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What if?

Posted on by Stefanie in Blog
Ever had one of those thoughts that you just kinda went…”Nah? Where did that come from?
You know, the ones that sneak out somehow through all those internal chatterbox, gear grinding, regurgative thoughts that sadly we mostly are not even aware that we run as an endless loop tape? Yeah those very cool thoughts. This one that I feel compelled to share tonight came a few years ago, whilst pondering life changes and feeling a certain degree of well, frankly…UTTER CHAOS! Somehow seems apropo for the times….

I suppose I feel the urge to share because we so often forget this simple truth and its inherent freedom and responsibility. 
But interestingly enough, our animals just know this to be true. They don’t stand around in their little herds pondering how to be a snazzier trotter then everyone else. Nor do they harbor small, nasty thoughts about the way so-and-so’s mane is always SUCH a mess! (ok…ok.Maybe I have heard Cita mention IV’s mane to ‘Spady a time or two) 
Nor do they belittle themselves when they missed that lead change. Or secretly wished they were a different color. Agonize over their past. Wish they were taller, slimmer….
 Nope, they simply Live in the Now…where we all do, but us ‘Egocentric’ humans well, we forget, beat ourselves up, compare ourselves favorably or unfavorably to others, second guess ourselves and just generally stop believing in our dreams. Why is that???? 
Oh to be more humble and learn from the Masters…..

 
What If?
   I am so Magnificent,
So Huge, So Powerful,
So Gentle, So Wise.
So Purely Divine?
What If?
What Then………?

The Un-covering….

Posted on by Stefanie in Blog

”It’s impossible” said pride. “It’s risky” said experience. “It’s pointless” said reason. “Give it a try” whispered the heart – Anonymous
On the eve of the Winter Solstice, when its said that the Apocalypse will occur, my musings are certainly of a reflective nature. It’s infinity fascinating that the word Apocalypse is  Ancient Greek for “the un-covering”. I would have to say that has been a theme in my world of late, digging down into my beliefs and patterns, examining my dreams, longings and  aspirations. Those of you that know me, know that for as long as I can remember I have had two Big loves in life, Horses and Art. These two things have filled with both immeasurable Joy and Challenge. I am sifting through big ole belief systems around the fact that neither of them can earn you money and if you do, you will end up hating them. Its kinda cool that I look at that belief  with eyes of ‘now’ and see the fallacy in them,but deep childhood ingrained unconscious beliefs can die a painfully slow death.
 I feel an incredible gratitude for being able to have not only survived, but thrived off daring to believe that I can have a rich and abundant career from my love of of horses and granted I feel I will never tire, nor ease to desire to grow and learn and still find every moment spent with these creatures mind-blowing and humbling, I have (much to my surprise often times)managed to accomplish a solid toe-hold on a Grand Life Lived with Horses. 
But….
 
There is this Other Piece.
My Art. And yep, I know horses are Art. Absolutely. And I have no intention whatsoever to stop that aspect of my souls work………….but….
My Art has laid dormant for years. Well, ok. Its actually gone on some great long train and unicycle journey somewhere far more interesting then hanging out. Looking at it now, Gee, must have been about…’98 was the last real time I created anything along these lines. Yeah. Been awhile.Every year its been the same; something like ” I’ll have all this time in the winter and I’ll do art then” and, oh it just never happens. I have become aware that I am the master of keeping Busy, with a capital B…and this huge denied piece of me goes nu-nurtured. I made a solemn vow this fall that I WOULD sculpt this winter and even enlisted the aid of a Life Coach to keep me accountable. Drastic? Yep, had to be. Horses and Art are who I am and they truly are one and the same in my reality.
Why am I sharing this? Because it scares the ever lovin’ poop outa me to go Public with this. Its a big step, but its where I am going in the future and to be honest? I am so excited! I am learning to surrender and to embrace all that I am and daring to  allow myself to go for the Big Dream.  Lodestar’s meaning is after all…”guiding light, inspiration”. I would be remiss if I was constantly encouraging people to “Live Your Dreams!” and I shirked my own.
So, here is my first clay for bronze sculpture. My inner critic sees all sorts of things wrong with it here, but….I know and see how he will look finished and I have been so so so amazed and immersed in the process……………what a rush! My one only real compliant is IT TO SMALL!!!! Far to hard to get in there with my sticky lil fingers and do what I want, but….patience and learning. The next one will be substantially bigger…yet this one…..this one is special beyond everything. 
                                                                                                He is the my First Born after a very long and trauma and drama ridden pregnancy and as such, deserves much tolerance and my utmost respect.

Santa Ynez Vaquero Days.

Posted on by Stefanie in Blog

Its now two days since I have returned home to the Great Frozen North after a simply perfect weekend in California at the Santa Ynez Vaquero Show and Sale with Bruce Sandifer being the Honored Vaquero this year and all my “Colorado” sistahs  in attendance as well made for the perfect reason for jumping on a  plane and heading south for a few days…

And what a brilliant time it was! Friday was spent ogling all the trade show vendors with everything from 18th century bits and spurs, turquoise and silver jewelry, hats, new gear and saddle makers, books, music and laughter by the bucket load. Add to that a glass of California wine, great friends and sunshine, the day sped by. The evening gala dinner and auction celebrated Bruce’s enormous contribution to preserving the traditions and passing on Classical Californio Bridle Horsemanship. Truly one of the great ones, and yet humble, humorous and inspiring. 

Saturday was an eclectic mixture of wine tasting in one of the seemingly endless venues for this favored pastime in the picturesque town of Santa Ynez, more shopping, Bruce’s presentation on the gear and its use in the balance/signal system, and then a BIG treat. We were permitted to tour a private collection of Vaquero tack and art and to say it was completely overwhelming was an understatement! Every millimeter of hanging space, standing space, wall space, air space was filled with silver bits, spurs, saddles, artifacts, books and artwork that would fit! To see and touch the beauty and memories held in each of the many thousand pieces was an experience I’ll cherish for ever!


Sunday was back at the show, and I ordered a new felt hat (yay), visited with Bruce about reatas( preferably ones not chewed into seven pieces:), shopped, more wine tasting, and by now it was getting bad! When you are wine tasting in Albertson’s Food Stores, its getting bad…….and then over for dinner to Karen and Wally’s new place for supper. It was Karen and Wally’s place I have ridden with Bruce the last two years and they  recently moved from Colorado to California (the winters are better…or more wine, not sure which) and imagine my surprise when we drive up to a gorgeous property with log homes on it! and Canadian flags on the gate! It was Pioneer Log Homes out of Williams Lake. What a place! Simply stunning and perfectly suited for entertaining all their very cool friends.


Monday. Monday was lesson day. Overlooking the ocean in Santa Barbara. 

Under swaying palm trees and blooming bougainvilleas we once again were treated to Bruce sharing his knowledge and humor with us. I LOVE one of his statements. “Do less, WAAAAAY less. Just do more of it.” Just another piece of subtly, refinement, feel, and awareness. So breathtaking when its right…what a treat! this journey of immersing myself in the exploration of this fine old Art has been so intensely rewarding and never have I felt so at peace and excited to be riding and being with my horses. It just flat feels GOOD!

Linda’s “Magic”, 1/2 Arab, 1/2 Saphiro and the reason Espada is bred…

Then, hugs all around and it was scuttle of to the airport ( even their airport was beautiful!) for the journey home. And even that was very cool, having had an unexpected and thought provoking conversation with another passenger on the joys of this brilliant woven tapestry we call life. I stumbled off the plane full onto midnight West Coast fog and rain, and pointed my faithful Dodge home thru the Canyon and home, home again to my very welcoming Sage and Griffy and horses all. What a trip………….Thank you:)

Eventing. Well, Manely

Posted on by Stefanie in Blog

Well. Well well well……….. 

The week has sailed past already following the Mane Event, and I find myself just really wanting to Thank everyone that stopped by and had a visit. Some old friends which were so cool to see, some new ones made, some surprises, and alot of familiar faces that have stuck with me on this crazy loop-de-loop path….:)I was taken aback with the enormous amount of interest in all things pertaining to the Bridle Horse, and the gear certainly drew folks attention.

   Funny thing is though that once the concept was explained to those who did not know of the journey, that it quickly became apparent that it is more the Time, Reverence and Patience, combined with a balanced understanding and communication through the ‘gear’ that gives this ancient, harmonious, “Signal” based ideology a truly remarkable place in the horse world. 

It is most simply put as  ” designed with the horse and the utmost respect for him in mind”. This is certainly not new, fast or a “program”. It demands Feel. It requires Balance. It is Fluid and it is Movement. It can be crazy making and brutally honest…..But, it creates Confidence, Softness, Grace and Empowerment in both horse and human. 

It encompasses all things I hold dear that I have come to cherish along my journey with horses and it is cultivating a finer, quieter, simpler, cleaner more aware rider of myself. This has been my private and personal exploration, something that has been my fascination since I was 8 and collected pictures of spade bits and yet had no comprehension of why. My passion for helping folks learn feel, I mean Feel (:), Awareness, Connection and Confidence dove-tails so effortlessly with what I now find myself faced with. All this curiosity and desire to explore the Art of the Bridle Horse from others who have felt the same pull and wondered…. And so what it is that I love to do really truly is becoming what I do……….

 

 I am constantly humbled and challenged and exalted…and my horses are my best feedback, as always. When I get it right, they fight for the halter and seem to take as much joy in the connection and dance as I do and this…..this is what I have longed for. 

 

A way to balance innumerable elements into a Grand Work of Art with the horses dignity and needs held in complete respect.  I do this simply and utterly because I love it and the way it allows me to feel…and I am honored and humbled to share the exploration.
There is a line in a song, a buckaroo song, that has captured my heart…
” What I do is an Art, not a Sport”.
    Indeed.

So, once again, thanks to you all who showed such keen interest and here’s to hoping I will get to spend time with you this Spring and Summer with your horses, cultivating a love for the Art…..oh!and the Gear….:)

A very, very special THANK YOU needs to go to Joan and Erin who’s dedication, kindness and wonderful support truly made the difference for me with set up, breaks and just being with me….Thanks, Girls!