Horse Shows: Pondering the “Why”

Horse Shows: Pondering the “Why”

Sometimes, I get ready for a horse show and am stressed just riding at Training Level in dressage. And I think, 'Why in the world do we even do this…?' I can enjoy the training journey with my pony without this extra component of being judged. I can get feedback without riding in front of everyone else and without having someone at the venue asking, “Who is riding this adorable pony that you’re leading?” and me saying, “It’s me…” and them saying, “Oh isn’t that so nice….”
Welcome, Sir Corazon!

Welcome, Sir Corazon!

The day I met a tall-drink-of-water chestnut gelding in Aiken, I wasn’t sure what to think. He was much more impressive in person to me than his video had shown, and he was incredibly friendly. But he also did some super interesting things under tack that I admit I wasn’t sure what I thought about them. For one, he was long and narrow, which rode differently than most horses I’ve had. (Now I absolutely LOVE this. It's much easier for my shorter legs!) He also had some quirks that I was a bit perplexed by. He was super mouthy, crooked in his body, and almost too keen to please, which bordered on anxiety. The Seller’s Agent, Pippa Moon I can’t recommend her more highly), said he didn’t test ride well—that he was much more a one-person type of horse, so I had to consider that, too. But I liked him. And that meant a lot to me that my heart was tugging in his direction.
Letting Go Versus Giving Up

Letting Go Versus Giving Up

The heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes what it wants is a story that it already decided needs to happen, so much so that it’s assumptive, leaving one not even aware of the made-up story. This way of living with my heart set me up for a huge learning curve last year with my mare Dahlia and our relationship. And it trickled down to my whole world with horses as it forced me to think about what I truly want...