h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

..and a story with a moral.

Today we had the tryouts for the varsity equestrian teams. No way I'm trying out for show jumping , but I did go along for dressage and prix caprilli, which is essentially a simple dressage test with two small crosspoles to jump in the middle.

I arrived up at the stables only to find that I'd forgotten my jodhpurs. No problem, sez I, I'll just ride in my normal trousers. Unfortunately, they were just a little stiff - difficult to bend my knee enough to get into the saddle, so I had to undo the button.

Unfortunately, I got a horse with a tendency to run away, and was concentrating entirely on going at a civilised pace - so I was entirely unprepared when, over the jump, the zip gave way and I suddenly lost my trousers in mid-air. Good thing I was wearing thermals underneath because it's so cold!

So note to self, next time, go prepared...

I'm having trouble imagining just how you can lose your trousers while sitting on a horse?

Only you could have a wardrobe malfunction riding a horse.

I'm sure it'll be on YouTube shortly

My neighbours must think me crazy now Mala, because I am laughing, with tears running down my cheeks.

I do hope you weren't hurt? Did you make the team?

Can you say it was deliberate, for extra points?

I hope you are writing your memoirs already.

*furtively checks in on a hunt for suitable candidates for Quote of the Day*

*Spots "the zip gave way and I suddenly lost my trousers in mid-air."*

*Ticks notebook*

You so are the Queen of smileys

*giggles*

... And in Third Place..


... 'Missing Jodhpurs' ridden by the lady missing hers...

Mala, guaranteed to make a lasting impression on folk

It still makes me to think of it, too. I was wearing leather trousers - they're waterproof and windproof, for cycling in to uni - and thought they were quite good for riding, because they helped me stick to the saddle.

Unfortunately, when jumping, you're meant to tilt your body forward and rise up out of the saddle a little. I did. Since the trousers were lined with a smooth satiny stuff, and they had opened, the trousers did *not* rise, they more or less stayed stuck to the saddle.

Not sure I made it to the team yet. We shall see At least they allowed me a second jump!

Am I the only one who interpreted the title in the Irish sense?

That's not just suitable for QoTD, but for Ed the B's Chomskyan Bingo as well.

I literally almost wet my own pants when I read that, Mala.

Generationen kommen, Generationen vergehen -
Hirschlederne Reithosen bleiben bestehen.*

*(Generations will come and go, but deerskin riding breeches will outlast them all.)

How did I know you'd be quoting that?