Tuesday, July 19. High: 90 degrees, Heat index: 98 degrees. I start my day at my normal time—getting on Fender about 6:45—which means we’re done working the horses who live here at about 11. It’s a little uncomfortable at the end of the day, but we do OK. After lunch, though, the fun ends. About half my lessons cancel, but a few die-hards show up.
We ride in my indoor, out of the sun, which makes a HUGE difference. We take lots of walk breaks. We do short bursts of work. And I tell all my riders, over and over again: If you feel like you need a walk break, take a walk break. You don’t need to ask my permission. All horses and riders do just fine, though they’re all happy to see the wash stall at the end of their ride. And I’m glad some came, because I have a suspicion this is going to be the only day I make any money this week.
Wednesday, July 20. High: 94 degrees, Heat index: 109 degrees. Today I’m up early, getting Fender ready at 5:30. I ride in the same order every day: Fender first, as he’s got anhidrosis. He never seems uncomfortable or in distress, but it always makes me nervous. Ella, Tres and Midge next, as they work the hardest. Then whatever client horses need riding that day, and lately, it’s been almost all of them; this weather’s got my boarders pretty spooked.
Landon’s owner braves the weather and has a great ride. He’s such a good guy. On Wednesdays and Fridays I travel to Middleburg to teach at two different private facilities, and right before Landon’s lesson, the first of those two places calls. Can we reschedule? It’s bad out there. No problem, I say. And really, it’s not; by the time I get there, the heat will be pretty dangerous.
I’m normally at the second of the two places around 5 p.m., but I call her up, and we move things forward. It’s still rough, and we don’t ride for long, but this is a wonderful client who I’m always happy to see, whatever the weather, and it’s always nice to leave the farm.
I hang out in the air conditioning at home for a while, then join my friends Jim Koford and James Houston for dinner, where we whine about the heat. James taught a few lessons outside today. He’s way tougher than me!
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Thursday, July 21. High: 99 degrees, Heat index: 120 degrees. I’m up early again this morning, but when I step outside, it’s like I’ve opened an oven door. The heat is simply oppressive, and it’s 5:30 a.m. This is NOT going to be a good day.
I give all the horses the Quickie Special. Anyone who normally goes in a snaffle works for about 20 minutes; the ones who go in a double get half an hour. They all get a cool bath and carrot, and we’re done working nine horses by 10 a.m. My girls are amazing. And no lessons today—even Canadian WEG rider Steph Rhodes-Bosch calls to cancel.
Friday, July 22. High: 99 degrees, Heat index: 130 degrees. Screw this.
I help Stephanie and Lindsey with stalls, take a shower, drive to Warrenton, buy Chipotle burritos for all, feed ponies lunch, and pile the girls in to see Harry Potter. The movie theater is so cold I have to wear a sweater. It is amazing.
Saturday, July 23. High: 90 degrees, Heat index: 110 degrees. We get a break today! Isn’t it hilarious that a heat index still well into the triple digits is a break?
But it makes enough of a difference that I actually work a few horses before declaring it too sweaty to be productive. Lindsey and I hack a few, then we take Indy and Landon down to the pond. We don’t go full-bore-swimming—there still be carnivorous fish, matey—but we splash around a bit. Landon, as it turns out, is an absolute fool for water, and Lindsey and I laugh so hard we cry.
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I’m thinking about all the kids at the Youth Team Festival at Morven Park. I’ve coached the team from my local GMO, CDCTA, every year since coming to Virginia. This year, at the 11th hour, three team horses went lame, and we had to pull out. I love that show, and I love those kids, and I hate that they’re disappointed. But I can’t say I’m upset about not standing ringside right now.
Sunday, July 24. High: 90 degrees, Heat index: 104 degrees. The weather report for the rest of next week says more of the same, but it feels like the worst is over. I start early, get all the horses done and even have an awesome ride on Ella, who makes wonderful canter work, and Midge, who loves to piaffe and passage so much now I can’t make him stop. I’m done in time to join my best friend, Sara, for lunch and then go swimming in a neighbor’s pool. It is spectacular.
I return home to make dinner for myself, and I’m getting some paperwork done when I hear the thunder crack. I look up to see it start pouring rain. Stephanie is in the middle of turning out horses for the night, and I go down to help. We are soaked through in minutes, but I don’t mind. For the first time in a week, I’m cold. And it is amazing!
Monday, July 25. High: 89 degrees, Heat index: 89 degrees. I think the worst could be over!
