Where to begin... I've gotten terrible about keeping everyone up to date on things. Then again, this blog was initially created to keep everyone updated with Stoney and I, and it's safe to say we haven't been all that busy since July. On a quick note though, keep your eye out for a new layout on my blog that will be coming real soon! Going back to my grey, obnoxious monster, I'll let everyone know that his injury is healing better than my two vets could have wanted, and they are quite thrilled with the process. They are so thrilled that Dr. Hersman decided to not do the second stem cell treatment upon examining him for the second time this past weekend.
So, after a month of walking under saddle, we are now on to trotting a little each day. Just like Dr. Anderson and Dr. Hersman, I am relieved his rehab is going so well, and I am equally relieved he's able to be in some sort of work in the hopes that he will stop attempting to throw me in the dirt. I will tell you, he has already succeeded once... And I have absolutely no idea how it has ONLY been once (I am knocking on wood as I type this with one hand). I am quite positive I will be reunited with the ground again (probably more than once) when Stoney is allowed to begin jumping again.
Now that he is in a routine of spooking at absolutely everything, even if it only exists in his mind, a neck strap to hold on to when trying to stick to the bronco has become a normal every day piece of tack that is put on. Let me say, it works way better than grabbing mane, which usually results in me pulling literal chunks out in my attempts to stay on. Oh yes, it has been quite an exciting, entertaining (for others who get to witness his wicked moves), and not so boring time bringing this horse back. The perks of owning a thoroughbred. It's true when I tell you that up until now, I've never ridden a horse that I wondered every day for quite some time if I would even stay on for the half hour I was in the saddle. Nevertheless, I will say that after this is all said and done with, one thing I won't be is loose in the tack.
It's safe to say Stoney has been feeling quite good about himself lately. The more he is allowed to do the more mentally sane he becomes... at least for the first week or two. He then becomes bored again, is convinced he is good enough to do more, and I am left holding on for dear life as birds, other horses, and motorcycles from two acres away cause him to leave the ground off all four. Literally, this horse finds anything he can as an excuse to act out, and when there is nothing, he results to making it up in his imagination. I am then nicely left with a ticking time bomb underneath me, unable to predict when the next round of bucking and rearing will occur. All this started out quite harmless, with him just acting out once or twice a week, but after succeeded in getting me off, it has now turned into a full on attempt (multiple times per day) to just have me hit the dirt again. The neck strap and myself refuse to let this happen.
Like I said, it's been interesting to say the least. As for school, of course I'm still absolutely in love with North Texas. I am planning on rushing in the spring and getting more involved on campus and am really looking forward to it. I'll go ahead and let everyone know that after a lot of thinking, I've decided that it is time for me to take a break from the eventing world and competing for a little while. While you retrieve your jaw from the floor, I'll tell you that I was just as surprised as you are that I've come to this conclusion.
To say this last year has been tough for me in the horse world doesn't quite cover it in my mind. It's always been tough, but this year just hit me with one thing after another. There's only so much one girl can take. I believe you need to fight for what you want to achieve in life, but I have put up a fight for quite a long time. After numerous times of thinking there was none left in me, I found a will to stand myself on my two feet again. I just can't seem to do that anymore.While I believe you need to fight for what you want to achieve in life, I also believe that you need to do whatever it takes to make yourself happy.
Like I said above, this decision to take a break from the sport has already been considered a few times in the last three or so years when I've faced hardships and defeat. I can tell you, it is not a new feeling. A big factor in all of this was the fact that to own a horse and board it down here would require that I work to help pay some of it off. Owning a horse and working come as a joint package with no exception from my parents. Keeping up with both of those means not having enough time and energy to focus and get the grades I need to keep my scholarships and eventually be accepted into pharmacy school. I'm afraid if I don't focus on school, I will not be able to get a profession that will allow me to comfortably afford this sport in my future, and yet I'm also afraid if I don't have a horse, there will be a huge gaping void in me. A downing situation? Tell me about it.
After a lot of discussing with the family, we've decided to just put the money in the bank that we get out of selling Stoney once he is better and let it sit for a while. Part of it will go towards getting me another truck with less miles, and the rest will be saved until I am ready to buy myself a really nice and talented novice level horse. Do I think my break from competing and owning a horse will last more than six months? I doubt it. I'd give it a year tops. And even if I find myself unable to take that long of a break from owning a horse, I know I could be very happy for a few years just having a young horse and bringing him along with the help of Mike and Heather but not necessarily competing all that much (that much meaning about four events a year). If I chose that, like I said, I would have to work as well, and that is just not something I can handle at this time.
I honestly can't see where my life will go once Stoney sells, because for the first time in ten years, I will not own a horse, and my horse will not be the complete and utter focus of my life. However, I don't necessarily think this is a bad thing; it's just a very unfamiliar and somewhat scary thing. Although it's frightening, I find peace in knowing I don't have to worry because God already has it all planned out for me. I've decided it's time for me to stop spreading myself thin and for me to stop sacrificing everything for a sport that I haven't even been given much success with in return.
All this time, I've chosen for my life to be as difficult and exhausting as it is. I've made the decisions to take on so much, and now I'm just choosing to make my life easier. That's what's so great about life. It's yours. You're in control of it. Getting to live your life by your own choices is the greatest freedom you will ever encounter. Your life can be whatever you want it to be, and right now, this is currently what I'm choosing to do with mine.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Juggling Upside Down
I know, I know. Long time no see. Honestly, there hasn't been much to write about. Weird right? Try having actually lived these past two boring months.
So, I thought I'd start with an update of how Stoney is doing, seeing as this blog was mainly created to keep up with him and myself. Stoney's rehab is going great, and he is healing faster than Dr. Anderson could have ever expected. He was actually blown away by the progress. The good thing about this horse (and no, it is not his obnoxious personality) is he is quite a fast healer. In the few years I've owned him, anything minor he always recovered from ridiculously fast. I guess you could say we're pretty lucky in that aspect of things. So, after that great news, we have now gotten to move on to walking under saddle. Just walking on a lose rein, even for only thirty minutes a day, has drastically changed this horse mentally. I think just getting back into the routine of things of me sitting on him six days a week is making him mentally sane again...and me as well. I went from riding/working with this horse six days a week to not sitting on his back for two and a half months. Saying that was mentally difficult for me just doesn't quite cover it. Before progressing to being under saddle, Stoney was coping well with the stall rest, but he had his days (just as I) where he literally had the expression of "I hate the world" (to put it nicely) tattooed on his face. I can assure you, he is a much happier pony now. Are plan now is to continue with the walking under saddle for a half hour each day for the next month, and then we'll see where we're at with the recovery.
As for school, I am now moved in at University of North Texas and quite settled into the place. Just this week, I think I finally am starting to somewhat know my way around when driving...kinda. One thing about starting college is that you rapidly become aware of the direction of every step you take so that you don't get turned around in your head. I became really good at this in only a few days and am now a walking compass. Also, I have thankfully not experienced any face plants going up the many flights of stairs I take or any other humiliating experiences. However, I've already locked myself out of my room and saved myself from nearly face planting up the sidewalk that came up out of no where and tripped me, so I'm sure those even more humiliating moments are yet to come.
It was very difficult having my world flipped upside down. For the past year, the barn has been my life. Now having school become the number one priority and the barn second is quite a change. Not to mention, I found out exactly why most people that have a year off between high school and college either don't go back or drop out. Why you ask? Because it's hard. A lot harder then you can imagine. I thought I struggled at math before, but now I struggle with it even more after not doing it for a year, to the point that it's embarrassing. However, it seems to be getting easier day by day, so let's hope it continues in this direction.
Socially, I haven't had huge buckets of success. Mostly that was because of my work hours, but I'll get to that in a minute. I have become really close to a friend I met at orientation who lives a few doors down from me. Watching movies, going to the rec center, and eating in the cafeteria together are becoming rituals for us two girls. Just this past week alone I've already gotten closer to a few people in my classes, so that's promising. And as always, I still have all the girls at the barn.
I have to say, although I was hardly even around campus these past few weeks and running all over the place trying to juggle life, I have been lucky enough to enjoy some mean green football. Yes, I am aware that North Texas has not been known in the recent past for their football team, but they have REALLY improved in the past year or so just with the new head coach. I feel these next four years here will be really exciting with the football program, and what better place to enjoy it then at the SUPER nice new stadium that was opened only a year or so ago?
The people at this campus are better than imaginable. It didn't take long here to get the vibe of how accepting everyone is of one another. With the amount of diversity that there is at this school, that is such a great feeling. Most everyone is great with everyone, and you get the feeling with these people that you can just walk up to a random person and start having a friendly conversation and by the end of it, you've made a new friend. Everyone is super nonjudgmental, and let me say, the school spirit here is CRAZY. So, long story short, I AM LOVING COLLEGE.
As for work, I guess you could say I was a little crazy thinking I could work thirty plus hours a week, go to school, take care of Stoney, do homework, and still be functioning. After a few weeks of that, my body made it very clear to me the idea I had was not going to be possible. I was mentally and physically drained, and the combination of those two were making me emotionally drained. What a mess. After talking to Mike and him being the great man he is, he is now allowing me to work fifteen hours a week and just deduct those hours from his monthly boarding rate. Because a week has not been enough time for me to play catch up with my mass amount of school work, I am still very stressed mentally. However, seeing as I'm not spending ten hours straight away from my dorm each day and my body doesn't feel like it's barely functioning, I am able to handle the stress a lot easier and with more joy.
So, back to homework I go. It seems to be my life lately, though it won't be tomorrow. Tomorrow is game day here at North Texas against Troy. It's safe to say it'll be a good day! Go Mean Green!!
So, I thought I'd start with an update of how Stoney is doing, seeing as this blog was mainly created to keep up with him and myself. Stoney's rehab is going great, and he is healing faster than Dr. Anderson could have ever expected. He was actually blown away by the progress. The good thing about this horse (and no, it is not his obnoxious personality) is he is quite a fast healer. In the few years I've owned him, anything minor he always recovered from ridiculously fast. I guess you could say we're pretty lucky in that aspect of things. So, after that great news, we have now gotten to move on to walking under saddle. Just walking on a lose rein, even for only thirty minutes a day, has drastically changed this horse mentally. I think just getting back into the routine of things of me sitting on him six days a week is making him mentally sane again...and me as well. I went from riding/working with this horse six days a week to not sitting on his back for two and a half months. Saying that was mentally difficult for me just doesn't quite cover it. Before progressing to being under saddle, Stoney was coping well with the stall rest, but he had his days (just as I) where he literally had the expression of "I hate the world" (to put it nicely) tattooed on his face. I can assure you, he is a much happier pony now. Are plan now is to continue with the walking under saddle for a half hour each day for the next month, and then we'll see where we're at with the recovery.
As for school, I am now moved in at University of North Texas and quite settled into the place. Just this week, I think I finally am starting to somewhat know my way around when driving...kinda. One thing about starting college is that you rapidly become aware of the direction of every step you take so that you don't get turned around in your head. I became really good at this in only a few days and am now a walking compass. Also, I have thankfully not experienced any face plants going up the many flights of stairs I take or any other humiliating experiences. However, I've already locked myself out of my room and saved myself from nearly face planting up the sidewalk that came up out of no where and tripped me, so I'm sure those even more humiliating moments are yet to come.
It was very difficult having my world flipped upside down. For the past year, the barn has been my life. Now having school become the number one priority and the barn second is quite a change. Not to mention, I found out exactly why most people that have a year off between high school and college either don't go back or drop out. Why you ask? Because it's hard. A lot harder then you can imagine. I thought I struggled at math before, but now I struggle with it even more after not doing it for a year, to the point that it's embarrassing. However, it seems to be getting easier day by day, so let's hope it continues in this direction.
Socially, I haven't had huge buckets of success. Mostly that was because of my work hours, but I'll get to that in a minute. I have become really close to a friend I met at orientation who lives a few doors down from me. Watching movies, going to the rec center, and eating in the cafeteria together are becoming rituals for us two girls. Just this past week alone I've already gotten closer to a few people in my classes, so that's promising. And as always, I still have all the girls at the barn.
I have to say, although I was hardly even around campus these past few weeks and running all over the place trying to juggle life, I have been lucky enough to enjoy some mean green football. Yes, I am aware that North Texas has not been known in the recent past for their football team, but they have REALLY improved in the past year or so just with the new head coach. I feel these next four years here will be really exciting with the football program, and what better place to enjoy it then at the SUPER nice new stadium that was opened only a year or so ago?
The people at this campus are better than imaginable. It didn't take long here to get the vibe of how accepting everyone is of one another. With the amount of diversity that there is at this school, that is such a great feeling. Most everyone is great with everyone, and you get the feeling with these people that you can just walk up to a random person and start having a friendly conversation and by the end of it, you've made a new friend. Everyone is super nonjudgmental, and let me say, the school spirit here is CRAZY. So, long story short, I AM LOVING COLLEGE.
As for work, I guess you could say I was a little crazy thinking I could work thirty plus hours a week, go to school, take care of Stoney, do homework, and still be functioning. After a few weeks of that, my body made it very clear to me the idea I had was not going to be possible. I was mentally and physically drained, and the combination of those two were making me emotionally drained. What a mess. After talking to Mike and him being the great man he is, he is now allowing me to work fifteen hours a week and just deduct those hours from his monthly boarding rate. Because a week has not been enough time for me to play catch up with my mass amount of school work, I am still very stressed mentally. However, seeing as I'm not spending ten hours straight away from my dorm each day and my body doesn't feel like it's barely functioning, I am able to handle the stress a lot easier and with more joy.
So, back to homework I go. It seems to be my life lately, though it won't be tomorrow. Tomorrow is game day here at North Texas against Troy. It's safe to say it'll be a good day! Go Mean Green!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Area V is Where it's At
I couldn't help but write a post about Area V today. Yet again, Area V has made their voices known at the NAJYRC in Lexington, Kentucky this year. Our two star team had some unfortunate events occur, but our one star team pulled it out to bring home the team and individual gold once again. Not only that, but one of our other team mates placed fourth individually, and one of our riders who competed individually placed sixth. It really is bittersweet being home and getting to follow our teams throughout the weekend, whether it be on eventing nation or the live results. I wish so much I could have been there, and even more that I could have been apart of the team this year, but I couldn't be happier for our area and how well our teams did. There is an overwhelming since of pride that goes with being apart of Area V.
Last year when I was back on the east coast, I remember a girl there telling me that when you finish in the top five at one of the events over there, you know you're really good. She said it's a lot different than finishing in the top five in other places of the U.S since eventing is so big on the east coast. Well, I guess that isn't neccesarily true these days. Seeing as Area V not only brought home team and individual gold this year in the one star, but also brought home team and individual gold in the one star last year as well, it's safe to say that when you're competing against these girls and doing well, you know you've done something right. And that's what I did. I got the great oppurtunity to compete all season against the girls that played apart in taking home the gold this year and last year at NAJYRC. In the video on Eventing Nation of Tori being interviewed, she says that Area V is a special team because we're all very close. It's the truth. Everyone is so close and looks out for one another in our area, and I couldn't imagine a better group of people to be surrounded by. We're all a big family.
For many years now, I have wanted to be able to represent such a great area. It looks like my time and chances of that are up for the one star team, but there may be some chances left for the two star team one day. That being said, there is a point when you have to look at your life and know when to let go. There will always be a time where you're going to have to let go, even of something you've dedicated years to achieving. It may be time for me to let go of the goal of being able to represent Area V some day. It might just not be in the cards for me. I take a look at the amount of stress I took on this past season, the fact that I was literally sleeping on people's couches this past year, and the amount of financial stress I put on my family, all in the hopes of going to Young Riders this summer when ultimately I wasn't even chosen. I look at it all and I honestly don't know if I should keep this hope alive. It sure wasn't fair to my family, and at this point in time, I can't imagine doing that to them again. To push forward or to let go? That is the question. Obviously it won't be answered now, but hopefully I'll have more answers in the future.
As for Stoney, he is getting better and lazier as time progresses. After only a few days of stall rest, he was practically about to kill me when I took him out for walks, and I wasn't sure how this was going to go on for the next couple of months. However, he has now realized that being on stall rest (with the exception of not being turned out) is actually quite nice. He is enjoying not working six days a week and getting carrots for no apparent reason. At least, that's what he thinks. I give him carrots every time I walk him and he doesn't spin around, rear, and strike out at me. I can only hope he'll make the connection that when he doesn't try to "play" with me when we go for our walks and has composure, he gets treats. And we do A LOT of walking. So as you can see, the horse is getting a lot of carrots and being spoiled for no apparent reason. Of course he doesn't mind. With the exception of having to deal with the new found obnoxiousness he has ALL THE TIME, he has been quite easy to handle.
Until next time, I hope you enjoy the amusing picture and the facial expressions I get out of my horse. Every time the potent fly repellent systems come on in the barn, he never fails.
Last year when I was back on the east coast, I remember a girl there telling me that when you finish in the top five at one of the events over there, you know you're really good. She said it's a lot different than finishing in the top five in other places of the U.S since eventing is so big on the east coast. Well, I guess that isn't neccesarily true these days. Seeing as Area V not only brought home team and individual gold this year in the one star, but also brought home team and individual gold in the one star last year as well, it's safe to say that when you're competing against these girls and doing well, you know you've done something right. And that's what I did. I got the great oppurtunity to compete all season against the girls that played apart in taking home the gold this year and last year at NAJYRC. In the video on Eventing Nation of Tori being interviewed, she says that Area V is a special team because we're all very close. It's the truth. Everyone is so close and looks out for one another in our area, and I couldn't imagine a better group of people to be surrounded by. We're all a big family.
For many years now, I have wanted to be able to represent such a great area. It looks like my time and chances of that are up for the one star team, but there may be some chances left for the two star team one day. That being said, there is a point when you have to look at your life and know when to let go. There will always be a time where you're going to have to let go, even of something you've dedicated years to achieving. It may be time for me to let go of the goal of being able to represent Area V some day. It might just not be in the cards for me. I take a look at the amount of stress I took on this past season, the fact that I was literally sleeping on people's couches this past year, and the amount of financial stress I put on my family, all in the hopes of going to Young Riders this summer when ultimately I wasn't even chosen. I look at it all and I honestly don't know if I should keep this hope alive. It sure wasn't fair to my family, and at this point in time, I can't imagine doing that to them again. To push forward or to let go? That is the question. Obviously it won't be answered now, but hopefully I'll have more answers in the future.
As for Stoney, he is getting better and lazier as time progresses. After only a few days of stall rest, he was practically about to kill me when I took him out for walks, and I wasn't sure how this was going to go on for the next couple of months. However, he has now realized that being on stall rest (with the exception of not being turned out) is actually quite nice. He is enjoying not working six days a week and getting carrots for no apparent reason. At least, that's what he thinks. I give him carrots every time I walk him and he doesn't spin around, rear, and strike out at me. I can only hope he'll make the connection that when he doesn't try to "play" with me when we go for our walks and has composure, he gets treats. And we do A LOT of walking. So as you can see, the horse is getting a lot of carrots and being spoiled for no apparent reason. Of course he doesn't mind. With the exception of having to deal with the new found obnoxiousness he has ALL THE TIME, he has been quite easy to handle.
Until next time, I hope you enjoy the amusing picture and the facial expressions I get out of my horse. Every time the potent fly repellent systems come on in the barn, he never fails.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Taking a Second Blow
Sooner or later I would really love to be able to post a non-disappointing post on my blog, but life isn't handing me much else to say at this time. Earlier this week, I was hit with yet another disappointing and heart wrenching blow when Stoney came up lame after galloping at the track early Sunday morning. After having my vet, Dr. Anderson, come out to take a look at him, we found my horse to have suffered from another minor injury yet again. I guess life figured it hadn't thrown enough at me in the past month.
So, Stoney is currently on stall rest (which he made very clear today that he is not approving of). I am hand walking and icing him more times in a day than I can keep track of, and this will continue for a little bit longer until the initial pain has passed. He will not be in work for the next few months, and I have also made the decision to not go to Kentucky with everyone on Sunday to NAJYRC and will instead stay back at Gold Chip, working and taking care of Stoney.
So what's the plan now you ask? Well, after talking with Mike and Heather, I've come to the decision that I will be selling Stoney after he has healed and will start looking for a new and young horse to purchase that has potential to run at the two star level. However, it will take a while before Stoney can go back into work, and he then has to become fit again and worked regularly so that he is able to be sold. THEN I have months of waiting for someone to purchase him and THEN even a few more months of horse shopping before I will probably find myself a horse and I can regularly ride/train again. With all of this, we are looking at at least another year passing before I have another horse. Unfortunately, we do not have the financial means to buy a nice horse until we sell Stoney.
So, do I think I'm crazy for still even remotely wanting to keep doing this after all the hardships? Yes. You may think I'm a little strange to continue in this and move on, but it's all I can do. I can only accept that life is incredibly hard. It is far from fair and always will be. However, if I chose to be mad at the world every hour of every day, it would only result in misery, so accepting things for how they are is my only option...unless I go with Mike's idea of winning the lottery and buying myself a two star horse. In the mean time of keeping my fingers crossed for that one, I will continue working and taking care of Stoney. I'll be sure to give updates on his progress soon.
So, Stoney is currently on stall rest (which he made very clear today that he is not approving of). I am hand walking and icing him more times in a day than I can keep track of, and this will continue for a little bit longer until the initial pain has passed. He will not be in work for the next few months, and I have also made the decision to not go to Kentucky with everyone on Sunday to NAJYRC and will instead stay back at Gold Chip, working and taking care of Stoney.
So what's the plan now you ask? Well, after talking with Mike and Heather, I've come to the decision that I will be selling Stoney after he has healed and will start looking for a new and young horse to purchase that has potential to run at the two star level. However, it will take a while before Stoney can go back into work, and he then has to become fit again and worked regularly so that he is able to be sold. THEN I have months of waiting for someone to purchase him and THEN even a few more months of horse shopping before I will probably find myself a horse and I can regularly ride/train again. With all of this, we are looking at at least another year passing before I have another horse. Unfortunately, we do not have the financial means to buy a nice horse until we sell Stoney.
So, do I think I'm crazy for still even remotely wanting to keep doing this after all the hardships? Yes. You may think I'm a little strange to continue in this and move on, but it's all I can do. I can only accept that life is incredibly hard. It is far from fair and always will be. However, if I chose to be mad at the world every hour of every day, it would only result in misery, so accepting things for how they are is my only option...unless I go with Mike's idea of winning the lottery and buying myself a two star horse. In the mean time of keeping my fingers crossed for that one, I will continue working and taking care of Stoney. I'll be sure to give updates on his progress soon.
A picture of the grey monster enjoying his time off.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
"Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal"
I promise you all I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Seeing as I've hopped from living in the New's trailer to Jacob's trailer, things have been a little crazy. Also, living here at the barn doesn't give me any internet access...except when I get a chance to steal Jacob's massive laptop. So, I can guarantee this will be short and sweet.
For every one who doesn't know already, I was not chosen for Area V's junior team this summer. After having a not so great ride at the selection trial (I'll get to that in a minute), I was told a few days later that I was chosen as the alternate and that Stoney and I (along with my groom, Erin) will still be going to Kentucky to help the two teams out. If something is to happen to a horse on the junior team within 48 hours of starting the competition, I will be put on to the team. Do I think that's going to happen? No, not really, but we are still training daily like that's the case.
I had one of my best dressage tests ever at Texas Rose (with the exception of a flying change in our counter canter), which put me in 7th after dressage with a 33.9. However, later that day I was elimnated in show jumping after landing off a big oxer and coming to the next fence on a half stride. After crashing through the fence, we made our second attempt after it was put back into place, where I then got the same ride in again. Stoney had already scared himself the first time, and there was no way he was going over it.
Even after getting eliminated, the selectors had me talk to the officials and they agreed to let me ride cross country Sunday. My confidence was completely shattered, in my best phase none the less, and I couldn't get it together in warm up. Before Heather went out on course to watch, she told me I better "ride him like I stole him." From the way she put it, I knew better than to screw up again and have to face her afterward.
We ended up running around clear and in the time, and it was quite a perfect ride all around. We then had to jog our horses up for the vet afterward, and Stoney jogged up great, expecially seeing as he had tweaked his leg in the paddock earlier that week and was a bit sore on it. We got through the week leading up to the selection trials with lots of icing, no turn out, and just flat work.
I honestly think that part of the reason we got eliminated was because I hadn't jumped in a week. My eye just isn't that good. At least I, Mike, and Heather now know that from now on I can't go that long without jumping. Whether it be on Stoney or another horse, I definitley need the practice. I also think that it just wasn't our day. Freak things just happen. In the years that I've been competing, that was only the second time I've ever been eliminated, and it just happened to be on a weekend that my stepdad (who hasn't seen me compete in more than four years) and my mother were there, as well as at the show that was one of the most important ones of the season.
However, it's all in the past now. There is nothing that can be done. I have continued training every day, and Stoney seems to be improving each time I get on him. Because this goal has been my focus for so long, it's hard to figure out what the next step is. I feel like I have been staring at a bright light for a long time, only for it to have been shut off, and now I'm left in the darkness with no sense of direction of where I need to go. Completely lost pretty much sums it up.
That being said, I was reassured this past week when I attended my orientation at University of North Texas that it is the place to be. Afte being there for three days, I felt like I actually belong there and that I'll have a blast at this school. I honestly can't wait to start there this fall.
As for the riding, I haven't made any decisions on what to do next. I feel that I'll be taking things a lot slower this fall. No, I'm not giving up riding or competing while I'm in college, but I definitley won't be going as hard core as I was. I think it's time for me to just focus on school, relax a little, and enjoy my time at UNT and out at the barn. Winston Churchill once said that “success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” There has never been another option for me than to continue, and that is just what I'm planning to do.
I"m sorry for not updating this sooner and also for the fact that I won't be letting everyone know what is going on these next few weeks due to my living arangements and lack of internet. Until next time, I will most likely be relaxing in Mike's pool most afternoons with the rest of the gang, having movie nights in Big Bertha, and enjoying myself in Kentucky in just a few weeks.
For every one who doesn't know already, I was not chosen for Area V's junior team this summer. After having a not so great ride at the selection trial (I'll get to that in a minute), I was told a few days later that I was chosen as the alternate and that Stoney and I (along with my groom, Erin) will still be going to Kentucky to help the two teams out. If something is to happen to a horse on the junior team within 48 hours of starting the competition, I will be put on to the team. Do I think that's going to happen? No, not really, but we are still training daily like that's the case.
I had one of my best dressage tests ever at Texas Rose (with the exception of a flying change in our counter canter), which put me in 7th after dressage with a 33.9. However, later that day I was elimnated in show jumping after landing off a big oxer and coming to the next fence on a half stride. After crashing through the fence, we made our second attempt after it was put back into place, where I then got the same ride in again. Stoney had already scared himself the first time, and there was no way he was going over it.
Even after getting eliminated, the selectors had me talk to the officials and they agreed to let me ride cross country Sunday. My confidence was completely shattered, in my best phase none the less, and I couldn't get it together in warm up. Before Heather went out on course to watch, she told me I better "ride him like I stole him." From the way she put it, I knew better than to screw up again and have to face her afterward.
We ended up running around clear and in the time, and it was quite a perfect ride all around. We then had to jog our horses up for the vet afterward, and Stoney jogged up great, expecially seeing as he had tweaked his leg in the paddock earlier that week and was a bit sore on it. We got through the week leading up to the selection trials with lots of icing, no turn out, and just flat work.
I honestly think that part of the reason we got eliminated was because I hadn't jumped in a week. My eye just isn't that good. At least I, Mike, and Heather now know that from now on I can't go that long without jumping. Whether it be on Stoney or another horse, I definitley need the practice. I also think that it just wasn't our day. Freak things just happen. In the years that I've been competing, that was only the second time I've ever been eliminated, and it just happened to be on a weekend that my stepdad (who hasn't seen me compete in more than four years) and my mother were there, as well as at the show that was one of the most important ones of the season.
However, it's all in the past now. There is nothing that can be done. I have continued training every day, and Stoney seems to be improving each time I get on him. Because this goal has been my focus for so long, it's hard to figure out what the next step is. I feel like I have been staring at a bright light for a long time, only for it to have been shut off, and now I'm left in the darkness with no sense of direction of where I need to go. Completely lost pretty much sums it up.
That being said, I was reassured this past week when I attended my orientation at University of North Texas that it is the place to be. Afte being there for three days, I felt like I actually belong there and that I'll have a blast at this school. I honestly can't wait to start there this fall.
As for the riding, I haven't made any decisions on what to do next. I feel that I'll be taking things a lot slower this fall. No, I'm not giving up riding or competing while I'm in college, but I definitley won't be going as hard core as I was. I think it's time for me to just focus on school, relax a little, and enjoy my time at UNT and out at the barn. Winston Churchill once said that “success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” There has never been another option for me than to continue, and that is just what I'm planning to do.
I"m sorry for not updating this sooner and also for the fact that I won't be letting everyone know what is going on these next few weeks due to my living arangements and lack of internet. Until next time, I will most likely be relaxing in Mike's pool most afternoons with the rest of the gang, having movie nights in Big Bertha, and enjoying myself in Kentucky in just a few weeks.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Brick By Brick
Yes, yet again I have failed in giving an update within a few days after a competition. Instead, I've noticed I wait until I have the time and mindset to sit down and type, which happens to take over a week to do. I've realized that seeing as I've competed at eight competitions this spring, it seems like I'd have a lot of updates if I created a post after each and every show, so I decided to combine a recap of my CIC* at Greenwood and the prelim I ran at Feather Creek Horse Trials last weekend.
To say I got my last qualifying round I needed at Greenwood by the skin of my teeth would be quite the accurate statement. My dressage was horrendous, only being a qualifying score by less than five points. It was bad. Stoney got ridiculously tense, and it didn't help that I got tense as a result of his actions. We had a nice warm up, but as soon as we got into the ring it all changed.
As for cross country, it was hot and the ground was HARD. Even after having a thunder storm roll in the night before running cross country, the ground went from unbearably hard to bearably hard. Stoney went around like a champ (if you didn't see the video on my Facebook page, you should really check it out!). I'll admit, I was REALLY nervous about the water complex, but Stoney showed little hesitation and jumped in quite confidently. I think it's safe to say this horse is beginning to get over his timidness at water complexes. Unfortunately, the course took its toll on him, and he was quite tired when I came down to the third fence from home. The poor guy was literally shaking when I pulled up, but he cooled down fairly quickly like always.
So, after lots of icing and walking that afternoon, my horse was quite stiff behind. Even with walking him all afternoon and that night after the Area V dinner, he hadn't gotten much better. Sunday morning started EARLY for me. I was at the barn by 4:30 that morning, where I then walked him, iced him, and then eventually rode him (as soon as it got light enough outside) to let him work out of his stiffness behind. I then had to bathe him (gotta love greys) and get myself ready for jogs, which started around 7:30 that morning for the one star competitors. Although he was still just a teeny bit on the stiff side, we passed the jog.
Show jumping was quite bad too. Just being brutally honest. We had four rails, which is the limit you can have to getting a qualifying round. I missed at the swedish oxer, being too worried about the strides Mike told us to get instead of riding it off my eye and ended up adding a stride where I shouldn't have. The other three, however, were due to Stoney's exhaustion from the day before. I'm not even exagerating when I say Mike purposefully put a placing rail on the ground (too close to the fence) in order to make my horse crash through it, causing him to wake up and pick up his feet. After taking down poles and standards numerous times, my mother finally had to walk away because it was such a stomach twisting episode to watch. Most of my rails didn't come down until the end of the course. We somehow managed to hit all four back to back (at least for the most part I think). We hit our fourth rail the next to last fence from home. I did whatever I could to get my horse to clear the last fence and somehow we did. I swear, I've never had to work so hard to get that horse off the ground at every fence. He was beyond exhausted.
I was a little surprised seeing as the CIC* at Poplar was just as long/fast (with lots of hills!), and he jogged up great there, feeling fantastic going into show jumping on the third day. It was because of this that I kept our conditioning the same going into Greenwood. I guess the two underlying factors were the extremely hard ground and the heat that took effect at Greenwood. I had no idea it would create such a change in my horse.
So, somehow we managed to pull out a qualifying round and ended up placing fifth. I can tell you I have never felt so much pressure in my life these past few months, and I've never felt such a huge amount of relief as I did when I left that ring. I come out to Mike, who shrugs his shoulders and gives a small smile, saying, "Well, you got it done."
The two major things I learned from Greenwood: I needed to increase my horse's conditioning schedule and we needed to figure out how to simmer down and relax in dressage as to manage a better score. My first thought was, "Great. My horse is so fit that he can't stay relaxed and calm in dressage, and now he has to become even fitter."
I came home that day and Heather decided that since I was going with her to Feather Creek anyway to groom, I might as well enter Stoney there. It's not like I'd need to run for time or anything on cross country, and if the ground was hard, I could just withdraw on Sunday.
So off to Oklahoma the very next weekend we went. We arrived Friday, and I rode dressage that afternoon. Just like at Greenwood, he got quite tense once I moved over to the dressage ring from warm up, but I told myself it was schooling, not a competition, and I did things I normally don't, like over flexing him each direction, halting, and trotting in ten meter circles. He got down to business and had a great score. He was 7th after dressage and pulled out a 37.3. That was even with our unfortunate "4" we were given for our free walk. He doesn't quite understand yet that he can't run off in this movement. I practically halted him right in the middle of it and made him pay attention. Even with him trying to exit the ring...twice... *sigh*, we still got some good scores, including an "8" on our medium walk, medium canter, and on BOTH our counter canters! This horse could barely even counter canter back in Florida and he got eights on them in both directions. Collectively, he got a "7" for his freedom and regularity, and I was even given the comment of "well balanced and nice use of topline" in his medium canter. It's safe to say it was a complete turn around from Greenwood. Lynn Partridge was the rider after me and saw my test. Back at the barn she gave me a hug because she was so proud of how we did. She has known for a while that we can come together in warm up but seem to fall apart in the ring, and she was ecstatic for me that things were improving.
Saturday we show jumped, and it couldn't have been more perfect. I was seeing my distances perfectly that day, and I am now able to set him up and, wait for it... *the key point and ahha moment here* LET GO a stride or two away from the fence. And contrary to what I believed, he won't get faster. Crazy how much better my horse jumps when I can do that and he is able to use himself better to clear the fences.
After A LOT of rain, I ended up running cross country Sunday morning...practically in a lightning storm. Complete truth, I promise. The weather was quite eerie. Later after I rode they ended up putting the show on a two hour hold because of it. Turned out, the ground was extremely muddy and slick. I ran not only because the ground was soft, but also because Feather Creek had completely changed up their cross country course, and it was no way on the soft and easy side of things. It was definitley a test of accuracy, with plenty of bending lines, corners, and skinnies. Lots of skinnies. Most being in combinations. With the exception of having a little bit of a sticky ride through the new coffin they built (which was my fault), everything rode great. Even after coming in three fourths a minute over optimum, we ended up in fourth.
I was so relieved to have had such an improvement at Feather Creek. Even with the stress of qualifying out of the way, you can't imagine the stress I feel every day towards needing improvement on a daily basis. Not to mention after Greenwood I was so confused with how exactly I needed to even ride my horse. I had no idea the kind of ride he needed anymore. Up until this point, I've had to help him along the entire way. Now, he is learning to hold himself up in dressage instead of relying on my constant leg being there to help carry him, and he is now learning that when I give my hands and drop his mouth in front of a show jumping fence, he has to do his job and jump on his own. No more of me helping him get over the fences, and no more of him relying on me. He has to grow up.
Finally, things are clicking. Granted, we have our days (like this past week), but that is what Heather and Mike are for. Heather has been helping me a lot lately on the flat with him, getting on him and riding him on the days that he struggles so much that he needs a professional ride. I myself struggle too, so putting us together can result in a mess on some days. That is why I'm at Gold Chip. There are just days that he needs someone with their skill level and years of experience riding him. Some people tell me, "Well, if you just did this on the flat," or "If you just didn't do this," but it is so much harder than most think. Because Stoney and I both struggle with our flat work, it is a constant battle we face together.
At this point, it is just brick by brick. I can only take one day at a time. Earlier this week, I had to accept the fact that yes, his canter work is great, but he very well can't hold himself up in the counter canter yet. It's hard for him. But we have improved. Our trot work has improved, our canter work has improved, and during my trot sets the other day, I can now have him consistently trotting into the contact on an extremely loose rein (for forty minutes I might add!), something that has taken me two and a half years to accomplish and that I used to not be able to do without a training tool to help. We are also completing a trot set after our flat work most days, along with one day a week being devoted to trot sets. Brick by brick. More are being put into place each day (or at least most days). Even though there are still tons more to go, the fact that I can stand back and see the progress being made is what keeps me going each and every day. I can only hope things fall into place next weekend at Texas Rose, the "mandatory outing" for all the qualified Young Riders. All the selectors will be there, and it is after this show that we are informed on if we make the team for this summer. Also, I can only hope that I am not asking too much in the fact that I hope everything can fall into place for Stoney and I...again.
To say I got my last qualifying round I needed at Greenwood by the skin of my teeth would be quite the accurate statement. My dressage was horrendous, only being a qualifying score by less than five points. It was bad. Stoney got ridiculously tense, and it didn't help that I got tense as a result of his actions. We had a nice warm up, but as soon as we got into the ring it all changed.
As for cross country, it was hot and the ground was HARD. Even after having a thunder storm roll in the night before running cross country, the ground went from unbearably hard to bearably hard. Stoney went around like a champ (if you didn't see the video on my Facebook page, you should really check it out!). I'll admit, I was REALLY nervous about the water complex, but Stoney showed little hesitation and jumped in quite confidently. I think it's safe to say this horse is beginning to get over his timidness at water complexes. Unfortunately, the course took its toll on him, and he was quite tired when I came down to the third fence from home. The poor guy was literally shaking when I pulled up, but he cooled down fairly quickly like always.
So, after lots of icing and walking that afternoon, my horse was quite stiff behind. Even with walking him all afternoon and that night after the Area V dinner, he hadn't gotten much better. Sunday morning started EARLY for me. I was at the barn by 4:30 that morning, where I then walked him, iced him, and then eventually rode him (as soon as it got light enough outside) to let him work out of his stiffness behind. I then had to bathe him (gotta love greys) and get myself ready for jogs, which started around 7:30 that morning for the one star competitors. Although he was still just a teeny bit on the stiff side, we passed the jog.
Show jumping was quite bad too. Just being brutally honest. We had four rails, which is the limit you can have to getting a qualifying round. I missed at the swedish oxer, being too worried about the strides Mike told us to get instead of riding it off my eye and ended up adding a stride where I shouldn't have. The other three, however, were due to Stoney's exhaustion from the day before. I'm not even exagerating when I say Mike purposefully put a placing rail on the ground (too close to the fence) in order to make my horse crash through it, causing him to wake up and pick up his feet. After taking down poles and standards numerous times, my mother finally had to walk away because it was such a stomach twisting episode to watch. Most of my rails didn't come down until the end of the course. We somehow managed to hit all four back to back (at least for the most part I think). We hit our fourth rail the next to last fence from home. I did whatever I could to get my horse to clear the last fence and somehow we did. I swear, I've never had to work so hard to get that horse off the ground at every fence. He was beyond exhausted.
I was a little surprised seeing as the CIC* at Poplar was just as long/fast (with lots of hills!), and he jogged up great there, feeling fantastic going into show jumping on the third day. It was because of this that I kept our conditioning the same going into Greenwood. I guess the two underlying factors were the extremely hard ground and the heat that took effect at Greenwood. I had no idea it would create such a change in my horse.
So, somehow we managed to pull out a qualifying round and ended up placing fifth. I can tell you I have never felt so much pressure in my life these past few months, and I've never felt such a huge amount of relief as I did when I left that ring. I come out to Mike, who shrugs his shoulders and gives a small smile, saying, "Well, you got it done."
The two major things I learned from Greenwood: I needed to increase my horse's conditioning schedule and we needed to figure out how to simmer down and relax in dressage as to manage a better score. My first thought was, "Great. My horse is so fit that he can't stay relaxed and calm in dressage, and now he has to become even fitter."
I came home that day and Heather decided that since I was going with her to Feather Creek anyway to groom, I might as well enter Stoney there. It's not like I'd need to run for time or anything on cross country, and if the ground was hard, I could just withdraw on Sunday.
So off to Oklahoma the very next weekend we went. We arrived Friday, and I rode dressage that afternoon. Just like at Greenwood, he got quite tense once I moved over to the dressage ring from warm up, but I told myself it was schooling, not a competition, and I did things I normally don't, like over flexing him each direction, halting, and trotting in ten meter circles. He got down to business and had a great score. He was 7th after dressage and pulled out a 37.3. That was even with our unfortunate "4" we were given for our free walk. He doesn't quite understand yet that he can't run off in this movement. I practically halted him right in the middle of it and made him pay attention. Even with him trying to exit the ring...twice... *sigh*, we still got some good scores, including an "8" on our medium walk, medium canter, and on BOTH our counter canters! This horse could barely even counter canter back in Florida and he got eights on them in both directions. Collectively, he got a "7" for his freedom and regularity, and I was even given the comment of "well balanced and nice use of topline" in his medium canter. It's safe to say it was a complete turn around from Greenwood. Lynn Partridge was the rider after me and saw my test. Back at the barn she gave me a hug because she was so proud of how we did. She has known for a while that we can come together in warm up but seem to fall apart in the ring, and she was ecstatic for me that things were improving.
Saturday we show jumped, and it couldn't have been more perfect. I was seeing my distances perfectly that day, and I am now able to set him up and, wait for it... *the key point and ahha moment here* LET GO a stride or two away from the fence. And contrary to what I believed, he won't get faster. Crazy how much better my horse jumps when I can do that and he is able to use himself better to clear the fences.
After A LOT of rain, I ended up running cross country Sunday morning...practically in a lightning storm. Complete truth, I promise. The weather was quite eerie. Later after I rode they ended up putting the show on a two hour hold because of it. Turned out, the ground was extremely muddy and slick. I ran not only because the ground was soft, but also because Feather Creek had completely changed up their cross country course, and it was no way on the soft and easy side of things. It was definitley a test of accuracy, with plenty of bending lines, corners, and skinnies. Lots of skinnies. Most being in combinations. With the exception of having a little bit of a sticky ride through the new coffin they built (which was my fault), everything rode great. Even after coming in three fourths a minute over optimum, we ended up in fourth.
I was so relieved to have had such an improvement at Feather Creek. Even with the stress of qualifying out of the way, you can't imagine the stress I feel every day towards needing improvement on a daily basis. Not to mention after Greenwood I was so confused with how exactly I needed to even ride my horse. I had no idea the kind of ride he needed anymore. Up until this point, I've had to help him along the entire way. Now, he is learning to hold himself up in dressage instead of relying on my constant leg being there to help carry him, and he is now learning that when I give my hands and drop his mouth in front of a show jumping fence, he has to do his job and jump on his own. No more of me helping him get over the fences, and no more of him relying on me. He has to grow up.
Finally, things are clicking. Granted, we have our days (like this past week), but that is what Heather and Mike are for. Heather has been helping me a lot lately on the flat with him, getting on him and riding him on the days that he struggles so much that he needs a professional ride. I myself struggle too, so putting us together can result in a mess on some days. That is why I'm at Gold Chip. There are just days that he needs someone with their skill level and years of experience riding him. Some people tell me, "Well, if you just did this on the flat," or "If you just didn't do this," but it is so much harder than most think. Because Stoney and I both struggle with our flat work, it is a constant battle we face together.
At this point, it is just brick by brick. I can only take one day at a time. Earlier this week, I had to accept the fact that yes, his canter work is great, but he very well can't hold himself up in the counter canter yet. It's hard for him. But we have improved. Our trot work has improved, our canter work has improved, and during my trot sets the other day, I can now have him consistently trotting into the contact on an extremely loose rein (for forty minutes I might add!), something that has taken me two and a half years to accomplish and that I used to not be able to do without a training tool to help. We are also completing a trot set after our flat work most days, along with one day a week being devoted to trot sets. Brick by brick. More are being put into place each day (or at least most days). Even though there are still tons more to go, the fact that I can stand back and see the progress being made is what keeps me going each and every day. I can only hope things fall into place next weekend at Texas Rose, the "mandatory outing" for all the qualified Young Riders. All the selectors will be there, and it is after this show that we are informed on if we make the team for this summer. Also, I can only hope that I am not asking too much in the fact that I hope everything can fall into place for Stoney and I...again.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Perfection Is the Name of the Game...Or Close to It
Where to start with last weekend? Let's see. I'd have to say it went pretty well! Friday was quite miserable with the complete down pour the weather decided to give us. I think it was the first time I've walked a cross country course with Mike, sloshing through the water the whole way and with everyone's rain jackets being the life of us. Thankfully both times I rode that day (schooling in the morning and performing my dressage test in the afternoon), I was lucky enough to not ride in the tormenting downpour. I guess God thought I got my fair share of riding in the miserable rain at Poplar. Even with my horse having been ridden previously that day, he never fails to be completely tense, rain or no rain. After cantering in our lengthening trot, a bobble in our canter work, and all of our walk/free walk movements consisting of jigging and trotting in place, I'm not sure how we pulled out a 42.2. This coming from Sally O'Connor none the less. She must have seen some potential in my horse, because it definitley was not a test to be happy with. Like always (which happens a little too often in my opinion), Mike had to give me a "pep talk" in how it "isn't as bad as it feels to [me]." Still, 9th place out of 14th isn't great.
After putting a terrible dressage behind me (which I'm quite skilled in at this point), I focused on cross country for the next day. The ground was terribly wet/soft and quite slick in some places. With the help of my big studs, we didn't put a foot wrong on the course. I even got compliments on my ride through the water and the bank complex, where after jumping up the bank, we jumped down and continued with four strides over a corner. After thinking about it, I realized this horse never questions what I point him at. With accuracy questions such as that, he never looks for a way out or an oppurtunity to not jump something, but instead never fails to have his ears forward and looking for the next fence I allow him to jump. "A big wooden corner right after a drop off a bank? Let me at it Mom." I can't describe the mind set of this horse any better than that. However, if I was to describe his mind set going into the dressage ring, that would be a completely different and quite defiant story.
Seeing as I didn't need Holly Hill as a qualifyer and the ground wasn't ideal, Stoney and I just cruised around the cross country, racking up a bit of time. It was more of a schooling ordeal than a competitive outing. Besides, there was no point in running his legs off (in the terrible footing) when we are doing the CIC* at Greenwood next weekend. I will go ahead and say that we finished in seventh (seventh place seems to really likes me). Like I said, it wasn't a show we were striving to win.
Now, how can I even begin to describe show jumping on Sunday. It was brilliant. Perfect is the only word I can come up with to describe it, and even that falls short. Warm up went perfectly for me, and I was seeing my distances perfectly and forward. I guess only having jumped a few times since Poplar and Stoney being in the round pen three times a week payed off because once we got into the ring, he didn't even touch the jumps. With the exception of a rub coming out of a combination (which was actually my fault), he cleared every fence. Not only did we clear every fence, but it was in perfect rythm in harmony. With no change of speed, the jumps just simply came into our path.
I can honestly say I had never heard such a loud cheer after crossing the finish line. Everyone from my barn was so ecstatic and happy for me. They all knew how incredibly difficult it is for me to have a clear round and that it was literally the second clear round I'd ever had since buying this horse (the first one being this winter at Rocking II in Florida). I came out of the arena, Heather waiting with a big grin and high five for me. She was just as thrilled with the round as I was. Even after I had gotten back to the barn, Mike came up to me later with a grin and another high five for me, as well as my barn mates congratulating me and giving me hugs. As you can see, this was a big deal. Mike said in the past that with a horse like mine, you have to be spot on every single time to the fences, and even then, you can only pray that he does his job in keeping the rails up. That day, I was spot on to everything, and Stoney did his part as well. Seeing as I've been struggling with my show jumping and had a rough round at Poplar, this was exactly what I needed going into my second ever CIC* at Greenwood. But perfection in just one phase, or even two, isn't enough to do well. To succeed in this sport, everything has to fall into place at the right time, and not just once. You need perfection (or close to it) in every phase of the game.
Since being back, I've had one dressage lesson with Mike. It seems we finally have somewhat of a break through in my dressage. Even if so, it won't matter unless it translates over into my test at Greenwood. I guess we'll see. After my lesson on Tuesday, Mike flew to Kentucky for Rolex. Heather left Monday morning from Holly Hill with Roe, and we wish her all the luck this weekend in the blue grass state. I was told that if it hadn't been for Greenwood being the weekend after Rolex and I really needing a qualifying ride there, I would have been able to go to Rolex and groom for Heather. Gotta love unfortunate circumstances. I'm glad Mike made the call for me to stay here, because I would have made myself sick if I'd have had to make the decision. Still, the fact that I am in a position where such a great opportunity arose is quite unbelievable. The fact that I can say I have ridden a horse more times than I can remember that is competing at Rolex is quite unbelievable too. Trust me, I am well aware of how lucky and privileged I am.
So, the barn has been a ghost town the past few days and will continue to be through out the weekend with everyone being at Rolex. Not only am I staying back to ride Stoney and prepare for our one star, but I am also in charge of riding both of the horses Mike and Heather will be competing in the two star, Maisie and Remi. Not to mention a few of the other horses in the barn, and hey, while I'm at it a few of the girls' horses while they got the oppurtunity to go to Rolex. Busy busy me, but I'm having a blast doing it.
Sure, I'm a little disappointed I couldn't go to Rolex, but no sacrifice, no victory. It's safe to say I've sacrificed a lot at this point. I sacrificed going to University of Arkansas so I could stay down here and train with Mike, and I will officially be attending University of North Texas in the fall. Would I have liked to have gone to TCU? Of course. But buying a comfy sweatshirt from the college you desire doesn't help with attending it if you can't afford it. Although, if I had attended TCU, I wouldn't have been able to keep working for Mike, since it is in Fort Worth and an hour's drive away, meaning, I couldn't continue to keep Stoney at his facility. Since UNT is so close, my plan is to keep my job with Mike, keep my horse boarded there, and just take afternoon and night classes (still being a full time student of course).
And so the count down begins. Only seven days until our second CIC* and the big last qualifier that I need for this summer. I will add that I am very apprehensive about getting around cross country clean, seeing as Stoney had a complete melt down when schooling Greenwood's water complex right before leaving for Florida. I can only hope he has matured and has gotten over whatever mental wall he had built up. So, fingers crossed everyone as we go into next week!
Tried Stoney's ear bonnet on today to see how he felt about it. He'll be quite the handsome catch at Greenwood wearing it (;
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