My conversation with my mare

Sometimes when I’m lazy I ride bareback.  The whole extra 10 minutes of putting on tack seems so taxing sometimes.  Mind you it takes more muscles in the body to ride bareback, so this thought process is flawed.  But I enjoy it anyways.

Well yesterday I did my barn chores and I was way too lazy to walk all the way back to the car and get my breeches.  Plus it was getting late so I was like why tack up for a 20 minute hack.  Mind you I’ve been working out so my abs were already in a moody mood. 

I hopped on and off we went.   I don’t usually canter bareback.  I’m a big chicken.  But for whatever reason I was feeling brave and so after we had trotted for a bit I asked for the canter.

Lilly: What?

Me:  I’d like a canter please.

Lilly: Well okay.

Then she cantered like I was a complete beginner, more of a lope.  I asked for a trot.

And then we took a little walk break, switched directions worked on leg yielding and such.  Built my courage back up and asked for a canter again.

Lilly: I don’t think we should do this.

Me: I think I can do it.

Lilly: Well you’re asking wrong and you’re leaning forward.

I adjust myself and ask again.

Lilly: No.

Me: Yes

Lilly: No.

Me: Yes. 

Lilly: Fine. 

She added a crow hop to show that she didn’t like this plan.

Then we trucked along with her cantering normally.  She has a big canter for a 15.2 little mare.  Then we went back to the trot.  We did a little more trot work and then I decided I called it a day.

Mares always have to tell you their opinions in life.  But that’s what makes them so fun.

Star Wars Freestyle Challenge

I had a few friends in different conversations say to me, "You should do a Star Wars freestyle."
For the nerdy folks.  Dressage is the equestrian sport I often compete in.  Now it's fun and tough.  There are different levels.  Intro is the most basic level and it goes all the way to the Olympic level Grand Prix.  My horse and I are like in 2nd grade.  I school First Level and I have competed at First Level a month ago.  But mainly I've shown in Training Level. 

What's a freestyle?  It's like gymanstics or ice skating, you create your own test and put it to music.  Now this is very challenging.  

Part of me was like oi I don’t have the time or energy.  But I loved the idea.  Star Wars freestyle.  Plus I have that little voice in my head that says “It’ll be fun!”  The angry little voice goes, “what in the world is wrong with you?” 

My first step was looking at the test requirements.  I had to know what I could and couldn’t do.  For training level I could pretty much walk-trot-canter.  15 meters circles.  Free walk.  Very basic. 

Then your horse.   Every horse has their own personality as well as their own way of moving.  You have to calculate your horse's bpm, beats per minute for each gait.  Walk-Trot-Canter.  I calculated my horse's gaits and they were walk (55) trot (75) and canter (104).

You should match the music to the horse’s personality. 

Now my friend and I just put on Star Wars music at the barn.  It was fun.  One of the first songs we listened to was the Cantina Song.  Now both horses seem to be perky, it matched the pony more than Lilly. 

The Imperial March was 104 BPM and it matched Lilly.  It’s just kind of long so we’d have to remix it somehow to make it that I’m not cantering my whole test. 

So far the experiment is fun.  Even if I don’t end up making a freestyle it’s been fun riding to Star Wars music.  

Again Life In the Fast Lane

Right now all things are good on both the nerdy and horsie sides of life.

I'm starting a business: Capital Con.  Basically we are trying to create another science-fiction/fantasy convention in the DC area.  I've had this idea for awhile and my group of friends have been great.  We're forming a parntership and we'll be setting up our LLC soon.

We have our first partner and our first event got canceled due to last night's storm.  It ended up doing nothing in Alexandria.  But we'll be doing our first meet and greet event next Friday.

Check us out on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CapConDC
Our website is in development but our home is here: www.capitalcon.org 

On the equestrian side my mare has been doing great!  I've been taking lessons when I can afford it.  Otherwise it's having fun and riding.  My last ride on her was so super.  She was so light in the bridle and so supple.  She's been fighting me less and less.  And I'm so pleased with her. 

I wanted to do licensed shows this year.  But that goal has to be pushed back.  Just not enough paycheck.  I can afford schooling shows, but the licensed shows are just so much. 

We've had fun.  I supported my friend's hunter series and we got 3rd and 4th surprisingly.  Pretty pleased.  Though it's been awhile since I've sit in a hunt seat saddle. 

Life

Life has been zooming past.  I've had good moments and not so good moments the past few months.  But I'm keeping a postitive attitude on life. 

My equestrian pursuits are dominating my schedule right now.
I'm managing my own show series, our first show is this Sunday.  I've poured a lot of money, blood, sweat and tears into this show series.  I'm in the red for the first show, but by the 2nd show I'll be fine.

My friend is jumping my mare again.  We were supposed to go to Fox Chase this weekend, but I got too much on my plate.  So we're going to shoot for Sandstone on April 27th.

I have my entry form ready for Dressage at the Meadow.  I'm going to do Training 2 and 3.  I schooled first level, but I want to go to a schooling show first before I enter First Level.  Last night's ride made me brave, but not brave enough to do it at a licensed show.

I had Anne Crowell of ADC Saddlery check my saddle.  It fits!  Hurray!  So my pony is just naughty to be naughty when she gets tight in the back.  Last night's ride was relax and she was using herself well.  I also remembered how to ride and it was a great ride. 

Show enviroment another story.  But we gotta get out there.

Ultraman cosplay

I'm not going to too many conventions this year.  I'm only planning to go to Katsucon and Dragon*Con.  I'm actually a staff member at Katsucon.  I'm not dressing up, just being a grunt for the weekend.

Here's my first cosplay of the year.

Ultraman

I love Ultraman.  My father was stationed in Japan when I was a kid.  I remembered the show and I loved it.  I kind of forgot about Ultraman until I went to my first Otakon.  I found a plushie and I had all these feelings of joy looking at it.  I asked a few guys at the con, did they know who he was.  I couldn't remember and they told me, that's Ultraman.  So I rediscovered Ultraman.  I love him.  The shows are so corny and I absolutely <3 it. 

This is my third time doing Ultraman.  The first time I was like 17, I made it myself, but my sewing abilities suck.  So when I redid it I went with another gal.  Now she did a good job, but I wasn't happy with a few minor things. 

So I'm working with a new gal.  She seems really awesome. 

Now the biggest problem is the mask.  My first mask has disappeared.  But the huge problem was the fact that it was latex, it was hard to get on and off, and I couldn't breath. 

Now I was thinking well maybe I'll get a mask like the Power Ranger cosplayers get. 

Well I found one guy who everyone recommends Aniki.  He does really good work.  $450.  >.<  whew.  He's good and he's the best.  But that's a hella lot of money.

Found another studio LittleGiant in Indonesia.  He was better priced, but then I saw the shipping prices.  Holy cow.  Cheapest shipping would be $300. 

I have a good friend who is going to Indonesia, but he won't be back before Dragon*Con.  Bummer.

So I put a few feelers out there.  But I hate working with folks that have no reviews or have no experience.  So it may just be a leap of faith.  It's like do I shell out $450 for the real deal or pay $220 and experiment with my money.

Tough call.  Still deciding.

Mitchell Sport Horses

Mitchell Sport Horses is official business in Prince William county!  Yay! 

Problem with starting a new business is the start up costs.

I have to get insurance, two types.  1) Lesson instructor insurance and 2) Horse Show insurance. 

Ribbons for the horse show.  Thank goodness my ribbon lady rocks.  I have a lot of left over ribbons and she is sending me replacement streamers and she gave me a guide to change them out.  Saves me a lot of money. 

But still need to get walkie talkies, dressage arena (evenutally), dressage letters, etc.  Show ground rental, etc.

First two shows are going to be in the red.  Dressage arena costs $2,000. 

But it's worth it. 

Fear Litany

I have to say one of my all time favorite books is Dune by Frank Herbert.

The Fear Litany is one of my all time favorites as well.  Something about these words that is awesome!


I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.