BK>> it seems that most of you 'regulars' know each
BK>> other far longer and better,
BK>Wouldn't worry about that Emil.. we're a pretty easy going group. :)
BK>>  so I am in the 'lurk and learn' mode.
BK>Always something to learn about horses. ;)
MA>Emil!  Don't be intimidated by us oldies!  New blood (and new
MA>ideas!) are always welcome! ...
MA>So, welcome back from the land of lurkers, and spout all you like!
Thanks for the invitation - here it comes:
         I am too old to be intimidated by oldies, Meg, or too
be called "new blood,"  -  52 this past spring. I was just
shy of pushing too hard.
        I started riding a little too late, and had more than 10
years non-riding gap as well. This is my 4th year with Shemmeek,
who is a spitting image of the Shagya Arabian photographs in The
Ultimate Horse Book. 16hh, and full of curiosity, a people type,
would make a great house horse, we say. He can heel off lead
better than most dogs, and answers when I call him. Sometimes
he's the one who speaks up first!
        Some of you may remember my queries in this conference,
about McClellan saddles, cinches, and Orthoflex saddles. Though
the McClellan fits him well, it is a bit too small for my 210
lbs, so was relegated to shorter rides and a spare status. I
spent moste of one Xmas holidays making a cavalry pattern
chabraque to go with it, but had no chance to show it off in any
parades (yet?).
        Last year I was fortunate enough to be able to visit
Nevada, MO, where they make the Orthoflex saddles. Got their
Renegade, a nice, old-timey looking double cinch rig, with the
high gullet I needed for Shemmeek. Also last summer, I
participated in a couple of Endurance and Competitive rides. One
of the folks was gracious enough to take me, or rather, Shemmeek,
along in his 2-horse trailer to some rides this year - most
notably, the three-day Great Northern Connection, with rides on
each day. I only went into the limited (25 miles) division each
day, but Shemmeek acquitted himself very well, we finished near
the middle of the pack every time. On the other rides he also
managed one best-conditioned and one second place. Our longest
ride so far was a 30-mile competitive.
        Though my wife cannot ride for the past two years (hip
problems), she is the most able of pit crews, in spite of having
to look after our 16-month old Great Dane at the same time (of
course he comes along with us!). In fact, we liked the setup so
much that we have actually bought a used 2-horse trailer and a
1983 GMC camper van to tow it with (we are still getting it
rigged up 'just right'). Almost too late for this season, mind
you. September typically brings morning frosts to Manitoba.
Still, broke but happy, and wish us luck for next year!
        On the first occassion of loading Shemmeed by myself, it
took two hours. After one lesson (teaching me, primarily) with
the owner of the stables where we board, he now loads on command,
I don't have to enter the trailer at all. Nothing wrong with his
brains. Needless to say, I am very proud of him, and happy to be
able to boast to you folks. Non-horsey audiences would not
understand, eh?
        So - sorry for the long litany, but now you all know, and
please be generous with advice, comments, or whatever.
       Regards                   Emil
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