Facing Fears and Following My Heart

I have always loved showing horses. It has been a passion of mine as long as I can remember. In my younger adult life though, I gave it up. My husband didn't like it, and I just started trail riding my horses rather than arguing with him about showing.

Recently, however, I decided that I am going to start showing again, and if my husband wasn't supportive then, oh well. He field trials his beagles, which I support, and sometimes have to take to trials for him when he is working. I didn't break the news to him immediately. I do think that he knew something was up, afterall during this summer heat, I usually don't do a lot of riding. It's very often 100 degrees here with a heat index of 105 to 115 during July and August. I have been riding as much as possible in the mornings and evenings for the past few weeks now.

A week ago, I asked him what he was planning on doing Saturday. He replied, "nothing. Why?" I told him that there was open show that I wanted to go to. He then replied, "are you showing?" That response caught me completely off guard! I looked up, and he was smiling. I explained that we, Skippy and I, weren't ready for that show yet, but I wanted to go check it out to see what the competition looked like. The next thing out of my mouth was, "you're not upset that I want to start showing again?" Suprisingly, he has been completely supportive of my decision. I don't know what has gotten into him. [SMILE!] I guess over the years maybe he has realized that it's something that is in my blood, and it's something that I just can't help.

For now, Skippy and I are working toward a couple of local open shows that are scheduled over the next couple of months. I am nervous, and Skippy has no idea what he is in for. At first, he was not excited about his new work schedule that completely disrupted his "grass eating" time. Now, every afternoon, or morning as the case may be, he greets me with a whinny and off to work we go. He is such a trooper! I am going to try to keep a journal here of our training and how we are progressing.

Wish me luck!

MTR Clean Up Ride

I spent a great weekend riding and camping with good friends and good horses while Brian and Dylan spent most of the weekend off field trialing. They did make it in late Saturday evening for supper and spent the night. Dylan's beagle, Timber Rattlin' Elvis, placed 3rd in the NKC/ARHA World Hunt!! He is soooooooo excited. This is the same dog that won The Eliminator Hunt two weeks ago. Needless to say, you can't tell him anything.

Three of "the girls" rode on Saturday. We had a blast - even considering our run in with that "Killer Stop Sign"! That was a hoot! We were riding along on one of the dirt roads that we regularly ride on and coming up to an intersection. Everything was cool - we were talking, laughing and thoroughly enjoying ourselves when Milkshake and Skippy decided that Stop sign was out to get them. Before I had a clue what was going on, we were going the other direction and Skippy was going to head through the woods with Milkshake who had decided he was leaving the country completely. Poor little Maggie was just like what the heck is wrong with the two of you morons! Once the boys were back under control, we noticed that the Stop sign, which is normally straight, was leaning over. Apparently, this was an issue for our boys. They blew and snorted at that thing for the longest time. It was hilarious!

On Sunday, the usual gang rode along with a couple guests. The weather was beautiful! We trimmed some low hanging branches while most of the guys were on four-wheelers and cleaning the large debris from the trails in preparation for our club's Spring trail ride in two weeks. And, yes, we passed that Killer Stop Sign and not one of the horses even noticed it! Funny how their little horsey minds work!

It was a wonderful weekend. I am so grateful for sunshine, good friends, good horses and wonderful places to ride!

I Can't Believe it's March Already - Miss Me?

I know, I know! I haven't been here in awhile. I have been quite busy lately. I joined Weight Watchers, started working out at Zumba, volunteered for our trail riding club's Activities Committee and have been field trialing! Whew!!!! I can't believe January and February are already gone, but so far it's been fun!

My big gelding, Skippy, got really sick there for awhile. We had a major battle with him colicing for a couple of weeks, thought he was over it and then he had a mild relapse. He is doing well now though. Thank GOD!!!!!!! I do hope his insides aren't scarred too badly from that whole ordeal.

I just started riding him again two Sundays ago, and he is doing REALLY well! He has the most amazing jog that you could ride all day! Before it got too cold and wet to ride and before he got sick, we were working on his lope. Turns out he didn't forget anything - yay!! He is bending and flexing well and dropping his head as soon as I ask. I have to admit though, I was a little nervous to see how he was going to do when I asked him to lope. Boy was I surprised! It was awesome. He had a tendency to want to throw his head up and feet would go everywhere. When I asked for him to lope, he stepped off into it nicely and stayed collected and round!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't have asked for anything more!

We are going camping and riding this weekend. I am excited. My big boy is doing well and hope he continues to! I can't describe the feeling you get when you realize all that hard work you have been doing is coming all together - it's amazing!