..that is (still) the question..

Well, we are still thinking but tomorrow we will decide if 'Donoso' is going to SICAB to represent Sweden or not. He is so handsome and I am not just saying that because I love him, and I am definitely not selling him, but just look at his profile here, this is not a pretty horse, it is a beautiful horse. You can see his outline well with this backround, we did them this evening. And at the swedish championships he only got a 6 for his absolutely wonderful head and neck, I am sure he can get better scores here and also for movement as they did not come out to his advantage with me as a nervous wreck and running like a silly mum being scared he would trip and hurt his cross ligament-bleeding in patella. And there is also the vets advice and that is to take it easy peasy until end of this year. He feels and looks good and has never been lame but this is still the expert advice. For us SICAB is a fun event, we normally go 2 days to meet friends, study the horses, the judges etc. But for the horses it is hard work and quite stressful. We have to arrive one day before (monday) and we have to be there, no matter what the result, until the following monday, no horse can leave before and that's the way it is. This year they have again instigated the 'wheel', the horses go around and the judges pick some that are out, left are 15 in each group. Just like that. So after having paid a huge amount of Euros, dragged the horse there, left other animals behind, got a hotel etc, etc some horses don't even get a chance to trot! Do not agree with this system. Possibly for this reason there are also less participants this year.

Donoso VII National Swedish Championships 2009

Never posted it here so here it is, he won the championship and got two titles;
CAMPEÓN DE LA RAZA
CAMPEÓN DE FUNCIONALIDAD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC-Y2kGXPgE

Start summer 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_Myf8vyvE

2920 Km..

..Is the distance from Swedish home to Spanish home. For the third time, this time not alone but with the  friend Eskil, dad Jan Sandberg made the heroic journey of 2920 Km to bring me my car, and trailer. This car will survive! The other two did not..

HIERRO and PHILOSOPHY

Our brand; the V stands for VIKINGA and the crown is a symbol for a queen and for Sweden. We named our first born and bred buckskin PRE filly REINA VIKINGA (viking-queen) and the brand is really symbol of her. Indirect VIKINGA refers to me as this a spanish nickname of mine. I guess Spaniards see me like a swedish 'conquistadora', invading horse-Spain with my strong character having lots of equestrian opinions. Quite right to I think, I respect their opinions and they respect mine. Many times we agree, others' we don't but that is ok for me. You take what suits you from the different ways/cultures, mix it with what you have and make it your own. Like this I think we develop a healthy personal way of being/expressing ourselves and this can only be wholesome. Some time ago I was asked to give a course in 'my way' to handle horses, and the participants was going to be people with different horse experience and a herd of wild Asturcons, a pony like hard-headed race in north of Spain. The course was for two days and we studied the natural ways of the horses and learned the basics of handle a horse from the beginning. I taught my way of interacting/handling and people practiced this. The course was warmly appreciated however I came to the conclusion that my teaching philosophy (I am a trained Waldorf/ Steiner teacher) is; My way works for me. I, as a teacher, want to help students to find their tools to be able to develop their ways. So I structured the next course with this in mind and I found this was definitely 'my way'. I don't believe in a teaching that try to impose their teachings, values and conclusions, it takes away freedom from the individuals to develop belief in their own capacities and creativity. Conclusion; The 'conquistadores' certainly won't be able to conquer me because I am a 'Vikinga'!

Feeling & To be or not to be..

'Starti' eller 'Start-Smart', that is his swedish nickname, was not so fortunate when he was given his name.. I am quite happy with my posture here, for once. To be painfully pedantic and self-critical is helpful, but not always comfortable. I love perfect, it is like a drug! I train my horses alone most of the time and it is essential to have a mirror and a videocamera. In Sweden I get some valuable help from Elisabet Lundholm, that was swedish national team coach, a fantastic trainer and a very good person. I have trainer here in Spain too, he has been a national team rider and he is a perfectionist, quite rare trait for the spaniards.. He sees the feeling I ride with and and the horse's feeling too, which is the key for me. 'Start' is a extremely sensitive horse with a fiery bullfighters temperament which is not the most easy combination to ride. I feel very greatful to have horses of this much quality, I have worked hard for them but I know that to have your dreams come through is being very fortunate and a bit lucky too. Knowing the happiness my horses bring to me gives me the inspiration to help others find their perfect horse. I use my feeling for this too.

Now, the question is; shall 'Donut' participate in spanish championship, SICAB. Tomorrow I will decide. There is alot of politics and issues to be considered..

Jade is the place

This is where we are. 4 paddocks, 3 with sand and fiber mix and one with rubber from Nike shoes (!). From the terass you have a view of all of them as they are placed in different levels. There are fences for jumping in one and there are lights in the evening. There is one indoor arena, one walker, two lounging pens and a bar and restaurant. Placed is just in front of Guadarrama, the mountains surrounding Madrid, north side. Happy atmosphere, everyone minding their own business, enjoying their horses, chatting and having fun. I would be the most demanding horse owner and this is smilingly accepted and I get responses like 'no problem' and 'don't worry I'll take care of it'. And they do. Lovely. I got a phonecall the other day from the owner being worried as Donoso was a little agitated, they thought it could be colic symptoms. I called the vet and told him to stand by but when I arrived he was fine and only wanted to play. The vet was already on his way so I cancelled him, no problem he said, glad all is ok. How wonderful! These are from today.