Gina

Throughout my equestrian career, I've always been plagued by horses that "need work". The first real horse I had was a $600 2-year-old mixed-breed gelding named Buster; my dad picked him up at a horse auction when I was 8. Busted needed work. He was barely broke to ride and although Buster and I ended up as moderately successful competitors, the work never stopped. (Note to anyone thinking of buying their child a horse: don't buy anything that needs work. Buy your child something relatively calm, quiet, and experienced.) 

Buster was only the beginning; a slew of horses that "needed work" followed. There was Spike, who had been badly abused by a previous owner. Sandy, who refused to be ridden in a regular bridle. Shalimar, who, despite being 20+ years old, had never outgrown his devious pony attitude. Ace, who was afraid of every shadow and breeze. Some of these horses were mine. Many were simply the animals of friends or fellow competitors who had heard of my reputation for taking on difficult horses. 

Such was the case with Gina, pictured above. My first day on the job at the therapeutic riding center, I was assigned to get Gina into reasonable shape and prepared for sale. Gina had been donated to the program in July 2010. Her owner had decided she wasn't going to continue riding in college and after being wildly unsuccessful at selling the horse, opted to donate her to us. Gina was evaluated and found totally unsuitable for therapeutic riding, but thanks to an over-ambitious vaulting instructor, Gina stayed on at the program. After the vaulting instructor quit, no one wanted to touch Gina. She was aggressive and pushy when handled. No one would ride her. Student workers referred to her as "Satan" and my boss described her as "in need of some work". 

Sigh. Story of my life.

My first ride on Miss G was less than amazing; she tossed her head around, spooked constantly, and could hardly hold herself up at the canter. I was mildly worried this horse needed more work than I had time to put in.

That was two weeks ago. Since then, Gina has improved dramatically. She's less aggressive on the ground and in her stall. She is eager to see me and go for a ride. She's quieter and happier. She holds her head nicely, on the bit, moving from her hindquarters. Her canter is smooth and steady. It's remarkable what a little time and effort did for her. I think she's excited to have someone who cares about her again. And that's why I think I'm going to buy Gina. I think she'll make a lovely low-level eventer. And really- we could all use some work.

Flower Photos

I was very excited to see the latest photography assignment over at The Pioneer Woman: flowers! I'm not much of a photographer and usually don't participate in PW's photography contests (this is mostly due to the fact that I own no camera other than the one on my cell phone). However, back in 2009, my then-boyfriend had a very nice camera and let me use it to take some photos of the gorgeous gardens at Botanica in Wichita, Kansas. I have so many lovely shots to choose from:

I ended up submitting this shot of one lone red tulip. I like it a lot, for reasons I can't fully articulate. Maybe it'll be a winner! Even if it doesn't win, I'm happy I participated. 

Saturday Snapshot

Yoda

This week's snapshot is of Yoda, the feline staff member of the equestrian center. He's a large gray cat who has lived in the barn as long as anyone can remember. He's friendly and funny- he drinks out of the hose, likes to be petted and picked up, and plays with everything from his tail to the end of a lunge whip. I let him sleep in my office when I'm doing paperwork; he also finds comfort in the back of the Gator. Oh, and his name? I think his ears explain it all.

Boots

Yesterday, I bought a new pair of riding boots for the first time in ten years. I am simultaneously excited and sad. My old pair of tall boots was a pair of Ariats, purchased brand new back in 2001; they replaced a pair of used Ariats I wore when I first joined Pony Club and started riding in three-day events. The new Ariats were a big deal, since most of my equestrian equipment was bought used. I remember the first horse show I wore them to- I was riding my horse Spike, and couldn't stop thinking about how slippery these boots were and how awful my legs must look sliding around everywhere. I wore those boots through good horse shows, terrible horse shows, NCAA competitions, racing around fields with my friends, polo practice in a new place when I had no friends. Those boots were my faithful friends, comforting me and reminding me of my hard work and happy times. The decision to replace them wasn't as difficult as it might seem- the Ariats' soles are beginning to chip away, the leather on the toes is cracked from prolonged exposure to water, and the black dye has worn away on the inside of the calves. They're also a bit too tight- somewhere in the last ten years, my calves got larger. (Sad, until I think that 10 years ago, I was only 14.) 

My new boots, pictured above, are a pair of Treadstones. They're reviewed well and current owners seem to like them. They zip up the back, eliminating the need for an uncomfortable tug-of-war up the leg. They look nice. I'll be breaking them in at my new job, probably by riding the lovely Thoroughbred mare we're trying to sell. I'm excited to have them- riding in jeans and barn boots feels foreign and uncomfortable to me. And, in some small way, they're a symbol of hope and possibility. Maybe soon, my horse Moe will be able to join me in Oklahoma. And soon, I'll be able to ride in three-day events ago. Maybe I'll even buy that Thoroughbred. Who knows? But here's to 10 more years of riding horses.

Happy MLK Day

Don't Get Too Comfortable

I gave up on reading The Worm Ouroboros. I tried and tried, but the Jacobean-style writing was simply too bizarre and foreign for me. I would read passages carefully and end up focusing on the words more than the story they were meant to tell! That's not enjoyable reading. 

I raided Johnny's bookshelf and turned up Don't Get Too Comfortable by David Rakoff. 

From the Amazon description: 

"The belly laughs start on page 7 and occur regularly throughout Rakoff's frequently impertinent, occasionally irascible, yet always inimitable take on contemporary American society. A newly minted U.S. citizen, a process he reveals in all its maddeningly hypocritical inconsistency, Rakoff embarks on a series of journalistic assignments as peculiar in their phantasmagoric diversity as, well, America itself. From the pretentious preoccupation with gourmet dining to the rigor of fasting, Rakoff contemplates the extremes to which we will go in pursuit of our particular, often downright peculiar pleasures. A trip on the Concorde is followed by a jaunt on Hooters Air, and visits to Beverly Hills plastic surgeons segue seamlessly into a tour of a cryogenics storage facility in Arizona. Whether interpreting popular culture or investigating political calumny, Rakoff's cogent observations are delivered with a comforting mixture of appropriate moral outrage and unabashed mocking wonder, as he unfailingly elicits the inherent truths behind our most cherished and churlish institutions"

I almost always enjoy an examination of first-world 'problems' (see Stuff White People Like) and this seems like it will be a fun and quick read. 

My friend very good, real-life friend Moto at The Adventures of a Journeyman Archivist suggested The Passage by Justin Cronin for my next read. Looks like it's time for a library card! 

Saturday Snapshot

Jed

This is Jed, one of two mules at the equestrian center. He and his fellow mule Red are new to the program; they are on long-term loan from their owner. 

Mules are members of the equine family, but are totally different species than horses. They're the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse. They have long faces and ears and are generally considered hardier and more intelligent than horses. Mules are used for a variety of equestrian activities: English and western riding, driving, cargo transportation, and in agricultural operations (like pulling plows).

So far, Jed and Red have been admirable representatives of their species! They're calm, fun to ride, and easy to handle. I think they're going to make great therapy horses!

Review: Sperry Top-Sider Cormorant Rubber Slip On

When I received an offer for the equine job I started yesterday, one of my first thoughts was "I need a new pair of barn boots!" In the past, I've always worn my tall riding boots around the barn; after all, I was almost always out there to ride. A pair of Wellies sufficed on days when I went out to feed or muck stalls. I knew most of my duties would be off-horse, so I started looking for a pair of boots I could wear to work. They needed to be comfortable, weatherproof, warm, and suitable for the occasional short stint on a disobedient animals.

I looked through a variety of brands and selected Sperry Top-Sider's Cormorant Rubber Slip On. I adore my other pair of Sperrys (the Bluefish boat shoe) and these came in the perfect color combination of brown/tattersall. I didn't want something too bright (like pink) but thought that the navy would look weird with jeans. (I have a thing against wearing navy with jeans.) Plus, they were on sale- always a bonus!

I wore them to work for the first time yesterday and was very pleased with them. I was initially concerned because they felt a bit tight (even though I ordered a half size up from my normal size), but the snugness dissipated after a bit  and they felt perfectly formed to my foot. My feet were kept nice and warm in yesterday's 20-degree weather, and snow and water didn't affect these boots at all. I had excellent traction on a variety of surfaces, from gravel to concrete to arena footing.  They looked great with jeans, and I wasn't self-conscious about wearing them into the grocery store on the way home. My only complaint is the laces- I untied one shoe's laces and couldn't get it tied properly again! The laces are coated in some kind of plastic, which makes them very slippery. The pair Sperry tied is perfectly fine and held all day, but the set of laces I adjusted came untied several times. It was very inconvenient, especially since I can't always stop leading a horse around to tie my boot! I managed to double-knot the laces (they were almost too short to do so) and don't plan on untying them ever again.

Overall, I feel like I got an excellent value and a stellar work boot. Stylish and functional, I'm certain these shoes will last me ages.

New Year, New Job!

Today was the first day of my new job with a therapeutic equine program right here in the Tulsa area! I am impossibly excited about it. Horses have always been my passion; I've been riding since I was a very small child (my mom took me on a trail ride when I was just 6 months old and I was given a pony to take riding lessons on at age 4) and have continued my equestrian activities through my life. I competed in three-day events on the weekends in high school and rode my on college's NCAA hunt seat team. Even when I moved to Kansas, I found a way to stay involved through playing polo. Now I've been hired on as an assistant for this program that teaches individuals with disabilities how to care for and ride horses!

I love everything about this job- my superiors are knowledgeable, the horses are wonderful, and the program participants are great. I'm most excited to start working with a Thoroughbred mare that needs to be sold. She's a talented hunter/jumper that really doesn't fit well with the program's needs, but would be fantastic for a competitive rider. Riding horses is my very favorite activity in the entire world, and now I'm getting paid to do it! What a fanastic day.

It's Snowing!

Snowy Tulsa!

It's a snowy day here in the Tulsa area! It's been snowing lightly all day long and picked up for a few hours this afternoon. Tonight, more snow is headed this way and the moisture on the roads is expected to freeze. Yikes! I am safe at work tonight, and my boss offered to let me stay in a room at the hotel if the conditions are bad. I just hope it's clear tomorrow morning- it's the first day of my new job!

Books

I've decided to add another goal to the 2011 list: read at least 10 books this year. I love reading, but I've read less and less as the years go on. I'm not sure why- I feel like I have plenty of free time, I still enjoy the act of reading books, and I find plenty of subjects appealing. I really believe I haven't read much lately because I have the internet. There's so much online to read and discover that sometimes, it's all I want to do! I still think I'd like to get back to reading literature, whether it's on the Nook app on my phone or an actual book.

I'm starting the year with a book I discovered at work. We have a giant pile of books that have been left here by guests, some intentionally, some accidentally. Most are cheesy romance novels or generic mysteries. I found a crazy looking book a few days ago and couldn't resist picking it up. It's The Worm Ouroboros by E.R. Eddison, and it's apparently some sort of fantasy classic.

How could I resist?

I generally like sci-fi/fantasy novels anyway, so I figured this book was as good a place as any to start. It's been slow going so far, though. The whole thing is written in Jacobean-style prose (think 'thee' and 'thou') and has been sort of a snooze-fest. Hopefully the action will pick up and I'll be able to get past the tone- I'd really like to finish it by the end of the month!

Things I Can't Live Without Lately

1. Vanilla lattes from a local coffee shop, Cappuccino Corner. Already good, now they're better because I was given a punch card! Yay rewards!
2. Liplicious lip gloss in Frozen Daiquiri. Shiny without being a weird color. Smells divine. Tastes like nothing, so I'm not constantly licking my lips.
3. Faux-diamond studs. Just the right amount of sparkle to make any outfit look fancy. And cheap enough that I won't be upset if I lose one.
4. iPod. I stopped using it in my Blazer because I didn't have a good wireless transmitter and there was no auxiliary input. Thanks to a well-timed Christmas gift from my uncle, I now have a very good transmitter to use in the Forester. Time to buy some new music!
5. Tote bag purchased years ago from Old Navy. I sort of forgot I had this. I bought it 4-5 years ago to carry my laptop to/from classes, then stopped using it after I graduated. It's a super cute bright blue and light tan canvas that's held up really well. It's once again toting a laptop; I carry my Chrome laptop (and Lilly planner and magazines and a paperback) to work with it. Perfect.

Maid of Honor

My best friend Amy got engaged over Christmas. I couldn't be happier for her or her fiancé Mikey; they've been together for years and are extremely good friends. (We were all roommates for a couple of years in college!) She asked me to be the maid of honor at her wedding and I was absolutely thrilled to agree! The only problem? What, exactly does a maid of honor do? I knew I'd be responsible for managing a ring and holding her bouquet, but is there anything else?


The answer is a resounding yes! Wedding website theknot.com has a list of expected duties and some advice. Highlights include: 

• Lead the bridesmaid troupe. It's the maid/matron of honor's (MOH) job to direct the other maids through their duties. Make sure everyone gets their bridesmaid dresses, go to dress fittings, and find the right jewelry. Also provide them with the 411 on all prewedding parties.
• Help shop for dresses (the bride's and the bridesmaids'). And the MOH pays for her own entire wedding outfit (including shoes).
• Offer to help the bride with prewedding tasks, from addressing invites to choosing the wedding colors and nodding enthusiastically when she waxes poetic about wedding cake.
• Spread the news about where the bride and groom are registered.
• Help the bride change for her honeymoon and take charge of her gown after the ceremony. Arrange for storage in a safe place until she returns.
• Host or cohost a bridal shower for the bride.
• Attend all prewedding parties.
• Keep a record of all the gifts received at various parties and showers (or delegate a bridesmaid to handle this).
• Plan the bachelorette party with the bridesmaids.
• See to it that all bridesmaids get to the rehearsal; coordinate transportation and lodging, if necessary.
• Make sure that all bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done, get to the ceremony on time, and have the correct bouquets.
• Hold the groom's ring during the ceremony. Safest place to put it? On your thumb.
• Hold the bride's bouquet while the couple exchanges vows.
• Sign the marriage license as a witness, along with the best man.
• Dance with the best man during the formal first-dance sequence and possibly be announced with him at the beginning of the party. Also dance with other groomsmen, the groom, and others.

Eek! Some of these are going to be tricky, given that I live in Oklahoma and Amy lives in Tennessee. Hopefully with text, email, online shopping, and Skype, I'll be able to help her almost as much as I could if I lived close by. 

I think I'm most excited about planning the bachelorette party; I'm already thinking about it! I think Tunica, Mississippi would be a great destination- it's close to Memphis, so any one flying in from out of town (of which there might be a few) would have a short drive, and it's a reasonable drive from where Amy lives. Amy and I have frequented the casinos in Tunica many times- they're fun, there's free drinks, and lots of food. We wouldn't have to worry about parking or a designated driver or entertainment. I can't wait to really get planning! 

Have you ever been a maid of honor? What did you do?

2011 Goals

After a very busy and exciting week, I am back to regular blogging. Hooray! Last week, I visited with my friend Kim and her husband Kevin; it was great to see them. Kim and I rode horses together years ago and have remained friends. They were in Tulsa for a wedding, and Johnny and I spent the evening watching the UT vs. UNC game. We had a fun time even though the Vols lost. The very next day it was off to Texas to pick up my new car- a 2010 Subaru Forester. I am sooo happy with it! Really, though, I am just happy to have a car and not have Johnny drive me everywhere. I start my new job at RSU next week, which is very exciting. I'll be working with Bit by Bit, their therapeutic riding program. Yay!

2011 has been a very good year so far (4 whole days in! haha!), and I have some goals in mind to keep it going strong.

1. Exercise at least 4 times per week. I haven't been very good about exercising regularly over the last couple of years. In college, I was kept busy by kickboxing and equestrian sports, but since graduating, I haven't done much of anything! I feel icky, and that's why I'm shooting for a much fitter 2010! I'm off to a good start- I've hit the gym and the trails every day this year so far. ;) 
2. Save $20 per paycheck. Saving money is something I'm not great at either. Instead of saving money from paychecks, I'm apt to splurge on clothes or beauty products or stationary. $20 per paycheck is a ridiculously small amount, but over the course of a year, it will add up to over $500! That's enough for a real shopping spree or a mini vacation somewhere fun. 
3. Blog 3 times a week or more. I like writing- even if no one is reading! Blogging forces me to sit down, think, and get creative. Plus, it's fun. :)
4. Do something fun in Tulsa at least once a month. I feel like I don't get out and visit my new city nearly often enough! This year, I want to see an event at the BOK center, catch a local sports team's game, visit a museum, or try some new restaurants. Once a month is reasonable, given our distance from the city and budget restraints. (Can't be doing something awesome every day!)
5. Send cards for friends' birthdays. I took the time to record every close friend's birthday in my planner; now it's time to put that to use! I know I'd love to receive a card over a text or Facebook post- I'm sure my friends would too. :)

What are your goals or resolutions for the year?