NCDCTA February 2010

It must be true…that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’m NOT dead and I DO feel that my years as NCDCTA president have been very worthwhile. I learned a lot, grew in unexpected ways and together with the board and many of you who have helped in various ways…we accomplished much to be proud of. As I bid farewell to the team that is the NCDCTA executive board, I want to tell you all that your new president, Suzanne Mullen, is stepping in with great enthusiasm along with her equally enthusiastic vice president, Robyn Hahn. Suzanne and Robyn have the added benefit of keeping all of the board members and the addition of two new ones. Donna Kelly and I will miss our roles, but we are not going far!

As a side note, and very important - NCDCTA will host the USDF Region 1 Regional Championships this year. We are going to need LOTS of volunteers to help make this show the high quality event we all want it to be, so please start marking your calendar to be in Williamston November 11-14.

Thanks to all of you who have sent words of encouragement to me these four years, and I even thank those of you who sent your criticisms…they helped too (that was part of the “what doesn’t kill you” thing)! Please give Suzanne a few months to “warm up”. Leading an organization of our size is not an easy job!

A big welcome to our 2010 board: President: Suzanne Mullen
Vice President: Robyn Hahn
Treasurer: Dave Stuckey
Recording Secretary: Barbara Gibson (new board member!)
Competition Committee Chair: Diane LeFevre
Communications Committee Chair: Sue Smithson
Dressage Education Chair: Lynn Leath
Eventing Education Chair: Anita Quinn
Members at Large: Carol Kelly
Rebecca Mikell
Kris Daniel (new board member!)
It has been an honor to serve the NCDCTA. Jennifer Mitchell

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Dear “Rubbed Raw”,

Thank you for your question on a problem so serious it can end a riding career!

I once had a 3DE rider with blood coming through his jodhpurs from rubbing seat bones! My own husband rubbed a patch raw inside his boot and as a diabetic that could result in the loss of a limb - so this is no silly question!

1.Chaffed feet & legs – caused by equipment

Chaffing comes from excessive rubbing. Eliminate movement – eliminate chaffing. With feet & legs it’s often equipment: chaffed toes when stirrups are too small & chaffed calves when the leg wobbles.

The photo of these Olympic champions shows bent legs & shorter stirrups to prevent ‘wobbles’ (not the long stirrups we think they have)! When they test stirrup length with the foot out of the stirrup - their stirrup sits just underneath the ankle knobble.

Quick tip! shorter stirrups = more stable legs!

2.Chaffed butt or thighs – balance & stability

Think of the gold buttons on the Spanish School’s jackets…they don’t “wiggle in the middle”! They train for years to be tall and poised – the stillness preventing chaffing.

I have just come from the South African Lipizzaners (official Vienna ‘subsidiary’) and you can see by my photo, every rider is lunged daily - that’s why they’re so still.

Quick tip! Vaulting teams don’t “wiggle in the middle” or the vaulter on top would fall!

3.Chaffed Fingers

In summer we’re often guilty of not wearing gloves. Wearing soft gloves alone can fix this problem.

Quick tip! hold the reins with the thumb on the forefinger, to keep the 3rd & 4th fingers soft.

4.Homework

Chaffing is either ill fitting equipment or excessive movement.

1. Consider extra padding in saddle's seat; make sure you have correct stirrup size and length. Wear gloves and have softer reins.

2. Watch yourself on video. Have a vaulting or lunging lesson - some simple changes could instantly stop the “wiggles”.

5.Special offer to NCDCTA members

Send me a video of your dressage or jumping and I will do a quick analysis to help fix this career-threatening problem – free for NCDCTA members.

Australian Biomechanics Lecturer Colleen Kelly MISBS, FISRB has been invited to speak at the USEF Annual Conference & the Equestrian Federations of Australia, New Zealand and Canada at dressage and eventing Olympic and World Games pre-selections. With a remarkable 100% in her dressage judge’s exam she is often invited to speak at Grand Prix judge’s clinics. Colleen is based in NC to speak at the 2010 Horse World Expo(s), Equine Affaire and to give 15 presentations at the World Equestrian Games KY. Working with 11 World Champions, Olympic eventers, state champions and 5 para equestrian medalists she is considered a world expert in the field of seat and posture. See www.colleenkelly.net

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Can You Postpone?

This article is a followup to N0 Refund After Closing: Why You Can’t Get Your Entry Fee Back after the Closing Date which appeared in the November issue.

A New Year! New goals! New aspirations! Many of us spent the better part of the holidays planning and talking about our spring competition schedule with our horsey friends and trying to stay motivated to ride and work off all those extra Christmas calories. We all know that in order to get where we want to be in March, we have to start in January! So, we’ve planned our entire schedule, we’ve ridden in subfreezing temperatures, we’ve sent our entry in for a late January schooling horse trial ( on time and complete), Giddyup is fit and ready to go, and some of us have purchased the necessary larger britches. Now, just a few days before the event, the weatherman has predicted freezing cold temperatures and a chance of snow! What’s an Eventer to do?

The good news is that there are a few options. We can wear long johns under our breeches, heavy sweaters under our jackets, double up our gloves, layer our socks, hope we don’t look fat enough to require our own zip code, and GO FOR IT! Or, we can decide to stay at home resting comfortably before the fireplace while we nibble cookies, drink hot chocolate with marshmallows, and study diet manuals while knowing that Giddyup is tucked away, heavily blanketed, in his warm stall contentedly munching hay. One option we do not have is calling the organizer and requesting that he or she simply postpone the competition to a warmer weekend!

Postponing a horse trial because the weather isn’t optimum is almost as impossible as trying to reschedule a wedding because rain is predicted on the big day! Competition dates, most especially horse trial dates, simply cannot be changed at the last minute. By closing date, the organizers of horse trials are obligated to pay officials---judges, scorers, EMTs, scribes, farriers, TD’s, etc. All of these people have committed only to the original date of the horse trial. Quite often officials are booked far in advance, with calendars full every weekend for a good portion of the year. They can’t simply “come next weekend”. As for the volunteers, like you or me, all have lives outside of riding, horses, and horse trials (I know this may come as a shock to some of you), and they cannot merely postpone a previous commitment to another weekend. Jump judges, runners, scribes, gate-keepers, stadium crews, outriders, starters, timers ………these many dedicated volunteers can not be expected to rearrange their schedules at short notice.

Aside from all the people required for a competition, there are numerous other considerations. Golf carts and port-o-johns have been rented and delivered, the water jump has been filled with hundreds of gallons of water (which can leak or evaporate), concession groups have planned and purchased for the date, and external tack trailers have been scheduled to be there for the competitors’ convenience. Cross-country jumps have been moved into position, footing has been repaired or groomed, extra dressage arenas may have been rented for the weekend, stadium jumping arenas are already set up, and rings already dragged. All x-c courses have been numbered, flagged, and "decorated", (cutting and stuffing cedar in a x-c jump is not a fun exercise and it rarely survives for long). Organizers often plan for many months if not a full year before the actual horse trial itself to ensure that every detail is correct for that particular horse trial on that particular date.

The majority of Eventers, especially those who have been competing a while, understand these constraints and simply make a decision to compete or not with whatever works best for them and their horses, whether the competition is recognized by USEA or simply a small schooling horse trial. They do not request a refund after closing and they most definitely do not ask the organizer to postpone the competition. Unfortunately, some competitors --often those riding in the unrecognized divisions--- don’t fully understand the details that go into organizing a horse trial. Sadly, I have recently overheard rumblings that a few organizers are talking about eliminating these unrecognized divisions from their competitions because of the difficulty involved in dealing with some uneducated competitors. This would be very unfortunate since grassroots riders need venues where they can start. The unpleasant attitudes of a few may make the absolution of these divisions a reality. So please keep this in mind before picking up that phone to call your local organizer and request that a horse trial be postponed because the weather conditions are not ideal. Instead, why not pick up the phone and volunteer. It’s a good way to learn all that is involved in organizing a competition.
Anita Quinn, NCDCTA

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The Secret to Sanity and Other Useful Tips

My friend, “Jane,” has found The Secret to Sanity. And she’s willing to share.

Jane is a High Powered Executive with hundreds of employees, clients and consultants – who suck the life-blood out of her each day. She is also the wife of a mildly unruly husband, and the mother of a few similarly unruly children. She keeps a passel of old ponies in the backyard, as well as two dogs, two cats, and a rabbit – that bites. Just thinking about Jane’s daily schedule exhausts me. And there’s more: on top of all the cooking, laundry and rabbit droppings, she doesn’t have a cleaning service. Instead, she comes home from High Powered Meetings, steps out of her smart little heels, and scrubs toilets.

Yet somehow, in spite of all that, Jane is Completely Sane. You might wonder, “How can that possibly be?” One word: schoolmaster. A lop-eared German tank so well schooled that no amount of sloppy riding can derail his commitment to correct aids. Ja! He is calm, cool and knows how to collect. What’s more, he doesn’t mind participating in the Halloween pony pageant.

Jane comes home from work and unwinds with a few pirouettes and tempi changes. Who needs psychotherapy? Who needs martinis? (Okay, maybe a little wine.) But thanks to Herr Panzer, Jane’s life is now perfect.

So how did Jane do it? How did she find Mr. Perfection? My horse-shopping experience played out like a Shakespearean farce: I tumbled head-over-heels-in-love with the first long-eared, hairy, and wildly unsuitable beast I came upon; pulling out of the driveway with my dream horse, I spied his former owner in the rearview mirror fist-pumping hard enough to rip a rotator cuff. Conversely, Jane, a veteran of equine commerce, has a sure-fire recipe for success: vast experience, keen insight, a grain of salt – and a heaping helping of cynicism.

Jane’s Fundamental Philosophy for Horse Shopping is a classic movie line (or it should be): Trust no one. Jane explains that it’s not so much that people actually lie. It’s just that they omit the truth. So when you ask for a veterinary reference, the seller might give you the number of the local vet who pulled blood for a Coggins test, but will conveniently forget to mention the veterinary surgeon who named his 42-foot sailboat after the horse in question.

Jane’s Ancillary Tips for Horse Shopping build on a proven foundation of healthy skepticism:
• Don’t trust yourself. Equine provenance can be a murky thing, shifting unaccountably depending on what your source had for lunch and/or the alignment of the planets. Write down everything that anyone tells you. There is NO WAY you will be able to keep all the stories straight in your head, especially when you have looked at somewhere-in-the-neighborhood-of-1,347 horses on the internet. Be honest, at this point in life, you can barely remember what day it is.
• Assume the worst. When they tell you that Blaze has never been lame a day in his life, you can safely assume that every case of lameness in this horse’s history has persisted for months at a time. If they tell you that Star is “dead quiet,” check his pulse.
• Measure twice; drive once. The ad will say 16 hands. It is only after you have driven fourteen hours in the rain that the seller will acknowledge the typo. Sparky is 17.2, give or take.
• Ask for references – and CALL them. But be suspicious of name and number combinations like “Jenny 867-5309” and 1-900-HOT-GUYS.
• Talk to the barn help. If you want the dirt on Dusty, who better to dish it than the person who mucks and grooms? That’s who will tell you that Dusty won’t go anywhere – pasture, arena, trailer or trails – without his best pal, Star. Perfect! (If you are planning on taking up Roman riding.)
• Keep your cards close to your chest. Some sellers just want to please – they will say whatever they think you want to hear. When you explain that you are an amateur who can’t afford to miss work with broken bones, the owner will assure you that good old Sparky is completely safe; this same owner will then feign complete surprise when Sparky dumps her. In the event that you actually do throw a leg over Sparky, she will tell you that he makes your thighs look slimmer.
• Don’t get your hopes up. It’s a numbers game. Jane researched three hundred and twelve horses on-line. She made inquiries on seventy four, went to see twenty seven, sat on eleven, and vetted three, including Herr Panzer. Do the math. The odds of success are about 0.3% -- only slightly better than hitting Power Ball or dating in middle-age.
• Wait for Mr. Right. Your Great Aunt Louise may have had a point here. (It’s a lot harder to sell a horse than it is to buy one.)
• Be polite; say No, thank you. Tell the seller that you really loved Sparky (AKA Mr. Wrong). Then blame the vet. Or your stockbroker.
• Never, ever, ever give up. Take it from Jane – the only Path to Sanity is on the back of a horse.

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More Lessons for Keeping Horses at Home: the Attractive Nuisance
When we first moved from The Big City to rural Chatham County, I couldn’t tell the hippies from the rednecks. But eventually I caught on. I learned the difference between eastern and western barbecue. I added Bermuda grass, butter beans and Brunswick stew to my lexicon. I embraced the vernacular with a tourist’s enthusiasm. Dull as a dial tone. Mean as a snake. So colorful! And then there were those three little words: Bless your heart. Honey-baked flavor for every occasion. What’s not to love?

When we moved to the country, I also learned that insurance companies have a term for swimming pools, horses and the like: attractive nuisance. That is, they attract nuisances. For example, an acquaintance might suddenly announce that she has a question she has wanted to ask you forever. You flush with embarrassment. What could she possibly want to know? (If you own horses, you already know.) She has always, always, always wanted to ride. I expect this from twelve-year olds. But you will hear it from folks who are eligible for Medicare. So what’s a horse-owner to do?

1) Be prepared: the younger the aspiring rider, the greater the likelihood that she will ask to ride Socks, your 17.2-hand warmblood. Learn to say, “No, honey. Socks is too big for you.” Then point to Socks’ 27-year old stable buddy, Pumpkin, the pony. (Older folks are generally quicker to opt for Pumpkin once they stand next to Socks – and look up.)

2) Explain that before any aspiring cowboy/girl can ride, he/she must catch, halter, cross-tie, groom, saddle and bridle Pumpkin. Then watch the eyes. If they glaze over, your nuisance has been averted. These simple steps can petrify an aspiring-tyro within thirty seconds, especially if Pumpkin is covered in mud. However, the earnest Olympic-hopeful won’t be deterred by a little currying. Of course, her standards for cleanliness won’t be quite as high as yours, which means that you will probably end up grooming Pumpkin yourself. And since Pumpkin’s been around the block a time or two, you will also have to tighten the girth and put on the bridle.

3) Present the helmet. This might make the image-conscious to think twice and reconsider the many potential humiliations of riding, like bad hair and bouncing around on (or off) Pumpkin’s back.

4) Recommend a lunge lesson before a gallop around the field. A few steps of Pumpkin’s bone- jarring jog will dampen most spirits. But beware the soft-boned pre-adolescent and the testosterone-fueled middle-aged man. They will press on and discover Pumpkin’s lazy lope – and they will LOVE it. At which point there is nothing you can do but let them go… They don’t need to be limited by the confines of the arena. Instead, tell them to gallop up the pasture hill. Then open the gate – and count the seconds until Pumpkin, who hasn’t worked more than five minutes in the last two years, yanks the reins out of those unsuspecting bare hands, and sets to the more important task of grazing. Bless her heart.

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NCDCTA News/ February 2010 - 2009 NCDCTA HOY Awards
Horse of the Year Hat Trick
Laura Pendleton and Vico pulled off the hat trick: HOY honors at three consecutive levels in three consecutive years. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, the pair won NCDCTA HOY championships at first, second and third level, respectively. But just a few short years ago, Pendleton never imagined she would be working up the levels on such an exuberant young horse, with tremendous gaits and a personality to match!

Driven to Dressage
In 2006, Pendleton had reached a milestone: the house was paid for, the kids were out of college, and her fourth level horse was about to be sold. Her plan was to find a Grand Prix schoolmaster to carry her to a USDF Gold Medal. But that changed when she received a call from Jeanette Van Mill of Southern Pines, about a “special” horse.

Vico had been imported from Holland for Keady Cadwell. (Cadwell and her sister, Miranda, have claimed numerous national and international driving titles; they have represented the US in World Pony and Pairs Driving championships, earning individual and team medals.) However, the youngster had not grown tall enough to match his intended team-mate, so they put him up for sale. A newly broke 4-year old driving horse wasn’t quite the dressage schoolmaster that Pendleton had in mind, but she “needed to go visit (her) mother in Southern Pines” anyway, so she agreed to take a look at this “special little horse.”

Wild Game Hunter
Pendleton is no stranger to wild animals. Her husband, Gary is “a passionate hunter (and they) have wild game for dinner at least twice a week.” Maybe that’s why she wasn’t spooked right off the bat when she saw that it took both Cadwell sisters “to hold the 16-hand Vico in order for Jeanette to mount him.” Instead, Pendleton fell in love with the “super cute bay” and all his chrome – “a big blaze that looks like a T-bone steak and four tall white stockings.” She was also impressed by his gaits, “especially the huge canter,” but wondered if she “would be able to sit it.” She got on – and that sealed the deal.

Pendleton took Vico home to MacNair’s in Raleigh – “and he was wild!” The exterior-facing stall where they first put him “provided a bit too much entertainment (so she) moved him to an interior stall, which suited him better, but (he would) still would go off in a tizzy when there was a disturbance.” She also found “that lunging was a very new and exciting thing” for the exuberant youngster. “It took three of us several weeks to teach him how to go in a circle around me,” she recalled. And Vico would not stand at the mounting block. However, after six months, “sugar cubes eventually won him over.”

Winning Personality
“Vico enjoys life with a zest that never ends. He has a delightful sense of humor and makes me laugh every day,” says Pendleton. When he first arrived at MacNair’s, “he simply wanted to play all of the time,” she recalled. Unfortunately, the other horses in his pasture didn’t and they made it clear – with their hooves and teeth. So she turned him out by himself in a large paddock, “where he taught himself how to stick his leg through the gate, lift it up with his knee, and remove it from its hinges.” Although the wily escape artist aggravated his caretakers, “his fabulous personality quickly made him a favorite of the barn.”

Vico’s extravagant gaits and personality have also made an impression on several highly esteemed clinicians, including Steffen Peters, Jessica Ransehousen, Verne Batchelder, Hokan Thorn, and Jim Koford. At an NCDCTA clinic in 2008, recalled Pendleton, “Steffen Peters asked to ride Vico.” But “when he touched him with the whip,” Vico objected – demonstrating a signature flying twist and unseating the world champion rider. Pendleton prayed. Peters stayed on. And he appreciated Vico’s spirit, calling him a "goof ball with talent!”

Pendleton has succeeded in channeling Vico’s energy towards constructive pursuits. She reports that “he loves to work…He tries very hard to please and appears to enjoy dressage. (He is) quick off the leg, elastic, articulate and extremely athletic (with) special talent for the passage and piaffe.” However, she says, the long-eared gelding “is very intelligent and it is a chore trying to stay smarter than him. (She has) to be very careful in his training as he quickly learns exercises and test patterns.”

The pair’s hard work has paid off in the show ring. In addition to three NCDCTA HOY championships, they have placed at the USDF Regional Championships at First and Second Level, and have won many high score awards at USDF shows. Most recently, at the NCDCTA Harvest Moon Dressage Show in Williamston, the pair won the 2009 NCDCTA third level-open championship and the third level High Score Award with a 70%.

Brotherly Love
Even with all his outrageous antics, there is a softer side to Vico. “Vico has feelings,” says Pendleton. She recounted how her brother, Mark, who is a “bit shy” and had never met Vico, came to see them show. After the test, “walking back to the barn, Vico began to push my brother on the shoulder. I told him to stop and speak to Vico, which he did. Vico put his head into Mark's chest as Mark stroked him… (Then) Vico walked the entire way back with his head resting on Mark's right shoulder. People walking by us commented, ‘Oh, how sweet,’ and Mark said, ‘I just love this horse.’”

Rodeo Queen
Vico is older now, but not completely grown up. He remains a playful and sometimes spooky fellow who “can leap in the air and change directions in a flash,” thus earning Pendleton the moniker that is the envy of Rodeo Queens everywhere: Velcro Butt. When the exuberant youngster shows off his best bronco moves, his graceful rider is all smiles. Her signature red lipstick remains unmarred, and she insists, “I’m fine. Nothing hurts.” We suspect there may be Advil in her tack trunk. Nevertheless, Pendleton perseveres: “I just keep telling myself, never, ever, ever give up.” And while everything may not have gone quite according to plan (with that schoolmaster, for instance), maybe, just maybe, this dynamic little Dutch driving bronco will be the horse to carry Pendleton to a USDF Gold Medal. Yahoo!

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January 9th 2010 NCDCTA Board Meeting Minutes

The 1/9/10 NCDCTA Board meeting was held prior to the HOY banquet at the Childress Winery in Lexington and called to order at 5:34pm for the last time by retiring President Jennifer Mitchell. Additional Board members present: Sue Smithson, Dave Stuckey, Anita Quinn, Diane Paige-LeFevre, Suzanne Mullen. Excused Donna Kelly, Robyn Hahn, Rebecca Mikells, Carol Kelly.

Jennifer Mitchell/President’s Report:
Jennifer thanked the Board for the opportunity to serve as President of the NCDCTA Board for 4 years and a Board member for 5 years. Although we face many challenges in the year ahead with the GAIG Championships in November and working with new show managers for the CDI/CDC as well as the Labor of Love and Breed shows, we are well prepared to take them on and show the rest of the dressage community that NC continues to be a leader and a benchmark for quality in dressage performance standards.

(As stated then by many members and others, Jennifer’s leadership and Donna Kelly’s invaluable work on the board in many capacities --especially so as Jennifer’s Vice President--have been instrumental in the growth of our organization, its sound financial footing, and overall sterling reputation in the Region and in USDF as a whole. They will both be sorely missed on the Board, but will continue to be involved in NCDCTA activities as all-important consultants to the new President and Vice-President as well as trainers, riders and volunteers.)

Donna Kelly,/Vice President’s Report (given by Jennifer Mitchell):
In 2009: Membership was 783. 445 members are already signed up for 2010.

As of January 2010, 231 horses have been registered for 2010; 135 using the $50 payment method, 98 registered with full day volunteer cards. The database software has been updated, and membership is high for this early in the year.

***(The HOY banquet was a huge success and the hall filled to capacity with reservations paid for 156. Happy attendees mingled and chatted during the cocktail hour and then dined on a choice of 3 entrees and the Childress signature wine choices. Many chose to go on the winery tour despite the frigid temperatures. Pictures of the HOY winners will be posted on the website.)

Dave Stuckey/Treasurer's Report:
Income and expenses are within budgetary limits and expectations for a difficult economy and lower entries for shows. Total Income was $105,250.23; Total Expenses for 2009 (which include some advances paid out in 2009 for 2010 show expenses) $123,945.93. Dave noted that budgeted expenses and income are strictly flow through and do not build our balance for the future. The only way we add to our budget is through membership fees, HOY registrations and NCDCTA managed and recognized shows.

Raffle tickets for the spectacular World Equestrian Games accommodations and ticket package are still available from Dave for just $50, or $25 and a volunteer card. They are going fast so get your tickets soon so you don’t miss out!

USDF fees to GMOs are going up $3/member so the 2010 Board must decide if NCDCTA fees will increase to cover that cost. Remember, NCDCTA members are automatically also USDF GMO members, which allows participation in USDF rated shows. (Participating Membership is required, however, for Regional, National Championships, Horse & Rider awards etc. so check out the USDF website)

Anita Quinn/ Eventing Committee Report
The Intro to Eventing clinic with the Tursams was a great success. Plans are underway for 2 more in 2010, (with clinicians to be named later) as well as an Adult 3 day eventing clinic. The Steuart Pittman clinic was also very popular and he has agreed to do a symposium for re-training off the track thoroughbreds. The 2010 NCDCTA Eventing Championhips will be held at Tryon in mid October.

Lynn Leath/Dressage Committee Report (presented by Jennifer Mitchell)
The Dressage education committee is planning events for 2010 based on results from the on line survey. Lynn has been in touch with the USDF regarding hosting a USDF Adult Clinic and a possible USDF FEI Jr/YR Clinic this year as well.

Diane Paige-LeFevre /Competition Committee Report
Diane’s spread-sheet of NCDCTA managed shows is growing, with contracts currently being signed for managers and secretaries for 2010. In 2009 NCDCTA had a net profit of 21,969.60 for an overall good year considering the down economy. Both the Williamston and the Raleigh facility will show major improvements in their facilities this year.

New business:
New Board members Kris Daniel and Barbara Gibson will be joining in time for the February board meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 6:30pm.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Suzanne Mullen, Recording Secretary.

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Sunshine Day Dream
The chances of me and the mare heading to the Sunshine State this winter are slim to none. So I have to admit that I was more than a LITTLE envious when my friend, “Sandy," told me about her plans to take her horse down to Florida for TWO WEEKS. She left shortly after Christmas and promised frequent updates…

While chiseling away at frozen water troughs in Upper Chatham, I envisioned Sandy relaxing ringside in Florida – luxuriating in balmy tropical breezes as glossy uber-horses skipped across the diagonal doing tempi changes. Of course, that’s not exactly what happened…

Within an hour of their arrival, Sandy’s horse went out in a paddock, pulled a shoe and came up DEAD LAME. Sandy, a no-nonsense Health Care Professional and mother-of-bone-shattering-boys, remained Completely Calm. She soaked the foot, wrapped it, and arranged for the farrier to come the next morning. Then she set off to stock up on groceries and grab a chicken sandwich at the Shady Shack. After checking email, voicemail, calling the kids, and wishing her horse goodnight, Sandy turned in early, confident that she would wake the next morning with a sound horse, ready to ride. Of course, that’s not exactly what happened…

Sandy awoke the next morning, but somewhat earlier than expected: at 3AM, the FOOD POISONING kicked in. (Note to self: avoid Shady Shack on Route 7..) She stayed in bed the entire day, emerging only briefly to pay the farrier, who did succeed in restoring her horse to his former state of soundness.. This small miracle was a source of relief, though hardly a panacea: Salmonella typically takes days to resolve; intestinal distress is accompanied by aches, chills and a general feeling of MISERY. Sandy experienced the gamut. But at least she was in Florida. When she summoned the energy to raise the blinds, she glimpsed exquisite horses performing passage and piaffe in the arena just outside her apartment window. Palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze.

Back in Upper Chatham, temperatures dipped into the teens and the footing froze solid. I collected kindling, stoked the woodstove, and flipped on The Weather Channel, hoping for a warming trend. Instead, commentators clad in L.L. Bean parkas reveled in meteorological jubilation: ARCTIC BLAST CAREENING TO MIAMI!!! According to CNN, orange juice futures had sky-rocketed in inverse proportion to the plunging mercury. And anonymous sources reported that dressage judges in Wellington were wearing long johns. (Yes, I confess, a shiver of Schadenfreude warmed me for just a brief moment.) Happily, Sandy recovered in short order. She emailed photos of herself hacking in the sparkling sunshine – not a down parka in sight. She and her horse made great progress with their training. She had a blast (not the arctic kind) and made plans to return to Florida the following month.

YES, I was more than a LITTLE envious. But, as I hammered away at the ice floes accumulating in the troughs, I was cheered by the realization that winter in Florida isn’t everyone’s dream: out in the pasture, the mare erupted in joyous sprees of bucking, celebrating the chill wind that blew up her tail, the frosty fescue beneath her hooves, and murderous Mother Nature’s TOTAL ANNIHILATION of torturous biting insects. Talk about a dream come true.