Well it has been a few months since I have posted. There has not been happening an awful lot in the saddle - I have not ridden much since march for a number of reasons. First of all, I was having some niggling fatigue issues from the head injury, and after being a mum and working full time and looking after all the horses, I had to drop a few daily activities. Riding was one of them. Which coincided with the autumn grass coming through = although Lou is still in the same paddock that she has been in for a year, and the sheep have kept it down, it was impossible to stop the effects of the super grass shoots bursting through. When I did ride she was a bit spooky, twitchy and not happy, so I decided that I wouldn't undo all the progress that we had made. I am busting to get back on again - just in time for the first day of winter! It is still not muddy but DARK. Hopefully will get back into the swing of something soon, though. Winter really does drag though in Auckland, and we haven't hit the wet muddy misery yet. I have to say though, my stoicism for the mud grows over the years! With the off season from showing that pretty much puts a halt to things after easter, through to October, there is way too much time for speculation, planning, evaluation. Not that this is BAD, but it has meant that I have seen and mulled over many things that have continued to discourage me from competing in the showring. The reality is the things I find most abhorrent are the things that seem to be rewarded directly and indirectly - short neck, behind the vertical... the use of draw reins to get a 'frame', tying the mouth shut to avoid addressing tension issues, even worse - draw reins and flash nosebands used with double bridles and spurs - I look at photos of horses and ponies being schooled and ridden and competed in this manner and it ruins the beauty of these gorgeous animals for me. Worried eyes, horses looking at the ground in front of them, tight curb chains... even harder for me is that I really am a minority in this way of thinking. I am seem to be a little bit wacko, I think. My personal task for the off season is to find that balance of using the drive and motivation to prove that you CAN produce a show horse in an ethical, 'classical' way... and the growing belief that what really matters is happiness and contentment and enjoyment. As well as Lou, I also have a rather nice pony of Kevin's to produce and am looking forward to that. I have had her sitting in my paddock for a couple of months now and have watched from a distance as she has relaxed and settled. The way she carries herself and reacts to her environment is so much calmer now, and has made me glad that I have the time and will allow the time for her to get used to being here before I expect her to work for me. Not rocket science, but not the Modern Way. I can't believe what a hippy I sound these days - but in every aspect of my life I am more aware of how other people - often other people who want my time and money - want to dictate to me what should make me content and happy. It really is great to win a champion ribbon.. but it is also great to have a happy, relaxed horse greet you when you arrive at the stables - to have your heart sing in gratitude that you can trust a half tonne animal with your life. And it wasn't until I got older and then had a baby that I really grasped the concept that you are trusting them with your life~~~