Rewards

Some things happened this weekend that got me thinking about hard work and what comes out of it. Sadly, sometimes you get nothing. However, I think that in life one of the only guarantees is that if you actually put effort into something, for better or for worse there will be a result.

The Oak Rise Year End Awards Banquet was yesterday. As you can see, Sky and I got some stuff. Mainly we got awards b/c we showed up to enough shows, but we did do some winning this year, so I can’t say I was surprised. We got W/T Adult Champion, which I knew was coming but it still felt good to hear them call Rose second and me first. We got a big ribbon and a garment bag with embroidery for that. I have to say, I am a little bummed I didn’t get the director’s chair, but you don’t get to pick your prize.

Then we had some surprises. I won a trophy for Overall Adult Champion, which I had no idea I would get – I was expecting to get fourth or fifth on that – and Overall Adult Pleasure Champion, which yielded a very cool trophy with a horse who looks like Sky on top! Of course I was thrilled to be recognized for doing well, although I cannot shake from my mind that, considering how much money I put into the shows, I simply paid for all of this stuff instead of winning it. But the stuff wasn’t the good part.

The good part was having Karl sitting next to me during the banquet when he, if it were not for a bum shoulder, would be in Iraq in danger of being killed. The good part was having John and Lisa Toli call us over to sit with them and John getting excited over my photos from E. Corinth. The good part was having my good friend Lisa calling and texting me, asking how we did. The good part is the people that I have met through the shows and seeing them be recognized too.

John had us go to look at the new place in Bedford. We toured the house being built by John’s new boss for the Toli’s to live in, and the barn that is in construction for the three horses and four miniature donkeys they will be in charge of. To say that it will be nice is a dramatic understatement. The barn is literally nicer than any house I will ever live in. It’s beautiful in a way that art is beautiful (only a horse person would say that). The owner’s house is up on hill, visible through trees from the barn and from what I could see, could be classified a mansion.

During the tour I learned that the owners started their company and have become very successful. Despite my insane jealousy over all they have, I was happy for them that their hard work paid off. I imagine that the journey to where they are now in life wasn’t easy and that life wasn’t always so comfortable. Their barn, the land, and the horses, are their rewards.

My rewards are simple, really. When I think of Sky and the hard work we’ve done, I think of riding in the heat of summer in New Mexico at Josh’s. I think of the first trail rides in NH when I had to go out alone and feared spooks at everything! I think of the hours practicing what John had given us for “homework”. I think of when she was two and was literally afraid of her own shadow.

My reward is not trophies but really the trail ride I took with Betsy on Saturday - when we were on the road and a tarp flew off a passing truck and she didn’t freak out… and when she bravely stepped over a bridge Harvey wouldn’t… and when she trotted along the trail collected and under control, despite not being ridden for nearly two weeks. Those are rewards for my hard work – ones that will last a long time. My hard work to come with her will pay off when we show w/t/c next year and when we go to EC again and she’ll be even calmer and more experienced.

I might never have a big house or my own barn. There are a lot of things I don’t have, and I’ll admit sometimes it bums me out. However, I will also admit that most of what I do have, I have gotten through hard work and in my book that counts for something.

The rest is just luck and life – a great trainer who believes in us and is willing to stick with us despite all else he has going on, a good husband who is supportive, and a good friend who cares enough to have bad dreams that I left her when I don’t call her back! The luckiest might be the horse who backed off the nastiest trailer at the nastiest stable in all of Texas and has since given me her whole heart and all her best effort.

C

What will happen when it's our turn?

Well, I have not ridden once since my trip to VT, something that is becoming tradition because after last year’s ride I left her alone for a week, too. But after dinner out with friend’s tonight, I’ll be back to a normal schedule. Things have been busy with Karl coming home…

This weekend we drove out to Syracuse to see some friends of ours that we don’t see too often (obviously due to the 5.5 hour drive).

They had a baby in July and – like all the other couples we know who have had babies – I was amazed at how much they have changed because of it. This free-wheeling, always traveling, designer label wearing couple has been instantly transformed into one wipes drool up with sleeves, centers conversations on feeding schedules and is adamantly against daycare.
Now, do not get me wrong here – there is absolutely nothing wrong with your child being the center of your universe – in fact, I believe that’s the way it should be. And my thirty-year-old-self is definitely feeling the baby-pangs. While most of our friends are “finished” after their second successful attempt at parenthood, Karl and I have yet to buy a house, have a second car, or go on a cruise – the many milestones of early marriage we have yet to conquer before one has children, although I’m slowly getting over the life-progression timeline I had in my head at age 18.

We are mostly without a baby at this time b/c of all the moving and Army stuff we’ve gone through, and that’s ok – I would not trade my trips to Korea, my time in El Paso, or the past year for anything else. I am very glad we did not rush into becoming parents. However, I believe the time is coming for it to be our turn.

And that thought makes me wonder, how will we change – past experience with my many child-rearing friends is telling me that babies change everything so I can only ponder at my own 180-degree change.

This makes me think of Sky, and how my life with her will be affected. I’ve already seen horses go without riding b/c their owner is now a parent and I’ve seen much-loved dogs go ignored after the new arrival comes. What will happen to my horse? I know I’ll ride as long as I can while pregnant, something some people in my life will understand and others won’t – but what about after? Aside from the obvious monetary issues, will Sky be as important to me? Will I have time for her? Will I ever show again after I’m a mom?

I know I have visions of an imagined little girl winning lead-line ribbons aboard my beautiful mare – and of my beautiful mare’s baby becoming the horse said little girl rides someday… but experience tells me that kids fill up a life and that there isn’t room for much else… I also know what everyone reading this will say to me – that life is what you make it and if you make room for the horses, there will be. I know it is possible to have both, but is it really feasible? I have never been one to like letting a horse be a lawn ornament and I will not stand for my own to be one. But the thought of giving her up is nearly as bad.

Anyway, that’s the thought for the day – what happens to my horse life when babies are in the mix? I hope someday I get an answer – a good one.

C

Rain, Rain go away!

Well, after a long wait, I finally got to go on my vacation – a week in beautiful Vermont! I was so excited to ride and ride and ride – and think of not much else…

Lisa brought me and Sky down to Beth’s house in Swanzey on Sunday – about an hour’s drive. We then hit the Cheshire Horse – the best tack shop in the state – and spent WAY too much money… well worth it, though as Lisa found the blanket she wanted for Onyx and one for Lance (the great dane) too. I splurged on two new saddle pads for Sky (like I needed those!) and some other supplies.

After a night at Beth’s, we packed up horses and hay and camping gear in Beth’s trailer and headed out on Monday. We made it to the farm ok, and then on our way over to the other field, we had a little mishap… well, when I say we I mean Beth ‘cause she was driving, but it was all our problem! She got herself stuck on a rock – the footboard of the trailer was wedged over it and the rock was winning (there are photos!) – so Beth and Marcia and I pilfered a shovel and crowbar out of the shed and after a lot of grunting and swearing moved the rock out from under the trailer… Eventually we got the trailer parked and our campsite set up and we were grateful no one was around to see that we were the ones that made the rut in the grass!

We rode without incident on Monday and Tuesday, although we saw a shower on Tuesday morning. Wednesday was a complete wash of rain – we tried during a small lull in the rain to saddle up and get out, but it started to fall again and all of us but Beth changed our minds! She threw on her Outback jacket and hat and was off by herself!

Part of Thursday rained, but we got out for a ride anyway and met up with Marty on the trail. Friday Betsy showed up (in the rain) and brought some good weather… we got out on Friday afternoon but got rained on for about 15 minutes before the sun came out and dried us! Saturday was the parade and the ride to Tucker Mountain which was a little cold and windy, but rain free. Sunday we took Betsy on the Juniper Hill ride and that was nice too.

The week was good. We sat around and told and heard stories (the best ones from Frank!) and laughed and snacked and drank. We sat around the big fire for chats and games and the auction on Saturday. It was so fun to see people I saw last year, like the Kelly’s and Roger and Ken and Sue… it’s neat to see the same folks every year. I could have done without Marcia’s snoring but that’s a small detail.

Everyone loved Sky again! She was really good overall – she did a little bit of jigging here and there, but nothing major – wanted to be out in front more than I expected, which is good. After she jigged me one time, I rode her in the field afterward, but on the later days there were too many trailers to have much room for that.

I tried to make her do both the back and the front and most of the time she was good. She seemed to love getting to lope and really stretched out on some of the hills! She got along good with Harvey, who became her pen-mate after Betsy arrived. They did figure out the fence wasn’t on and broke out on Saturday night, so we wound up hooking up the electric (in the dark, mind you!)

So, Karl got back on Tuesday and seems to be doing ok. He’s pretty hopeful about finding a good job – is interested in substitute teaching but doesn’t quite have a resume together that he feels good about. We’ll all hope for the best!

Life will get back to normal now – whatever normal is! I suppose it will be a new normal.

Put in blue ribbon fork in me…

.. I’m done! Done showing, that is, for the year – Sky and I finished our 2008 show season, our first in NH and our first full year of showing this Sunday. We did ok –not as great as we have in the past, but good enough – we placed 1st of 4 in Adult W/T Equitation, 1st of 4 in Adult W/T Pleasure, 1st of 3 in W/T Adult Trail, 3 of 3 in W/T Western Pleasure and 2nd of 3 in Adult W/T Discipline Rail. Basically we did great in the morning and worse as the day went on...hence the “done” reference. Now, I just hope to get something for year end awards!

So, now that that is all over, I’m getting even more excited for East Corinth and more trail riding coming up! We’re leaving Sunday to go to Beth’s (thanks to Lisa) where we’ll stay overnight and head to EC on Monday (Thanks to Beth) –we’ll stay the week and go home with Betsy who is coming on Friday (thanks to Betsy!) – Like I told Lisa, we are nomads in other people’s trailers… for now, anyway! So, all pray and pray and do “no rain” dances b/c the weather indicates I’ll see some shows on my va-ca – grrr… I’m sure good times will still be had! Good thing I got that new saddle bag so I can bring my ‘foul weather gear’ as Frank calls it.

Not much else is new on the Marston front. Karl is still waiting around to be released from the limbo he is in – hopefully that will be soon – soon enough that he can get home and find a great new job and long enough that he can earn one more Army paycheck! I’ve been working on a quilt to sell at my step-mother-in-law’s (not as bad as it sounds, she’s super great!) booth at the Deerfield Fair and other craft fairs… It’s cute, in my humble opinion, so far.

Anyway, so this week is all about getting stuff together and packing and heading out! Can’t wait to tell you all about it!
C

what next?

Well, I think Sky and I are both ready for East Corinth! The last two times I’ve gotten on her, she has headed right out the driveway and down the trail! Far be it for me to begrudge having a horse that will go out alone, so down the trail we go – no deer lately, which is good, although I can tell she is looking out for one… I’ve taking to singing along the trail as to warn any wildlife that we are coming… it’s probably a good thing we are alone, then!

I haven’t been riding a lot – it’s a phase I go through – but I can tell Sky wants to get out (she actually came when I called her yesterday!) – I think there are Blackwater rides this coming weekend but there is also the final show of the season on Sunday. (Where we will clinch our title as Walk/Trot Adult Champion! – HA) Anyway, what I’m getting at is there is lots of opportunity for riding ahead…

Although there has been little horse drama, there’s been lots of life drama – for those of you who haven’t heard, Karl is being sent home from his deployment due to arthritis in his shoulder. So, after all of the stress and depression and crisis management … and the setting of mindsets and the preparing for the year ahead .. after all of that he’ll be home at the end of the month! I have to admit, I might have taken it badly… I had worked so hard to come to terms with the fact that he would be gone and how I was going to make it through I felt a bit betrayed that I had been forced to go through the immense amount of stress over the last two months for nothing. But, after some straightening of my mindsets (again) I am looking forward to him coming home and us starting over (again).

Other than that, things have been quiet. I served as the ring steward for a NHQHA show this weekend, and it was fun – tiring but fun. Lisa did well with Onyx and even tried her hand at pole bending and barrels – Onyx had a blast, which is hilarious since she’s such a… character, most of the time!

So, I’m back to work for another week and will be getting ready for Oak Rise, although both of us are pretty much on autopilot for that.

Till next time – happy trails.
C

the countdown begins... 398 days to go

Well, the preparation is over, the parties are completed and Karl has gotten himself down to South Carolina and back into the folds of the Army… it just sucks.

He’s with people who are in the same situation as him, if that could possibly make anything better. I cannot pretend to know how hard it must have been for him to leave his family and force himself to go. I wish I could know more of what he is going through, because then I could empathize more.

I took half of the day Friday and the whole day Monday off to be with him and re-group. I am trying to focus on all the things I am looking forward to and not on the fact that he’ll be gone for so long. The house seems empty, though, as does everything. I think Sadie misses him a lot right now, which is sad.

Lisa is trying to keep me busy, I think. She offered me the ring steward job at the NHQHA show on Saturday and I think that will be fun, although I have a suspicion I’ll be missing a Blackwater ride to do it. She also suggested I join the board, which she is on. I like that organizational and involved stuff so I’ll do that too.

I’m super excited for East Corinth, so much so I’m sure others are tired of me talking about it. But on top of being a great trip and a time to see old friends, it’s a vacation and I don’t think I’ve needed one so badly in a long time…. Then there’s the Deerfield Fair to enjoy and the Equine Affaire, and lots of Blackwater rides – one show left, too, although I’m more interested in just riding right now.

Sky was abandoned while Karl was getting ready to go and she wasn’t thrilled about being brought out yesterday, although she was a trooper about having to go under the hay conveyor and by the HUGE truck that delivered 800 bales for Lisa yesterday afternoon. Once we were in the yard she was a royal snot, though. The bugs were bad enough without her stinky attitude…. She’s continually awkward and gawky and overall bad after she hasn’t been ridden in over three days – the next time I ride she’ll be great, that’s how it goes… she’s a horse that likes to be used or left alone and there isn’t much in between there – for how good she is, she is still a mare!
Anyway, life will even out into a new sense of normalcy this week, I imagine, although it will be a while before I’m settled again. I’ll start packing soon for the move to Lisa and Josh’s and then go on vacation and then maybe the waters will be calmer. In the meantime, I will take each day and emotion as it comes because that’s all you can do – one step at a time and when I’m comfortable with that, I’ll look up again.

C

What’s going on…

So, I know I haven’t written much here in a while (hey, that’s how I start all my journal entries nowadays too!) but things have been busy.

Sky is doing well. We went on our nearly weekly ride with the Blackwater group the Sunday before last, but it was a little different b/c I just rode to Betsy’s house! That was the first time in a long time that I had taken Sky out on her own and I thought she did really well. I didn’t have to push her too hard to go down the road and she only spooked at the first car that passed us. Once we got to Betsy’s our accomplishment was shown up by Melissa, who rode her Mustang from Northfield to get there! Oh, well, I was still proud of us.

We rode some amazing places – to a pond that was part of some conservation land and then to a pond owned by a rich guy – that one was super secluded and lovely. The snowmobile trails were good and I thought Sky did well overall – she was pretty pokey and I am sure not out of tiredness. She did come to life when everyone trotted, though. This is when Sky has decided she’d like to canter… I figure as long as she can lope slow enough so we are not on the butt of the horse in front of us, that’s fine with me. It’s pretty funny – she tries her best!

Anyway, other than that, we haven’t had much going on. My schooling riding time is pretty limited, mainly because I am trying to spend more time with Karl before he leaves, and other “life” things getting in the way. She doesn’t seem much worse for the wear over it – if I ride after a few days off she seems to have retained whatever it was that we worked on the time before. It seems like there are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. For instance, I invited Christina over to hang out and have margaritas while I made Chili for last Wednesday night’s Blackwater meeting – which means there was no riding then or Thursday when the actual meeting happened… the chili was a hit, though. I’m looking forward to Fall cooking.

This past weekend was Labor Day weekend, and Karl and I did some stuff together – went mini golfing (I’m a much-improved putter!), visited my parents in Rumney (his request, not mine!), and went to the Hopkinton Fair, (where both of us agreed Sky would have cleaned up at that show!)… it was a good weekend – I fed a bit for Lisa while she was away at a show with her trainer and I rode a little. Yesterday, I rode and thought the bugs would eat us both alive, so I wasn’t out for very long. I should take her out more often. I’m looking forward so much to the Fall trail riding, which is the hands-down best time of the year – period. Blackwater has a lot of cool rides planned and East Corinth is heavy on my mind since it’s my big vacation and I am totally in desperate need of a big vacation… I have been dreaming of the rolling hills, the steep trails leading to the BEST views, the wet grass of the field and the low fog of each morning when you are certain to see at least one deer and the inevitable gut-busting laughter from hearing another of Frank’s outrageous stories.

We do have one more show left – the 21st… I’m skipping the one on the 7th, despite wanting to do it even though it’s the day Karl leaves – it’s just too much in one day and John says we can kick everyone’s walk/trot ass anyway (that’s validation enough, screw the ribbons!)
This week should prove to feel pretty short, hopefully, and then there is a party for Karl before he leaves, and then his actual departure. He’ll spend about 14 days at Ft Jackson and then go to FL to join a guard unit. He seems to be in better spirits regarding the whole thing, although he clearly does not want to go. Like I tell everyone, it just sucks and there isn’t much more anyone can say about it. I’m doing my best to think of the good things I have coming up and that way I have to think less about being alone for another year.

Anyway, slacker me has to get back to work – until next time, happy trails.

C