Monday, February 16, 2009

Where's Brego?

He's right outside at the moment, but the question pertains to his blog. Where's the Brego blog?

It seems I am having false starts this winter/spring, and in some way I am. I get inspired to ride and then the cold, dark evenings makes me more inspired to read than to walk Brego up and down our icy driveway. The sun shines bright on the weekends, and then a 25 mph gusty north wind inspires me to appreciate the sun from the barn, or from the chicken coop.

It's still winter, but we're experiencing an early spring. I thought I felt it coming, but I wasn't sure until I heard a report from a friend, a neighbor, that a bear is out of hibernation, and Robins are back. Compelling signs. Also, as I drove to a friend's for dinner last night, I saw a forest of small blue tubing stretched from tree to tree. Someone thought the sap would start running soon. Sugaring season. It must be an early spring.

Regardless, back on the homestead, I have been incredibly busy with things NOT Brego. I try to get out everyday and run a metal brush through his coat, he's shedding terribly now. And I slip him some squash slices and we talk of old times. I check his blubber rolls and note miniscule progress. Brego is right here and he's doing fine.

This blog, however, is in danger. I've had some well documented security concerns come up recently (No, dear S, not you) which made we want to rip the whole blog down and never mention Brego's name in public again. Maybe just an eccentric fan of the big guy, but Brego is private property, housed on private property and nothing would ruin me more than losing him. Nothing.

So I want to pack up my toys and go home and keep our modest achievements to ourselves. And I am not hyperbolizing the modest thing. This year, I will likely not make a recognized event. I might just do local shows and wish Andrea good luck at the AECs from afar. I might not make it to too many lessons. I might condition the entire year for a good ride foxhunting, instead of a clear round eventing.

Lots of reasons, really. The economy takes all my precious money out of showing and puts it into my farm which will yield something equally precious called food. I am still unsure of how/where we will train and with whom. I am not thrilled with the Organization called Eventing these days, which chews up good horses and rewards bad riders. So my mind is filled with more and more thoughts, but I am finding less and less positive material to share on the blog, even if I could maintain some anonymity.

I mean, the reason people like the Brego blog is because we go out and do stuff. Well, how boring would it be if we didn't do stuff for a year while the farm got underway and money was stuffed in mattresses? What if the Eventing Percheron never evented at a recognized show again?

I think the most likely outcome is that the blog continues, with perhaps less posts, with some expectations set about just how awesome a middle-aged adult ammy can ride a fat draft horse three months out of work, with some idea that life gets in the way of sport.

As for the internet nutjobs... don't be one. I hate the few bad apples. I hate our modern world peppered with FEAR. I might take the blog private or I might continue to trust that most people are inherently good. That's a tough call I need to make soon.

A not so positive update (except the spring part!), but an update nonetheless.