If you show horses, whatever your discipline, then you’ve probably experienced that moment when you realize that it’s basically a futile endeavor. No matter what you do, no matter how perfect your ride, the results essentially rely on one person’s opinion. It is the nature of the sport. It takes a certain kind of crazy … More Winning & Losing: You Know Something the Judge Doesn’t
The call comes from your instructor (or maybe you’re just really masochistic motivated): “drop your irons.” And at first you’re like: okay, I got this. Yeah. I’m awesome! I’m so strong and balanced! Half a lap around the arena you’re like, By now your legs are really burning. Maybe your instructor is giggling gleefully in the middle … More Thoughts while Riding without Stirrups
Do you ever have those moments where you’re so happy you can physically feel it expanding in your chest, and you know you’re happy, and you also know exactly how happy you are, and the moment is even sweeter for realizing the extent of that happiness? That’s how this weekend was for me. This weekend was … More Wings on Our Feet, with Hearts Full of Joy
Recently, I was riding a horse who is building stamina after an injury. Part of his regimen includes trotting for 15 minutes in each direction. Because he’s not asked to collect or bend right now, I decided to work on my own position. I focused on feeling my weight evenly in my heels, keeping my shoulders … More Avoiding Habit Pitfalls
I recently was doing some research on different types of leg wraps and boots for horses, and found that there is a lot of information out there, but it is scattered and not easy to find in one place. I think there are a lot of people out there who may look at boots the … More To Boot or Not to Boot: That is the Question.
This morning I read a post from Horse Listening (a great blog, you should definitely check it out!) that is called “Top 10 Ways to Be a Star (Horse Riding) Student.” Normally I find the articles on Horse Listening to be insightful and thought-provoking. However, I completely disagreed with much of this particular article. Obviously I did … More The #1 Way to Be a Good Riding Student
This weekend there was a show that three teammates were riding in. Although not showing, I went to be a cheerleader/groom/photographer/Sherpa. It was a very successful day for everyone, bringing in a pile of blue ribbons, plenty of other colors and a division high-point champion. I had my hands on a very nice digital SLR camera with … More Photos: A Look Inside a Show Day
I came across this video a little while ago and it’s been sitting, waiting to be posted. I just love it. Watch it, I bet you will, too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBcaa5vcCSk I particularly enjoy the narrative with scenes from all kinds of different disciplines, which seems to capture the essentials about why we all love to ride. It’s … More “It’s Quite a Unique Sport”
This week, a local news station morning show came out to the farm to do a series of segments about Leanne’s lesson program, the show team and boarding at the barn. She had Madi and I come out to go over fences in the background while they talked to her on camera. But wait – you may … More My 2 Minutes and 36 Seconds of Fame
Well, the good news is that after this weekend, the only way to go is up. Long story short is that Husky threw me. In our first class. Which was on the flat. Like the last time – and the time before that – I landed mostly on my lower back. This time I also … More The Only Way Onward is Upward
Centered in the Saddle 