NotSoNonchalant

Hellllp, hellp! I have no horse in front of me!! Help!!!!!!

Oh, this was such a bad show, late June, 1988. I'd had great success at a previous show, and this one was memorable for it's horridness. Nonchalant (Chaz) looooved his half-sister. Against my advice, owner decided to "bring her along, so Chaz wouldn't be lonely". Mare wasn't showing or anything. Fcik. Chaz started crying the moment we left the trailer. Of course, sister, in trailer, answered back. Allllll day.

It's a blessing, really, I have no over-fences pictures. Chaz lost me on the flip-side. Disappeared in front. I'm desperately trying not to touch him, but can you see how over-flexed he is?? I've got my leg on him, and I'm pressing, but the noodle just kept slipping around.. There's no weight in my hands at all. No point. His chin went to his chest, as he'd been previously trained to do. He kinda forgot about me.
Gahhh. See how low he is in the last stride on his leading leg! Heavy on the forehand much?

Are You My Sister??


In this shot, he's bleating for her. "Ooooooh, Sister, where ARE Youuuuuu?"

I'm laughing, and just sending Chaz forward. What the heck else could I do? Chaz couldn't be more um, disorganized. But I'm soft on him, at least.
He's a tiny bit better, here. I'm still just leaving him the heck alone.


Chaz looked and cried and carried on for sister for the rest of the show. It would have been okay if mare was showing. Why ME?? Chaz couldn't figure it out.

whine. Thanks for listening. Chaz's Owner was then rebuffed again, advances-towards-my-person-wise, and I lost the ride on Chaz and his siblings. Owner said it wasn't fun anymore. Yeah, not enough, I guess.

I have this picture too, and it makes me feel slightly happier with how I was riding. He isn't as heavy here.
But it sure ain't pretty. He's in the third time of his canter, and he felt like he was spilling all over the place. But at least he's not as low in front. I convinced him to come up a bit, without dropping his head to his chest. Yes, my elbow is out. Shoot me! Hah!


Then my mom died, 21 years ago tomorrow. June/July 1988 really sucked.

It's really the hardest thing GoLightly hammered into my thick skull. Leave the horse alone. No matter what, ride what you have at the moment. Chaz was like twenty-five horses, all at once, depending on which way he was facing that day. Sister is THIS way, I'm Sure!! Oh, where IS sister.. I had to ride each one in turn, patiently. The never really broke horses have twice as much road to recover. They have to learn avoidance is futile, without asking for more avoidance. It's bloody hard.

Tomorrow is always another day, Scarlett.

Did you know riding on soft asphalt is good for a horse's feet?? I sure didn't know that. Amazing what you can learn on the web, eh?
(SARCASmALERT)