I really wanted to make this post epically massive but I have a monster headache, so, alas, I will have to keep it shorter than I would like. But I do have pictures of Yankee, alive and very well.

Drive home was a  cake, and I am quite enjoying my break. HA, rhyme. But anyways I am also quite excited to spend AMAP time with my beloved boy.

First day I went to visit him, it was freezing cold, like, whoa. I was nervous about being in an unfamiliar barn but everyone greeted me warmly, and always guessed that I was “MonicaYankeesOwnerHowisCollegeDoYouLikeIt?YankeeIsGoodHeMIssedYou” (yes, in one breath). I had to interrupt Rob’s (the head trainer and barn manager) lesson to ask where in the world my horse was turned out and where his stall/halter was. I felt bad.

I trudged through the snow and mud in my paddock boots (note to self: wear snow boots next time) out to Yankee’s massive pasture. I looked for him in the giant herd of horses playing and eating in the “red field”. I really couldnt make him out amongst all the other dark bays, but then I looked and saw my magnificent horse running as fat as he possibly could in the mud towards me, neighing!! HE MISSED ME! HE RECOGNIZES ME!! It was a great feeling. He snuffled my hair and gladly followed me to the barn.

Yankee couldnt stop showing how much he missed me, it was very cute. He wouldnt let me brush him or anything he just kept giving me “horse hugs”. And of course, being his goofy self. It was awesome. This is why I love this horse.

He does this all the time

Riding him was like heaven…I couldnt believe how great it was. I missed his flowing trot and rocking canter. AND boy, did he improve! Grace has his canter feeling fantastic now and his departs are better than they ever were. Not only that but he can shoulder-in at the trot now! As well as lead changes.

his haunches in

Lovely canter

However, Rob seems to like rollkur. I dont like this method, so I’m going to say “out of sight out of mind”. Yankee has improved greatly and as long as rollkur is not an everyday thing I think I can be ok with it…as much as i really don’t want to be.

In case you didnt know what rollkur was, aka "deep". Not a fan.

But anyways its been heaven, and I’m so happy to be back for a few weeks.

Oh, and Zephyr missed me too

Z baby

Got some good stuff for Christmas, $$, DVD, itunes,boots, gorgeous necklace, books , some clothes,  Skull candy headphones, scarves, and a Carhartt jacket! I AM BLESSED!

Ed gives a quick demo of the updated version of his Blinker Reminder with a slightly elevated positioning for better visibility.–Lorenzo

Finally the ice has thawed a little, so I got to spend all of today at the barn.

A little midmorning cuddle


After riding we opened up playgroup in the small arena. Who’s afraid of the big red ball?

Solution: Johnny and Heyn, the other four were just really disappointed it didn’t turn out to be edible.

ทุกคนได้เข้าชมตลอดประเทศไทยจะทราบเกี่ยวกับความงามของสตรี ไทย. ใน twenties พวกเขาพวกเขาจะตื่นตาตื่นใจ. ใน thirties พวกเขาพวกเขากำลังมองหาผู้ใหญ่มากขึ้นแต่ก็ยังมีเสน่ห์มากที่สุด.

ผู้หญิงที่ทำงานในบาร์แพร่หลายและร้านนวดของกรุงเทพฯพัทยาและภูเก็ตเป็นส่วนใหญ่ก่อน housewives, เชื่อหรือไม่แต่งงานกันแต่มีสองเด็กพวกซ้ายหลังในหมู่บ้านของพวกเขากับแม่ของพวกเขา. ส่วนมากมาจากอีสาน, มุมภาคตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือของประเทศไทยซึ่งมีจำนวนมากยากจน. บางส่วนจากส่วนอื่นๆของประเทศโดยเฉพาะจังหวัดเชียงใหม่และเชียงรายและบางอย่างมาจากกรุงเทพฯหรือส่วนกลาง Thailand.

แต่ประมาณ 1 ใน 100 ไม่ใช่ผู้หญิงที่ทุกแต่ ladyboy "หรือ katoey ไทย. ค่อนข้างบ่อยปรากฏขึ้นผู้หญิงกว่าผู้หญิงจริง. ฉันได้เห็นหลายเล่นหูเล่นตา farang และทะเยอทะยานหลังจากสาวเซ็กซี่มากไม่ทราบว่าที่ "เธอ" เป็น "เขา".

ชอบผู้หญิงที่ ladyboys ส่วนมากมาจากอีสาน. ฉันได้พูดคุยไปไม่กี่วันหนึ่งถึงหนึ่งพื้นฐานและถามพวกเขาเมื่อพวกเขารู้ก่อนที่พวกเขาต้องการให้หญิง. ทั้งหมดที่กล่าวว่าพวกเขารู้ในวัยเริ่มต้นประมาณ 5 หรือ 6 ปี. พวกเขากล่าวว่าพวกเขาชอบลักษณะหญิงไม่ชอบกีฬาหยาบ, มีบางส่วนที่ศิลปะและเพลง.

Katoeys เป็นส่วนที่ยอมรับของวัฒนธรรม ไทย ถือเป็นเพศที่สามในประเทศไทย. หลายดาราหนังและ announcers TV. หนึ่งคือเตะชาติ-เจ้าสังเวียน. คุณจะพบทุก ladyboys ทำงานเป็น waiters,clerks เก็บ hairdressers, บริการจัดส่งสินค้าฯลฯ

ในอเมริกาเหนือและยุโรปเพศ-เปลี่ยน (เรียกว่ากลับเพศเป็นมอบหมาย) การดำเนินการจะถือเป็นข้อขนาดใหญ่ต้องเดือนหลายคำปรึกษาทางจิตวิทยาก่อนการทำงานเพื่อให้แน่ใจว่าผู้มุ่งมั่นที่จะเปลี่ยน.

ในประเทศไทยดำเนินการเปลี่ยนเพศเป็นปกติค่อนข้าง. มีหลายคลินิกและโรงพยาบาลที่ดำเนินการได้และค่าใช้จ่ายเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของสิ่งที่คิดตะวันตกจะเป็นปกติ US $ 5,000-7,000.แต่สำหรับคนยากจนจากอีสาน, $ 5,000 เป็นเงินจำนวนมาก.

มีสามพื้นที่หลักในกรุงเทพฯที่ ladyboys มีอยู่ในจำนวนมาก: นานา Entertainment Plaza (ในสุขุมวิทซอย 4) Patpong Road (off สีลม) และซอยคาวบอย (ใกล้กับแยกจากถนนสุขุมวิทและถนนอโศกซึ่งมีทั้งเป็นรถไฟใต้ดินและสถานีรถไฟฟ้ารถไฟฟ้าใต้ดิน).

ที่นานาส่วนใหญ่ ladyboys มีพื้นฐาน "-op" หมายพวกเขายังมีกระเจี๊ยว. ที่ Patpong และซอยคาวบอยส่วนใหญ่เป็นโพสต์ "-op" หมายพวกเขามีการดำเนินการสร้างช่องคลอด. การดำเนินการเกี่ยวกับการตัดออกจากส่วนของลำไส้ซึ่งจะเป็นช่องคลอด. กระดอจะตัดเปิดและใส่ลงในหลอดเกี่ยวกับลำไส้นั้นปกติบางถุง scrotal ใช้เพื่อเพิ่มความยาวของช่องคลอดใหม่. ปลายลึงค์เป็นอวัยวะเพศหญิงใหม่และยังคงเป็นปกติที่สำคัญหลังจากการผ่าตัดเสร็จสิ้นแล้วและทุกอย่างมี healed. Ladyboys ฉันพูดคุยกับกล่าวว่าพวกเขายังคงสามารถมีการสำเร็จความใคร่แต่ไม่อุทาน.

เนื้อเยื่อแผลเป็นเห็นว่าการโพสต์ ladyboy op-สงวน / ขนเพชรของเธอแต่ถ้า shaved ปิดเขาก็ยากที่จะบอกช่องคลอดสร้างจากเรื่องจริงจริง.

แต่นี้มักจะไม่สิ้นสุดของเรื่องราวในการกำหนดใหม่เพศ. ร่างกายเป็นชายมักจะใหญ่กว่าผู้หญิงแม้ในประเทศไทยซึ่งผู้คนจำนวนมากดูเหมือนจะ 80% ขนาดของคนตะวันตก. Ladyboy มีการใช้ฮอร์โมนสองสามปีก่อนการทำงาน;ฮอร์โมนเหล่านี้ช่วยให้เขาเติบโตนมและลดการเติบโตของใบหน้าและร่างกายผม. เขาชาย ไทย ไม่ปกติผมตัวเท่าเทียบกับคนตะวันตกแต่จะมีบางฮอร์โมนหรือการรักษาอื่นที่จำเป็นเพื่อลดหรือกำจัดมัน. แต่ฮอร์โมนมีผลข้างเคียงของการลดความสามารถในการอุทาน.

ผู้ชายมักจะมีโหนกลูกกระเดือกเพื่อที่จะยังดำเนินการอื่น: สามารถ shaved โดยศัลยแพทย์เพื่อลดหรือขจัดติ่ง. และมีจำนวนมากelectrolysis เพื่อกำจัดผมร่างกายโดยเฉพาะใน armpits.

หากคุณไปนานาบันเทิง Plaza หลังจากที่ 7 (ซึ่งเมื่อเปิด) คุณจะพบผมหลายน้ำสลัดสถานประกอบการตั้งอยู่บนบริการข้อมูลท่องเที่ยวที่เรียกรอบสามด้านโครงสร้าง. คนที่หน้ายังให้ความสำคัญกับสาวบาร์; คนที่หลังยังให้ความสำคัญกับ ladyboys. คุณสามารถชมบาง ladyboys preening และการเตรียมการปลอมตัวของพวกเขา.

บางบาร์มีเฉพาะ ladyboys. หากคุณป้อนบาร์ดังกล่าวคุณจะพบว่า ladyboys ส่วนใหญ่กว่าพอควรและบางสวยงามอย่างน่าประทับใจ. ฉันไม่คิดว่าฉันได้เห็นเคย ladyboy น่าเกลียด.

ถึงความสัมพันธ์ไป ladyboys เป็นเช่นเดียวกับผู้หญิง ไทย. พวกเขาต้องการความสัมพันธ์ระยะยาวและพวกเขาจะพยายามอย่างเต็มที่เพื่อให้ทำงานสัมพันธ์. ๆพูดภาษาอังกฤษบางส่วนแต่จริงๆต้องพูดเช่นผลิตภัณฑ์ Easy ไทย เพื่อช่วยให้คุณเรียนรู้คำศัพท์ ไทย บางขั้นพื้นฐาน. หากคุณสามารถสื่อสารที่ดีกว่าคุณมีมากขึ้นโอกาสของความสัมพันธ์อันยั่งยืน.

ส่วนหนึ่งของพื้นที่ของกรุงเทพฯที่ไม่ควรพลาดโดยที่ผู้เข้าชมการแสดงคาบาเร่ต์ ladyboy จะทำอาชีพด้วยการผลิตงดงาม (จำนวนมาก feathers และพราวเพลงดีและตลกดีบาง). คุณสามารถดูได้ที่ Calypso คาบาเร่ต์ (Asia โรงแรมสถานีราชเทวีใต้ดิน) Golden Dome คาบาเร่ต์ (เดิน 15 นาทีจากสถานีรถไฟใต้ดิน Sutthisan) และแมมโบคาบาเร่ต์ในอดีต Washington Theater ระหว่างสุขุมวิทซอย 22 และ 24.

Did someone steal the decorations from the Pioneer Courthouse Square tree? (Orin O’Neill photos)

There’s sunshine. No snow. It isn’t that cold. I’m always telling people to ride their scooters on major holidays, so I suppose I should eat my own dog food, as they say at Microsoft.

The temperature readout sez 39°F, but it feels a lot colder, even bundled up as I am. Must be the wind. The trees are bent way over.

I hit the starter button. The GTS goes blup… blup… blup before the engine catches. Being parked outside seems to affect the battery more than I thought, even if I do ride it almost daily. It’d be nice to be able to park it in the garage, but at the moment there’s no room.

If the battery is down a bit, the ride I have planned should charge it right up.

Heading west on Broadway, the street is not quite deserted.

The Broadway Bridge is, however.

I don’t mind. Even with the sun so low in the sky it’s shining directly into my eyes, the Broadway Bridge is a pleasure to ride on. It’s got a nice, smooth concrete surface and no grating (if you like grating, there’s the Hawthorne Bridge, which is nothin’ but).

Union Station is where Amtrak stops. Greyhound stops there, too, and so does TriMet. It was restored to a state of grace about 20 years ago, when King Street Station in Seattle was literally falling apart. These days, Union Station is said to be fraying around the edges as King Street Station (finally) undergoes the renovation it has needed for freakin’ ever.

This is where you hang the left to go downtown. Things are not exactly hoppin’ there, either.

The instrument cluster shows 42°F. While I’ve always been inclined to say it’s optimistic, I can see the Benson Bubblers are bubbling.

It feels much colder. Must be the wind.

I go left at Morrison, left again at 6th. Pioneer Courthouse Square is deserted. The tree is looking rather naked. Not in the manner of Concord, Calif.’s Charlie Brown tree, but lack-of-decorations naked.

Closer examination reveals little gold lights. But no ornaments?

It’s probably better viewed at night. I get the lead picture just as someone who appears to be a cop starts walking in my direction. I hop on the GTS and fire it up, making a clean getaway.

I decide to take the Steel Bridge going back. It’s called the Steel Bridge because at the time it was built bridges tended to be made of wrought iron. The light was good, so I thought I’d get a picture on the way.

While I was at it, I got a picture of the GTS.

Hope you had a nice Christmas. Did you get a chance to ride?

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Before the ride on the first of November, I was weighing up my options for doing this ride or going on the Fitz’s challenge. I know people who live in the Dapto area who were keen to have me around after I finished. I also thought it would be a good ride to do (as it always is). I haven’t done Fitz’s challenge yet and will definitely do it next year. I decided to do the Gong ride this year because I needed something that would remind me of the people who I rode with in Sydney. I also wanted to do it because it is a good ride.

Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club has a team in the Gong ride bust so did Pedal Power.  In the end as much as I wanted to ride with Dulwich Hill, I signed up with Pedal Power in the hope that I would meet other cyclist from the ACT. I signed up then contacted the team organiser Chris Mann. It turned out he had done some research with Google and knew something about me from Sydney cyclist and other forums.

I arranged to meet Chris and the other riders at Steel Park, St Peters in the morning around 7.30. I took myself and the Red Hybrid to Dapto the night before and got myself settled down. In the morning I got myself ready and took the down to Dapto station in time for the train to St Peters. I was expecting an older train as I was told that an old red rattler was used by city rail last time to bring riders from the Illawarra to the start point at St Peters. However we got the usual train that is used on the Illawarra, Hunter and Blue Mountains lines and it made a good difference. I got to the start point on time. I hung out and absorbed the atmosphere for a while waiting for Chris and the other riders to appear.  I know St Peters very well. I have rode through the area many times and knew some of the Cafe’s and Pubs on the lower end of King Street.

Chris finally showed up and I met the other riders. They were mostly older riders. Chris and I were the younger riders. We had the usual hiatus at the start point, getting the last-minute things done and then had the team photo. I will see if I can get any of the photos on to this site as soon as I can.  We were also delayed at the start because of safety concerns as the traffic lights along the Princes Highway were delaying riders. Everyone was also reminded about an incident that occurred earlier in the week where a cyclist using the Parramatta T-way had got involved in a road rage incident and attacked a bus driver. This incident had got a lot of media attention including the usual trolls from the Terror and the likes of John (Bong Head) Birmingham and Miranda Divine.

When we finally got underway I had a good look around for Dulwich Hill riders and only noticed some who must have one the training ride to Waterfall and were on their way back. I also enjoyed a good look at some of my old haunts around Tempe, Sydenham and later Brighton Le Sands. We rode as a group for a while before we wound up being separated.

We went through some of the best areas in the St George area and enjoyed a good run to the first rest point at Loftus. After a comfort stop I got the customary muffin and cup of coffee and got myself ready to carry on. I caught up with some people I know from my days as a St John volunteer in Sydney and caught up with them for a while before finally getting under way.

As we rode through the Shire I caught up with Chris and discussed the differences between Canberra and Sydney as regards cycling culture. It turns out Chris has done some time in Sydney and was used to commuting to the CBD with the cars doing less speed than his bicycle. He also has some family in the Illawarra and had caught up with them every so often. He has done a lot of rides in NSW and was fully aware of the cycling and road culture in Sydney. I have met Canberrans who were not aware of the differences in road rules and other issues.

We finally got to the stage where we went through the Royal National Park and it was here that the group split up again. The ride went well and I was able to make good time getting to the clearing where lunch was served.  It was here that I caught up with Brian Yap – a member of Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club and MASSBUG. He was riding his recumbent. I think his recumbent was the only one I saw that day. We discussed the ride and how Dulwich Hill was going. Apparently the Saturday Slowies Group is getting big and is more often split into 2 groups. for the ride to and from Centennial Park. I also found out that everything was fine with MASSBUG which was pleasing to hear.

After Lunch I set off down the escarpment to Lawrence Hargraves drive. I made to the lookout and then began the descent to Wollongong. It was on Lawrence Hargraves Drive that  I copped a puncture in the front tyre. It happened a the worst time and in the worst area. I was able to dismount and begin working on it although I had to put myself and the bike on the other side of the crash barrier as the police were holding back the cars at the start of the road and were letting them through in dribs and drabs. I began working on the puncture when I found that the valve on the pump had gone. Fortunately there was a guy on the other side of the road who had a pump but no spare tube. I asked him for a lend of his pump and he tossed it over. Unfortunately for me it was too high and it got caught in the tree behind where I was.  I was on the sloping side of the road and had to almost climb the tree get the pump ( I held onto a branch and jumped/swung out and got the pump) and then had to fight my way back to the bike. While  was getting the spare tube in the traffic passed and there were some interesting looks and a laugh from one of the lazy weak bastards in a XR6. I got the tyre pumped up and was joined by some of the roving mechanical helpers who were patrolling the course. I bought a new spare tube and headed off after giving the other rider his pump with the welcome news that he was lucky it didn’t go further down.  I also saw some of the Dulwich Hill riders including Simon Sharwood riding back to Sydney.

I got myself under way and eventually got on to the Sea Cliff bridge. I was eager to catch up with some of the people ahead and began to ride hard in some parts. I calmed down by the time I made it to the fruit stop at Scarborough. I got the tyre pumped up with the floor pump at the mechanics that were stationed at the Fruit stop and after a couple of bananas, I got myself under way. I began to enjoy the scenery as I went further along the beginning of the Illawarra region.

When we finally reached the outskirts of Wollongong I picked up the pace a little. We joined a bike path briefly and went through Woonona and Bellambi before reaching Fairy Meadow on the final stretches of the ride.  It was good to reach the finish. I wound up meeting Brian again and we went all out to join the DHBC group at the Five Islands Brewery. We got to the brewery as the others were leaving. I caught up with Geoff and Marion and found out that it was indeed their tandem that was in a Bicycling Australia magazine article on Mudgee.

After all of the days exertions it was good to relax with a Dapto Draught and some wedges at the brewery. After I caught up with Brian, I headed back to Dapto via the train. I got myself washed and then headed home to catch up with Mum and Dad.

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On December 17th we went to the London International Horse Show at Olympia.  We met at 5am and arrived back at 1am the next morning!!

The show was loved by all the children, who are already talking about  next year’s trip.   There were lots of  shopping opportunities,  and many a secret bit of Christmas shopping was done.  Here are a few of the photos of the dozens that were taken.

Sparhanger Equestrian Centre
Mobile 07968066973  or phone 01598 753283
sparhanger@btinternet.com

My 2010 new years resolution is to fully give up banking and spending frivulous money.  In order to accomplish this goal, I am going to have to purchase a new bike and start biking to work everyday.  I own an ‘84 Ross bicycle that I successfully rode from Brooklyn, New York to Saint Paul, Minnesota, but I feel that it is time for me to upgrade as the Ross is extremely heavy and bulky.  I visited Now Bikes and Fitness http://nowbikes-fitness.com in Saint Paul yesterday.  The sales guy recommended this mountain bike made by Marin.

The guy at Now said this bike would be perfect for my commuting needs.

I have to admit that I am a bit nervous about this bold resolution for 2010.  I am pursuing this goal to satisfy my moral yearnings, so I am going to move forward despite all challenges.

A couple of hours work this morning and the Murderhorn is almost rideable.

It wasn’t what I had set out to do initially, but I had a quick rummage through the build materials at the trail head and found some treated pine sleepers I hadn’t noticed before. So I quickly changed plans for the morning and loaded up the car with wood – only to realize i had left all my tie down straps at home – DOH!

So a long slow drive saw me get to the top of S-bend road where I then had to carry all the wood in – thank god that is over and done with.

So the retaining wall now stretches 70% of the required distance (I didn’t bring along enough timber) and has been benched into a flat, easily rideable section about the width of a mattock handle. When i say easily rideable, what i mean is – there is no off camber gradient across the trail. It is still a punchy and steep climb that is going to be really brutal in a race.

Anyway, pictures or it didn’t happen….

So much work. So many people. So little time!

By Judy Oldmeadow, Owner & Master Horsewoman, Samaria Creek Morgan Horses

Years ago, searching for strategies to deal with depression, I read about ‘morning questions’: those first thoughts to pop into our head when we wake. 

So I composed five morning questions to start my day. What can I: 

1. Be happy about?
2. Be excited about?
3. Contribute?
4. Learn?
5. Do to have fun?

Sometimes I struggled to answer these questions. But that struggle was better than the litany of depressive thoughts with which I was always bombarded. 

Slowly it became easier, and these five questions are now habit. 

Last Sunday I woke overwhelmed with thoughts of too much to do. The day was filled with people: 

• Sarita and teenage daughter Bo were in our cottage with Sarita’s sister Quintana (who was visiting from Holland and wanted ‘the whole farm experience’).
• In our loft was vet nurse Elise (owner of Morgan gelding Oscar, who’s on agistment here) and Kristy (apprentice and owner of Morgan gelding Detroit).
• Christi Wales and daughter Dana (visiting their two Morgan yearlings) were looking forward to a day in the herd.

My farm duties included: 

• Taking our stallion Nimrod to serve a mare at Bonny Doon.
• Providing an exciting riding experience for Quintana.
• Moving four mares, with foals at foot, from one side of our farm to another.

And so to my five questions: 

1. I was happy to have so many interesting people enjoying and buying the horses I’d put my heart and soul into nurturing.
2. I was excited to have a mare owner seeking another foal by Nimrod – a stallion so well mannered I can take him anywhere, which lets owners of mares with foals at foot rebreed without the stress of transportation.
3. I could contribute 100% of my attention to every moment of the day using skills I’d fought hard to learn.

The learn was question easy, as every moment I spend with horses teaches me something new. 

But I struggled with fun, as it all looked like hard work. 

So, I decided to combine the people with the work. 

Bo, Kristy and Elise came to Bonny Doon to see the mare. 

Jan, the mare’s owner was away. As I watched her son Dane calmly follow my orders, oblivious to the gaggle of girls, in a situation totally new to him, I had my first learning for the day: 

Focus on one task at a time, without distraction. Get it done satisfactorily before looking to the next task. Thank you, Dane! 

We had to create a safe place for the mating. It was wonderful to have so many willing hands to move a hen, a water trough, two curious alpacas, a mini mare and a foal. 

All went well and we look forward to a foal in eleven months. 

Next came the task of moving the mares and foals across our farm. 

With the right attitude, WORK = FUN!

By including all the people, it was like a movie scene. Bo rode Folie, Kristy rode Poppy, I rode Tanjil (with Dana behind me) and Christy led Arizona while Sarita and Quintana took photos. 

The foals loved the adventure and galloped and bucked like spring lambs. Apart from having fun, I felt exceedingly proud of these amazing mares that haven’t been ridden for over a year. 

Are we having FUN yet? My oath!

To complete the day, Quintana got to ride a Morgan. Nimrod changed roles from breeding stallion to teaching horse with just a shake of his head and a prance in his step to let us know which job he’d rather have. 

At last, Quintana and Nimrod have their moment.

By applying my five morning questions to a set of tasks I’d found overwhelming, everybody had fun. Especially me! 

Life is 10% what happens and 90% attitude.

Holidays? training? Gym? Yes Sir! Nothing’s gonna stop me. I taught a spin class on Saturday, then ran on Sunday (as part of my Couch-to-5k program). While it was great riding weather on Sunday, I stayed off the street. My family is all in South Texas so I didn’t want to ride out there alone.

Tonight, I start Week 7 of my C25K program. 25 straight minutes on the treadmill. I’m a little scared but know if I think it, I can achieve it….will I slow down tonight?

NOPE. The rest of this week doesn’t look any easier. Tomorrow, I’ll run in the morning and then spin at night. Then Wednesday, I’ll jog and spin in the morning. Thursday, I’m going to run and/or ride in South Texas with my younger sister (who is also on my team). I will probably have to borrow my dad’s single speed. : ) I’ll sneak a run/ride in on Christmas too. Workouts stops at nothing so neither will I.

Now, if I can somehow sneak/pack my bike before I leave for the holidays, I won’t have to worry about riding on a single speed cruiser. : )) Shhh…just don’t tell anyone!

Recently, I wrote an update on our horses’s progress (read here). A man named Craig Parish left the following comment;

We were asked “what do you do in winter to keep the horses fit?” That is a very important question. We get winter ice and snow but we don’t have an indoor arena on the farm. We need to come up with creative ways to keep horses and riders in training.

I followed the link he left to his website, from which he sells books about training horses. There are a total of 13 e-books to purchase. The first of these books is titled, “How To Tame and Train Wild and Vicious Horses”. It’s worth your money – I promise. Although it was orgininally written in 1856, it’s still amazingly relevent.

Even though it snowed last night, and we had to shovel a path out to the manure pile, I was determined to try out a couple of the ideas in the book, just to see if they worked. My test subject (who I will probably be testing the rest of the books on as well!): Delilah, our three-year-old Saddlebred filly. Although we’ve had a saddle on her back, getting her used to the bit has been harder. From the book;

..let him run loose in a large stable or shed, some time, until he becomes a little used to the bit, and will bear it without trying to get it out of his mouth.

Lo and behold – it worked. After about five minutes of her pinning her ears, shaking her head, and charging the pasture fence, she quietly settled into it, simply chewing it a little. After two or three weeks of me holding her while she shook her head, trying to rid herself of a bit – if I had had the book then, we would have saved quite a bit of time, wouldn’t we?

The 30 + page book is a charming (not to mention helpful!) read that I highly recommend. Apart from the old ‘remedies’ that are included in the back, everything that is contained in this e-book will be very helpful to you if you have a colt that you’re just starting.

Follow this link to purchase a copy of this and several other books for yourself. Not convinced yet? Stick around! I’ll be reviewing all of the books found on HorseTrainingSecretsExposed.com.

This one was inspired by watching my neighbor mowing my lawn. I have about a half acre back yard, and he says he wants to do it. He won’t even take gas money for it. He says it calms him down. Cool. Calms me down too.

Now I don’t really know what it has to do with mowing a lawn, but it’s a cool little soundtrack to imagine my neighbor sitting on his riding lawnmower going back and forth in my back yard.

—

Running time: 35 seconds

File size: 280K

[download mp3] (right-click and Save Link As)

[view the whole ringtone archive at once]

Visit the WAP site on your phone at: http://tagtag.com/weeklyringtone

Jorge

While the scooter rider is just tooting along after a routine turn somewhere back there, oblivious of what he, or she has done, or in this case hasn’t; to the riders behind, it could be rather annoying and frustrating following someone with a perpetually blinking turn-signal light (@ 5′:26″).  No amount of repeated hand gestures would seem to alert the clueless rider ahead since he or she just couldn’t be bothered to pay any attention to what’s on display in his or her side-mirrors, either.  Well, to solve this very common problem, Ed has previously tried an audible beeping reminder to unsatisfactory results; not to mention it just made the problem doubly annoying, both visually and audibly.  Now, this is Ed’s latest solution–a quiet, more inconspicuous way of reminding the rider that his or her blinker is still on.  Introducing the “field-of-vision-mounted” LED blinker reminder by Ed.  I think it’s a rather ingenious solution.–Lorenzo

On those days when you’re not yet totaled recovered from your last ride and you find yourself with free time just ride.   Really, you can enjoy the beauty of a solo ride through the countryside, peddling by the farms, ponds, and quiet roads.   It’s like the sweetest thing, getting recharged with no expectations.  It’s just you.

It’s rare today to find bliss, that peak moment when you can enjoy what got you into the sport in the first place.  For me it was that feeling of freedom.

We know you can train but can you ride?  That IS the question, my friend.

Lane

AKA The Highway Man

.

Whatever the reason your clipping your horse—whether it be for cooling out purposes, showing, or keeping them clean there are several styles.

The Belly Clip is a simple clip, where the hair on the underside of the belly and chest is the only hair removed. This will remove the hair in the areas most prone to sweating. It’s good for a horse that is in moderate work and turned out often.

The Trace Clip can come in many variations. Generally you will trim the hair on the underside of the chest, neck, and belly. A Trace Clip will allow the horse to cool out easily from strategic areas. While being able to be turned out without a blanket. This is similar to the Belly Clip, except the belly clip does not require the neck to be clipped.

The Full-Body Clip requires the hair on the neck, trunk, and hindquarters to be clipped. Horses that show will often have their head and legs clipped as well. This clip allows the most efficient cooling out and grooming process. However this clip requires the horse to be blanketed almost all the time.

The Hunter Clip is when the horse’s hair is all clipped on the body except for a patch on their back in the shape of a saddle or quarter sheet. The hair on the legs and head is left long as well to provide a barrier to thick brush that a field hunter would encounter. This kind of clip on a horse will also require persistent blanketing.

I’ve been down with a cold for two days now and it has affected my form during today’s riding class. My favourite, Rocket, has been transferred over to the kiddies’ class and I’ve to contend with riding Johno and Bally. Both of them are fine horses except for the fact that Johno is a tad lazy and Bally is easily startled.

Although they aren’t the easiest of horses to ride, I only have myself to blame for the mistakes that I make. I didn’t feel as if I rode my best today and I kept replaying the day’s lesson over and over again in my mind. Doing so helps me to re-live the moments when I made those mistakes and make mental notes of them.

1. Shorten my reins

2. Keeps my hands low during trotting

3. Keep my heels down

4. Sit in

5. Sit into the middle of the saddle

6. Grip with the knees

7. Stirrups under the ball of the feet

8. Do not pull onto the reins when signalling to trot

9. Kick with leg before turning

10. Be firm and do not let the horse get its way

Horse riding club “Istar – Rousse” was established almost 10 years ago in Bulgaria, town of Rousse. The main discipline that horses and riders of our club are participating in is show jumping. It is also kind of a family bussiness for most of the staff in the club.

Presently we are hiring a stable which has place for 32 horses, but it is not full nowadays. Right now at the stable we have  6 horses and 2 ponies ( one of them is on the photo together with my daughter, who is 6 years old).

Other main activities in horse riding club Istar – Rousse are: training of young horses, riding lessons for beginners and advance, board and lodging for private horses of different horses, selling of horses.

It is my husband Ivaylo Lyubenov who is the main compentitor of our club who now has a carrier of 25 years riding behind his back. See some photoes of his show jumping competitions below:

Ivaylo has a large number of international tournaments in his career as well as many prizes and achievements in the proffesional sport.

Senior trainer in Horse Riding Club Istar Rousse is Ivaylo’s father – Mr. Todor Dobrev. He was a competitor in the National Eventing Team of Bulgaria and took part at the Olympic Games in Moskow in 1980 as a captain of the team. He stopped his career of competitor at the age of 25 to become a trainer of many bulgarian riders. 

Sex Ed Fail

Submitted by: Jane O via Fail Uploader

Ugh.  So I haven’t had a meaningful ride in almost a week.  Taking stock of the last few days it makes sense, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

On Monday, I led a conference call at the J-O-B for about 90 minutes.  By the time it was over, my voice was a little rough.  I figured it was from the usual vocal stress of talking for over an hour.  I drank some water and forgot about it.

When I woke up on Tuesday morning, I felt like a golf ball had been forced into my larynx.  My voice sounded like I was channeling some weird mashup of Barry White and Tone Loc.  While it was fun to play with this new sound, it hurt.

It simmered for a couple days, but by Thursday it had become a problem.  I actually completed 25 minutes on the trainer doing some easy tempo, but even at that pace I could feel every breath irritate my throat.  I was sure it was Strep, so I went to the doc.  Turns out, no Strep.  It’s some upper respiratory virus – wait it out for a week and take some vitamin I.

Side note: They had to weigh me for some reason.  I tipped in at 186.  That was hard to take.  The heart rate of 56 mitigated it somewhat.

Today I felt like I was turning the corner, but now I think I have a full-blown cold.  To quote Samir, “This is a suck!”

Mrs. Stallion had gotten me some new training vids, and I’m dying to try them out, but now I have to wait.  They say you can still train and ride as long as your illness doesn’t go below your neck.  I don’t think I’m that desperate yet, and I don’t want to redirect my body’s energy to non virus-killing activities.

Does this count as rock bottom for my fitness and weight?  I dunno, but I need to turn things around post haste.  Not liking the trend.