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| Thanks for teh staffz, mom! |
You’ve heard me mention Erica, aka Blog Stalker, aka She Who Lunges Children, and her amazing appearance in my life a shockingly short time ago. It has been my surprisingly great joy to watch her discover the unique gift of Solo Magic; it’s like falling in love with my horse all over again. In return, she keeps my buddy moving, putting the spring back in his step, & fills in as Server Of Noms when I am on travel status for work. On top of all that, she has quickly become a wonderful friend. Take it away, Erica!!
Hi, this is Solo’s mysterious minion, Erica! If you
follow Team Flying Solo on Facebook (and you should), you’ve probably seen a picture or two of me looking like a dweeb
standing next to *** XC jumps, looking like a dweeb
massaging Solo’s butt, or looking like a dweeb unabashedly shoveling
Bojangles in my face (sweet mother of biscuits,
I was meant to live in the South, y’all).
[enter eventer79: perfectly complements my dorkiness, if you ask me]
Did You Grow Up With Horses?
I rode & worked at an eventing barn in metro Detroit during high school, once I finally convinced my folks that this whole “horse thing” was not a phase. In college I rode when I had time & money (read: rarely), but
I did play with my university polo team & catch-rode OTTBs for CANTER. Even then, I was a super timid jumper, and swore off jumping more than once.
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| U ready for dis? |
During my junior year, I got the unbelievable opportunity to study in Northern Ireland, taking classes like equine sports medicine & living in a legit castle, residing in dorms…just above the stabling. Barely three weeks into my stay, I
rode in survived my first XC schooling, only to fall off in a 6” gymnastic grid in my next lesson, & snap my wrist. Luckily the awesome instructors continued to include me in lessons on the ground, & I still learned a boat load.
I also learned that being an American in an Irish pub wearing a cast will get you lots of free drinks. From there it was grad school, a baby, & a couple of interstate moves, but sadly, no more horses.
So What Made You Decide To Become A Stalker?
I randomly e-mailed Solo’s mom before moving to Durham, hoping she might have some leads on pet-friendly housing. The response was an open invitation to come over for a hack on the red beast! So last summer I showed up, beers in hand [
eventer79: you had me at ‘I brought some drinks’] and jeans on because I didn’t want to seem like I was assuming ride time. By January, we were making arrangements to bring Solo back into regular work.
He’s just about the perfect packer for my stage of re-riding-ness: doesn’t give away freebies, but well-schooled on the flat [
omg, who would have thunk it…],
and will totally take care of my sorry behind over fences.
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| He's a tarp pro these days! |
And Has Solo Accepted Your Proposal?
It’s being going fantastically, as weather & work allow. In May, I did a horsemanship clinic with Mr. Shiny
next door, navigating tires, tarps, pool noodles, & even the ever-challenging single ground pole (Solo was all “
Whadaya mean, put one foot over? Ground poles are for CROSSING, lady.”).
I tend to be an “act first, think later” person, so one of my big riding challenges is becoming more aware of my body & the timing of my cues. Having a chance to pause & focus on making a plan BEFORE moving forward was very helpful as I try to convince Solo I really AM trustworthy, I won’t hurt him, & he doesn’t always have to check with Mom to see if it’s okay.
The Calendar Said Something About Jumping? We Want To Hear About The Jumping, Already! Win, Lose, Or Draw??
Oh, back to that whole “I’m a candyass over fences…” If everything is going well, the horse is balanced & we meet the jump on a good stride, ok.
Problem is, I never really understood how to create that balance, & when something goes wrong, I don’t have a toolbox. Thus, I hunch forward, clamp my knees like a crazy person & generally toss all my toys out of my mental pram. What could
possibly go wrong with that approach? [
eventer79: I don’t see the problem, it has always worked so well for me in the sandbox…]
Solo & I had a few mini-jump schools that had gone reasonably well. He sometimes lands & roots & scoots & goes “wheee,” particularly if he wishes to point out a tight hand or heel, which can wig me out [
eventer79: unfit horse bonus – it only lasts about four strides].
When the opportunity arose for a lesson with TFS favorite, David O’Brien, I planned on an awesome & super tough dressage lesson. [
ROFL, plans!] Therefore Erica, established darned fool, jumped off a tractor holding a heavy post-pounder [
eventer79: I’m rednecking her already!!!], and cracked said sorry behind on the wheel well. Three weeks later, my tailbone is still yelling. So what doesn’t require sitting in the saddle? Oh yes, a jumping lesson!
*
Gulp*
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| David: ...then you launch the rocket like this! Solo: Sooo...now? Erica: Please don't fall off, please don't fall off... |
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