Saturday, September 21, 2013

"A Blue Ribbon Kind of Day" a poem

Oberon - Full of tests, tricks and a heart of Gold

A Blue Ribbon Day

It was a summing up
kind of day,
of hours spent
collecting, posting,
diagonals, leads,
shoulders back,
thumbs up, heels down,
look, leg, lead
(don't forget... smile!)

September is a time
to celebrate achievements,
wrap up a season's progress,
teamwork, companionship.

Our Oberon, full of fun,
tricks, and a heart of gold...
or is that blue?

by Margaret Bednar, September 21, 2013


A Blue Ribbon Day
Warming up... Oberon not wanting to "collect",
my daughter light of hands and patient.  We don't collect for long
as we are building up his strength.

 It was an overcast day, but that kept things a bit cooler.  It is still rather warm here in North Carolina and very green - trees don't show any hint of color yet - and it misted for part of the day - didn't rain until after we were done with our classes.   My daughter has come a long way in her riding, and Oberon is a pony with a wonderful mind - doesn't do anything dangerous, but will test her to see if she knows what she is doing.  Being a pony, he is always looking for an easy way out of work ;)

They were in 6 classes.  Placements: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and two 5ths. (one was 5th out of a class of 15!) Classes were all good sizes, but she did place 5th of 5th in her first pattern class - and he took the wrong lead cantering - but we can work on that for next year.  All in all, a great day.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

"The Eastern Breeze" a poem reflecting on the Friesian spirit



The Eastern Breeze

Does the eastern breeze
call your noble name
as you crane your neck
toward centuries old?

Do you gaze toward
the Northern Sea, hear
the Roman Legions march,
seek Hadrian's Wall?

Do the clouds conjure
ancient battles of Munster,
Aduard, and Cologne

as the eastern breeze
calls your beauty black
to reclaim a spirit bold?

by Margaret Bednar, September 3, 2013

Sebastian is only half Friesian, yet there are times he looks up and gazes in the distance and I can really see the influence of his magnificent ancestor!   I don't own him anymore, James Cooler does, but I get to see Sebastian at the barn where I board Oberon, my Quarter Horse who is adorable and cute - but he doesn't quite have the presence Sebastian does.

Below is a beautiful video and a few pictures of a Friesian Stallion being ridden at the beach (they LOVE water)