Follow my journey into the future. I promise it will be full of random rants, travel and other photos, musical musings, especially BOWIE, general chaos, and all my animal family: four horses, three alpacas, three dogs, and three and a half cats.
Inspired by the Dennis Reis clinic and his great big ball, I pulled out the exercise ball I bought for my horses ages ago but never used. I expected them to get really excited about it.
When I went out to the barn, Scout and Yalla! were laying down napping in the warm sun. I put the ball down out of sight and hurried over to them. Yalla! quickly stood up and I jumped on Scout's back just as he was getting up. He was startled and walked around a bit. I wasn't afraid even though I'd never done this with him before. After a few minutes, he walked back into the barn and I jumped down off of his back.
I went into the barn and brought out the big ball. Yalla! was immediately the most curious and came running up to me and the ball. I let the ball bounce away and she ran off chasing it down the length of the arena. She was suspicious of it but had no problems trying to eat it.
Annie tried her very best to ignore it. She only moved / ran when it threatened to touch her.
Scout and Nadia didn't seem to pay any attention to it at all. Only when I actually threw it up in the air at them did they run. Maybe Scout was still sleepy. I never did succeed in actually bouncing it off of them but it was good that they were so tolerant. Maybe next time.
Yalla! and I had fun playing soccer. I even made the goal!
I'll Roll your Ball - song: Betty Wrong, artist: Tin Machine, album: Tin Machine
This post will mostly be photos. After the morning session, the riders came into the arena. There were five of them.
This horse and rider have been enrolled in Dennis Reis' school of horsemanship for a couple of years now. She is showing how she can lay the horse down, halterless, BTW.
This horse, held by Dennis' assistant was a 2 year old Indian pony. The old guy who brought him said he had bought the mare and she popped out the colt a few months later. This sure is a big, gangly fellow, especially for a range bred horse but isn't he cute? This horse and one other needed extra help in groundwork before they were deemed safe enough to ride so assistants worked with the horses
while the owner learned how to work a "horse" from the ground.
This lady and her half Arabian were the star pupils on this day. She had been enrolled in the Horsemanship training courses for several years and she gave a bridleless, halterless demonstration of her horse doing all kinds of groundwork, including pushing this ball, jumping barrels, and laying down.
All the riders were set to different tasks, depending on the level of training the horse and rider were at. Mostly, this was the preflight checklist that I had mentioned in the last post, to see what needed to be worked on during this clinic.
This was a cutie. He had bright blue eyes fully ringed with black. Sorry for the poor quality, they were across the arena and I zoomed in.
We were even treated to a lasso demonstration by one of his helpers. Very cool!
Here's Dennis taking a few minutes to watch the riders and their horses work.
Dennis' wife, Debbie, was also there. She is the one who puts together the DVDs and edits footage for the RFD tv shows. They filmed a lot of this clinic so maybe we'll be on tv one day.
Happy Jenna. She was so good during the clinic. During the breaks, several of the kids played with the huge ball.
Here's mother and daughter.
As we were leaving, we came upon some stalled horses begging for attention. I don't know if they were Dennis' or someone else's but they sure were friendly.
This chestnut loved to be scratched about as much as my Annie.
Next horse event planned- The Lippizan Stallions are coming in 2 weeks!
Along with all the cultural events I have been attending recently, a few have been horse related. In the fall, I audited Mark Rashid's clinic for a day. Last weekend, besides going to see Hadyn's Creation with the Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night and the Alice in Wonderland Ballet on Sunday, I went to a horse clinic on Saturday.
A few weeks ago I received a brochure in the mail inviting me to attend a Dennis Reis clinic for FREE! I had attended a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed his "cowboy dressage" methods of training and riding. How could I pass up such a great deal? AND, the pass was good for two people on both days. So, I asked my neighbor, Lisa, of LaughingOrcaRanch to come along. She agreed, so the three of us went. Her daughter came along too. Dennis doesn't charge for anyone under 17 to attend his clinics. What a deal! There's lots of horsie girls that can attend for free. After paying $35 a day just to watch Mark Rashid work with his riders, I'm wondering how Dennis can make money?
Anyway, when we arrived at the horse arena, there was already a crowd of people milling around inside a portioned off part of the arena, sitting on plastic chairs placed all around a round pen, watching one of Dennis' films on any of the several large screens positioned around. When the film ended, Dennis introduced himself and went into the round pen to begin where a lone horse was wandering around, halterless.
The horse was a big bay quarter horse mare, twelve years old with issues, lots of them. She wouldn't trailer load and had a sored up nose to prove it. The owner said they had finally chased her into the trailer with a broom and using gates to get her to the clinic but not before she got her battle scars. There was a nasty flap of skin hanging from the top of her nose. Boy, I can relate. When I bought Annie as a four year old, it took everyone around to force her into our trailer. She reared up several times, hitting her head on the trailer and even breaking the lead rope, causing her to fall over backwards. She was such a wreck when we got her home that I actually wondered if she was going to die on us. She bled from her nose for several days and I'm sure she was concussed.
Ooops, this isn't a post about Annie so I'll just continue on. Sorry!
The horse also tended to crowd her owner on the ground and was hard to ride because she wouldn't go, or she would buck, so the owner said. She obviously had respect issues along with other (as yet) undisclosed problems. Usually, clinicians like to work with three and four year olds, with no bad memories "baggage". He answered my question that he didn't consider any horse to old to work with and train up. I was curious what approach Dennis would use. As he stood in the round pen with the horse she stood right up next to him, seeking his protection.
Here she's yawning, bored with his talking.
Like a pilot getting ready to fly his plane, Dennis believes you should do a preflight checklist before riding your horse. He noted that this horse had a problem with forward movement. He said a horse that won't budge is most dangerous because they can blow up and do unexpected things. It's more important to get a horse moving than to teach standing still. That can come later, as a reward for moving.
Dennis began schooling the mare by sending her off in a circle around him. At first, the mare trotted fearfully around him and he showed how to control her position using two of his fancy sticks and forming a triangle. He said his hip should be at her hindquarters and his toes pointed forward. I think every clinician uses some kind of trademark carrot stick-pokey thing nowadays. He showed how to form a triangle . At first, she was reluctant to change direction, crowding into him and/or stopping. He showed how to breath out, exhaling, to slow her speeds. Mark Rashid said the same thing. Think sloooooow, and whhheeeeeeeeew down. He said to always position yourself properly. His key phrase is to Prepare to Postion for a Transition. He also said that you should push at the eye to turn back. I'm sure this is more a figure of speech than actual action.
The key problem with this mare was that she was a Code 5150 (California penal code for a crazy person). She respected no boundaries. Dennis emphasized boundaries, "I can touch you but you can't touch me". When she walked into his space she met with his stick. Then he rubbed out the reprimand. Soon, she began to understand more and more of what he wanted. He said you always need to ASK (be subtle), SUGGEST (give aids) and ENCOURAGE (make) when working with horses.
When he haltered her, he had to begin again, working both sides, transitioning and reversing directions. A curious thing, when he had her free, she wanted to be right up next to him. When he had the halter in hand, she turned and walked away from him. He sent her off again and again until she realized it was no big deal. He said the goal in training is tofix, reinforce and refine until there are almost no aids needed.Just like the haute ecole of dressage where you can't see any evidence of aids being used.
Anyway, to make a long post shorter, he worked the typical magic and the horse began changing her behavior. Being that she was an older horse and more set in her ways than some of the younger horses most clinicians use, it took a long time and the progress was barely visible at times.
To conquer the trailer loading issues he first taught her to cross a bridge using panels set up next to the bridge. BINGO! I have two extra panels and now I know what to use them for!
Amazingly, when he took her over to the trailer and worked her outside of it for a while doing transitions (figure eights on a lead rope) the actual attempt to load was anti-climatic. She just jumped right in.
What I really liked about Dennis' clinic is that he used their stock trailer (just like mine!) to load her up in. He also told me later that if a horse isn't very well halter broke (read: can tie without pulling back) then it's okay to just let them loose in the stock trailer. I have been worrying about how to trailer my horses for ages (tie or not?) He says it's like a traveling stall, they will find their feet and get themselves in the right position. Now, I'm ready to work on Scout again. I will just let him ride loose. The last time I tried to trailer him, I tied him with a bungee tie. He sat back until the tie broke and then he sort of fell out of the trailer. Not good. I've worked on loading him since but not for several months now. It's time for a refresher course. I really want to start trail riding him this year.
As with all clinicians, there were the usual trade items for sale: knotted rope halters, whip/sticks, reins, bridles, dvds, lesson packages, etc. He also offered a few items up for free as prizes to questions. Lisa and I reviewed my notes and, as he asked one of his questions, she raised her hand. He chose her and she answered correctly, winning his dvd. (I always say she's lucky!)
Overall, I was thrilled with the session. I always need more groundwork knowledge and trailer loading is still challenging for me. Unfortunately, because of my other social committments, we had to leave too soon and I couldn't go back on Sunday. I offered Lisa the pass for Sunday but I don't think she went. Too bad, because Sunday would have been more about riding. I don't think she has a high opinion of Dennis after she's seen other big nameguys, but for free, who should complain? For myself, I can completely relate to Dennis' style of working with horses. He's my kind of cowboy.
For the last several months I seem to have been on a cultural voyage. I've been to concerts, plays, symphonies, ballets...you name it!
Last weekend, for example, my mother and I went to see Alice in Wonderland performed by the Ballet Repertory Company at my favorite theatre, the KiMo. Inspired from Lewis Carroll's original fantasy world, choreographer Alex Ossadnik premieres another new masterpiece for Ballet Repertory Theatre. Join Alice on her adventures through Wonderland in this magical ballet - a delightful fantasy filled with wonder! It's performing again this weekend, FYI.
It was delightful! When Alice drank the liquid and ate the cake she really appeared to shrink and grow on stage. She chased the White Rabbit all around and danced with the twins, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the caterpillar, the Mad Hatter, the White Queen and her ensemble. and the Red Queen with her ensemble of cards. She helped bake tarts with the Duchess and tamed the Jabberwocky.
It has been a long time since I've seen a ballet and I was happy to see all the little girls in the audience all dressed up in their finest dresses, sitting speechless and spellbound for the two hour duration. It reminded me of when my mother and I went to see the play of Beauty and the Beast (check out the videos) just a few months ago. That too, was an awesome performance! Many of the little girls in the audience were dressed in yellow gowns just like Belle.
Belle sounded just like she does in the video and Gaston! Oh my, Gaston was...unforgettable. Every time he was on stage he commanded your attention. And the Beast was fierce and beastly until he turned kind and sweet as time passed. The sets and costumes were fantastic. Mrs. Potts and Chip were there and so was Lumiere and all the rest.
We also saw the Symphony Orchestra perform Haydn's Creation last weekend. Here is a video of part of it.
It was very good but you have to like classical music. There must have been almost 200 people on stage between the choir and the full orchestra. My mother started coughing and the lady in front turned around and gave her a piece of gum. lol. Be quiet!!
Around Christmas, my church hosts the East Mountain Community Chorus and their production of Handel's Messiah. Frankly, I prefer the Creation. Except for the stand out chorus of Hallelujah! Hallelujah!... over all, the Creation is lighter and more palatable. So, I saw that too.
I also took my mother and mother-in-law to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra last month as a Christmas present. I was pleasantly surprised that I recognized an awful lot of their swingtime pieces: In the Mood, String of Pearls, Moonlight Serenade, American Patrol, and so many more. It was a wonderful evening out for the three of us.
Last month, I saw Wicked. It has been getting rave reviews but I must admit, I was a little disappointed. It was a good story and the cast sang wicked but I didn't think the Wicked Witch of the West should be so pretty. Oh yes, she was green, but she could have been a little witchier. And Glinda, sounded too much like she was playing the part from Legally Blonde, which she has in the past. The people sitting next to me, decked out in witch hats and capes, thought the play was a bit too High School Musical, their words, at the intermission. I really did like the way they worked in how the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man came to be. Also, it was fun knowing more about the Wicked Witch of the East. If you can go see it, I'd recommend it, but personally, I just wish they had cast a skinny, cackly, bump on the nose type of Wicked Witch.
The Color Purple surprised me on how good it was. I was reluctant to go see that one but since my mom and I had season tickets, we went. We both enjoyed it immensely. It's performed very well despite the depressing content- slavery, rape, battery, you name it. The performers played their roles well and the story unfolds before your very eyes.
I'm looking forward to seeing Fiddler on the Roof and Grease in the coming months.
I also went and saw Aladdin Jr. performed by the New Mexico Young Actors Group with my daughter a month ago. That one was fun- Disney style- with some new punch lines added for the kids. Although the actors were all young, they were very professional and the sets and costumes were beautiful.
My son and I went to see Aida at the KiMo Theatre as an Opera in Cinema. This was nice because there were subtitles and close ups. I haven't been to opera before but the costumes were extravagant- Egyptian- and in one scene the dancing couple were nearly naked so it was eye candy for both of us. What? My son is an adult, nineteen at that time.
My son and I also attended concerts several months ago,Vampire Weekendat the Hard Rock Casino south of the city, and then Musethe next night at an auditorium on the other side of town. Both of them were great! Muse is one of my all time favorite bands and they didn't disappoint. I couldn't hear very well afterwards. lol. It sounded GOOD at the time though! We met many people at the Muse concert who had been to the VW concert the night before. And one of my other all time favorite bands is coming to town next month. Well, actually Santa Fe, but they booked a venue with only 1800 capacity and they sold out in a few hours. I didn't even have a chance at buying a ticket! I was devastated. I have been following them for the past 5 or 6 years and I've never had the chance to see them before. Then, this year, they announced that they would be headlining Coachella, a three day festival in Indio, California. I wanted to go, really bad, but they sold out in 6 hours- a record for that music festival. Then, last month, they got a Grammy for best album and it's been the top of the world for them since. They added more tour dates. Anyway, seeing them come to my back yard and not able to get a ticket, I did the next best thing. I bought tickets for Denver- Road Trip- next month!! Oh yeah, it's Arcade Fire, um, who, you ask? See here for an old post about them.
AND U2! I bought U2 tickets last year on EBay and then a few weeks later the concert was cancelled due to Bono's back injury. The tour was rescheduled and my tickets should still be good. I say should because if the seller wanted to get a refund, even without the tickets, they could. Without the last four of the credit card used for the original purchase, I cannot verify whether a refund was given on the tickets. I know because I called TicketMaster. I can only trust that the seller was honest and didn't get a refund. Should be interesting, driving up to Denver for a concert with iffy tickets.
What about you? Tell me about shows you've been to.
Ninety nine ways to play - song: Sweet Head, artist: David Bowie
From Wikipedia: The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martii) is the name of 15 March in the Roman calendar, probably referring to the day of the full moon. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months. The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held. In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was killed in 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Roman Senate led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and 60 other co-conspirators.
On his way to the Theatre of Pompey (where he would be assassinated), Caesar saw a seer who had foretold that harm would come to him not later than the Ides of March. Caesar joked, "Well, the Ides of March have come", to which the seer replied "Ay, they have come, but they are not gone." This meeting is famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, when Caesar is warned to "beware the Ides of March"
More folklore: A dry March and a wet May? Fill barns and bays with corn and hay.
As it rains in March so it rains in June.
March winds and April showers? Bring forth May flowers.
What will the weather be like in March?
March- in like a lamb out like a lion. Or will it be the reverse- in like a lion, out like a lamb?
It is a beautiful sunny day here so, according to the folklore, we have some terrible storms due at the end of the month. Very often, we get terrible snow storms during March. Three foot snows are not uncommon. We shall see...
March - song: Leon Takes us Outside, artist: David Bowie,. album: Outside
