Thanksgiving was yesterday and I intended to write this post then, but I fell asleep because I had woken up early for my new job (I work with dogs now). Now, I'm not really into getting sentimental over things or people, but I figure that it's a good idea to reflect on the good things in your life on occasion.
1.) My Mom.
My mother helped me pursue my interests in horses. She drove me to my riding lessons every weekend, attended every horse show, bought me toy horses, books, and really kept my interest alive.
2.) My Riding Instructors.
I don't remember the names of every single one I had, specifically my very first few, but I am incredibly grateful for every single one of them. Even the ones that didn't work out. They all taught me something about riding, horses, and myself.
3.) Winton Woods Riding Center.
This is where I rode in Cincinnati, Ohio through my childhood years. It goes along with the above, but without this place, I wouldn't have had somewhere to go to nurture my love of horses. For many years, it was my favorite place in the world and I would go just to visit the horses even long after I stopped riding.
4.) Faith Ranch.
My youth group went to Faith Ranch's camp to ride horses, go on cattle drives, and talk about God. Years later, I realized that the place I thought was so cool was really not the best place for animals, but this ranch actually allowed me to show off my riding skills and horse knowledge to the kids in school that bullied me. I was the weird kid obsessed with horses, and here at Faith Ranch, I was top dog. It was a nice change. I probably shouldn't be so grateful for a place that allowed me to reverse the social structure of junior high, but it's kind of nice to feel smug sometimes.
5.) Torie and the Cincinnati Polo Club.
Torie invited me out to ride after nine years of not riding and introduced me to the CPC. They really changed my life for the better and I will never forget the year I spent with them. They were like a family to me and had a lot of faith in my abilities to take care of horses. I met them during a very dark period of my life and they helped me out of it. I will be eternally grateful for them.
6.) Jordàn Linstedt.
I haven't ridden with her yet, but she did invite me out to her farm to work with the horses a little bit and she's interested in having me make a promotional video for her. She helped me regain my trust in the equestrian community after my negative experience and I look forward to doing more with her. She is an amazing and inspiring person.
7.) Rachel
Rachel is a friend I made at my last barn and she has been a super cheerleader. I've shot video of her with her lease pony and we plan on going to the Washington State Horse Expo next year. I always needed more friends that were into horses.
8.) My husband, Christopher.
Christopher has been an incredible supporter of my equestrian dreams. Even when my dreams seem to be out of control and impossible, he's there to help me figure out how to make it happen. He's also my voice of reason and logic and when my ideas get to be too crazy, he helps me make them realistic. Also, he followed me across the country to live on a horse farm despite the fact that he has barely any interest or knowledge in horses. He just wants to me to be happy and I am incredibly grateful.
9.) ALL the horses I have EVER known.
Even the ones I have never ridden. Without them, I wouldn't be writing this blog and there would have been no passion to nurture. I'd like to shout out to a few specific horses. Wally, that lived behind my friend's house, who I was so afraid of that I'd throw apples into the yard instead of letting him eat them from my hand. Sir Al, the first horse I had a lesson on. He taught me so much. Juice, who I rode most, and fell off of. He taught me how to jump. Field, who I loved dearly. And Rainey. Rainey brought me confidence when I started jumping again after 9 years of not riding. She is the cutest paint with a lovely personality and I miss her.
10.) Matt and Mynta.
Last but not least, the people who rescued me from the scary trainer and have been allowing Christopher and me to camp out in their living room until we get back on our feet. Without them, I wouldn't still be in Washington and trying to pursue my goals here. I owe them a lot and I will always help them whenever I can.
