Polar Opposites

Having recently bought my first jumping saddle, many would think that I am strictly an english rider. But, the fact is I just can't decide which side to choose!  We are gearing up for the annual rodeo that is coming up soon and I am now in the hunt for a western saddle to match my new western headstall. I am a total believer that a truly good rider is a versatile rider who can ride in any type of saddle, on any horse and in any discipline and excel. That is the type of rider I wish to be.  So, for me, no doors are closed, when an opportunity arises, I step up to the challenge. I make my weaknesses my strengths and my strengths even stronger. The key to being versatile is to have an open mind.  Every coach, and every sport has their traditional ways of doing things. I strive to be a well rounded rider which means I never want to stop learning new things, new tricks and new techniques.

Sold! and Sold!

If you would have asked me a year ago- trade my dressage for a jumping saddle- no way!  Keeping an open mind was one of my goals when I started to take up jumping last spring. A lot of the jumping philosophy is quite opposite as to what I grew up with, but I decided that to be a more well rounded rider, it was best to keep an open mind and try new things that I generally was opposed to do.  The past few months, my addiction to the thrill of jumping has sky rocketed and my need or desire to ride in my dressage saddle has dissipated.  Why? I don't know. I guess I was in need of a change and a new challenge. Though my old ways are still what I preach, I take pride in my new love of jumping and to embrace it I sold my loving dressage saddle and have purchased my first close contact saddle.  Oh, did I mention last week I jumped 2'9" for the first time!

Torn

I am torn. Struggling to decide... sell my dressage saddle for a jumping saddle? I can't decide. I love my dressage saddle but I am not riding in it enough to make it worth my while to keep it. I don't want to let it go, I have a lot of history with this saddle, but I already have an all purpose and I can't ride in three saddles at once! What to do???!!! I also want a western saddle to go with my new western headstall and breast collar, but-that's a whole other story to tell some other time....

Coaching Again!

I'm back! Coaching again and loving it. I started coaching when I was 16 and coached for 5 years. After being off for two years I am so excited to get back into it again.

Conquering my fears, accomplishing my dreams

It has been too long since my last blog. Let me fill you in on what has been happening...

Last May, I decided to take up jumping lessons with an old riding friend. Being dressage/endurance riders, our philosophy is to sit up tall, long stirrups, deep seat and comfy saddle. Not so, is the case for jumping. Crank up your stirrups, hands up the neck, two point position, small, uncomfy saddle and lots of rein contact. OUCH is all I can say, we were in pain.

After a couple of lessons, I started trailering one of our own horses over for lessons. Eddie, an experienced Trillium jumper was needing the work, and I, the mount. Eddie came with a lot of experience and some questionable quirks. (He hates the mounting block, he fusses with his bit and he likes to jump FAST.)

A few tack adjustments (mostly a new bit) and a few pointers for me (take up contact!) and Eddie and I were moving much more in sync. My hesitation and fear to jump slowly disappeared and my need for exhilaration climbed. Next challenge? To enter a show. Now was my time to conquer my fears and acheive a dream I have always wanted to do. It was now or never, and I wasn't about to back down.

A few weeks later I found myself in my first show. I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life. I had a nervous breakdown during practice- I was sure I was going to forget my course. I even ran through some jumps. But a good pep talk from my coach and slowly the fear subsided and I started to focus. I was going to conquer this, no running away. Come my classes, Eddie jumped fabulous.  He was all business, and so was I.  I was ecstatic. I did it! Eddie ended up 7th in both our jumping courses, and 5th in our flat class. We placed in all three classes. I couldn't have been more proud. And to top it off, I even trailered myself there and back with no help (aside from Pierre- who backed the trailer up for me....)

Cowgirl Up!

Well, I am officially converted. Riding in a rodeo was more fun than I ever expected. I had a blast! My horse was quite anxious, despite being the most experienced, she was the least well behaved out of our group. I had a feeling that she was going to dump me and boy was I right. Our first event- the barrels- started with a bucking escapade. During the bucking, my hat flew over my eye's so I pulled her up, whipped off the cowboy hat and continued on. Our next two events went without incident- we were much slower than the other riders but rode with extreme precision and grace. I was very happy with her performance. The last event we were entered in was the keyhole- gallop down to an open ended circle, ride in, turn around and gallop back out. Everyone was encouraging me let Sheylan open up and give it her all, so I did- that in hindsight was a mistake; she spotted a mudhole and came to a dead stop halfway down the ring. Off I flew. I landed on my feet. I then ran back to her left side, and got back on. In the process of getting back on I lost my stirrup. It had come loose and fell right off the saddle, but I continued on anyways and completed the event. The cowboys were amazed that I could ride stirrupless- to them that is unheard of, so I was destined as the trick rider of the day. Now I am hooked and can't wait for my next rodeo. Perhaps I will actually practice before I enter in some of the events!