Archive for November, 2009

German? Why did it have to be German?!

amywink November 14th, 2009

I have a long complex relationship with German. We started off well together, in high school, and I really enjoyed our early years together, before college. I lost interest there, after finishing my language classes, and moved on to other interests. After some years apart, I turned to German as my “second” language for the requirements of my PhD—to fulfill the other, I took Old English and Beowulf with Katherine O’Brien O’Keefe, now of Notre Dame, while she was at Texas A&M (everyone should be so lucky to work with her to learn ancient languages. The woman is amazing) and spent two semesters trying to digest Old English and then translate Beowulf (which was both extremely challenging and delightfully rewarding for someone who enjoys words and wordplay and the experience comes in extremely handy when students complain about work being difficult.)

But I digress.

German: I went back to my basic knowledge and studied for the required language exam, which I proceeded to fail three times in a row. I created note cards, memorized endings, articles, spellings, grammar rules….. By the time I finally passed the “Reading Knowledge” requirement, I was done with German.

There was a small, localized fire in celebration.

But God’s favorite literary device is Irony (The Smirk of God) and here at the heart this sport that has completely captured my mind lies. . . .

German and the six elements of dressage training:

Takt, Losgelassenheit, Anlehnung, Schwung, Geraderichten, und Versammlung

But, because God is Love, I do not have to translate the German to learn the six elements!! Saints be Praised.

Takt= Rhythm and Regularity

Losgelassenheit= Freedom, Relaxation, Submission (which I’d translate as meaning Willingness)

Anlehnung= Contact, Acceptance of the Bit and Seeking Contact

Schwung= Impulsion

Geraderichten= True Straightness, including Bending

Versammlung= Collection

So as to ultimately achieve:

Durchlaessigkeit = Thoroughness, Suppleness, Harmony, and Confidence.**

Hardy Zantke discusses all these elements here
in the Archive of Carriage Driving World Magazine.

And so, now, I must move on the next challenge in driving:

Teaching Will German.

Drücke mir die Daumen!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Bean, Heike and Sarah Blanchard, Carriage Driving a Logical Approach Through Dressage Training. Howell Book House, 2004.

Zankte, Hardy, “The German Training Scale”. Carriage Driving World, 2003.

Five Years

amywink November 13th, 2009

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On November 13, 2004, Will arrived, delivered by David Hadley, the head trainer at Ryan Ranch in Blanco, to our first home with friends between Canyon Lake and Wimberley, Texas. The photo above was taken about a week before, the day I made the down payment and scheduled his delivery for Saturday November 13. That day was dreary, drizzly, and there are no good photos but I remember watching him pace around the pasture, nervous in his new home. His new companion, my friend’s quarter horse, raced around her paddock, calling and calling to her new friend. It was an amazing day. I can’t believe it’s been so long.

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We had a bit of a rocky start getting to where I wanted to be, but I have to say I’m extremely pleased with our progress that last five years and very happy where we are at this anniversary. I spent my morning with him, getting him cleaned up from his full body mud masque. We have a day at Agarita planned for this weekend, to celebrate our progress and achievements.

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Old Friends

amywink November 7th, 2009

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Will had a visit yesterday from his old friend, Galaxy. They were pastured together at Haven Hill for some time and he was thrilled to see her again. Galaxy is Mary’s Welsh Cob mare and also the first horse I ever drove when I took the Beginning Driver’s Clinic at Haven Hill back in May 2007. That was a lifetime of learning ago!

Mary brought Galaxy up from her place to get her used to the idea of driving with us. Galaxy was not all together sure that was a good idea but she was happy to see Will and there was much calling and chatting with each other. Will pranced up and down the fenceline while Mary walked her around to get her used to the dressage arena. We later ground drove her a bit before just letting her get the hang of the place in Windy’s stall while we drove Will–who was very good. We had a lovely relaxed drive and Will seemed to enjoy himself a great deal.

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