In No Words Or Less
A life with horses and photographyArchive for February, 2007
Back in the saddle
Literally!
Hooray!
After a VERY VERY tiring, hot, sweaty, dusty weekend at AGRI-EXPO and nearly 2 weeks of house sitting i was finally able to bring all my washing and gear home…. i’m so tired!
This morning, after 3 weeks of being banned from riding (and pretty much being unable to walk, much less ride) i finally got to get back on a horse! My knee held up really well, and my thigh muscle didn’t hurt at all until i dismounted – but that was just the landing really. I was lucky enough to ride Witchingham (YAY!) and we (M and Juli, K and Cappi, and me and Witchy) went for a very fun, very relaxed trot around the dunes (Witchy and Cappi competed this weekend, so it was just a light ride)… it was SUCH fun – we even went up this HECTICALLY steep dune hill (where Cappi almost stopped at the top and me and M were coming up behind him, yelling at him to MOVE MOVE MOVE) and down the equally steep other side, like Hickstead!… it was THRILLING!
You can tell i don’t get out much.
Anyhoo!
My camera needs a “service” – the shutter reflex seems to be having issues *sigh* so upsetting.
On the up side, i’ve had lots of orders, and quite a few new clients recently, after the glen ellen show… and i handed out my card very eagerly to anyone who looked my way at AGRI, so i’m pretty positive about that…
Spent today walking Smokey (one last time – her mum got back this morning, haven’t heard anything, so hoping all is ok) down at the dam, and then came home to walk my wild bunch, and then off to ride, and then home to try and wade through the hundreds of photos i took at AGRI, and then off to ride (My big boy, Ex) in Tokai and then back home and only just finished going through Saturday’s photos. Tomorrow i will upload Saturday and start in on Sunday’s photos… *exhausted slump*
OH OH!! My photo (of Maggia – 0164) is being exhibited (THE REAL DEAL) at Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne, in switzerland – seriously! I was sent a photo to show me! I’m so excited!
technorati tags: horses, photography, cameras, fun, Hickstead, bruises, better, exhibition in Lausanne
Maverick
Originally uploaded by genewolf.
Farewell my sweet, gentle friend.
You go tomorrow, but i had to say goodbye today.
I will, very sincerely, miss you. And i know your mom’s heart is breaking.
Sleep in peace, Maz.
(17 Feb 07)
Is knowing when a friend will die, easier?
Went to collect keys from S at 1:30… had to say goodbye to Maverick.
He’s on his way out and tomorrow he will be taken to the vet for the Big Sleep.
S is very sad. But he’s 12 and has had a long innings, a good innings. His kidneys have now totally given out. He’s not eating at all (not even his favourite tuna or chicken) and just drinks a lot. So she’s given him some milk (full cream – he deserves it) and he’s had that and he looks… accepting. The same strange, dreamy look on his face, like Chloe had. Like he’s not all here. I think he’s ready, like Chloe was. Breaks my heart.
really does.
sobbed all the way home. still crying. we’d just gotten to know each other, and he seemed so well the last time i sat for S. it’s such a difficult decision for her… she loves him so much. but he is ready. it’s time.
At least she’ll be in Bangkok when it happens. He goes tomorrow.
i don’t know if that makes it any easier. probably not. adds to the terrible ache in ones heart, really. like when mum had to take Chloe. i just couldn’t. but it was her time. and she was nearly 14.
farewell to you, Maverick.
technorati tags: farewell to maverick, cats, heartache, dying, friends
thanks and thanks
Firstly, to my good friend K in the USA… thank you so much for the presents you sent me… i was expecting just ONE, but got 2 instead! This is a huge boost, because it means i can start taking full sized images at fine res, and not worry about running out of space! it ROCKS!
thanks SO MUCH!
When i’m famous (WHEN WHEN WHEN) I will never forget these little things (and of course the BIG THINGS, like my camera!) that you and all my amazing friends have given me.
I’m gobsmacked, really.
On the bruise front – it’s now a shade of yellow of purple (and a bit of dark blue too). Doing my best to stay off the leg (even my MOTHER told me to not try so hard and just chill with my leg up, on the couch…) because i really REALLY want to get back to riding next week…
House sitting, from saturday, for crazy S in Kirstenhof, and her sweety pie dog Smokey and the ever present Maverick… just 10 days while she goes to Asia! Got lots of shows – 2 day this weekend, and a 4 day next week…. probably going to see about splitting lifts with V – because it’s out in Paarl area, which is a little TOO far for my Broomhilda.(at the moment!)
Might not go all 4 days… will see how things on the house sitting front are going… and how the knee is :/ might just go sat and sun.
there is dressage on as well, or is that next month? erg, i need to double check…
right now, i’m going to make some toast, some tea and then go sit on the couch and watch another dvd… any suggestions on what to watch?
technorati tags: horses, bruises, house sitting, dogs and cats, photography, presents, thank you
“Cape Hunt & Polo Club – Durbanville – Sunday 4 September 2005 – Bright Asset and Chris”
“Cape Hunt & Polo Club – Durbanville – Sunday 4 September 2005 – Bright Asset and Chris”
Originally uploaded by genewolf.
Tribute to Goldmark Bright Asset and Chris.
My heart goes out to you. It’s such a loss.
Rest in Peace, Goldmark Bright Asset
I decided to go late to the show today, in Durbanville, due to my leg being rather painful this morning, and i also needed to go buy yellow ink to complete some printing for clients at the show. I’m so glad i went late. i arrived when they got back underway, after a terrible tragedy. The beautiful Goldmark Bright Asset had to be euthanased, right there in the arena, after landing badly from a jump and breaking her shoulder. According to people there that i spoke to, everyone heard the crack as she landed, and it must have been terrible. They could not move her, she could not lie down and she just stood there, in the arena, for nearly an hour while they waited for the vet to arrive with the injection. *Sigh* i cannot even imagine the pain for the horse, and the heartache for her rider, Chris.
testing IMified
Testing out the clever new little Imified program, to post to my blog, google calendar and all sorts of clever things
Arabs and bruises
Originally uploaded by genewolf.
This is Atteyoh – Isn’t he beautiful? This is one of a few that i put up from a small commission i had during the week.
Also during the week, i got kicked by Ex. Right lateral thigh muscle is partially torn, but not too bad. That was on Monday afternoon… the swelling happened that night, but the bruises only appeared on Wednesday and have slowly been turning pretty shades of orange/green/yellow/purple….
It was my own fault, the kick. I swatted Ex for behaving like an idiot, when i should have just walked him in circles. I lost my cool (i blame pms) and i deserved the kick. I’m just glad it was a mild one, with no broken bones. It was a warning shot i think. *sigh*
And up until that afternoon, we’d been making such good progress in the whole trust thing. He was starting to listen when i moved him around and away, he no longer snapped at me when i did the girth up. Back to square one. And i can only start riding in a weeks time. Doctor said nothing strenuous (especially not riding) for 10 days, and that was on Wednesday.
I’m going crazy without my horses, and it’s only Saturday!
I visited them yesterday afternoon, but it was food time so Ex was his usually charming self. He was actually in a really foul mood, even the grooms were avoiding him. So i guess i really messed up. I feel so bad 
AND i can’t help M ride Cappi and Witchy! I miss that too.
I’m such an idiot.
I want to try and find “Perfect Manners” – Kelly Marks’s first book. Just to try and work through things with Ex properly. I can’t find my Join Up booklet… and the round arena at the farm still has the stupid porta-potty in it for the builders… so i can’t do anything in there yet anyway.
Was supposed to go to a show at Cape Hunt this weekend – but it’s meant to rain today and clear tomorrow… so i’ll see how i feel tomorrow. I have photos to deliver, so i HAVE to go through. I just don’t know how long my leg will hold up, standing around at a show.
GAH! I’m such a WALLY!
*sigh*
