I’ve been in need of a new pair of dress boots for a few years now. I can pull my current pair on and off with my hands, which makes for a not-so-stable ride. I went in to get them measured, and the sales rep brought out some leather swatches, different styles of leather and different colors. Hmm, colors, I thought. My shadbelly is navy. My top hat is navy. Could I do navy boots?
And so I did. And they’re amazing!…except they hurt like nobody’s business.
They arrived on Monday, and I stomped around my apartment in them until my legs cried uncle. I then applied two coats of a leather product called Urad, and voila—instantly rideable. (Not comfortable, but at least rideable!) Heel lifts helped too, I must confess.
So I rode in them once on Tuesday and a few times yesterday, and I think they’re good to go, though I want to make sure that a) they do not leave me in physical bleeding pain, because I’d really rather be thinking about other things in the saddle at Gladstone, say, for example, RIDING; and b) I’m as effective in them as I am in my good ol‚ slip on boots. So we’ll see if they make it to New Jersey.
I’m sure blue boots sound pretty wild, but worry not—they’re really very tactful. They did offer me patent leather as an option, but I’m going to take this self-expression-in-the-showring thing one step at a time.
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Cleo schooled well yesterday. Crapola weather overnight meant we were indoors, so I didn’t have the “OHBOYWE’REOUTSIDEWHEE!” at my disposal, but we made the entire canter tour of the Brentina Cup test with a big smile. I’m trying to balance the fact that I need to practice tests, the quick transitions and turns and the oh-crap-next-movement factor, with wanting to keep Cleo fresh and perky.
I’m doing workouts with small bursts of work interspersed with walk breaks, keeping her heart rate up without wearing out her muscles. She’s very fit, so it seems to be working. Being in Virginia also means that weather at Gladstone will hopefully not be a factor—it’s way hotter and muggier here. Gross!
I’m having a wickedly busy week, lots of teaching both on and off my farm, and two new horses in training. It’s making for some long days, but I’m appreciating the distraction. I think if I weren’t busy I’d be doing a lot more pacing in my new boots!
