July 10 Questions

Since I find my rides to be ultra boring and uninspiring to talk about, I'm joining in on the bloghop for July 10 questions.

I miss this

1. Do you actually always pick the horse’s feet? Always? Really?

99.% of the time yes. The only time I haven't was when I've been running late on time and Riesling just got his feet shod a few hours prior. I once had a half leaser for my pony that didn't quite understand this logic. Well she didn't understand half leasing anyways. She was there getting him ready on one of my days and I asked if she had picked his feet already. She gave me a quizzical look and said she already picked them once this week. I then had to shudder and proceed to tell her that you pick feet every day. Yeah, she didn't last long.

This pony! 

 2. What is the biggest obstacle/reason preventing you from becoming a professional or competing full time with ease?

My parents. I have a ton of support from my friends and horse trainer but my family would rather see me work a boring desk job and go to school. Finally, after 3 years of college I've decided to pursue my dreams for real. This fall I'm going to school part time, working part time, and will be spending all my free time getting my hands on all the horses I can. I want to further my equestrian education as much as I can, however that doesn't mean school is going on the back burner. I'm still going to finish but at my own speed and continuing my education in hopefully what will be apart of my career.

 3. Do you think it will ever not be about the money?

No. I mean I'll ride anything I can get my hands on for the most part. But do I think if I hack on horses 24/7 and maybe have a nice lady who gives me critique I will compete and win against a full training rider and mount? Definitely not.

4. Was there ever a horse that you loved and really wanted to have a connection with, but it just never panned out? Details.

Ha. Yes. The first pony I ever leased was a palomino appendex named Blondie. I loved her even though she was a major bitch to me. She basically refused to jump with me, and my trainer would get on and she would do anything no questions asked. But yet, I didn't want to give her up and was hoping the owner would sell her to me one day. She turned me into a scared, unconfident  rider. She made me pretty terrified of horses and riding but I didn't want to give up. One time I was about to get on and my mom hadn't tightened the girth like I thought and as soon as I put my foot in the stirrup the saddle spun and she took off. Just about scarred me for life. It would take me an hour to take up after that. With lots of pauses to cry. My mom made me get over it and eventually I did get over it. But still, this pony seriously should have ended my riding career.

5. What is one weakness in your riding that even your trainer doesn’t pick up on, only you?

Thank god, trainer sees all.

Never tired of this

6. What is the biggest doubt/insecurity you ask or tell yourself in your head?

That I suck at riding and shouldn't own horses. There is a lady at my barn that says if you can't be there for your horse every day you shouldn't own a horse. Basically, she also believes that because she is at the barn 24/7 (shes not) that if she doesn't see me then I definitely am not seeing my horse. I care a lot about what people think unfortunately.

7. There is a barn fire. You are the first person to discover it and see that the roof is collapsing in slowly, and you can tell it’s going to come down any time. Do you call people first or head straight in to save the horses?

Call me crazy, but straight in to save the horses no questions asked. I would do anything I can to save them, and when I realized I did all I could I would call for help. Yeah maybe I'd get hurt in the process, but I would have regretted my whole life not trying to save them.

8. What is one event in your riding career/horse/anything that you’re still not over, even tho you might tell others you are?

Not being in a riding "clique". 

Love my baby ponies

9. If you could tell off one person you just don’t like, what would you say?

I'm mostly a pansy so this would be hard for me. I'd mostly just call them a hurtful bitch and attempt to get on with my life but probably still wouldn't. Yay insecurities. 

But fun story; I once was buying a horse from a "horse trader" of sorts. She mostly dealt with OTTBs.  She put me on a ton of fresh off the track 3-4 y/o's (don't ask me why I/my mom thought this was ok). But we finally had our hearts set on a 7 y/o that was mostly retrained. The working student had been in love with him but agreed with her and us that she couldn't buy him and was ok with him selling. We had a contract and everything. My mom had the check earlier than expected and she pulled me out of school to go up there and pay early and play with our new guy! We got to the barn to realize he wasn't there. Neither was any of the working students or trainer. A boarder told us that they might be showing at a local show. My mom and I were both pissed and concerned for our horse. 

We pulled up to the show grounds to realize she was at a different show across the street, but ran into my mom's lifelong trainer friend. We told him the situation and he was disappointed. Meanwhile, I stole my mom's phone and called the lady up and left her a mean 5 minute voicemail about what kind of person would do this to a 11/12? year old girl. I felt like such a badass and was so proud of myself. I told my mom and her trainer friend and trainer friend freaked out and scolded me. I cried. When we got back in the car my mom burst up laughing and told me how cool she thought I was and that the lady needed to hear how terrible of a person she was from a little girl. The one and only time I got my mind spoken clearly. 

My questionable choices

10. Have you ever seen questionable riding or training practices, but let it go/ignored it?

Of course, all the time. In fact, one lady at my barn tries to give me lessons while I'm riding with her questionable riding/training, but I tune it out. I guess I'm more of a people pleaser and as long as it isn't seriously injuring mentally or physically the horse I'll leave it alone. Or I'll tell someone of higher authority and let them make the call.