Been here a month!

Time is really flying, I know I've said that a lot but I can't get over how true it is.  I don't feel like the new person here anymore!  The past two weeks have been busy and business as usual.  Kathryn (the Canadian) is going home for a visit this coming week so I will not be slowing down soon... we might be a little lost without her but will manage just fine.  At the end of last week I rode some of "her" horses so I could get to know them before she goes.  I really like riding new horses and seeing how quickly I can figure out how to best ride them.  As Pam calls it, this "diagnostic"period consists of checking their response to the aids and determining their natural tendencies. Are they lazy or spicy? Do they lean right or left?  Which gait and direction is easiest for them?  I find myself thinking back to Pam's advice everyday.  While this makes me realize how valuable my time with her was, it is also extremely bittersweet!  However, I am taking advantage of getting to practice what I've learned AND continue learning from Morten.  Can't go wrong!

There is rumor I will be showing two horses in June!  I love to show so this is an exciting and unexpected opportunity.  I ride a gelding who will be showing "M" level, which is a Danish national level equivalent to third and fourth levels.  He is a sensitive guy, but I enjoy riding him a lot and think he will be fun in the show arena.  I will also do the FEI 5 Year Old classes with one of Dressage Arvé's own horses.  I haven't ridden him as much, but he is very easy going and really cute! I am very excited.  We just have to work out some details (including translating my test!) and then it's showtime.   

Onto non-riding topics, we had spring cleaning this weekend at the barn so we are all tired.  It was quite the production but everything looks amazing.  It is so clean here, and now I see why.  There is so much attention to detail and upkeep.  It is hard work, but it shows.  I've been doing some normal things like going into town, indulging in delicious Danish cakes, and reading.  I realize this is a somewhat uneventful way to explore a new country, but right now my fun and adventures are with the horses! 

 Spring cleaning

Translating and learning a Danish dressage test! 

YUM!  

 Attempting to be artsy.  

My new friend, Poopsy.   

More cleaning. 2 power washers.  

Happy Belated Birthday Kathryn!  

 Downtown Silkeborg.

Silkeborg hospital on the hill and the riverboats.

Just another late barn check, sunset around 10:30pm! 

Week 2 already!

Sorry the blog posting is not as frequent as I was planning, but things have been busy!  Everything is going really well still, I can't believe I've been here almost 2 weeks.  Today I worked my first weekend day.  The weekends are different than the week because the horses don't get ridden and only 2 people work.  I had a relaxing morning doing chores and odd jobs, all while enjoying the beautiful sun and some extremely happy horses.  Morten's riding horses get turned out in huge pastures and love every minute of it.  Tomorrow is another easy day then back to work on Monday!  

The riding this week was great, once again.  I'm getting in the grove of things here, which helps a lot.  Things were really efficient and by Friday we were even done early!  I am enjoying all the horses for different reasons, and getting to know them is really fun! Morten had a really interesting point, and I feel like it sums up his training and riding style.  For example, when riding 2 tempis, his goal is to get it done (no mistakes) and done well.  If that means he doesn't do it his way, that is ok with him.  His goal is to figure out what works best for the horse (because every horse is different) and then change himself so the horse can best understand.  To him, riding is not about changing the horse to fit a generic aid or style, it is about finding what works for the individual and conforming and compromising to get the job done.  It made a lot of sense for me to hear this because I am riding new horses who are all very well trained, regardless of their level.  I am also riding such a variety of horses that it makes perfect sense that the style and aids that suit a big slow horse are very different to what a small sensitive horse would need. When I thought of riding this way I tried to be more creative and it made the horses happier.  Not to say we aren't the teachers, but there is more to bringing out the best in a horse than making them conform to your personal style of riding.  

Off to bed now, 10:30 here already! Hope these posts and photos are enough to sustain everyone until I have enough time to write again :) 

 Getting ready to ride

 The office

 Journey into Silkeborg...

 ... to a Chinese buffet serving Ice CREAM! 

 Back to "work" 

 I guess these 3 like watching us do afternoon chores!

 Big turnouts, happy horses!

 He's not always sleeping, I swear

Work hard, play hard! 

Quiet Days

The past few days I have been doing a lot of walking with my camera. I love to take pictures, and it is hard to take a bad one in this landscape!  The weather has been beautiful and so I decided to go to the local store and see what it was like.  The walk took me 35 min each way.  Next time I will wear my sneakers and do some running! The store was very cute and the lady working there spoke English, which was a nice surprise.  When I was in Germany, I could at least give the language a solid try when ordering or being in public.  In Danish, I know 3 words: Little, brother, and half-pass. Not so helpful when trying to get a bus schedule or order food!  Good thing I like an adventure.  Tomorrow we will ride the horses again and get back to the regular barn schedule.  I can't wait!

 Morten's yard looking at the neighbor 

 My windows are the 3 to the left on the second floor

 Neighbor's house

 Cute cows across the street

 Starting my walk

 Looking down at the farm

 Paddocks and pastures 

 On my way to the store

 Local cow farm 

 Interesting trees

 Made it!  Sipping my Powerade 

On my way back to the farm 

Time flies when you're having fun!

The days are flying by already!  We started chores like the first day with feeding, and I also put new straw in the stalls after they were cleaned.  I am finally getting the hang of the huge straw and hay bales! There is a really good system, so it was just a matter of learning what tools to use and how to "work smart not hard" when doing new things.  Bogdan is part robot and works so quickly that I have to push myself so I don't slow him down.  He is very particular as well, but it is nice to be told what to do and just work.  The facility and routine are very well thought out, so even though there is a lot to do it gets done efficiently.  

I have been riding the same group of horses.  Morten gave me some helpful advice and things have been going well the past few days.  The variety of horses is amazing, there is a little bit of everything here!  It is a challenge for me to go from horse to horse and try to ride each one to the best of my ability when they all have such drastically different strengths and challenges.  I start the morning riding a big gangly horse who tries very hard and needs time and help to develop physically.  He is my favorite so far because he is very forward and generous.  I also ride 2 smaller six year olds who are almost opposites!  One is forward and uphill while the other is naturally slower in the tempo and I have to work so he stretches out to the bit.  The horses are all happy and relaxed, even when they are worked in hand.  It is a really nice atmosphere!  

Yesterday we had a meeting with everyone and went over how things work and the general routine.  Sarah supplied cake, coffee and juice.  The cake was amazing!  Today after work we went into town again to the grocery store, where I had more success.  I learned how to get the bus into town so I am planning an excursion this weekend.  I will keep the photos coming!  I must add... it has rained every afternoon as was promised.  However, I am enjoying the cool weather and can't complain about anything!   

 View of barn from paddocks 

 Bob

 Bob going for a walk 

 Front of barn 

 Barn, indoor and outdoor

Resident canaries 

 View into indoor arena from shared living room 

 View of round pen from shared kitchen 

 Feeding time

Cake! 

First Day

The first day was a success!  I am a little tired from jet lag still, but the day went by quickly and now I can go to bed and catch up on some sleep.  We started at 7am, and I helped with feeding and tried to learn where the horses live and all their names. There are around 25, including 2 ponies, 2 broodmares and 3 foals.  The vet and physiotherapist were both here at 8am, so we got started working horses later than usual.  I rode 4 or 5 horses, but I will talk about them in a later post.  I was very impressed with how they all were to ride... I've come to the right place! Morten gave me a little advice about each one, but in general I rode on my own while he was riding or teaching others.  We have break from 1-3pm, then finish riding and do chores.  Tonight we were finished around 6pm.  

Everyone has been very welcoming!  Bogdan (from Romania) picked me up at the airport.  He does the stalls and keeps the farm running... I miss driving the tractor already!  Kathryn (from Canada) is the main rider and knows the horses inside and out.  She has answered more than enough questions from me today! Hannah (from Germany) is a groom and helps with everything (including practicing my German).  She showed me a lot today too. And of course there are Sarah and Morten!  

I also have to elaborate on this beautiful farm.  The facility is just amazing, from the footing to the pastures to the living quarters!  We all live above the barn, and I was lucky enough to get my own apartment with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom.  It is huge!  Aside from my area, there are 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a huge kitchen and living room that overlook the indoor.  I love all the natural light in both the upstairs and the barn.  There are windows everywhere, including the ceiling.  Before I fall asleep, I must be sure to add I have already befriended the barn cat, Bob.  He is very loving and social.  I miss everyone at home, but things here couldn't be better for a start (aside from me spilling pudding at the grocery store register my first time shopping... not sure Denmark is ready for my grace!)  Until I can be held responsible for my spelling and grammar... signing out! zzzZZZZZ :) 

 My apartment. (Bathroom door open, bedroom door closed) 

 View from my living room window.

 Couldn't leave this out... Meet Bob! 

 Foals in turnout 

 Back of barn. 

 Aviary on the way to the indoor. 

 Indoor arena.

 Bob in his bed.  

Barn aisle.