tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305421582011-11-27T20:12:24.152-05:00Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-20183915570752485782009-04-04T22:05:00.002-04:002009-04-04T22:25:53.066-04:00

I am taking a break from riding.Dada, my teacher and friend, is no longer comfortable with me riding independently. She tried to say it was her fault for getting old or some other nonsense. I know better than anyone that I do not look very graceful when I ride or when I do anything else.I have to find another sport/exercise/hobby to enjoy. I will certainly write about that here. I do write about

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-79886991660881328372008-11-23T15:33:00.004-05:002008-11-23T15:53:51.502-05:00

I am almost ready to quit my job and make horses my full-time occupation today ... because last night I saw the Lipizzaner stallions. It was so cool.I also feel more manly about dressage because apparently it started as military training -- take that, horse ballet.The Lipizzaners did a few moves I know how to do, like circles and serpentines and leg-yielding, but they dud most of them at speeds I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-69919372125365548242008-10-22T21:01:00.002-04:002008-10-22T21:04:27.927-04:00

I thought when I started riding T last year that she would be the last horse I rode. She was great; she had energy and initiative. I had to slow her down sometimes; that thrilled me no end.What then was I doing on my last lesson before winter break riding Shadow, a Trakehner-Arab mare? I am still trying to decide if I was being disloyal to T and Morgans. Dada says T has a lot of motion in her

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-88944886319311816912008-10-14T20:31:00.002-04:002008-10-14T20:33:44.058-04:00

I have spent the last 20 minutes looking through old photos to figure out where I used to put my hands. Dada said my trunk was swaying and I looked exhausted. She suggested it was stress, and she may be right. I know I have some stress in my life, but I felt pretty good. I loved having the dressage letters out. It really makes me know where to ride. I thought I ride some decent circles and a

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-63550910928581438072008-10-04T22:36:00.002-04:002008-10-04T22:47:53.852-04:00

I think I have a new favorite horse -- or at least member of the horse family: the Poitou Donkey. They look pretty good in this photo, but no where near as wonderful as they look in a new book called Equus by Tim Flach.I got an early copy of this book to review here and it is pretty neat. You can see some of the photos here on his website. Click on "Equus."
He fills almost 300 pages with all

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-2289090685506813592008-09-30T20:20:00.001-04:002008-09-30T20:20:57.486-04:00

Well, maybe not, but we are trying to persuade my body to sit on my butt and not use my arms on T's neck to hold me up. As you can see from the photo, it is very much a work in progress. Sitting on my butt, or sitting bones, feels better and makes it easier to ride, but I can't do it for that long before I grab at T's neck. Or tilt widely.It is also easier on my arms and wrists, so I like it. I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-35612362980688262092008-09-24T20:18:00.003-04:002008-09-24T20:25:05.556-04:00

I made my triumphant return to the riding ring yesterday. Well, sort of.I did ride for the first time in several weeks, but it was not that triumphant. I felt real, real wobbly. I did some decent leg-yielding, which I still find super-cool, but on that I kept fielding like my stirrups were coming off. They actually were, too.Dada asks me if I am trying to give her a heart attack when I wobble.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-30354602177920060382008-09-11T21:35:00.003-04:002008-09-11T21:43:19.630-04:00

I dropped out of the show and I have not ridden since August. I fell and hurt my jaw. The problem with riding is that I concentrate so hard and clench my teeth. My jaw is feeling a lot better, but I would not have much time to practice with a horse. I say a horse because when I told Dada, she said that there was some thought to having me try another horse if T was too strong for me. I don't think

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-28214361745769377492008-08-27T21:14:00.003-04:002008-08-27T21:20:06.026-04:00

Apparently, T likes her horse friends more than me. We'll have to do something about that.We rode in the upper ring yesterday because there was a show going on at Frying Pan Park, a show in which a CCI puppy raiser was riding. No one I really know, but she came over when she spotted Claren and reminded me when we had met – at Clifford's turn-in luncheon.T was riding slowly but rhythmically at

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-49935378525438521832008-08-20T21:25:00.001-04:002008-08-20T21:29:06.084-04:00

T was again bothered a bit by flies, but I don't think that was the main problem. I was dealing with new reins that felt pretty awkward. I have just been using one rein that is connected to both sides of T and that sits across her neck. But Dada had noticed correctly that I am unable to do a good free walk with that rein system. I can't loosen the reins enough to get a good stretch from T.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-36095951564077852902008-08-13T20:26:00.002-04:002008-08-13T20:28:15.587-04:00

I hate mosquitoes; T hates flies.This bonds us but makes for a rather rough ride.She had a fly somewhere, and she didn't buck but kind of hunched up her back legs, a reasonable response to something biting your belly. But it was hard to stay on and still ride a pattern. i missed two corners and one circle because T was out of rhythm and I was just hanging onDespite the problems, Dada said I have

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-30488508180655995542008-08-05T21:59:00.001-04:002008-08-05T22:04:13.323-04:00

Dada reads my blog and tweaks the saddle and other tack based on what's there.Today she put rubber bands on my stirrups to keep my feet in them when I do leg yielding. We didn't do yielding, but it was good to have the security anyway. because she also lowered the stirrups until I could barely reach them (or so it felt).She said that she had been too easy on me in letting me ride with higher

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-52703586504473998882008-07-31T20:54:00.003-04:002008-07-31T21:00:05.936-04:00

Dada says that T loves riding with me. That would be cool.T knows my movements and is good at doing what I want and suggest with the reins and my eyes. She tries to ignore the crazy moves of my body. My gyrations do knock her off rhythm some so it is much better to sit straight, I know. But she is good at knowing to turn right when I turn her head right, even if I lean a little left.I rode

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-83717503556924585612008-07-15T21:40:00.002-04:002008-07-15T21:45:56.082-04:00

We were a crowd today.Six volunteers, two students, Dada, Mom and a photographer from a local newspaper. Yikes.I actually tried to cancel early in the day, but Dada said the photographer was coming so I cowboyed up and rode.It was a good ride, but I am definitely not cut out for a dressage team. Another rider and I were supposed to be riding in mirror images of each other down the center line.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-77939975267962212272008-07-08T21:26:00.003-04:002008-07-08T21:32:26.935-04:00

I think I got a taste of what Dada saw in T at her first dressage show that made Dada a little nervous. But it didn't leave me feeling worried, just awesome.There was some show going on, with lots of horses and people and jumping and galloping. Ohh, I wish I could do that. It looked so fun. T responded to the energy in the air by walking faster than Dada could keep up. Part of it was my reins

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-14446387385324114852008-07-01T22:14:00.002-04:002008-07-01T22:18:04.977-04:00

I look all right in the picture, although I am not wearing my riding breeches and the dockers are dorky. But how cool does T look with the top of her main all spiked up in the air like that. It was just the breeze but still, that is awesome.We just did some relaxed walking today, a little leg yielding, too. My right foot never felt sturdy in the stirrup, and I think that is why I slid that way a

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-37724713505681172642008-06-24T22:05:00.000-04:002008-06-24T22:06:43.269-04:00

We went on a trail ride this lesson because there was a jumping show in the ring and as much as I would like to gallop and leap over jumps, I am pretty sure I can't.Dada always says trail-ride lessons are supposed to be fun and relaxing. I enjoy them, but they are anything but relaxing. With T wandering over uneven ground, I am squeezing real hard with my legs, holding tight with my hands,

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-75434203949522808272008-06-17T20:49:00.000-04:002008-06-17T20:50:30.066-04:00

I will post a picture tomorrow, though you won't see the freakin' awesome thing I did with T today. I leg yielded her.By that I mean I held her head straight and pushed against her with a heel and she walks diagonally but facing straight ahead. It is so cool.Dada said it was T just staying under me and Mom said T looked kind of happy or proud of herself. I was sure proud of us both.The last time

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-47872476058333388702008-06-14T22:48:00.005-04:002008-06-14T22:57:55.917-04:00

I won a blue ribbon today at the Ride to Thrive show sponsored by the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program. The show was broken up by schools so I beat the other folks riding with SPIRIT.More importantly, though, I had one of my best show rides ever. Dada was in the ring, but she stayed as far away as possible, so I felt pretty alone with T, which was awesome. T was in wonderful form --

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-5969576020667307112008-06-05T21:37:00.002-04:002008-06-05T21:43:08.515-04:00

I told Dada that it makes me nervous whenever she says she has big news. She assured me I had no reason to worry this time, and then she told me about a dressage competition they went to last weekend.Becky, a little 10-year-old but a very good rider, was riding T, who apparently has never done just dressage. T has a history of eventing, which involves running and jumping as well as dressage, and

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-25743369301686254292008-05-27T21:42:00.003-04:002008-05-27T21:44:37.450-04:00

I had a great lesson today. I used the dressage saddle with my toe stoppers. It makes me feel closer to T somehow, and the toe-stoppers make me able to push my heels down. They don't stay down, but …The only bad thing about the dressage saddle is I lean on T's neck so my arms get tired. I tried to stop leaning, but it was awful hard. I will keep trying, though.Anyway, I did about 4.5 runs of my

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-19309956290464052312008-05-20T21:53:00.001-04:002008-05-20T21:55:22.548-04:00

I did not have time or energy to change into my riding pants, so I felt OK about forgetting my camera. It was so rainy, too, that I did not even think I'd have lesson. But the rain stopped, and the ring was not slick, just a little messy.Unfortuately, Dada got a real nice vest for us riders. It is just like one I wore when I started riding. It really keeps me steraight and I feel safer, too. I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-28161695645909653412008-05-14T21:04:00.001-04:002008-05-14T21:07:19.091-04:00

Dada came up at the start of the lesson and said she had good and bad news. I think she exaggerated both.The bad news was that we aren't riding in a show this weekend. The arena or whatever had no mounting ramp, and while I have mounted often without a ramp, it isn't worth it. Weather looks questionable. We did not have ride times; we were hoping for cancellations.The good news was that there

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-59153346058089668272008-05-13T21:13:00.000-04:002008-05-13T21:20:06.304-04:00

Too tired to write about my lesson tonight, but it was good. Will write more tomorrow but here is a photo. And I am not pregnant. Also, no show Sunday.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-37753484209943437842008-05-06T21:44:00.003-04:002008-05-06T21:51:14.953-04:00

Dada got lost on the way to lesson today. She called so we knew she was late; Mom even sort of gave her directions. I am useless on directions. What I did do was wait. Turns out that was just what the doctor ordered. I had a really good lesson.I don't know if it was because I was relaxed or really ready to ride, but T and I did some nice work. It definitely helped to have all the right gear at

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-40088908008586546412008-04-30T20:29:00.000-04:002008-04-30T20:30:44.551-04:00

I woke up this morning, and for the first time in ages my legs were sore from riding.Dada said that yesterday would be a relaxing and fun trail ride. It was fun, but relaxing is not the right word. It was hard. T moves along at a good clip no matter the terrain. Of course, the uneven terrain does not faze her, but she is even more bouncy than usual. So I wound up clinging with my legs for all I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-91766189512325188132008-04-22T21:37:00.003-04:002008-04-22T21:42:50.060-04:00

As I said in an e-mail today, T is the horse to get me as far as I can go. Maybe Sleipnir would be better, but other than that ...I had my first lesson of the season today, and it was good and hard and fun and disappointing and different and new.The new riding area is a wonderful ring that was dry despite all the rain the past few days. We still have the steep ramp, although I am told a better

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1362445635532292922008-04-12T17:57:00.005-04:002008-04-12T20:12:01.469-04:00

I had forgotten how joyous it is to sit astride T and feel her move along, quite fast, too, I might add.Today was the open house/opening ceremony for SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program. We area riding in a new place that has more space and seems lovely. My youngest sister and her family brought me and watched. It was pretty awesome to hear the chant of "Uncle Matt" every time I passed their side of

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-49729448243918545972008-04-07T21:17:00.002-04:002008-04-07T21:28:03.731-04:00

I got a letter in the mail today from the Challenged Athletes Foundation. I got a scholarship for riding. Now i really can't wait to start up again. Soon.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-23600518075080737332008-02-16T20:13:00.001-05:002008-02-16T20:15:35.178-05:00

I think I miss riding.I just performed one of my dressage routines in the dark, in the cold, in an empty parking lot. Twice!The first time I didn't do it right. It was kind of like this.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-76121447807735124912007-12-15T16:21:00.000-05:002007-12-15T16:24:09.943-05:00

No lesson today, but I did ride a little in SPIRIT's first holiday party. It was pretty fun.I rode last with one little girl, who Dada hopes will soon be riding dressage. Not that it is a competition, but she'll be better than me no doubt.The best part was that I rode totally alone for part of the ride. Dada led me into the ring and then away I went while she stayed at one end of the ring. I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-69815844671575100292007-12-02T10:18:00.000-05:002007-12-02T10:39:24.143-05:00

Yesterday's ride was a new experience, not bad. It was fun, just definitely new.First, I was without Kate, my friend and the woman who has been helping Dada with me almost since the start. In a recent scholarship application, I called her my assistant trainer. It's not like I haven't ridden without her before, but this time I know she won't be back next week. Kate is taking a deserved break from

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-19097184499398165322007-11-24T17:19:00.001-05:002007-11-24T17:21:04.208-05:00

Today was a good ride, even if we could not find the reins extensions that enable me hold the reins easier. What Dada did was string the one extension across T's neck between the two reins. It was perpendicular to the reins, and I held just that. It worked quite well, except when I turned could not pull the reins toward me. I had to pull them down.Kate was with us today after missing last week.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-53093507589680080052007-11-17T21:12:00.000-05:002007-11-17T21:13:57.285-05:00

Go ahead, look at that picture and tell me I don't look good. I dare you.It was my first cold weather ride, which for me means it was below 55. i wore long johns under my riding pants and my jacket and scarf, and I was quite comfortable. The scarf adds to my dashing look, too.At the start, Dada pointed out I am not sitting as straight as I had been. I had been leaning forward a bit much. I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-53595364244512432372007-11-03T21:55:00.000-04:002007-11-03T21:58:19.734-04:00

Thankfully, those words came toward the end of the lesson, not the beginning; otherwise I'd have been scared.It was a beautiful day to ride, and T was quite energetic. Dada said that winter is a great time to practice rhythm and not worry about the movements. That's OK by me, it was so nice to ride up there on T and move my legs in unison with her's.We did a few small circles, and they were

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-38659488624748446682007-10-20T18:15:00.000-04:002007-10-21T08:23:38.994-04:00

The only good thing about not riding for several weeks is how great it feels to get back on a horse.And, wow, did it feel great today.It was only two weeks without a ride. T hurt her mouth so I could not ride a couple weeks ago and I was out of town last week. I got these things called Toe Stoppers to help my ankles stay in the right shape. They worked great. They go on the stirrups and keep

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-34058057302453299822007-09-29T15:31:00.000-04:002007-09-29T16:17:36.880-04:00

It sure doesn't sound that hard, but I still don't remember to look where I am going. And it kills me!Especially when it works so well. I was just trying to turns on the center line and ride all the way down it. The first time I was about two meters to the right, or something just as bad. Dada pointed out I was not watching where I am going. Next time I did watch where I was going, and it was

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-90335579917472159992007-09-22T19:02:00.000-04:002007-09-22T19:04:40.673-04:00

A really great lesson, even if T did spit up on me and Dada gave me homework.I remembered that with the dressage saddle I am able to use my legs more to hold myself up, and I did. Usually I only remember about half way through the lesson. Both Kate And Dada said how straight I was riding, not just left to right but also front to back.The only problem was that T was acting a little hesitant when

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-53766125149265400572007-09-16T20:11:00.000-04:002007-09-16T20:17:05.745-04:00

I'm not wobbling left or right anymore. The issue now is leaning too far forward. That and putting painful pressure on my ankles.But I had a great lesson. We solved the orientation problem by putting up dressage letters. It is not the right size for a dressage ring, but Dada was able to say: Turn right at the A, and I could. We also went over a jump. Of course, it was just lying on the ground so

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-88979399858409420882007-09-08T20:59:00.000-04:002007-09-08T21:01:05.911-04:00

It was a good right today but hot.And it took me far too long to get comfortable on InfiniTy. I think it is the dressage saddle and different handholds. I like the saddle because it is thin enough that I can use my legs to hold on, but I didn't remember that until half way through the lesson today. I hope we stick to one saddle for a while, but I am not so sure. Dada asked how I would like to

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-84891290961542752612007-09-01T21:04:00.000-04:002007-09-01T21:05:05.222-04:00

"You are sitting too much on my side."So I start, as usual, to shift my body left. But wait! That was Dada speaking, on my left, not Kate, on my right. I never sit too far on the left. What is going on?This was the second biggest surprise of the lesson. The first continues to be how motivated InfiniTy is. Dada actually had me slow her down once today. I didn't even notice she was going too fast.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-18409453554425389172007-08-25T22:53:00.000-04:002007-08-25T22:55:59.626-04:00

T has some energy.I rode her today for the first time, on a really hot day when I would not have blamed her for being sluggish. Instead, I hardly ever had to encourage her to walk.She was great, handling my initial wobbliness with no problem. The saddle was a little loose, but once Dada tightened, I felt steady. Everyone said I looked good, too.Dada said it was a perfect first lesson. We just

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-82289869443256331382007-08-18T21:55:00.000-04:002007-08-18T22:15:08.604-04:00

My one problem with Louie was that I could never come up with anything that played off his name. As the headline suggests, this won't be a problem with the new horse, InfiniTy, or T. I saw her today for the first time but did not ride her. Spirit was having a yard sale, and I was watching a table. Actually, I felt like a celebrity. I sat there and had my own gopher, the daughter of one of the

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-87378719711482957502007-08-04T16:15:00.000-04:002007-08-04T16:21:15.865-04:00

I didn't ride last week or today. I sure miss it.Dada, my teacher, and Golden Dreams, the program in Middleburg, had a falling out. I am not really sure what happened and I am sad about it. I liked riding at Golden Dreams more than I thought I would. It is beautiful and everyone there treated me with great kindness and respect. Plus, Claren and the dog of the stable became great friends. And I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-78333584700473342072007-07-21T21:48:00.000-04:002007-07-21T21:49:11.416-04:00

Kate and Dada accused me of taking lessons somewhere else during the week because, they said, I was riding so well.I did feel pretty good, especially at the beginning. I wasn't holding Louie's reins taut, and he was moving at a nice clip. That is the best riding, when he moves so well.When we did shorten the reins up, he still walked (well, expect the time he pooped), but he was not as lively.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-59629737799951147182007-07-14T21:37:00.001-04:002007-07-14T21:38:15.465-04:00

I know that I do better in competitions than in practice. That's nothing new. When I was in school, I liked tests. I always figured it was adrenaline or whatever. Turns out, though, I may just be a ham.I had a really good lesson today, and Dada decided it was because some friends came out to watch (Thanks, Wendy and Lisa and Janelle and Thomas and Jillian and Liam).We didn't worry much about

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-53370525909364556072007-07-07T20:03:00.001-04:002007-07-07T20:05:15.419-04:00

I need to improve my stamina so I can ride longer.We spend a lot of the lesson working up to getting Louie nice and collected. But when he, and I, finally gets ready, I only have energy for a few more minutes. I think my tired tell is I start leaning to the right too much.And there is so much to practice when he is collected. Dada explained it today using a stretched-out spring analogy. You want

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-34152333990664008572007-06-30T23:41:00.001-04:002007-06-30T23:58:17.800-04:00

A real good lesson today, I think, even though it is 11 p.m. and my foot muscles still hurt.To keep my legs from pushing the stirrups and my feet toward the front of the horse, Dada tied the stirrups on to the saddle in the back. My feet, which tend to drop, were held straight. It worked perfectly: I felt steadier and I could use my legs better to urge Louie on (now, I just have to remember to do

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-75726916055791497622007-06-16T22:06:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.022-04:00

Here is a video of my ride on Sunday, the one where I came in fifth. At the end we are really dragging. I just saw the show results, though, and on Saturday I beat Athens Dude!

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-81857857098666747912007-06-16T18:33:00.001-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.023-04:00

Uh-oh, Dada worked me today. Really. No resting on the old laurels for Matt.Morven Park's fall show is in September, and Dada has decided I will win and there was some mention of the world championships. We worked on three things today, my first lesson in Middleburg. It is great out there. All I have to do to win is: Hold my hands still and control Louie by wiggling my fingers, use my legs to "

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-15110799011274215752007-06-11T21:14:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.023-04:00

So close. My messed-up halt on Day 1, my easiest figure and a silly blunder apparaently cost me second place. It was that close.Victory cake. My sister made me a yellow-ribbon cake. I loved it, even if it reminded me of Squidward from Spongebob. Thanks, em.Photos. Most of the ones I have so far are real dark. But my sister was there Saturday and has tons. She has a top-notch camera and knows how

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-14378405943444464842007-06-10T22:20:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.023-04:00

Yesterday, I was thinking about making dressage more manly. Apparently, it is not by coming in fifth, which I did today. You get a pink ribbon. At least my 4-year-old niece liked it.I was disappointed in my ride today, even though everyone said it was good. My mom said she thought it was better than the one on Saturday. But I was frustrated.I was supposed to ride at 3:03, but after I was on Louie

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-79833626343964073582007-06-09T21:39:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.023-04:00

I guaranteed a fifth-place finish, and I came in third!Louie did most of the work, though, but I'll take the yellow ribbon. It is twice as long as any of my blue ribbons.My first decision today was whether to make my dainty white gloved more manly.I have some blisters on my hand, so I figured if I did not wear a band-aid, ooze and blood would leach out through my glove. It would be like in the

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-80097121103931095832007-06-09T17:48:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.024-04:00

More later, but for you, my legions of adoring fans, here are my results. I came in third, a yellow ribbon. YEAH ME!

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-56964232156156267862007-06-06T22:05:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.024-04:00

It was a crazy lesson today that left me a little unsure I am ready for the weekend.First, I told Kate to make the wrong stirrup lower so I was off-balance during my whole first ride.Then I thought Dada said I could not do a figure eight for my 10-meter circles, so I did not do the figure eight, but tried to do something else. and so on. Plus, by the end of the lesson I was so tired I could

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-13667339166586116392007-06-04T20:27:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.024-04:00

This is it; I guess I am just about ready for this weekend. I have one more lesson, but they posted the ride times yesterday for the VADA/Nova Summer Licensed Dressage Show. I ride at 3:46 Saturday and 2:58 Sunday. I think that is last Saturday and first Sunday. I suppose there is strategy in going early or late, but I'll just go and have fun so I win no matter what.I did look: There are four

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-9188594776251050162007-06-01T23:16:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.025-04:00

See my tests. `

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-24256400748684259012007-05-30T19:40:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.025-04:00

I may just be ready for the contest, as long as I can remember which test is which.I got confused and kind of did a mash-up of the two tests at first, but Dada corrected me. I got it right afterward, even throwing in the halt.Louie kept doing weird things with his head and back legs because of flies, but I did stay on.I even did the freestyle with such good rhythm that I finished early.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-88056924937426892132007-05-26T17:33:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.025-04:00

Wow, Dada used "so great" more than once. I think I am getting it.We lowered the left stirrup and I tried to push down on that all the time. I did sometimes, and that kept me from leaning too left.I have two figure 8s in my champion test, and I did them pretty well. They looked circular even -- I was so proud. But when I got home, I read over the test and noticed I missed an element. There is a

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-51180792425756768572007-05-19T21:55:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.025-04:00

I knew I had made a total fashion faux pas when I got out of Kate's car at Golden Dreams and someone said to Dada: "You didn't tell me to wear my whites." What on earth was I thinking? It is way worse that white shoes after Labor Day, and in horse country, no less.Well, here is what I was thinking: The white breeches have a fly and Velcro bottoms so I can get them off easily. I also figured I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-13795892567530402812007-05-13T20:16:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.026-04:00

I'll be riding this weekend on the Loudoun Farm Tour at 2 Saturday to help show off Golden Dreams Therapeutic Riding Program at Baileywyck Farm. I expect it to be a tour de force.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-38417545712199574492007-05-12T20:34:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.026-04:00

I just wanted to add a main photo of me and Louie instead of one with me and Bella. But Blogger wanted me to change the whole think. I am still working on it and I am not sure if it is good or bad.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-21304514259046621812007-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.026-04:00

I read Dante's Divine Comedy in college, but I don't remember dressage being part of Hell. It must be, though, especially figure 8's.Dada set out to make my circles round today in a long lesson. I don't know if we succeeded. It was pretty tough, rerwarding but tough. We spent a lot of the lesson just doing 10-meter figure 8's. I often got one side pretty good but not the other. The problem is I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-11561663789431595172007-05-09T19:58:00.001-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.026-04:00

So it finally happened. The ride today was just OK.It wasn't a bad ride. I didn't fall or anything, just not as good as riding has been.I was doing a freestyle test that required two figure 8's back to back. We cut it down to just one, though, and it went better. I was also riding without ankle braces for the first time in ages. I am not supposed to use them in competitions, and I think it will

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-82906013932409718092007-05-05T18:14:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.027-04:00

On the way home from my lesson today, mom said something like: I never would have thought you’d be riding alone after seeing that first lesson not quite two years ago.Me either. But I am!Today, no one touched me or Louie except to help me on and off and a little cooling-down lap when Dada guided Louie. It was great. Someone should have started humming the national anthem or something.I performed

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-61784654206030853062007-05-03T21:03:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.027-04:00

I got an e-mail from Kate that my application has been mailed for the competition next month. Kate also took the video.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-25927590598303007432007-05-02T21:19:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.028-04:00

I hadn't ridden during the week after work in a long time, and I was worried because I was exhausted when I left work. I needn't have worried. The weariness fell away as I got to Spirit Field. From the start, it was a good lesson. I finally met Whitney, one of the people who helped me get out to Colorado for my first real competition. She is as wonderful as I had heard and had assumed.This

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-77035098269007203642007-04-28T20:18:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.028-04:00

One of these days I will have a bad lesson, one when I think I rode poorly. But not today.When I got there, I saw Dada and Kate had rearranged the fields so one was an official dressage ring size. The riding went really well. I need to do a little better on my serpentines and the first part of my figure eight, but I am feeling great about riding. It is such a joy to be outside feeling the ground

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-10450770944369786072007-04-21T22:03:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.028-04:00

I practiced my dressage test today, and it went pretty well.It is not very hard, but it has two figure 8's and two serpentine patterns between the side and the middle of the ring. By serpentine I mean the pattern shown in figure 3 here but it is not the full width of the ring, just half the width. That actually was kind of tough because our ring is a little narrow to begin width so I was turning

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-71201531836200084142007-04-14T16:11:00.001-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.029-04:00

Well, that's what Kate said of my ride today.It was really awesome. I don't have any proof, though, because my dad – my official photographer – wasn't there. That did make it trickier than usual to get on Louie, too, but after that we had a good time. I seem, just in the past few weeks, to be able to keep my back straight and sit up, not hunched forward. Louie responds so much better. I don't

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-25535830458290738922007-04-07T21:51:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.029-04:00

Today was the best ride in ages. It was also the first time in a long time I have actually ridden two weeks in a row. It felt so good even though it had snowed this morning and was cold. I was usually alone, with no helping hands, which always feels cool. It's a short video, but look at me! No wobbling, well not a lot, and I am sitting pretty straight.Dada had a necklace thing for Louie to wear

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-67161187126060839092007-03-31T20:37:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.029-04:00

Wow, I missed riding.Today was only the fourth time I have been on a horse since November, and I missed it. The day was close to perfect: sunny and dry.Kate and Dada reconfigured the riding area to make it really long rectangle. I couldn't believe what a difference it made. It was so cool to ride Louie down the long straight-aways. I didn't go fast or anything, but he builds up a head of steam

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-46477752509696074172007-03-19T20:01:00.000-04:002007-06-26T21:38:35.030-04:00

It was rainy and snowy last week so I couldn't ride, but I played around with iMovie and posted a Spirit slideshow on this page.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-16933510617297215302007-03-10T23:14:00.000-05:002007-03-24T13:36:55.374-04:00

OK, maybe not what Bob Marley meant, but I had a great time.It felt like forever since I had ridden, but I soon forgot that because it was so beautiful out today. Louie was wonderful so was everyone at Spirit Field.I was a little worried when I got on Louie because my right hip stiffened up, but it felt good soon after. Most of the lesson we just threaded through cones. Dada said it's a great way

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-25699979013615518132007-03-04T21:04:00.000-05:002007-03-04T21:06:31.684-05:00

We had a board meeting of Spirit yesterday at my home. It was quite good, perhaps because one of Claren's best friends came over to play. The daughter of the Spirit president has a service dog, and he and Claren were kennel-mates. I so love watching them play.Spirit is branching out to Middleburg! It sounds great, but I won't say much so I don't jinx it. Hopefully, I will be in Middleburg the

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-72896371783127244342007-02-18T09:24:00.000-05:002007-02-18T09:27:31.717-05:00

I couldn't ride yesterday. It is warming up but is still pretty cold and the snow is covered with a layer of ice. My dog doesn't break it. I am sure Louis would, but that would add crazy dimensions to my riding. It is hard enough to stay balanced without worrying about my horse losing his footing. I am sure Louie would not like it either. Maybe next week.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-2168049102198602992007-02-10T22:02:00.000-05:002007-02-11T08:23:53.743-05:00

I got one lesson to get used to riding again; today Dada the dressage taskmaster was back (just kidding, Dada!). Actually, I was glad to get into it again. I like riding, but it is even more fun to try to guide the horse through the dressage moves.We ride two tests that I will have to ride in the competition at Morven Park. I also have to ride a third test, a freestyle one, where there are

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-84171212679505064432007-02-05T22:20:00.000-05:002007-02-05T22:23:55.896-05:00

Here is a page on Spirit's opening day.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-76148157722656395082007-02-03T16:41:00.000-05:002007-03-24T13:38:43.724-04:00

We did it! Spirit Field is real! And I rode!Today was the day I have been waiting for. Judging by the crowd that watched my first lesson and the opening of Spirit Field, others have been looking forward to it as well.We were at least 20 people joined together by a love of horses, riding and one amazing woman. I'd like to think they were all there to see my dramatic return to the ring but I know

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-14026184147676613652007-01-27T20:52:00.000-05:002007-01-27T20:55:16.311-05:00

I have a riding lesson Feb. 3! It's like waiting for Christmas.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-28460562494814248592007-01-26T21:57:00.000-05:002007-01-26T22:04:20.403-05:00

I made a tweak or two to the Spirit website.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-37873545818065315932007-01-22T21:23:00.000-05:002007-01-22T21:32:00.609-05:00

Louie, me and Claren, my service dog.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-42741428234738983522007-01-20T20:27:00.000-05:002007-01-20T20:30:24.761-05:00

We had our first board meeting this morning. It was good. Everyone on the board and the volunteers seems so enthusiastic and full of ideas. well, everyone but me. Afterward was even better. We went to Spirit so I could meet the new horse, the one I'll be riding SOON.Louie was great, even if he did bite me. I was trying to feed him carrots but I have problems opening my hand completely and when I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-71660992571775671682007-01-15T21:09:00.000-05:002007-01-15T21:14:09.782-05:00

My legs have been stiffening up on me lately. It is really annoying when your leg won't bend at the knee. I hope hope hope that the stiffness is the result of my forced retirement from riding and that it goes away when I start riding again.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-50118368228081783142007-01-11T22:03:00.000-05:002007-01-15T21:48:35.100-05:00

I am still not riding and miss it, but things are happening. We are planning the first board meeting of Spirit, there is a new horse at Spirit, I joined the U.S. Equestrian Foundation, and I learned a little more about this competition we hope I can join. It is at Morven Park in May.The new horse is an 18-year-old Morgan with dressage experience. Louie is the brown one; Spirit is the whiteish

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-18608247221807848472007-01-02T20:09:00.000-05:002007-01-02T20:12:43.468-05:00

I got a letter today from the U.S. Equestrian Foundation with my National Classification card. Apparently, I need to carry it with me to all events. How about that? It's just a little paperwork, but it is pretty cool.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-21642986466973930512006-12-31T12:17:00.000-05:002006-12-31T12:32:56.832-05:00

Dada found an unused pasture and the owner was happy to have a horse and little riding program there. It's a temporary home and pretty rustic, but it is a great start. Dada says she hopes I can start riding in about a month. How exciting!Spirit seems like a wonderful horse. I fed her a few carrots, and when Dada opened the gate into the pasture she took off into it. She looked so amazing. She

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-52361604894985007012006-12-23T21:26:00.000-05:002006-12-23T21:31:05.040-05:00

The papers are filed. The name of the new riding stable is Spirit, just Spirit I did a little page about it so you can see our first horses.The page looks a little screwy in Firefox and I am working on it.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-80559129045980633072006-12-05T08:26:00.000-05:002006-12-05T08:28:21.383-05:00

We have to find a new stable still, but the biggest obstacle these days seems to be the name. You need to put a name on the founding documents. Dada wants spirit, bond, soul, hope, dream and a few other words included. Kate wants a pun. Here are my suggestions: Stirrup your soul, but that is partly appropriated (stolen) from a riding program in Georgia my friend Lynne told me about.Let's ride

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-77349167002020049582006-12-05T08:24:00.000-05:002006-12-05T08:26:38.503-05:00

Dada has been energized by the whole fiasco with LMU. She and Kate and some others are almost ready to start a new riding program. I will be working on a website for it soon. It will be an inclusive program. Able-bodied riders will be welcome, so will therapeutic riders and para-equestrian riders (yeah!). We all have much to learn from one another and from horses. Here is how I think a

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-38792210512274038312006-12-05T07:28:00.000-05:002006-12-05T07:29:34.827-05:00

I wrote checks and put them in the mail yesterday to return the donations to Keep Matt Trotting. Lift Me Up had sent me the a big check, so it did not come out of my money. Now, though, I can wash my hands with Lift Me Up. I am sad about that. Despite problems there, which I often attributed to paranoia but were quite real, LMU sat me on a horse. I still remember all the help and protective

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-60991736364142731442006-11-26T19:58:00.000-05:002006-11-26T20:08:54.700-05:00

A little T.S. Eliot, even though his poems do not always rhyme. He gets a pass.I am taking a little break from horseback riding. I hope it is temporary and not as bleak as my title suggests.I need to find a new place to ride. I don't want to say more yet, but I expect more horse news.

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-90698554965189539632006-11-13T21:34:00.000-05:002006-11-13T21:36:10.754-05:00

Maybe I won't ever be confused with a rootin', tootin' cowboy, but I did some real riding today. On Andy!Andy is not a riding horse really. He is a good therapeutic riding horse, but that means he is good at walking with a leader.But I got him walking today. Dada said it was the best Andy had ever been ridden. She also said she couldn't have done better. That, I know, is a lie. A nice lie,

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1162864295290612772006-11-06T20:48:00.000-05:002006-11-13T21:14:20.102-05:00

At least I hope that is what Lynne Hansen, Mary Kiernan-Stern and Ham & Ellie Hamilton think. They all made some very generous donations to Keep Matt Trotting, but no one told me. To say I feel sick is an understatement.We are figuring out now what the plan is for that money. But let me say again: THANKS.The ride was good. I was on Andy, and instead of just walking down the road, we went into the

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1162261352211631332006-10-30T21:15:00.000-05:002006-11-13T21:14:19.794-05:00

I rode Finn today. I have liked Finn's looks since I first came to Lift Me Up. He is a Norwegian Fjord pony, and Lift Me Up had to promise to groom him like a Norweigian Fjord pony. His mane looks a mohawk and he has stripes below his knees, almost like a zebra. It was a fun ride. We went on a trail ride, which means I get help staying in the saddle. It was so nice out today; the ride was real

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1161656435132917342006-10-23T22:15:00.000-04:002006-11-13T21:14:19.613-05:00

Bella is on the injured reserve with some lameness, and Charm has been expelled from Lift Me Up. Well, she still lives there, but she is not riding, or carrying a rider or whatever (More on that later). So a crafty old veteran came through for me. I rode Andy, the first horse I rode at Lift Me Up.Andy is short, unlike Bella and Charm, but he is real wide. Quite stocky. He also doesn't take

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1161046677512768462006-10-16T20:53:00.000-04:002006-11-13T21:14:19.413-05:00

Wow, today was really great. There’s that song in My Fair Lady that Audrey Hepburn’s character sings “I could have danced all night.” I felt like I could have ridden all night. And just because I am quoting Broadway does not make me less manly.Dada agreed with me that we could get a written test so I would not have to concentrate on hearing. So I made a test up last night. And today I rode it. I

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1160447048931161262006-10-09T22:18:00.000-04:002006-11-13T21:14:19.065-05:00

I began riding a little over a year ago, and one of the goals was to strengthen my trunk muscles. Judging from how sore my abdomen is tonight, we aren't there yet. Not even close. And it's not like I want 6-pack abs; I'd just like to do one sit-up. But it was a good lesson. Dada emphasized sitting up straight and holding myself up without using my hands. It was tough, hence the trunk pain.Also,

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1159230520972967602006-09-25T20:26:00.000-04:002006-11-13T21:14:18.742-05:00

I had just an OK lesson today. I was riding Bella. Another instructor at Lift Me Up was working with Charm to try to get her to accept side-walkers. Unfortunately, I really missed Charm. I couldn't get comfortable on Bella. I was up in the middle of night with Claren, and my allergies are acting up, but I don't think it was either of these because I don't feel bad. Dada said Charm has a faster,

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30542158.post-1159230247735638372006-09-25T20:15:00.000-04:002006-11-13T21:14:18.415-05:00

I went to the Middleburg Classic Saturday night to make a presentation for CCI. It's a big hunter horse show, and after watching one round I wish I could ride like that. They cantor and jump and look so good. I even got to plug Lift Me Up and my riding. During the presentation on CCI, I just mentioned that I ride at Lift Me Up. No one offered me millions, though. Yet.Also, I got a mention in the

Matt Trotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05768564422819636842noreply@blogger.com0