Tag: horse
A Come to Jesus
The best thing that ever happened to me was graduating college in the recession. It was 2008, and I was one of those kids that entered school with high aspirations of six figure jobs and Doctor in front of my name. I had gone to a fantastic, albit extremely expensive liberal arts school – one that cost more for four years of education than what … Read More A Come to Jesus
Defending the suck
I was emailed by the United States Equestrian Federation last week with an inquiry. Someone had filed a complaint into my amateur status, and they were asking for a rebuttal. How did I wish to respond to these statements? Could I defend myself? I responded back to the USEF with a bulleted list of responses. I told them that I had in fact managed … Read More Defending the suck
The War Horse
I can only write what I know. And what I know is that there are good people in this world. I know that decent human beings exist in the horse business. I have heard that there are bad guys out there, but none of them have directly interacted with me. Instead, I have been blessed to surround myself with the good guys. Quiet, unassuming, … Read More The War Horse
Judging a book by its cover (or record)
I own a (very) successful graded stakes winner. He is opinionated, tough, massive, and strong. He was taught at a young age that he is a champion. He was told that he was a great. That he was the best. And he got away with murder. That horse is now seven years old, and it has taken almost a year of retraining for me … Read More Judging a book by its cover (or record)
Nearness to greatness
It’s like witnessing the Northern Light’s while sitting in the southern hemisphere. Or experiencing the perfect day, followed by a spectacular sunset. Like the most amazing vacation, only to find out that it’s fully paid for. It just doesn’t happen. But it is happening this weekend. The stars are aligning. There is a horse in not only both the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky … Read More Nearness to greatness
How do you measure a year?
“525,600 minutes. 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes. How do you measure, measure a year?” These lyrics sang in the Broadway musical “Rent” have been weighing heavily on my mind. Tis the season for everybody to begin to speak of their year, telling of triumphs, and failures. Victories, and setbacks. Statuses of show records, and levels competed. Claiming to change their strategy for next … Read More How do you measure a year?
A windy path to a unique career
“So when you graduate, you’ll be a vet?” I am now in the 3rd year of my doctoral degree at the University of Kentucky. One of the only programs which offers a masters and doctorate in Veterinary Sciences, I started this program in an odd turn of events. The majority of the students in my labs were veterinarians from foreign countries; countries that truly … Read More A windy path to a unique career
Retraining, not rescuing, the modern day thoroughbred
In the few weeks since I have placed Nixon (Called To Serve, the winner of the dressage discipline at the RRP TB Makeover) on the market, I have been barraged by comments about how he will fall through the cracks due to the fact that I am selling him. Let me start by saying how insulting this is to an owner, a trainer, a … Read More Retraining, not rescuing, the modern day thoroughbred
Already a winner…
A few months ago, dripping in sweat and battered and bruised, I came home and text messaged my best friend Meghan, telling her that I thought it was time to give Nixon back. He was as close to dangerous as a horse I had worked with, and I just didn’t see myself getting through to him. I had been catapulted into the cement, and … Read More Already a winner…
Finding a balance…
I went through a really rough time a few weeks ago. There were so many days where I woke up and dreaded what lay ahead. Stress rose up, and happiness sunk down. I spent many hours on the phone with my mother in tears, feeling as though I could speak to no one else. It was a combination of so many things – feeling … Read More Finding a balance…
Little Victories To Most…
I walked off of the cross country course in tears yesterday. Sweat poured off of my face, and the tears caught into the black mane and glistening neck of my thoroughbred. I patted him on the neck as they ran from my eyes, not even sure how to process what had just happened. The tears were so reminiscent of what had happened so many times … Read More Little Victories To Most…
From, Ramrod.
I have written so much of my love, and eventual loss, of my father six years ago – and hinted on the fact that my one true passion – horses, were the bane of his existence. It was our one true disagreement, the one chip in an otherwise perfect father/daughter relationship. But where he was the man in my life who was quick to … Read More From, Ramrod.
A Yankee in Paris 
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