Thursday, January 5, 2012

A brief intro...

I guess this is necessary!  I mean it's the first thing I look for whenever I find a new blog to read...

I grew up with horses always in the backyard and am pretty sure I learned how to ride before I knew how to walk.  I was one of those lucky kids that always had my own horse and parents that supported my riding.  I blame my mother (just kidding!) - she grew up riding as well and is the reason there was always a horse around when I was little.

Super cute QHx - Dino!
I'm a former Pony Clubber and really wish they had Pony Club for old people!  I evented through Prelim while in high school and dabbled in the jumpers while in college.  Once I graduated from college, I took about a 10 year break from riding.  After getting my priorities straight, I quit my financially lucrative job in the oil industry, moved back home, and started nursing school.

Charlie!
I picked up the reins again in Aug of 2010 and began leasing a super cute QHx.  I told myself I wasn't going to be in the market for a horse until at the earliest 2013 (I'm kind of a long range planner, haha!).  Well, you know what they say about plans.  I went to visit a very good friend of mine during a training trip (did I mention I was in the Navy Reserves?) who just happens to be a professional and who just happens to have access to really nice OTTBs (honestly, is there any other kind?).  It turns out I just couldn't leave him behind.  So in Dec 2010 (Merry Christmas to me!), Charlie came to live with me in SC.  He's a 2005 model, 17hh+ chestnut gelding and he couldn't be more perfect for me!  Just came a few years earlier than planned.  Oh well!

That's me on the left with my friend Sarah!
I just got back from having spent 7 months in Kuwait and a few other "exotic" locales for the reserves.  Charlie got to spend this time with my friend who sold him to me learning how to be a proper event horse.  I have a lot of goals for this year - I'm really great at having goals in my head but don't always do so well in seeing them come to fruition.  This is the reason for the blog...well part of the reason.  I also think it will help to write down my successes as well as my challenges (and let's face it, there are lots of challenges!).  Coming back to riding has been great but frustrating as well because things that used to be so easy for me are now much more difficult.  I love my horse and I really want to be the best jockey I can for him.  So this is our journey!

2 comments:

  1. I look forward to following your journey! I, too, have a 2005 model OTTB gelding who I hope to train for the eventing world. (And who was also a "questionable decision" which has turned out to be one of the best things I have ever done!) It will be a first for both of us, so reading about a similar journey for others will be a treat! Good luck!

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  2. Hey SouthernSon! Thanks so much for reading! I don't know why I bother with plans as I rarely stick to them but as you said, it seems like it always seems to work out for the best. He never fails to put a smile on my face. Good luck to you too!

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