Nova Scotia Autumn Run 2012

Photo credit:  Cathy Arsenault.  Pictures taken during an endurance ride in Stanley Nova Scotia 2012.  Have never set them up in a slideshow so took a few minutes to put one together.  Enjoy.

Fryeburg, Maine - Tammy's answers

1.  A memorable moment/experience:  There are so many, but one that really sticks out in my mind is the day of my ride, shared with a big horse with an even bigger heart, his little Arab sidekick and of course my companion, my support, my strength, my best friend, Troy.  I have to say that this day was probably the most challenging ride I have ever done and the heat was way beyond what I consider my comfort zone and my comfort zone is a lot cooler than most people can relate to.  I was nervous of all the unknowns and most of all I was wondering if Wind could handle the heat.  I don't have a lot of experience yet in managing his needs during the longer rides, especially in the heat and his well being is always my first concern...so much so that I had considered not even doing this ride.  The whole group came together to help both of us get through.  Troy and I had an amazing crew and when we didn't have crew between pit stops and halfway, Troy and Wind and Aziim were my strength and my courage.  I couldn't get to that memorable experience without explaining all of that first, so now the moment. We came around a corner, headed for our first pit stop and there they were, my own little cheering section.  They hooted and hollered and jumped up and down, they played empowering music, they took care of me and my horse above and beyond the call of duty.  I was overwhelmed to the point of tears.  It was exhilarating and humbling all at the same time and it will stay in my heart forever.

2.  Someone interesting you met:  So many interesting, knowledgeable, warmhearted and funny people, including Garnet Gallant and Art King, but I have to also mention Maggie and Henry, two Bernese Mountain dogs. I really enjoyed their daily visits and of course I made sure they would by having homemade dog biscuits on hand.  I looked forward to seeing them every day and it always brought a huge smile to my face  

3.  Something awesome you learned:  I guess this was more of a reminder, but even when conditions are not ideal in life, you have to take a deep breath and live it anyway.  In most cases, you learn more of what you're made of and you end up with a sense of pride and accomplishment and an experience you wouldn't trade for the world and you wonder why you ever hesitated. 

4.  Something you did not expect: Wind's reaction to the bridge.  He is usually pretty good in most cases, not a big spooker and a pretty good leader and he scared me on that bridge to the point of getting off, not that my nerves were any help.   

5.  Something funny that happened:  Sneaking up on Shelley is really, really fun!!

6.  Something you learned about yourself:  I can handle more than I think I can. 

7.  Something you would like to forget:  How hard it was to keep my feet clean.  The area was sandy and that mixed with fly spray and sunscreen....frustrating.  I may be cowgirl tough, but I prefer to be city girl clean!

8.  Something you would do differently next time:  Take a deep breath and let it go.

9.  Favourite experience or spot on the trail: The first couple of miles through canopy ceiling and pine needle covered floor. Amazing way to start and end a ride.  Those boys just sailed on through like they were on clouds. It was breathtaking!!

10.  Something you found challenging:  Definitely the heat.  It was like a vacation in its own just to get in the car to go somewhere with the air conditioning on. 

11.  A piece of advice you got:  Thank you to Roy for the tip on Jockey Cap.  Great little restaurant, good food, and wonderfully refreshing ice cold ice coffee. 

12:  Closing statement:  This week in Maine came with lots of challenges and things to overcome, but more importantly it came with pride, joy, commitment, support and friendship and yet again a shared experience with my loving and supportive husband, and my equine partner, strong and brave and willing and most of the TT family (Gary, Marie, and Carrilee, you were missed).  My heart is full and overflowing.   

Bucket List

It's extra special when someone ticks off a box on their bucket list. Janet has been planning for a long time to "some day" ride her own horse along a beach. Saturday was that day. Certainly there will be many other similar rides, faster rides, more exciting rides, etc. but Saturday was THAT ride. The one that was years in the making. The one that rewards her for years of working hard and dreaming even harder. Congratulations Janet! It was a pleasure to be there to share the moment with you.

 Happy Trails,
 Lynn

Fryeburg Maine - Pam's Answers

A Snapshot of our Maine Trip:

 1. A memorable moment/ experience. Tiki and I did not go out for our second loop on our first 25 mile LD.  I was having tack issues and the minutes were ticking by. I finally told Todd (whom I had ridden the first half of the ride with) to go on without me - and he did. Just like that. No fuss, no muss. Not only was this Todd’s first LD, it was the first time he had ridden alone for any extended distance. He trusted his horse, and he trusted himself - so he went. He really inspired me – I hope that when my turn comes “to go on”, I will do it just like him.

2. Someone interesting you met. I had the chance to chat with Garnet Gallant. Loved it. Of course I was totally unprepared and had no life altering questions for him – but it was great to have the chance to talk with someone who has so much experience with endurance riding.

3. Something awesome you learned. That true friends are gold. Let’s face it – everybody gets testy when you are hot, tired, and stressed. But when the feelings and wellbeing of others are put before your own – no matter where your headspace is – that is true friendship, and we have that in spades.

4. Something you did not expect. I did not expect the work to be never-ending. There was always something that needed to be done. The only time I sat down was at supper time ... and sometimes at the ride meetings.

5. Something funny that happened. This trip to Maine was not only our first time at an AERC ride, it was the first time for all of our horses. The first night, we tucked them all in stalls – and a row of 6 heads were constantly hanging out over the Dutch doors – taking in all of the sights and sounds. Every once and a while, they would all look at each other – as if to say – Man! Did you see THAT!! (I don’t think they got a wink of sleep). By the end of the week - They all had their heads down in their hay piles, and life outside when on – unobserved.

6. Something you learned about yourself. I SO have to learn to RELAX!

7. Something you would like to forget. I would really like to forget my first shower. (NO hot water).  It was FREEZING COLD – not enjoyable. At that point I was really wishing I had packed my cowboy shower.

8. Something you would do differently next time. I would try to give my horse enough room to properly roll in his temporary paddock – he caught his hoof in the electric fencing – twice.

9. Favorite experience or spot on the trail. We (Tiki & I) were out on our first 25 mile ride with Todd & Ali. Ali leads because Tiki is young and inexperienced, and when Tiki leads, he travels very slowly. We came off a short stretch of road onto “the potato fields” and onto a beautiful, wide, dirt road which wrapped along the outskirts of the fields. Tiki decides that Ali wasn’t going fast enough, so he casually comes up along side of him and passes him – no coxing from me! Tiki opens up into this awesome 11 mph extended trot – and just flies down the road. He is nice and smooth and rhythmic, and you can tell he is really enjoying himself! Ah – a glimpse of what will be!

10. Something you found challenging. Even I found the heat challenging this time around – and I LOVE the HEAT! WOW! It was smoking hot.

11. A piece of advice you got. Keep your horse wet. If he doesn’t have to sweat to keep cool – he won’t lose electrolytes and it will be easier to keep him hydrated. I knew it was important to pour water on your horse to cool him – I just never connected it to the electrolyte/hydration equation before.

12. Closing comment- Maine was a learning experience beyond compare. It was wonderful to “rub elbows” with some wonderfully talented endurance people (and their equines), who went out of their way to make you feel welcomed and included. For me, hopefully it is just the start for Tiki and I – for we have many trails yet to travel down, and many places to see.

A Beautiful Balance

I had a real 'aha' moment this past week, during my lesson with my coach of the past four years,  Karen Pyra (Centered Riding certified coach par excellence).  It emphasized to me the ongoing need to be acutely aware of our own body's position 'in space', that is balance in all directions, while riding.  Karen plans her lessons in advance, tailoring instruction to the specific needs of the rider which she has observed in past lessons.  What a fantastic advantage to the student! This time it was about my tendency to lean to the right, on the right rein, and collapse my ribcage to the right (sigh, desk jobs and bad posture...).  She brought a mat, big exercise ball, bosus, (those half moon, squishy things you stand on that have raised dots so you don't slip off) and we used a chair. 

The exercises on the ground were all about finding my centre of balance via sitting on my upturned hands on the exercise ball, feeling the lift in my seat bones (a.k.a ischial tuberosities for those of you medically minded folk), and later, on the mat, using my curled arm to lift my head from the mat and then lifting my leg, then both... the combination of exercises translated to a minor miracle when I mounted up and Karen used the lunge line to free me to experiment with balance.  Later in the lesson (off the lunge line) I achieved the best right rein trot and canter I have ever had on Lucera.  I know she (Lucera) must be relieved that her human is 'getting it'... Lucera herself is amazingly balanced at all paces - thanks to her training by Karen as her first owner.    Imagine being able to be coached by the person who knows not only your riding history/progress but every quirk and ability of your horse?  Wow! But I digress...

Now you may be thinking.... an AHA after four years of lessons?  Yes, Karen (and Johanna Beattie Bastista, but more on that in another posting) has been coaching me on this issue in the past... but sometimes it is repeated coaching and then actually feeling it on the ground that provides the AHA for a go forward 'retention' of the sensation and information. Not to mention I am 'older than dirt' and not a teenager any more...

The next evening (last night) my ride in Leland's mown meadow felt so balanced and 'at one' that I wanted to shout with pure joy... THAT'S what it feels like!  Lynn and Paris were so gracious to introduce me to the spot - and already in the three weeks I have been at Tidal Treasures, Lynn has provided coaching for Lucera and I to feel brave and confident outdoors on the trails and beach. I am soaking up Lynn's encouragement and expertise, like a sponge... so grateful!

The human body/muscles/posture has a memory... and to be a good rider (part of which is being a sympathetic, easy and balanced weight for our horse to carry) practice in forging permanent 'memory paths' is my best way to achieve that oneness.  It surely helps, too, when a hot blooded mare might have a little spook at some perceived danger... a balanced seat is a lifesaver - just go with the flow, ha ha!

Suffice it to say I am very, very excited to continue to receive Karen's expert coaching and Lynn's guidance, and all the practice possible both with flatwork in the fabulously sited outdoor riding arena and the soul satisfying venues of beach and trail rides.  The moments of enlightenment continue to flow and encourage me to 'keep on' with my pursuit to be the best partner for Lucera I can be. Lynn and the Tidal Treasure riders all are mentors in being great riders too, they are beautiful to watch in their discipline and love for the horses....

A beautiful balance!  

-We All Need To Be Inspired Sometimes To Have A Little Courage-

You can never cross the ocean

Until you have the courage

To lose sight

Of the shore

( A Picture of our beautiful sunset the other night)



Feeling So Welcomed and Embraced!

On Canada's birthday (July 1, 2014) Tidal Treasures (Lynn, Gary and the gang) welcomed me and my mare, Lucera, to the 'family' that is this group of amazing horse people.  This posting will be short and just give an introduction... I will be posting my equine adventures from time to time, because only three weeks into our residency I have already had great experiences and 'firsts'!

Rider/equine servant to Lucera:  Janet Manuel, (a.k.a the Dressage Diva and I have a ribbon to prove it, ha ha!) a middle aged woman having returned to horseback riding after thirty-eight years of dreaming of riding again, after my teenage experience with my first horse, Winston, at the Greenwood Saddle Club.  By day a Classifications Specialist with the Canadian Institute for Health Information, most evenings the servant of Lucera and joyous participant in riding enjoyment and precision.

Lucera:  Virginia, USA bred and born (2003) grey-turning-silver purebred Andalusian (Spanish) mare, imported and trained (wonderfully!)  in classical dressage by Karen Pyra and purchased by me March 1, 2013.  This mare, and Karen, have taught me so much, and not only about riding, but about myself.  There will be blogs about our lessons together!

That is all for now, stay tuned for ramblings and even poetry.... Ta ta!