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A little "trail ride" anyone?

Fall is in the Air!

Fall is in the air!  

My daughters have been improving their riding and we have been working on "Freedom" with Oberon. I hope to get a video of that this weekend.  Here he is responding to my inability to learn as quickly as he!  James Cooler (of Cooler Horsemanship) tried for quite a while to make me understand a rather simple que... and Oberon would run off as he just didn't know what I wanted.  BUT... when I finally got it, Oberon was as sweet as pie.  

It was also windy and one of the first cooler days - and secretly, I enjoyed watching him prance around a bit.  At the end of this short video, he came back.  

Below is my daughter's very first bareback jump - and she also recently learned how much fun it is to canter UP a hill.   Not many lazy days ahead anymore for Oberon :)

As you can see below, he has a bit of a belly, but his neck is fine and the vet rated him a "6".  Traditionally he has been a "5" and tends to loose weight in winter, so I am fine with this.   The grass is slowly fading and this year we had so much rain - well, I consider myself lucky he didn't get fatter.  Not to mention, he had no hoof issues whatsoever.  

"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

"Teamwork"

Teamwork

Seventh place, dead last,
sixth, fourth, two thirds,
smile upon her face, unforced;

perseverance, a beautiful canter,
a winning smile,
and their first blue ribbon.

Matches the one
she carries in her heart.

Margaret Bednar, May 6, 2013

Linked with Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's "Open Link Monday".

Haven't posted for a while, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy at the barn.  My daughter's have been working hard preparing for a few open shows.   Oberon has been "adjusting" to a tighter rein.  He's not as thrilled as the girls are, but he's been a good boy.   I will share some lessons with you in the next few posts...

Julie Goodnight YouTube Video on Transitions

Transitions with Julie Goodnight.  I really like this.  My daughter was in her first show recently and we realize Oberon's transitions need to be worked on as we have spoiled him a bit.  James & Kate Cooler will be working with us on this, and I think this is what they have been talking to us about... it's all in the seat.  We will see next week as we have lessons scheduled.

What do you think of this video?

My daughter showed Oberon for the first time at an Open Show which was held at our "home" barn.  I am not sure if I have mentioned it, but I moved to a place called "Flintrock Farm".   They have a number of fun events planned on their calendar HERE and we are looking forward to May's "Horsefriend's" Open Fun Show Horse... specifically the games "Egg & Spoon" and "Ride a Buck" to name a few.

She entered in a walk/trot class and she did very well.  Two fifths and a sixth.  Not bad for JUST LEARNING what a diagonal was and holding leather reins in her hands for the first time (she likes her rope reins).  Oberon has been a tad bit spoiled and his transitions have gotten sloppy.  Believe me, my daughter is already on it!!  He could also be a bit more collected in his head carriage, but we will work on the issue of smooth, quick transitions first.  And Emma is just learning how to ride two handed.

Doesn't he look handsome in his English garb?

Hopes & Dreams

Hopes & Dreams

Simplicity

I grasp

as day

gives way

to evening

shade,

hopes

and dreams

illuminated

and shared

as my pony

nickers

and nods

encouragement.

by Margaret Bednar

Linked with the poetry site "Imaginary Garden with Real Toad's Open Link Monday"

My son, the youngest Horse Whisperer?

My son, possibly the YOUNGEST Horse Whisperer ever?!  Maybe he can help James Cooler with his three year old colt, Duece ... for Road to the Horse 2014!?  He is also on Facebook under Cooler Horsemanship.

Road to The Horse 2013

James Cooler was selected as one of eight qualifiers for the Wild Card entry for Road to the Horse 2014.  HERE is a description of the eight finalists.  They pick up their three year old colts March 17.

HERE are some of the horse people attending this year's celebration of the 10th Road to the Horse Competition.  I also heard Buck Branneman was going to be there... but I don't see his name on the website.  HERE is the weekend's agenda.

What is really fun for me is that the horse I used to own, Sebastian (above) was the colt used for the application video.   James Cooler is now starting a year's journal highlighting his one year journey with a 3 year old QH colt he will select and come home with from this year's Road to the Horse held in Lexington, KY, at the Kentucky Horse Park.  You can find it and updates on Cooler Horsemanship on Facebook HERE.

He will train the colt for a year and return next year (2014) and compete for "best hand" with the other eight for a wildcard entry into Road to the Horse 2014.

My blog friend and barn friend, Mary, explains it exceptionally well here at "Galloping Mind".  Not only is this post well done, but all her posts are informative and entertaining.  Please, check it out - you will be happy you did.  

Mustang - a Poem

Mustang

My loyal and true heart
is a cowboy's desire,

but his soothing words
and gentle hands

make promises
I know he won't keep.

I'm not so easily swayed
as are the ladies,

for my eyes will always yearn
for what he can't give me.

Perhaps that's my appeal;
we both long for the same thing.

by Margaret Bednar, January 30, 2013

This is for Poetry Jam "The Beast in You" and Friday Flash 55 (will link up with Thursday after 8pm) - 55 words, no more, no less.

I have been BUSY lately.  I moved yet again to a new barn... I will be updating here about that soon.