May 3, 2011

Today was a fun ride with Gabe.  I found a whole new series of trails at the very end of a neighboring construction site! The greatest accomplishment was just getting Gabe to only walk through them! He has so much energy that he'd rather canter or gallop everything.  That's one of the things that I love about him.  We have such similar spirits in that way.  We love to go fast and if there's a challenge we're going to try it.  But this type of thinking has also taught me a great deal.  I've learned that just because you can doesn't mean you should jump that or go that fast.  I see Gabe as such a huge gift and the last thing I want to do is to ruin that spirit within him because I allowed us to do too much.  So now I'm the thinking part of this relationship and I'm asking myself new questions.  Instead of, "I think we can make it" or "What's the worst that could happen? I've lived a good life" it's "Will this build Gabe's confidence?" or "Will this benefit our training?".  My goal is to, yes, think smarter and plan wisely, but to not lose the child-like joy and fun that comes from being with my horse.

We finished the day with a short dressage test in a large sand arena that has long been forgotten.  Though the construction workers there may see it as a large sand pit, it has become my imaginary training arena, at times surrounded by stands and judges.  Amist the more realistic random plastic bags, rusted gates, and barking neighborhood dogs, who obviously don't realize Gabe has them by several thousand pounds, we practiced being round, supple, and in constant rythm.  Gabe has improved drastically over the past few months.  My desire for a good solid foundation for Gabe is finally paying off as it is taking less and less time to warm him up and to get him into a good working mind-set.  I'm glad that I have focused the past 4 months on nothing but flat work.  I do look forward to getting back into jumping and cross-country.  That time will come very soon as we are moving to Long Shadows Farm in Campobello.  They have an amazing XC course on site! Now it's time to find a trainer!    

The Beginning

Dear Family & Friends,

            I’m graduating! Finally! May 13^th at 9:30 am I will officially walk across the stage in Little John Coliseum having obtained my BS in Animal and Veterinary Science with a Concentration in Equine Business Management.  I am certain that it is only by the grace of God that I am graduating.  Despite all of the setbacks, from finances to major surgeries, the finish line is in sight! This is largely due to the many people that God put along my path who encouraged and supported me.  More than a college degree, I believe that during these past years I have gained what is truly valuable and important.  Firstly, I know that I am a child of God.  That He loves me and has wonderful plans for me.  Secondly, I met and married my incredible husband, David.  Thirdly, I have been given direction for what I would like to “do” in life.  You all know that I am an animal lover.  For many years I thought that this passion would lead me to become a Veterinarian.  However, another opportunity presented itself as my dreams to become a Vet dissolved.  Several “horse people” that I admired and respected encouraged and inspired me to pursue horseback riding as my profession.  So, this was my prayer, “ God, if you want me to ride professionally, then give me a horse”.   Not even a week later that horse was given to me!  He didn’t like what I thought would be the “horse for me”.  He was emaciated, about 500lbs underweight, considered short for my discipline, a paint, skittish, highly fearfully of anything that moved and had only been trained in western disciplines.  Now this new chapter in life has begun as I take Gabe along the journey to become and International Eventer.  For those that don’t know, this is the triathlon of the horse world including dressage, cross-country, and show jumping.  Though my mount is unusual and my goals lofty, they are not unattainable.  However, I can not do this alone.  I am asking for your support, whether it be through encouraging words, prayers, or finances.  I also believe that the journey is so much greater, the finish more valuable when it has taken unity and foresight to get there.  Thank you for being a part of my life!