Centered in the Saddle

I love these roundups of questions from Viva Carlos!

What do you consider “jumping high” for yourself?
The highest I’ve gone is 3’3″. I’m comfortable at 2’9″, and when the jumps to up to 3’+ I get excited. I would love to push that farther as I progress.

What are your short term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them?
Short term goals are to figure out what the heck I’m going to do. I’ve been thinking a lot and figuring out what feels right for me once Drifter is sold. I will reach that goal, because I don’t plan to stop riding!

Long term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them?
Unsure right now. (See previous question.) I know I do not want to continue in the hunters. That’s pretty much it. So, yeah, I’m pretty confident that I’ll accomplish that goal.

How many barns have you been at in your riding career?
Just two. The one where I learned to ride, and the one I’m at now in a different state than where I grew up.

How many different trainers have you been with in your riding career?
Hmm. Maybe five (not counting clinicians)? At the barn where I grew up, they had several trainers for different things – beginners, Western Pleasure, English, etc. I rode with all of them at one time or another. I’ve been with my current trainer for 4 years.

Ever worked at a barn? What did you do?
Yes. In the barn back in my hometown, there was a tack shop. I worked there as a teenager. I also worked as a pony leader/pony ride helper for that barn for large events and functions. We’d bring a bunch of ponies to an event and give kiddos rides on them.

Scariest thing that has happened at your barn?
Probably the week when ambulances had to come out two separate instances in one week, for two different people. Thankfully I wasn’t there at the time; it was freaky enough just hearing about it.

Have you ever given a lesson? What level was the rider?
Yes, to beginner riders. I can still hear the cadence of teaching the littles to post: “Stand UP sit DOWN stand UP sit DOWN.” (But I wasn’t compensated so I’m still an ammy!)

What is your opinion on the accuracy of critiquing riders online?
It’s tough to do accurately and often times the trolls are out in force. I don’t usually engage in critiquing others and haven’t had any issues with people critiquing me. That said, I have been enjoying the weekly “Jumping Clinic with George Morris” series from the Practical Horseman.

What is the ideal height of a horse for you?
The taller the better! I’m a pretty tall person, so when I imagine my dream horse, it’s at least 16hh. Usually more than 16.2hh…leaning closer to 17hh. I love a big, tall horse.