Category: Uncategorized
What is perfect?
The days following last weekends wreck of an event were spent in a bipolar state of emotions. I was bummed with Nixon for getting eliminated, proud of myself for at least attempting to compete, worried about a dear friend who had had a rough fall on XC day and had taken a trip to the hospital in the back of an ambulance, enraged by comments … Read More What is perfect?
I can’t quit you.
What makes you happy? Is it a long walk with your dog at the end of a hard day? Is it cooking dinner for your loved ones while enjoying a glass of wine? Or is it getting covered in horse hair, climbing into your truck, and driving home while singing Sam Hunt at the top on your lungs – your muscles tired and pulling. … Read More I can’t quit you.
Putting your money where your mouth is: Support equine research.
I walked off of the cross country course yesterday with my head hanging low and my reins swinging on my horses neck. Having never even broken a sweat, Nixon strode out strongly, not comprehending that I was upset. In his mind, he had done fine. He had jumped all of the jumps – just not on the first try. He had galloped out strongly, … Read More Putting your money where your mouth is: Support equine research.
Personal victories
Yesterday was, to many of us, the first show of our season here in Kentucky. It was the Paul Frazer Memorial Combined Test at the Kentucky Horse Park. A show that has become a staple to many of us eventers, it is a great way to dust off the cobwebs without adding a recognized score to your record. With a real show vibe but … Read More Personal victories
Cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate…
I have thought long and hard about writing a blog like this. How do I write about being criticized without sounding above someone? How do I write about my fear of rejection without sounding bitter? And how do I write about my own personal insecurities without making others feel bad for taking a stand for their own beliefs? I don’t know. But I will … Read More Cause the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate…
The story of life: Hit Girl
I got to win the horse lottery last night. Beat that 1 in a million odd. Because if there’s any absolute truth in this world, it is that owning and raising horses is full of up’s and down’s, with the down’s heavily out weighing the up’s. And it’s rare enough to watch a horse come full circle in the most normal of situations. It’s even … Read More The story of life: Hit Girl
My own worst enemy
I can remember being 17 years old and sitting on my horse in the entrance to the arena in Harrisburg. It was 10 o’clock at night, and I was getting ready to go into my Working Hunter class…and I was petrified. I was staring off into the distance, as the course raced through my mind, and every worst case scenario played through my brain. … Read More My own worst enemy
Timeframes
I am entered in the 2016 Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover. And with this entry, I get to be in a Facebook group for the trainers. While entries were accepted only a few weeks ago, many trainers are already lamenting on their failures, their setbacks, and their soundness issues. And yet for every post about a failure, another trainer is posting a photo of … Read More Timeframes
A good horse – and a trainer who didn’t ruin the good.
The Retired Racehorse Project released their list of trainers which they feel make this years Thoroughbred Makeover exciting, and as the winner of one of the disciplines from last year, I was number one on the list for dressage. My bio read like this… 2015 Thoroughbred Makeover Dressage Division Winner on Called To Serve. Carleigh is an amateur who has enjoyed training and selling … Read More A good horse – and a trainer who didn’t ruin the good.
Saying Goodbye: The Story of Feel the Beat
How do you measure a horses life? Is it in competitions won? Purses earned? Ribbon’s hanging? Or live’s touched? I surround myself with some pretty phenomenal horsemen and women. Living in Lexington, Kentucky, I get to be with the best of the best. The best breeders, the best veterinarians, the best blacksmiths, and the best staff. We spend our days, our nights, our lives … Read More Saying Goodbye: The Story of Feel the Beat
Tiny Packages
“The path to becoming a successful rider is in riding every horse. Every single horse that you are offered. This is the simplest way to bettering yourself.” We have all read a status similar to this on Denny Emerson’s Facebook page. I know I have. Every time I read them, I am forced to reassess my goals, my strategy, and my game plan. I … Read More Tiny Packages
The Workhorse
I remember the foreman of a ranch sitting next to me, patting my knee, and teaching me one of the most important lessons of life: “You work your workhorse the hardest.” I had asked to meet with him to talk of my position on the ranch, befuddled at the fact that I was asked to do more than many of the other staff. Not … Read More The Workhorse
A Yankee in Paris 
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