Dustin’ Off Your Britches and Gettin’ Back On

Happy Monday my eager readers! After a long and harrowing weekend, I am happy to announce that I survived another weekend here in Minnesota, although it was a struggle. I definitely have had better weekend in the past, but still was able to walk away from my shows with improvements for the future and new lessons learned from my mistakes.

Saturday was by far one of the hardest days I’ve had to get through working here at the company. I was set to joust Harry in the gaming show, and we were both eager to finally meet on the track. I was trying hard to focus myself and not get stressed or anxious, as I knew Abe would immediately pick up on my emotions if I let them get the better of me. I felt like I was doing alright, but started to lose my composure after the first pass. Slowly, everything started slipping downhill, and instead of being able to stay in control of my world, I let myself slip too. It’s my biggest downfall at this point; that instance where one thing goes amiss and I am unable to refocus myself. Long story short, I was only able to get two rushed and sloppy passes in before I somehow lost my balance for no real reason and simply fell off Abe at the end of lyst.

Embarrassed and frustrated does not even begin to describe how I felt lying in the dirt after my mess of a joust. I was so upset that I couldn’t tune in with my horse and frustrated at the fact that even though I realized I was panicking and could feel myself doing completely the wrong things, I was unable to correct them. I had to quickly head back to the tent to get out of my gear and take a couple minutes to myself before I was ready to see anyone, let alone go over how the show had gone. I was able to get my composure back and tell myself that things would be better. Dave talked with me for a bit afterwards and I tried to just move on and focus on the rest of the shows for the day. Tara and I would be working together as Lady Riders and I had high hopes that she would help turn around my misfortune.

I was wrong. Right out of the gate I had my day turn from bad to worse within minutes of the show starting. We set up for the Baston course and prepare to make our salute passes, where we all charge and pass each other in the center. Tara gets a bee in her bonnet, sees Christine crowding towards us, panics, slams on the breaks and spins in front of Christine and Mark, throwing me into the dirt as Christine’s feet thud right next to my head. I was so upset that I’d come off two shows in a row, I jump up, avoid the horses running towards me for the second pass and march right back to Tara. Brushing off concerned squires, I mount up and quickly try to resettle her and bring her attention back before we run in to hit Harry with our beating stick. We made it through the rest of the show ok, but boy oh boy was I even more frustrated by the end of that show.

I was trying so hard just to move on and let my mistakes be in the past, but at the same time, it’s very hard to get back up and dust yourself off when you come off twice during two shows on two different horses. I was questioning my riding ability and beating myself up over the mistakes I’d made. Riding horses can be a cruel and unforgiving passion, but can also offer the greatest rewards and accomplishments as well, you just have to stick with it through the hard times. Our last show came around and I was ready to grit my teeth and have a kick ass show. Of course, as we’re setting up, Dave has to get a few quick jabs in, asking if I want a seatbelt or maybe some super glue for my saddle. I’m able to joke back, telling him some Velcro would be nice!

I’m so glad I was able to refocus myself for the last show, because Tara and I did fantastic together, and I think it was the most successful ride I’ve ever had on that little mare. I just worked on the things I knew I had messed up on with Abe during the first show; getting her to respond to my leg and seat while giving her a loose and relaxed rein. We really connected, and I felt like I chipped away a little more at the ideas that Dave is trying to teach me. I know I won’t be able to perfect my riding overnight, but the fact that I had a mini break through with Tara made my day immensely better. Plus I stayed on the entire show, Tara and I effectively hit Harry with our beating stick, and I knocked him out with a good stunt shield hit at the end. As always, my mom was a great support too, asking me at the end of the day what I had taken away from this all. I replied I needed to trust my horse more, because Abe and Tara will take care of me if I let them, and I need to ride with my leg and body, not by panicking and pulling on their face. Overall, it was shitty, I was upset, but it happens to all of us, and we all make idiots of ourselves. Tomorrow would just be another opportunity to prove I can do better.

Yey! We knocked off Sir Henry!

Lo and behold, the next day was better! I decided just to take the gaming show as an opportunity to school with Abe, and tune back in with him without having to worry about making passes with anyone. I really focused on working him with my leg, using my seat to stop him, and not letting him get worked up and rushed. At the end of the show, Shelby and I did dry passes in the lyst with Dave coaching me, and it was exactly what I needed. By our final pass, I had Abe running nicely off the “scary” end without getting upset with Penny running by us, and stopping nicely at the end. Abe and I worked together for the rest of the day, and both our shows as Lady Riders went beautifully. Now all that’s left is to figure out how to transfer all that into my jousting, and not let my helmet and guard hinder me when I’m in the lyst. It’s definitely going to be something I’m going to have to put a lot of work into, but I know that it will pay off immensely in the end!

I’m so happy that the weekend turned out for the better, and I was able to turn around my terrible Saturday. Next weekend is our last weekend here in Minnesota, so I’m hoping to be able to end the faire on a good note. I’ll be diligently practicing with Abe all this week!

And as a bonus for you all, here’s some awesome pictures from the lovely Amanda Rolls, one of our most senior squires here and a wonderful help!

Preparing to enter the Lyst

Abe and I on our ride in

Much love to you all!