From the Saddle: Wanted- Joint Doctors

Today I found myself facing the unbearable fact that I may not get a show season in 2012. Boo Boo has pulled up lame. I’m hoping he’s just pulled a muscle since he wasnt lame Wednesday and with a little bute he will straighten right out. If not I’ll be taking him to Sturgis to the best leg doctor around. You may ask why not a local vet, well they are great in emergency situations, but jumper legs are a little more complicated. I need to take Sweet Cheeks up there to have his leg ultra sounded before show season also. The joint he injured a few years ago gives him no problems, but I am curious as to how much scar tissue is in it, and if he really will be able to keep up with the rigors of the show circuit again, after all we both are older.

Show season is looming, so is my knee surgery. But I’ve been connected with a surgeon in Chicago that thinks a complete knee replacement isn’t necessary. I fly up the week before Christmas to have my consultation with him. I hope he has a real solution that doesn’t involve ripping my knee out…

If I do end up with a complete replacement I might as well forget showing, even riding, this year. It’s going to put a hold on competing in the ring, competing with my bow, and even riding my motorcycle. I’m dreading it, fearful of the change, fearful it won’t really help my situation. But let’s hope Mr. Chicago has some better answers and that the boys don't have to go see their own joint doctor....

From the Saddle: Back in the Ring



Yesterday was the first time I've been in the show ring in two years. I've been nervous about the show for a couple of weeks now. I was unsure of how my assistant would take to showing, unsure of how the horse trailer would pull, but mostly unsure of the behaviour of the horses.
First off I had a problem rounding up a truck. The day before the show my orginal plans for a pickup fell through. Luckily I had a friend step up and offer his truck. It worked out well and everything went off without a problem. I just want to thank him one more time. The horses loaded well for the most part and the drive to the show grounds was relativly painless. I haven't driven the trailer in around two years, I'll admit it made me a little nervous to be back in the driver's seat.
As we drew closer to the show grounds I asked my assistant to join me in the show day prayers. It's a tradition that started the day of my very first show, I hope it's a tradition she will continue. Before each show I say two prayers, the first being the Lord's Prayer and the second being a version of the Cowboy's Prayer,

OUR GRACIOUS AND HEAVENLY FATHER.
WE PAUSE IN THE MIDST OF THIS FESTIVE OCCASION, MINDFUL AND THOUGHTFUL OF THE GUIDANCE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US. WE WOULD ASK, TODAY LORD, THAT YOU BE WITH US IN THIS ARENA AS WE PRAY YOU WILL BE ALSO WITH US IN LIFE'S ARENA. AS RIDERS, LORD, WE DON'T ASK FOR ANY SPECIAL FAVORS IN THIS ARENA TODAY. WE ONLY ASK THAT YOU WILL LET US COMPETE IN THIS EVENT, AND IN LIFE, AS YOU DID FOR US. WE ASK THAT YOU GIVE US THE GUIDENCE TO COMPETE HONESTLY, TO BE WITH OUR COMPETITORS, AND TO GIVE US THE GRACE TO WIN WITHOUT THE SATISFACTION OF BEATING OUR COMPETITON.

HELP US TO COMPETE IN LIFE AS HONEST AS THE HORSES WE RIDE; IN A MANNER AS CLEAN AND PURE AS THE WIND THAT BLOWS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY; SO WHEN WE MAKE THAT LAST RIDE, THAT WE KNOW IS INEVITABLE, TO THE COUNTRY UP THERE.. WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND LUSH AND STIRRUP-HIGH AND THE WATER RUNS CLEAN AND CLEAR; YOU WILL TELL US, AS OUR LAST JUDGE, THAT OUR ENTRY FEE'S ARE PAID.
WE ASK THESE THINGS IN CHRIST'S NAME. AMEN

We got to the show grounds, unloaded the horses, and discovered Sweet Cheeks had opened up an old cut on his foot. I had cleaned out the trailer and left the vet kit at home, it never fails. Jace went and got me a bottle of Allum to clot the cut and I still rode in my class. Sweet Cheeks was off though and so was I. Out of two classes of four I placed third and my assistant place fourth. She did well for her first show. I was pleased with her as I watched her in the ring. Of course there are a lot of things she and I both need to work on before the fall shows, but we've got time and she is a quick learner.

We were blessed with very few problems. It's probably the least stressful show I've ever been to. I'm glad everything worked out. So now we get ready for the jumper shows that are starting up. It's going to be a lot of training, but we can manage it.
Becks

From the Saddle: Spring Canter

As promised here is the new series From the Saddle!

This afternoon I spent some time in the saddle. It was a much needed break from my crazy life. Legend had spent the better part of the morning giving a new jumper a lesson. I decided that we both just needed a nice long canter through the hills, so we went.
I opened the gate, tacked him up, and away we went, into the hills. He settled nicely into a walk and then a trot. The wind had settled and there were big puffy clouds in the sky. I relaxed and took a deep breath of the fresh spring air. A pair of pheasants skittered through the grass and then finally flushed up into the sky. Legend's ears moved a little as he watched them, "it's alright." I crooned. He crested his neck and let a little crow hop out. "Alright lets go."
I asked for a smooth canter, he easily took it in stride and moved out. I settled into the saddle and smiled a little. My soul sung as we cantered across the meadow. I slowed him as we came to the wet spots. He settled easily and crested his neck. Mud flung up onto my jeans. The smell of fresh soil filled my lungs.
We worked our way across the meadow and road up into the soft hills. Then I really put him to work. I asked for a canter, he moved easily into it and cantered through the soft, thawed, dirt. "Easy." I crooned as we topped one hill and cantered down it. His gray mane floated in the wind.
Eventually I slowed him back down to a walk and pointed him towards home. I laid the reins across his neck and let him do the walking. There is no other horse on this planet I would trust as far as I trust him. Soon we reached the gate and eventually the hitching post. He waited patiently while I dismounted. I rubbed him down, actually brushed him, then let him lose back into the pasture where his mare stood waiting for him.
He found a soft patch of dirt and rolled. I sat on the mounting block and watched them for a long while. My heart was happy, I was happy, the world for that brief moment in time didn't matter to me. I watched him and his mare communicate with ear flickers. I figured he was telling her about the hard work I had just put him through.
Eventually time will come where I will be able to spend hours in the round pen and on the backs of my horses. Eventually my crazy life will allow me some peace. It might be soon, but then again it might not be. But if I can get two hours of peace a week, like I did today, well then everything is going to be just fine.
Becks

The Jump

Yesterday was a beautiful day, it actually felt like spring! A feeling I have been longing desperately for. The beautiful day enabled me to get a little riding done. With the help of Jase I set up a small course with low jumps. I warmed Sweet Cheeks up and focused myself. All my rambling worries and thoughts drowned in concentration.
I moved the gray into a canter and focused harder on what I wanted to do. I counted rhythmically in my head, one, two, three. Up. I stood in my stirrups as the gray jumped over the bars. Happiness, relief, and joy flooded my body. I had to stop the gray to hug him. I wrapped my arms around his thick neck and breathed horse.
He chomped hard on the bit, wondering why we had stopped mid course. Wrapped tightly in joy I was unaware I had alarmed Jase. He touched my leg, "are you okay." I sat up in my stirrups. "Uh huh. I'm just over whelmed with joy."
Jase looked at me funny. I paused, "It's a feeling I can't explain." I looked out across the meadow and watched the meadow larks play in the grass. "It's a feeling that everything is right in the world."
He smiled, "I understand. I've watched you struggle and I am happy you are finally happy."
"Thank you." I whispered. He smiled and walked back to where he had been sitting. I watched the birds a little bit longer and melded once again with my horse.

I plan to get back on the jumper circuit this summer. I have the perfect opportunity and I no longer feel depressed about riding. I've made some new friends here who all ride. I've made connections with people on the jumper circuit out here. I'm going to go for it and not let me inhibitions hold me back. I've got talent, or so I've been told, and it'll be a shame to let it all go to waste.
I'd forgotten how much I really enjoy jumping...
Becks