spymasterequestrian

in which we suck but less than (almost) everyone else

Coops and I had what I can only describe as an eventful weekend. We paid another visit to my favorite mini trial this weekend (as originally discussed in this post), which was back to its normal weekend in mid/end of August after a couple of years in September due to the ‘rona moving scheduling around,Continue reading “in which we suck but less than (almost) everyone else”

(bi?)weekly wanderings (part i)

I’ve long been lamenting that I should use this blog more, but it’s not often that I have a whole post in me about one specific topic. I then realized that a) this is my blog so I can do what I want and b) I need to stop writing diary entries in my InstagramContinue reading “(bi?)weekly wanderings (part i)”

start with the poles

I had my second lesson of the year yesterday, roughly four months after the last one. I haven’t taken more than two lessons in a year since 2018, and 2018 barely counts seeing as I parted ways with my previous trainer before the end of February that year and didn’t ride again for eight monthsContinue reading “start with the poles”

headaches

I find myself thinking a lot about head injuries at this time of year. Yes, it’s partly driven by the fact that IHAD falls around this time every year, but it’s more strongly driven by the fact that the transition into autumn (at least in the Northern Hemisphere) brings me closer to another anniversary—the markContinue reading “headaches”

going home

I’ve been billing myself as a part-time eventer on the internet for a while now. It’s accurate enough, I guess, and has been, but to some degree it’s been a lie since the first day that I typed it into one of my description boxes (I couldn’t tell you which one came first. Tumblr, probably).Continue reading “going home”

square zero

Where do I even begin with this post? I genuinely didn’t forget about this blog over the last nine months or so. I knew it was here. I wanted to have things to say. I just… didn’t, because last year was pretty much a loss as far as horses go even outside of the generalContinue reading “square zero”

unquantifiable progress

I never got to show much as a kid. This isn’t a complaint, or a bitter statement. It’s a statement of fact: I never got to show much as a kid. In the first five years of my riding career (pre-concussion hiatus), I schooled off-property twice, and I went to one show. It was anContinue reading “unquantifiable progress”

one year on

It’s… a lot, to me, to think about how much time has passed since Cooper came home, but it’s been a year. It was actually a year ago on Monday of last week, but today’s his fourth birthday, so I waited a little while to write this up so we could get a two-for-one here.Continue reading “one year on”

slow and steady

Remember how I said that I was going to talk about the early years of my riding career? Yeah, that’s what we’re doing right now. As I’ve mentioned in a couple of places, I started riding when I was eight, with a trainer based out of a local eventing barn. The trainer in question hadContinue reading “slow and steady”

the great outdoors

So, Cooper’s great. He’s built well, he’s smart, he’s forgiving, he’s sweet on the ground, he doesn’t tend to spook very much, the list goes on. I know everyone can wax poetic about their horse, but I really do feel like I lucked out with him. For a three-year-old (well, almost four), he’s remarkably focused,Continue reading “the great outdoors”