Late but interesting post

So. Sorry about the big delays between posts. I’m sorta lazy. I’ll make it up to you by making this one longish.

Anyway, Sunday the 4th. I’ll start there. It was quite the sight-seeing adventure. Mr. Held took me to some really cool places. We first went to Königswinter, where there are shallow mountains surrounding the city. On top of one of them is an old castle and Mr. Held and I climbed to it. The original plan was to take the train up there but it was closed and Mr. Held was determined to get up there. So we drove halfway and then hiked up the rest. It wasn’t so bad for me, but Mr. Held is an office man. But he wasn’t going to give up. We reached the top and the castle itself wasn’t impressive, but the view was fantastic. The old European houses nestled comfortably in the land that lay across the Rhein River. It was beautiful.

We then started to climb down the mountain. There was a little restaurant that we decided to get lunch at. Mr. Held ordered me potato pancakes (which is served with applesauce to put on top. sounds weird, but it’s really good!) and French onion soup along with an espresso. It was a great German lunch with a very kind guy. :)

We made our way to our next stop--the Bridge of Remagen. On the way there, we went across the Rhein river via toll boat which is something I had never done before.

We made it to the bridge. It is a beautiful landmark. This is where the Germans and Americans fought during WWII.

Then Mr. Held drove me through gorgeous valleys with grape vines surrounding us. The grapes were being grown for wine. It was an amazing sight. We drove until we found a small Christmas market where all sorts of trinkets and Christmas treats are sold. We walked around but didn’t buy anything. Then we went home.

It was so nice of Mr. Held to take me to see those things. I know I’m in a really special place with very kind people. I will be forever grateful for their generosity.

That week, Wilander went away. He was sold. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. :)

Last weekend I went on a road trip on my own to Frankfurt to see the international horse show. I took the hour and a half train ride and (eventually) found my hotel, which was just across the highway from where the show was being held. I got up the next morning and hurried inside the hall. It was a big indoor arena and decorated in an xmas fashion. I found my seat up in the balcony and watched the first of the Grand Prix tests. I took pictures and video and observed. It was great to see so many amazing horses and riders and muse with the possibility of me being in a ring like that someday...

After the morning session was done, I went and walked around Frankfurt for awhile. I walked for three hours window shopping and being a tourist and eventually settled down at a coffee shop where they had internet to let everyone back at home know that I was still alive. Then I walked back through the big city full of great people watching and shops to the evening portion of the show. I watched some jumping and it made me miss it. That thrill of flying over a jump on a 1000+ pound horse is not something you get in dressage. When I have my own operation going, a big part of my program will be cross training. In dressage, we ask for collection. When a horse launches over a jump, that is one of the most intense ways for a horse to achieve collection.

I also got to watch the young riders. Most every one of them made a mistake, but it was cool to see young people excel at their sport. I was impressed. There was one girl from the US who got 2nd place with a 69%!

The next morning I got to watch the Grand Prix freestyles with a front row seat. They were so amazing to watch and looked like a blast to ride! The music for each horse matched perfectly and the patterns were creative. I want to ride a freestyle so bad, it looks like a lot of fun.

The last rider I got to see was Isabel Werth. Her horse didn’t do great. He spooked and even kicked up his heels during the extended canter. But nonetheless, she got a 75%. The winning horse from Italy, which was also my favorite freestyle, got a 79%.

After that was all done, it was time to go home. The last few days of work I have been exhausted. It snowed for the first time today but only a couple inches.

Noelle and my mom come in 4 DAYS. YAY!

Wilander = :)

The days are so repetitive here. I muck stalls, lounge horses, turn horses in and out, have my lunch break, clean, etc., etc.. But every day I get handed little bits and pieces of trust. After being here for a month and a half, they have let me ride numerous ponies. But all of a sudden, I was climbing onto a horse. Not just any horse, though.
His name is Wilander. I immediately became fond of him a couple weeks ago when I walked into his stall and he greeted me with a smile and a lick. He likes to lick people. He's the color of smoke. He isn't what people would think of what a warmblood looks like; he doesn't have much of a tail and he's not what you'd call elegant because he is very round-looking (kind of like Hollywood) instead of lanky like a warmblood. But when he moves, he floats.
As I climbed on board this amazing horse, I thought maybe they were making a mistake. Maybe in a few minutes, Marion would come in and shout at me to get off her horse. But no. She came in and watched me ride him with a genuine smile. Every once in a while she would give me some advice. But holy crap. I was having the time of my life on that horse.
Unfortunately, Marion got a call in the middle of my ride about someone who wanted to come see him the next day as he is for sale. So Marion rode him for the rest of the time. But it didn't matter. I am so happy that they let me ride such an amazing horse. My thighs still burn from sitting his big trot. Hopefully I'll get to ride him again.
On Sunday, Mr. Held is going to take me sight-seeing along the Rhein river. I'm super excited. I'll make sure to blog about it. :)
16 days until Frankfurt and 23 days until Noelle and my mom come visit me! :D