I knew this blog would take a hit when I started grad school this fall. Part of that is simply time management between work, freelance writing, schoolwork, and working on my memoir. I’ve learned there’s such thing as a monogamous writer, and while I occasionally dabble with the occasional side project, there’s really only room in my heart for one word baby at a time. That current word baby is my memoir. It feels like the most important thing that…
First off, thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments and suggestions about Simon. After I wrote that post, things actually took a turn for the worse and he showed up lame with a fat leg. Naturally, I decided he blew his suspensory and called the vet… planning his retirement while I waited for a diagnosis. After two days of cold hosing + mud wrapping, the minor amount of swelling originally present went way down. Today the vet came out, and told…
Are you foolish enough to move your horse across the country to join you during grad school, a time that’s full of anxiety and oftentimes responsible for bringing out the worst of your personality? Then this post is for you! 1. Pick a state where it’s impossible to find a boarding situation similar to what he’s been used to for 11.5 years. Over ten hours of turnout? A predominant diet of grain? How about a life full of equine friends…
Okay, so he’s not a pony but I love him anyway. His name is Little Indian, and while part of me cringes at how that could be perceived as rather insensitive to indigenous people… I do have to say he’s adorable. These pictures were taken at the HITS Thermal Grand Prix last weekend. One of my friends was showing in Coachella (I am so confused if it’s Thermal or Coachella or Desert or what) last weekend, and I went out to…
In other words, a barn tour. Simon has been a California resident for almost a month now. I’ve spent months worrying about how he would do here with the drastic life change, and he’s surpassed my expectations like he usually does! After searching several barns, I ended up at a workmanlike hunter/jumper facility that mostly shows on the local level. Though not fancy and over the top, it runs like a well oiled machine. There is a head trainer (more…
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation where all of my friends in my immediate surrounding are writers. It’s not that I haven’t had writer friends before grad school. I have — I’ve known writers my entire life. They’ve been this lovely, obscure group of people that I can gush about books with and don’t blink at the idea of making jello shots for a poetry reading of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner turned musical when paired with…
Six months ago blogger buddy Susan asked me if I wanted to go to the Breeder’s Cup. Despite not following horse racing at all, I enthusiastically agreed. Going would be part of my “Do all the things in California” plan, and I figured it was something to knock off the horsey bucket list. So yesterday I joined her and Carey, and we headed to the Del Mar Fairgrounds after the 4th race on the Breeder’s Cup card. If you think that sounds…
True story – I wanted to call this post “FEI Friday” but it’s not Friday and I don’t want to wait that long to post about the show, so here we are. As a horse show spectator, I am spoiled. I’ve seen a lot of Grand Prixs and a lot of top hunter and jumper riders compete, but I don’t think I’ve actually seen a true Longines class. For some reason I had this built up in my head as…