Wednesday, September 27, 2006

I'm Ready for My Close-Up

I have another post brewing which I may post later today, but I wanted to get this up here before I lose my nerve...a few weeks ago D videotaped a riding lesson and I've managed to make a little music video out of it. The song is Lucinda Williams' "Can't Let Go", which I thought was most appropriate. There are a couple of times when my little horse Smoke is right with the beat. Instead of embedding the video from YouTube I'll just give you the link, I've heard that takes up a lot of bandwidth.

Donna's Riding Video

Please be kind, and remember that I was an absolute beginner when I started lessons in June, and that I've had about 15 one-hour lessons so far.

This week's lesson was on Angel, one of the two horses I like to call "steam engines", because once you get them going they just keep on going, and at every forward stride they make a snorting sound that sounds like a train. I was on a bareback pad with an equestrian vaulting surcingle (I'm sure there are a couple of you out there who know what that is), and Angel was on a longe line, so I didn't have to think about anything at the canter except my technique. Well, obviously my technique needs work, as I ended up with a blister right in the middle of my left palm. It burst, and now I look like I have stigmata. Also, a nice bruise on the inside of my right thigh from bumping up against the surcingle. Nobody can say I ain't tryin!

16 comments:

  1. You look great! I saw some posting going on there. That cat is seriously huge.

    Makes me want to take up riding again.

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  2. you look fantastic! i havn't ridden in years thanks from bringing those memories back i hope your off the lead line and galloping with the best of them real soon.

    ditto the cat comment he's a porker isn't he!

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  3. AWESOME!!! You look great and the video is so cool! Your credits made me laugh - I sooo thought that cat was a dog (like the size of your dogs) until she picked it up!! OMG - what a HUGE CAT!!! Devin is an excellent camera man/producer/director! -K

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  4. That is awesome!

    Everything was perfect - you, the horse, the music, the fatcat and of course, that stunning blue eyed horse - he is just amazing - those eyes are really unbelievable.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Thank you Devin!

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  5. Fantastic! Fabulous posting. Quarter horses are hard to sit at the canter usually and you did a fine job. You've done a great job coming this far so quickly. You are a true horsewoman!

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  6. What a cool video! And a cameo from Garfield...hehehe

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  7. CatDog loves my trainer so he usually comes out to the middle of the ring during lessons to be picked up. Then he plunks himself down in the shade and you have to steer around him. Obviously he has no fear of horses (and obviously he's never been stepped on).

    I'm not usually on the longe line, she's only using it when I'm on the surcingle, since I can't really steer effectively without stirrups.

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  8. VERY impressive! You've inspired me to start taking weekly lessons, starting next week. I need help, lots and lots of help.

    The shot of the cat in the shade looks like he might be trying to stalk to the horse!

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  9. I'm loving that video! So great to see you out there having fun. And look at all those gorgeous horses! I never learned proper technique, but I sure loved riding.

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  10. One more thing...D shot the video but I actually figured out how to make the movie. I guess I shouldn't have given him director credit! Should have been cinematographer instead. Thanks for all the kind words, I hope I have inspired a few of you to take up whatever it is you've been putting off trying.

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  11. You're damn better at it than I was. It looks so peaceful. YOU look so peaceful.

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  12. Also? That cat is bigger than my dog. And she's no tiny Chih. I seriously thought that was a golden retriever or something from behind until I saw it being held.

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  13. LOVED, loved, loved the video! Nice to see you in action, doing something you enjoy. How much do you think that cat weights? 30 lbs at least is my guess!

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  14. Fantastic! You look fabulous, what a beautiful day. And that cat, I swear it's about 10 of mine!

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  15. I am so glad I finally watched this - it's been waiting for me in Bloglines. It makes me sore to look at it, but I marvel at your shape, strength and abilities. Keep it up.

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