Driving me Crazy!

One of the things that drives me absolutely CRAZY here is the lack of respect pedestrians give cars and THE ACTUAL LAW!

Pedestrians have right of way over cars as per the following law...

• Drivers are legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when pedestrians are using crosswalks, when traffic signals are not in place and/or when traffic signals are not functioning (because of, for example, a loss of power).
• Drivers approaching a crosswalk at which other vehicles have stopped to let a pedestrian cross are also legally obligated to stop at the crosswalk and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians (instead of trying to drive through the crosswalk).
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way at intersections that have stop signs or flashing red signals.

However, the great Colorodians or Coloradans or whatever they are, seem to just hear the first bit "Drivers are legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians".

That means they cross pretty much whenever they feel like it. They expect you to stop for them and yield regardless of traffic. They are often immersed in texting, yakking or inspecting their Starbucks and completely oblivious. I also routinely pass people walking along the median on the main road Hampden where six lanes of traffic whizz past. They are actually walking along the central shared turning lane which makes it even more crazy!

Carparks or Parking Lots are the worst, people come out of the shop and just walk, straight in front of you without even bothering to actually cross via the shortest route, they just stroll diagonally across the lot. It drives me crazy and I am sure one of these days I am going to bawl one of them out... or maybe I will just stick with my stern British stare....

Language Challenges

We have now been in Colorado for six months and one of the things that still makes me giggle is the language barrier. But we all speak English I hear you cry, Oh No- apparently I sometimes speak in some crazy tongue that no one here can understand.

This past weekend we went to a Mexican restaurant. The waitress came to take our drinks order and I politely stated "Just Water Please". This was meant with a blank look at a highly accented "You want what?" After around five or six attempted to order 'Water' for Ethan and Myself, Nic chipped in with "She wants Waader". "Oh, Sorry!" exclaimed the waitress and off she trotted. Now, if only this was a one off. Here are some of my favorites.

Apparently no one has any idea what a Shopping Trolley is, nada, squat. Apparently a Shopping Cart is the correct phrase.

Equally stumped with 'Rubbish Bins' (Trash Can) and 'Toilets' or 'Loos' (Restrooms). A 'Carpark' is a 'Parking Lot'. Trainers are Sneakers and I still giggle when people comment on 'Nice Pants' or 'Fanny Packs'.

Of course there are tons more. I think the Brits are pretty great are deciphering what Americans mean, but the other way round and the Americans seem well and truly trumped.

There is also, of course a huge difference in the way we converse and communicate, but thats a whole other post!

Ride Every Horse

I recently read an article named 'Ride Every Horse' the author says that you should ride every horse you are offered, every single horse to help you become a better rider. Now, I don't totally agree with her to be honest. I think there are some horses that just aren't appropriate to the lower level or beginner rider. As your skill set goes up, you can start to ride more and more horses.

Toffin- one of my first x

Now, from the beginning, I have ridden pretty much whatever I can, little ponies, big powerful horses, slow horses, fast horses, cheeky horses and so on. During my first six months or so I rode various horses, but all were forgiving, generally laid back and experienced enough to know what they were doing, even when I had no clue!

As time has gone on, I feel more confident to ride other types, I can control my aids more now. Less inadvertent  leg aids, stiller with my hands and so on. Therefore I feel more confident on the slightly more sensitive horses. That being said, I am still far from a great or even good rider with a totally independent seat. Anything thats really sharp or spooky still wouldn't be any good for me or the horse. Can I sit out a little spook or buck? I would like to think so, can I sit out a bronc or massive spook and bolt- and stay relaxed? No I am pretty sure that I couldn't.

Each horse I ride teaches me something new. This week I have ridden a 14.2 school master and worked on my seat, aids and contact. Next up was my 16hh 5 year old ex racehorse who is working in walk (hamstring injury) and wants to sucker out to the school gate the whole ride who reminds me about outside rein, leg and relaxing my back help improve his walk. Followed by a five year old 13hh pony who is also being used in the riding school and has been misbehaving with the kids, but whom worked as sweet as candy with a nice soft rein and lots of transitions.

I will always be thankful that my friend Jules had me up on such a huge variation of safe horses from the get go. I have no doubt that its improved my riding, but more importantly, its improved my mind and progression towards becoming a 'feeling' and proactive rider.

Signing off for now!

Ride Every Horse Article

Special

Not a huge amount to report from here in Colorado.

We have had crazy weather and it takes some getting used to. Over the last three weeks we have gone from freezing temperatures and over a foot of snow, to a week on; 23c and boiling hot, back down to waking up to snow again this morning! It's pretty amazing and has leant itself to some of the most picturesque hikes you can imagine.

The family have been busy with our lives and I have been spending more time with RuffCut and enjoying my riding lessons thoroughly. The past few weeks I have been riding a lovely big pony, he is well schooled and sharp off your leg and knows flying changes and how to work on the bit. He has been great for me as we have been working on sitting trot and improving my position and as he has small paces he is a great starting point.

Sadly, this week we also heard that Shaunagh, Ethans previous school teacher/ head of school lost her battle against cancer. She changed the path of Ethans Schooling and was probably one of the most incredible people I will ever have the honor to meet. We still have notes and gifts around the house from Shaunagh, and will always treasure them.

A Very Special Visit

Today I headed off to Ken Caryl for a very special visit. I was supposed to go last week but we postponed as the roads and pathways were snowy and icy. Ken Caryl is a lovely area in the foothills and it also contains someone very special to me...

Yep- the legend that is Mr Roughcutt!

The morning was perfect, snowy and warm and I was so excited to set off to Ken Caryl Equestrian school and see how how he has settled in. I had even been offered the exciting chance to ride him again. The area is just gorgeous and Roughcutt has a nice little paddock area with him and another buddy from Friends Of Horses, he lives out and has grown a big fluffy coat and has turned more bay than black now with his cute paprika nose. He is so happy and has a light in his eyes that just didn't exist before, he has put on weight, lost the racing shape and has developed much more character both on the ground and under saddle. I found out a few new things about him, I was told at FOH that they though he was around 9/ 10 years old, he didn't seem it but hey... Turns out he was only four when I started working with him last year, he is pure TB and has recently turned five so is a total baby still, fresh off the track in June 2015 and straight into riding (or bucking people off) at the rescue.

RC and that VIEW!

He has behaved so well for the new riding school taking pupils around walk, trot lessons and being his happy, pokey self. He felt pretty nice to ride, much, much improved from when I last saw him but still sweet. He is so happy and has put on a good amount of weight, he still loves carrots and hates apples and was affectionate and loving on the ground as always- this time with a glow in his eyes.

Time to ride! Happy, dirty pony x

After the ride, I was so kindly offered to come every week to ride him! It will help them as he is getting a few little bad habits with the riding school pupils and I get to see him, every single week yippee! Today is a GREAT day!

Gorgeous paprika nose

What Fun!

Last weekend was the Superbowl- the Broncos won and it was an absolute blast and we really appreciated our friends for coming over, bringing food and beer and generally making it a fantastic day for us. We laughed, cheered and drank and all three of us were shattered on Monday morning.

Yesterday I had another riding lesson and I was back on Lexus for the session who behaved impeccably. She feels a little like a unexploded bomb when you get on her but, after about ten minutes she becomes a perfect, bombproof girly! We worked on my straightness and seat as this is such a primary issue for me. I can hide my straightness issues more easily nowadays but really need to work on it as a priority. We played around with lots of different things in all paces, riding with one stirrup, one hand etc and it was a tough lesson in some ways for me. I loved it as could feel progress but it sure didn't look pretty, and I get disappointed in myself, but I know with work and Saras knowledge, I can improve a lot. We worked on a lot of sitting trot, and canter to get me sitting more correctly and being conscious of when I am actually balanced and straight. It felt tough and looked like crap! However I am firmly going with the 'it gets worse before it gets better' theory and my aching shoulders and thighs are affirmation of the hard work!

This week I have something lovely planned- watch this space for more...

First 6 Months Colorado: The Movie!

Yay! More Snow!

Over the last 48 hours we have had a winter weather watch in place, yesterday was pretty tame and we only had about an inch or so by the time I ran the afternoon school pick up, the roads were ok bar the odd ice spot but nothing for Colorado.

Ethan on his sled with woofs at the top of our Cul de sac

We woke up this morning to a text from the school that school was cancelled due to snow, Ethan's respond was "WHAAAT, its hardly snowed at all".... apparently he didn't look well as we got up to around 6-7" and it just kept on snowing! We spent the morning huddled indoors making flapjacks and watching TV. Around lunchtime we decided to pop up to The Village Inn for lunch which is an American Diner at the top of the road, we took Nics Jeep and its pretty capable in the snow- by this time we had just under a foot and as the side roads aren't ploughed it's so crazy in certain areas. After a yummy lunch we came home and Ethan, Myself and the dogs set off to burn off some of our lunchtime food. Ethan loves to be pulled along in his sled, sadly my dogs are rubbish and won't pull so its left to me to pull him. We walked to the park and spent a while playing there, after a bit Boo started shivering and not wanting him to be cold we headed back home to warm up and dry off. Its so odd as in the UK on a snow day the park would be totally crazy busy with all the kids off school, not so here in Colorado- we were the only ones at the park and judging by the total untouched powder, the only ones there since snow began!

We love the snow here- its finally stopped snowing at just over a foot. Its gorgeous and thick and pretty darn cold! Even though it causes issues I just adore the snow! Tomorrow all will be back to normal I am sure, Nic will be back at work, clubs will be back on and I suspect schools will be back on as normal too.

Snow Days ROCK!

Deep huh Hoaxey!

Fresh powder Park Fun!