Bad Karma Saddle Pad September 14, 2008
Posted by kimayars Ramblings, Uncategorized
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It’s time to share the story of Bad Karma Saddle Pad…
Once upon a time, Sherene and I were shopping at one of two only English tack stores in our area when we stumbled upon the coolest saddle pads ever: The Cavalaro by Moxi. It was this gorgeous washable suede with a sherpa fleece lining. It was time to splurge, so we took the plunge. Sherene bought the green for her chestnut, I bought the blue for my bay:
I couldn’t wait to try it out. Tigger would look, in my humble opinion, absolutely stunning.
A few days later, while the farrier was out, I dressed Tigger in his finest. He did look dashing in the saddle pad, and it fit well under the saddle. I was glowing. I led him to the arena for a short ride, knowing that we were quite a pair. I had, after all, bought the matching polo wraps…
A mere few moments later, I was lying on my back in hogsfuel while Tigger ran hell bent for leather around the arena. Just seconds after I had mounted, I was dumped: the only time I have fallen off Tigger.
I put the saddle pad away for a few rides. I will admit, I secretly blamed the saddle pad. Yes, it was stunning, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that evil lurked somewhere in that luxurious sherpa.
During this time, Tigger and I continued to have our mounting problems. But it seemed that every time I brought out what was now know as “Bad Karma Saddlepad” (BKS for short) I had a particularly bad ride.
The day Zandee colicked, we needed something for his head when he went down in the arena. I went to go grab a saddle pad and quickly realized I didn’t want to use the saddle pad that was my main squeeze. I couldn’t grab Sherene’s pad, so I grabbed BKS. I know, poor choice. Not only was Zandee eventually put down, but during one of his more uncomfortable moments, he stomped and pawed on BKS. Even he seemed to know.
Last Monday, I put BKS in the trash. It’s a $50 saddle pad, but I couldn’t force it’s bad karma on anyone else. I agonized at having done this, but I knew I could never use it again without wondering what it would do to me next.
Today Sherene and I visited aforementioned favorite tack shop. And there it was… A new Moxie Cavalaro saddle pad… In red…
Tigger will look stunning.
Tender Tush September 6, 2008
Posted by kimayars Ramblings
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I definitely did the right thing in my lesson on Thursday. My butt muscle is definitely tender. That’s sad considering it was only engaged for about 5 minutes.
So I have renewed my promise to myself that I’m going to start conditioning with the goal of improving my riding. So instead of just “doing” stuff, I’m going to do it with a purpose. Tomorrow we have nothing planned, and I think I got my weekend work all done tonight. I’m going to reward myself by sitting down with my [numerous] rider conditioning books and make a plan…
I’m excited about my schedule next week. It looks like I can get rides in on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Score!!
On vacation… August 12, 2008
Posted by kimayars Ramblings
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“I’m on vacation” is synonomous with “Oh Lord, I can’t believe I ate that much.”
We’re on vacation with my parents at their timeshare in Whister, B.C. this week. It’s an annual vacation we’ve had for the past 5 years that we all thoroughly enjoy. This year I have also been realistic for the first time: I did not pack any running stuff. I have always packed my shoes, my clothes, and my Forerunner, yet I have never run. Rather than feel guilty about not following through, I decided this year I would just forget about it, sleep in lots, and eat a bunch of crap. So far I am REALLY enjoying this plan.
I did do something fitness-related: I bought some new shorts from Lululemon. Love that store. Of course 10 minutes later I bought a pound of amazingly delicious “Victoria Creams” from Rogers Chocolates. It’s always good to have balance in your life…
It’s also a great time to spend some time with the kids without the specter of housework and other mom-like duties. We’ve swam, played Webkinz (yes, I have my own Webkinz — a horse, of course), did 18 holes of put-put golf, watched the girls do this crazy bouncy thingy (called “The Slingshot”), and went on a nature walk. Tomorrow we’re going to rent some bikes and toodle around Lost Lake (found it!), and Thursday Jeff and I are going to go on a long trail ride in Pemberton. Friday is still up in the air, but will probably involve swimming again. The girls are like fish, I swear.
Sherene did let me know that Tigger is doing well and that there haven’t been any natural disasters wiping out our home town. It’s nice to know we have something to return to. 
Overwhelmed and Disappointed July 14, 2008
Posted by kimayars Ramblings
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It’s amazing how fast go from “Life’s GREAT!” to “Holy crap.”
I didn’t get to see my horse today. In the grand scheme of things it’s no big deal. He was worked yesterday, he’ll be worked again on Thursday and Friday. He’ll get plenty of saddle time this week. But still, I was turning over a new leaf. But things are super busy at work and there just always seemed to be one more thing to do. But missing my pony makes me crabby.
I also have this tremendous task sitting in front of me (I’ve been working on it for days). It falls into the “know enough to be dangerous” category. I’m basically trying to configure an obscure piece of hardware without ever having used it before. Those familiar with Cisco IOS know exactly what I’m talking about. And of course, there are deadlines to meet and people waiting. Everyone has been super nice, but I’ve got this annoying work ethic that prevents me from relaxing until it’s done.
Finally, Washington State is completely sold out of iPhones. I was kind of hoping to get my paws on one this week.
I did go to the gym today, which is a plus. I will go again tomorrow. I’m supposed to do 8×400 intervals. I think I’ve done those before (I’ve done 2min run/2min jog before WAY more than 8 times). So how far off can a quarter mile be from two minutes? Hopefully not far or I’m in for a brutal morning.
And I just want to give a shout out to Mike’s Hard Pomegranate Lemonade. All three have them have been delicious tonight. (*hic*)
Change in plans… June 29, 2008
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I fully intended to ride today, but I’m so not a hot-weather person (which is exactly why I live in the Pacific Northwest). When it hit 96 today I knew I was not going to ride. After chatting it up with Sherene for a while, I walked out to see Tigger. He was hot and sweaty just from grazing. There is no way I wanted to sit on top of a hot and sweaty horse in 95+ degree heat. So, we went to the AC haven of Starbucks.
We did get all three horses bathed today. They looked GORGEOUS. Probably the “most improved” out of the bunch was Zandee. Zandee is a one-eyed 24-year-old retired school horse who is enjoying his new life as a pasture ornament. Post-bath he showed us what a stunning blood bay he is. I wish I had brought my camera — those who knew him would not have recognized him. (Unless they saw the missing eye, of course.)
The weather should cool off a bit this week, hopefully landing in the mid 70’s by Wednesday. I’ll have my lesson with my trainer tomorrow, and Wednesday we have the farrier visiting. The goal is 3 rides this week, and with the holiday on Friday that might be a little tricky. We’ll have to see.
I am also laying some pressure on Sherene to join me at a local 5k race this Friday. The winners get pies…
