to pause more often,
like this morning when you honored me

with your trust, your gentleness -
the moment I realized it is not I who offers up
the greater sacrifice, the greatest gift.

by Margaret Bednar, July 7, 2013

Summer is rapidly flying by and we are often too hot to ride these past couple of weeks.  Lots of hosing down, lots of early morning and evening visits to the barn.  I think I have always preferred fall as the bugs start going away and the heat recedes -- perfect riding weather.

My Totem, a poem by Margaret Bednar

My Totem

We are riders
on the storm of life,

paths crossing, pausing

to bask in china blue sky's
gentle breath.

For but a moment
you lean into me, content,
heartbeats shared.

Submissiveness
is often considered
weakness,

but your spirit,
gentled, is truly
a powerful guardian.

by Margaret Bednar, June 23, 2013

For a poetry challenge I was to use a title of one of Jim Morrison's songs to use in a poem.  I selected "Riders on the Storm".

I don't own Sebastian anymore, I only have one horse, Oberon.  But I get to see Sebastian all the time as we are at the same barn.

"Cantering" a video with Kenny Harlow, an update on Sebastian

Here is a photo of Sebastian - do you remember the Friesian/Paint I owned a while back?  Well, we still get to watch him in training with James Cooler (Click HERE for Facebook link) and handle him a bit while he is away doing clinics and such this summer.  He is doing well and is a sweet boy.

This is a video of Sebastian when he was a baby (his original name was Falcon).  I posted this for a few of my poetry blogging friends who like horses (especially Fireblossom):



And for those of you with a few minutes to spare, below is a video of James Cooler explaining how Sebastian played an important role into James being selected as a Wild Card for 2014's Road to the Horse!  Notice: he rides him with no bridle.




A gentlemen I just found and find interesting is Kenny Harlow.  This video is a series and I think it is the third of a three part segment:  (This isn't new to me as we have worked with something similar to this with James Cooler)

...and we can't forget Oberon.   (FYI:  my daughter always wears a helmet riding except for a few photoshoots - so don't give me grief.)  We've been working on "perfect" transitions and beginning collection.

Oberon & my daughter "The Greatest Gift" a poem

The Greatest Gift

Gentleness is
a gift far greater
than strength,

like filtered sun,
seeps bone deep,
settles the heart

and peace is born.

by Margaret Bednar, June 3, 2013