Bravery

I went to my first jumping competition today to watch people risk their lives flying their horses over a course of obstacles. I am convinced this type of riding is not up my alley. But seeing it up close was thrilling.




My next door neighbor invited me to come along to watch her compete, and happily she did not consider me her "crew" or "staff" at all today - she only had me 1.) Hold her jacket while she warmed up and 2.) Hold her horse while she walked the course. (I think it's kind of funny the way all the riders walk the course together. Can you tell I've never been around show jumping before?)

First she took me to her stable to meet her horses - a Rheinisch filly and the Oldenberg, Louis, that she rode today.

He's enormous. I can't say whether he's enormous for an Oldenberg - they could all be that size - but his back towered above our heads. I've never seen a horse built uphill like that, just standing still even.





We pulled him off the pasture at about 8:30 AM and her first class was at 10:15. This was nothing like my showing days, where I was at the barn at 6:00, and there was a hotel involved cuz it was so far away.

I was enchanted by her barn - it was like walking into a castle. No kidding, I've been to a fair number of castles now, so I can say that honestly.












An ivy-draped stone building with little glass windows for each stall.







I watched as she got him ready. He wouldn't eat the grain she gave him because he knew there was a horseshow coming soon and he was too nervous. She put some silage in front of him and I used this opportunity to ask my sister's question - Why do you feed it? What's the benefit of it? She answered it is higher in nutrient content because it spends less time drying in the sun. Secondly, because it's dust free. Third and fourth were just convenience factors so they don't really count from the horse's perspective. She told me to smell it, "See, it doesn't have to stink!" and I said, "It just smells strange." (Just like fresh cabbage and sauerkraut smell different.)

We put him in the trailer and drove 15 minutes to the showgrounds. I was amazed at the sheer number of tiny european trailers, all pulled by cars.













I am still not used to this sight!












White breeches everywhere! And the shiniest horses, most of them the giants of the horseworld.

I saw some new brands. This is the breed of horse from our region of Germany - hence the W.












An Oldenberg brand.












I had just bought a cup of coffee and pulled out my camera when it was her turn.












I tried to get good pics, but I just have a "saddle bag camera" and sadly the pics are not crisp.











Most of my shots are "take off" or "landing" shots. *sigh*












Oh well, it shows some of the thrill of her ride. She rides one of the more thoughtful horses, you know the ones who seem to go in slow motion between jumps, because they're thinking, and not rushing frantically?












I noticed so many riders' faces wore expressions of terror or agony today, and was happy to see my neighbor lady did not grimace during her ride.












She rode the course in 65 seconds and had a few faults (I didn't notice any but I was taking too many pics to notice). She was beaming at the end of her ride, reaching down and scratching Louis on the neck and saying "GOOD BOY!" and just glowing. Yah, it looked cadenced and relaxed, just like the good ones I've seen on TV.


I was impressed that my neighbor could tell me when a horse would refuse a jump, even as it was cantering toward it full speed. Amazing. Next time I hope to see the dressage bit, cuz I at least have a clue there.

I came home and washed exactly half of my horse, and then asked my man to come out and see if he can tell which half. When he couldn't, I sighed, "Waste of shampoo" : ) My horse is small and scruffy in comparison to those gleaming giants. I love every hair on his body and hate the smell of shampoo when I kiss him. He hates jumping. Even if he would have had a talent for it, the sight of those colorful, decorated jumps - he's to spooky for that world. And after what I saw today, I know that jumping is for the brave, and that's not me.