Today has been one of those days where nothing is going right, and I can't react rationally to anything. I never feel so insane as when I can't have a rational thought. It's a Saturday, and it's supposed to be a happy day away from the travails of the office, but, alas, 'tis not to be. I blame it all on my breaking the "No Riding Before Noon" policy that Nicole and I have agreed upon.
Nic and I went to a clinic with an FEI Trainer and "L" judge, and rode Training Level, Test 4 and First Level, Test 1. We received a 65% on each (65% and change to be exact), but were told we were a very tense pair.
Let me tell you about the "No Riding Before Noon" policy, its origins, and its rationale. Dear Reader, I'm certain you have the intellectual wherewithal to discern what the "No Riding Before Noon" policy entails: Nic and I just don't ride before noon. There is nothing wrong with people who do; it's just not something WE do. Little rider's minds and little horsey bodies function better in the 1-5pm time slot. Mornings are for relaxing, reading, eating hay, and what have you.
The "No Riding Before Noon" policy came about after a couple very poor lessons last year that took place just far to early in the morning (9am or so). In describing these lessons, the words "unproductive" and "distracted" come to mind. Hence the development of this policy.
Of course, being the favored children of God, Nic and I could only participate in the clinic if we rode before noon. I knew what we were in for the second I showed up at the barn this morning - Nic looked quite aghast with confusion that I turned up so early, and expressed her desire to return to her hay by dancing in the crossties. Now, reader, Nic NEVER dances in the crossties, so I got my warning. (For the uninitiated, crossties hold the horse in one place; "dancing in the crossties" means the horse constantly fidgets).
Riding today was an exercise in futility, and all I wanted to do was return to bed. The horse fed off of my extra energy, contributing to the tension in our performance. So, even though we got good scores on the tests, we just didn't do our best. Our Training Level, Test 4 can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqxDUHF9a5Q. Our First Level, Test 1 can be viewed at http://youtube.com/watch?v=vq4ZnX59QIw.
Luckily, at our next show, the "No Riding Before Noon" policy will be observed.
Special K has been bestowed the honorable title of "Trainer in Charge of Making Me Look Pretty." This role has come about because she is the urger of tack cleaning, the persuader of proper britch purchasing, and makes sure that I generally look a little more put together than I would likely otherwise. This is, of course, in addition to Napalm. Special K's latest urgings include using soap and conditioner to clean my tack, rather than rain and spit. I guess my creative tendencies aren't always rational.
