I saw this blog post on The $900 Facebook Pony, and I love these things, and I haven't been blogging much, so I thought I would give it a go!
1. Why horses? Why not a sane sport, like soccer or softball or curling?
I've been in love with horses ever since I was little. I remember my cousin going to an agricultural college and taking her horse with her, and I decided that's what I wanted to do. I'm also not sane to start with, so why join a sane sport?
I dabbled in a bit of everything as a kid, got really in to volleyball, but horses were always my thing. They were there for me during the tough times of high school, and gave me confidence and courage when I needed it.
2. What was your riding "career" as a kid?
I started at 8 with two half-wild paint ponies named Maggie and Duchess. They spent two years trying to kill me before my parents decided they needed to go and I got PB, aka. Peanut Butter Smoothie, a QH/Arab pony gelding, who was a saint. I showed him in little hunter schooling shows for 3 years until I outgrew him, then had to take a step back from showing because my TB/Paint mare, Missy, refused to get on a trailer. I worked with her for a couple years, but also outgrew her, and sold her to buy Vinnie.
Vinnie and I did a bit of everything: dressage to first level, evented to Training level, and jumpers to 1.10m.
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| Maggie and I at summer camp. I was stylin' back then. |
3. If you could go back to your past and buy ONE horse, which would it be?
PB. I loved him so much, and he was such an amazing pony.
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| PB; and again, I'm super stylish. |
I rode Maggie western as a kid, though we didn't really do anything. Then I've done hunters, jumpers, dressage, and eventing.
5. Have you ever bought a horse at auction or from a rescue?
I've bought 3 at auction. Two QH weanlings, Easy and Sonny, and a TB/Clyde/Hackney, Charlie.
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| Sonny as a 2 y/o |
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| Sonny, the day we brought him home, and Charlie |
Thoroughbreds.
I grew up reading the Thoroughbred series and wanting to be a jockey (that dream died when I was 5'8" at 12 years old). All I wanted was to live in Kentucky and ride racehorses all day long.
7. If you could live and ride in any country in the world, where would it be?
I'm not much of a traveler, so I don't think I would go far. Maybe to Aiken, SC. It's warm without being stifling, not much of a winter, and lots to do.
8. Do you have any horse-related regrets?
I regret my teenage brain. I feel like I could have kept Vinnie sound longer if I wasn't a stupid kid that had to show every single weekend. He was an amazing horse and I think of what we could have done if I had been smarter, and that's what really kills me.
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| Vinnie just causally popping over this massive prelim oxer. |
William Fox-Pitt. He is really tall, like me, so I think that he would have some really good advice on controlling your body to not interfere with the horse.
I also really like Laine Ashker. She seems very happy go lucky and positive, and I need that in my life.
10. What is one item on your horse-related bucket list?
I want to ride in a 1* one day. That would be amazing.
11. If you were never able to ride again, would you still have horses?
Definitely. And to be honest, I would find a way to ride. I'm too stubborn to be told 'never'.
12. What is your "biggest fantasy" riding goal?
Again, to ride in a 1*, but I would also love to ride an upper level dressage horse to really feel how movements are supposed to be.
13. What horse do you feel like has taught you the most?
I don't think any one horse has taught me the most. I've learned a lot from all my horses. What comes to mind immediately is that Vinnie taught me to love even when he doesn't love me back (and shows it in the form of biting and kicking). Bella taught me perseverance and how fun going fast could be. Lily has reinforced that perseverance, she needs to take her time and really understand the questions, then she's 100% game.
They've all taught me about trust, heartbreak, love, and so many other things.
14. If you could change one thing about your current horse/riding situation, what would it be?
I love both my current horses. Lily and Zippy are amazing. Situationally, I would say that I would love to have an indoor, and the funds to continue lessons year round. I know that would really make a huge difference in my riding, but I'm doing the best I can with what I have, and that's fine with me.
15. If you could compete at any horse show/venue in your home country, where would it be?
Bromont! We'll get there someday!
16. If you could attend any competition in the world as a spectator, what would be your top choice?
I haven't traveled at all, so I'm pretty simple in the things I want. I would love to go to Kentucky 4* one day.
17. Have you ever thought about quitting horses?
Nope. 1000 times no.
18. If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the horse industry, what would it be?
The costs. The costs of shows, the costs of running a barn, the costs of owning horses. Or I could become a millionaire, whichever is easier.
19. What's the dumbest horse-related thing you've done that actually turned out pretty well?
I don't think there's just one thing. I have repeatedly over the years bought horses sight-unseen, and I can honestly say I've never come home with a bad one.
20. As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of?
Getting hurt. I look at some of the upper level xc stuff that used to thrill me and now I'm like, um no thanks.
21. What horse-related book impacted you the most?
I don't think there was really one single book. I read a ton when I was younger, and each book had something different to teach me, so I like to think they all impacted me.
22. What personality trait do you value most in a horse and which do you dislike the most?
Value most: a good brain and work ethic
Least: no work ethic
23. What do you love most about your discipline?
The camaraderie. Every one wants every one to do well, we all cheer each other on and you feel just as bad when your friend has a bad day as you do if you have a bad day.
24. What are you focused on improving the most, at the moment?
My damn shoulders and posture! I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame 99% of the time, and I'm sick of it!
