Catalina and Coltrane - Classical Steps - Part Four

Classical dance from Spain is elegant and deliberate. Classical dressage for horse and rider is elegant and deliberate. Catalina and Coltrane, coming out and into our new exercise routine, will now consider formal training of our steps together. Our mentors will be Wilhelm Museler and his "Riding Logic" and various Spanish guitarists and Flamenco dancers, depending on the day, the mood and the need of the moment. It’s time to set up a boom box and play our accompaniment, as we do our figures, in our makeshift arena. Flamenco moves often have roots in the bull ring. We’ll swirl our imaginary capes and flourish our imaginary sword. No blood. We will do our harmless exercises with developing panache, looking forward to the day when we can actually call it a dance. As the journey is as important as the end, we will savor the sound of gypsies and cultivate our taste for the soulful. This is the frame of mind that will best suit our journey through the levels of dressage. To start, we will perfect our walk and trot, consulting "Riding Logic" for details. Occasionally, we’ll turn to a living professional, as our main coach, Museler, lives only in his book "Riding Logic" which was published in 1983. Fortunately, it was updated, again, in 2006. So, with fully current resources, we venture onto the dance floor. However, as evening approaches, I get a phone call from a cousin. We have a long conversation about various family events, and, before I know it, the sun is dipping. Now, there is only time for a long, hand walk. I gather the family; Mozart the dog, Chris the husband and Coltrane the horse. We set out on the same path that Coltrane and I have ridden over the last few days. I am relieved because the step workout at the gym today was merciless. I’m glad to walk along leading Coltrane and enjoy nature’s garden along the side of the paved road that becomes a dirt road. We finally come to an open field spotted with scrub oak and climb to the top of the hill. There we are rewarded with a 360 degree view of the Lompoc Valley. On one side is a golf course with a pond and rolling hills that stretch beyond the highway. On the other side, we see rolling hills with a few homes and an avocado ranch, in the distance. Farthest away, up the canyon, towards Los Alamos, we see a large patch of yellow marigolds. It must be a crop of flower seeds for which Lompoc is famous. On down, in the direction of the Pacific Ocean, we see the compact town of Lompoc. Beyond Lompoc, just out of sight, are the wetlands and the sea. Coltrane nibbles on the meadow grass, while we quietly appreciate the pastoral paradise that, for now, stays free of development. Coltrane lifts his head and stares, in several directions. He hears sounds and smells scents that call to his wild side. He stays obedient, but deep in his soul, he is untamed. His whole body tingles with anticipation. Reluctantly, we all turn and head back down the hill towards home. Each of us is silent, private, inside a shared moment of primal beauty. On the way home, Coltrane crowds me. I remind him of my space. He wants to snuggle. A thousand pounds of cuddle can be exceedingly dangerous. I flick the lead rope. Coltrane gets the message and backs off. He swaggers deliberately, like a saucy teen. Tomorrow, we’ll begin to transform Coltrane’s unique expression of deliberate into the classical form that stays in time with Latin tunes and gypsy rhythms.

Viva Flamenco!

Catalina and Coltrane

Catalina and Coltrane – Back in the Saddle – Part Three

Coltrane and I just returned from our first ride off the property in probably two years. As I noted earlier, we had settled into a sort of retired equestrian state of mind. Now, back in the saddle, that dulled horsemanship is a flame like a good salsa. We’re far from settling back and watching the parade. Now, we’re in the arena and putting our feet down sharply in tune with flamenco guitars and clapping hands. We’re out on the trail again, smelling the meadow grass and hearing the crickets, as we ride home, in the semi-dusk. It won’t be long before we’re doing some honest flatwork. Right now, I want to get our bodies in sync and strong just doing circles, some figure eights and then out to the dirt road, where we can stretch out and regain the feel of each other. Like any exercise, if you let it go for a time, everything turns to mush. It takes some effort to pull the sloppy mess back together. I’ve been keeping up with the flamenco dance, so there is a small suggestion of being in shape. Still, when I haul my awkward, out of shape, equestrian body into the saddle, well, it’s an appalling revelation. There is no status quo, you’re either getting stronger or falling into disrepair. Viva La Fiesta~ Catalina and Coltrane are setting new goals for 2008. We should see rapid advance early on, because we are working hard to catch up to where we were, before it all stopped. Add to this picture a slightly used dressage saddle that a good friend gave me recently. I had no idea how comfortable I could be astride my mighty Coltrane with his flamboyant gaits. It’s a joy, a treasure, to ride and feel part of Coltrane’s movement. My other saddle was hard, ugly and hopeless, but I went along with it, because it was what I had to work with. If I were ever to make a recommendation, it would be to spring for the best tack available and never settle for less then the best, as far as the saddle is concerned. I can only imagine the relief Coltrane feels, now that his back is being massaged instead of pinched under the hardest, ugliest saddle this side of Mongolia. Add to this new saddle, new exercise dance classes each day, at the gym. I swim, I zumba, I dance, I body sculpt with varying degrees of grace, and it is making a world of difference in my confidence, on and off Coltrane. I think we are all much more kinetic than society generally allows us to be. Every minute we spend running, dancing or simply jumping for joy is the best possible use of our time. The universe is all action. Aligning ourselves with activities that keep us physically moving is dessert for the soul. Soon, Coltrane and I are going to ride to the Mission. La Purisma is a place that erases time. The Spaniards are just over the hill, the mountain men are bringing in hides, the indians are carding wool and weaving and the padre is keeping tabs. The ambience of the early mission days of California is preserved in the thick adobe walls and weekend docent enactments. To ride at the Mission is to experience the magic of a simpler time. To me the Mission is a gentle reminder that life is meant to be a graceful adventure, not a rabid struggle. All the vicious California history becomes peacefully pastoral, in the antique restoration of the buildings and grounds. In my mind, I hear a guitar playing, a Spaniard singing, a senorita dancing and a horse munching his evening hay. It is time to read a little more, sing a little more, laugh a little more and ride often. Coltrane, I’m learning what you already know, thanks for another lesson.

Hasta la vista,
Catalina and Coltrane

*Photo: Front row, left to right: Dorothy, Danita, Barbara, Daisey
Back row, left to right: Kelly, Catalina, Mary Ann, Kathy)

Catalina and Coltrane - Taking Root - Part Two

The fresh start is taking root. We’re a little shabby,not well-groomed, but we’re both eager to start. This our first walk about in months. Coltrane is his usual timid self; tip toeing around weeds in the arena and jumping over the small gullies caused by the winter rains. I have my flag and lightly encourage him to go in circles around me, in each direction, in each corner of the arena to help him bend and stretch, and, at the same time, get used to being in the arena again. The white plastic tubing I use for rails is stacked to the side, so this obstacle must become familiar before we can proceed. Coltrane has always had an extreme reaction to the unfamiliar. He stiffens and pulls way back, as if he’s thinking that, if he disappears, nothing can touch him. The problem is he’s sixteen and one hands high and not much can hide him. It’s important that he gives up the idea of hiding and just step up boldly to whatever is facing him. Here is where Flamenco dancing will get him right on track. We know Flamenco is all about attitude, so I’ll spend time getting him to see how much fun it is to be bold, to trust the unknown to bring adventure rather than disaster, and, hence, cure the dread. With this in mind, we walk and explore the edges of our small, flat sand arena then move on for a quiet hand walk around the property. It’s a five acre parcel with a slight slope, so it is a workout for both of us. Coltrane is pleased with this turn of events and strides with an enthusiasm that accentuates his swagger. His gait is not undisciplined, it’s merely joyful. He places his hooves down with a kind of bravado that I have never before seen in a horse. It’s as if he can barely contain himself. However, it can cause problems, because he doesn’t focus and sometimes stumbles, but, all in all, it gives him a distinctive grace. We travel up the gravel drive and I repeatedly ask him to halt, encouraging him to square up each time. Finally, he lands square on his own, and we called it a day. He chews his lips. He knows he stands to perfection, and I am pleased. Again, it’s a quirk he has about his long legs and keeping them under him. Sometimes his swagger gets him lightly, but lazily, dragging one or the other hoof along. Coltrane is interesting to be sure. Probably the most interesting horse I’ve ever worked with, but interesting can be challenging. We’ll be doing a lot of halt, walk, and back up to get him supple, light and focused. Me too. I notice that as I focus and keep my shoulders absolutely square while facing him, he mirrors me and stands with all four legs on the ground directly under him. Horse handling is a humbling lesson in the art of body language. I am acutely aware of how dulled my silent language skills have become. I’m eager to refine my communication moves and have a conversation that Coltrane can understand.

Adios amigos,
Catalina and Coltrane

A Fresh Start

We all find ourselves frequently looking for a fresh start. When the engine is stalled, we look for ways to jump start the motor. Today, I saw, vividly, my opportunity to share a fresh start with my old and dear friend Coltrane. He's a horse, and it's been two years since I lifted reins above his neck. I somehow slid off his back and walked away thinking he and I would simply enjoy the sunshine and stubble pasture grass. It has been pleasant just to feed him,ocassionally brush him and share a few moments of affection, but, for the most part, there has been a hint of accompanying guilt at my abandondment of our riding pleasures; not unlike the feeling of letting the exercise routine go and settling for the less than personally fit physique. Both of us are at the point that we could easily let it all go and put up our feet on the tree that anchors the hammock, or go for it, and give it one good try to accomplish some dance moves together on the dirt floor of the arena. Dancing flamenco and dressing up for parades and shows made me realize I could include Coltrane in this clapping-tapping phase of my life. I realized I could design a freestyle for the two of us based on the latin music I deeply love.

I invite you to share in this adventure and become a Coltrane fan. He has plenty of attitude which flamenco dance showcases. Viva la fiesta with us amigos. We'll include you every step of the way!

Adios amigos
Catalina and Coltrane