On April 29 and 30, Mechlin Farm hosted a two day riding clinic with Olympian Buddy Brown. Tammy Peterson, who lives nearby, spends winters showing in Florida, and she had made a connection to Buddy. Jane and Susan and I signed up. We have the belief that we are never too old to learn.
Jane had clipped Derry, who was definitely the most beautifully turned out horse at the clinic. I bathed Bart, and he looked perfectly acceptable. My biggest concern was that I am compromised with shoulder issues (rotator cuff problems). Perhaps I should have been more worried about the windy weather!
I rode in the first group on Saturday with much trepidation, being very rusty. To add to my personal stress, Kris (my actual trainer from Kansas City) came to Mechlin Farm to try a horse and was watching! Sarah Mechlin Duhon had arranged for Irina Hulse to do photography for the clinic, which was a real treat. Her talent puts my snapshots to shame. Irina rode in the group with Jane and Susan, and an assistant also took nice pictures. Bart was fantastic, rising to the occasion like a star. Susan and Jane also rode well and Teah and Derry were great. Teah did cause some stress, losing a front shoe in a morning romp, but Tom Neese came to the rescue and replaced the shoe, which Susan miraculously found in the pasture!
Harry and Weedy came to watch. They were real troopers, having wind to contend with on a beautiful, but brisk, morning. Also, there are many dogs that live at Mechlin Farm. Weedy was a little overwhelmed, but stoic. I couldn’t get a picture of them, as I was riding, but it was fun to have them there.
We worked mostly on flat work on Saturday, with only one small jump. Buddy was more particular than challenging. But there was plenty of challenge in learning Buddy’s method. Irina’s photographs have her imprint, but her website is worth look at irinahulse.com
And then came Sunday. Temperatures were only in the 40s and winds were almost 40 miles per hour. Jane and Susan rode before me, and I was colder than I have been all year, sitting and watching. It was impossible to hear with the wind, but still fun to watch the jumping exercises (apart from the hypothermia)! It was better on horseback, but rather unpleasant conditions for both watching and riding.
Altogether, it was a real learning experience. Bart and I jumped our first courses of the year, and he was a star, despite his elderly rider. We saw lots of friends, made some fun new friends, reconnected with Kris, and will have stories to tell of riding with Buddy Brown.
Be safe, be well, keep learning. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
I am green green green with envy, clinics are the best! OMG your Bart is the best. Jane got better with age, how did she do that? What fun and I am sure you learned a lot! Buddy Brown’s approach reminds me of how Fargis does his clinics, i.e. small fences, and details. I think my niece used, or is it uses, this approach too (correct me if I’m wrong-Linda). Weedy must have been a wee bit intimidated. I would have been, even though Sarah’s Rotwieiler Rita looks awfully sweet. What a fine day you two “old lady” riders had. Happiness!!
Sounds like fun! Certainly looks like glorious weather in your pictures, green leaves, green grass, horses and sunshine, I’ll take it. You all look marvelous!
Slava Ukraini
Peace
wow what a great experience. I know Buddy many many years ago when he was in his early 20’s. Great pics as as always
You looked fab and Bart was lovely in his carriage and collection.