Timewarp: 2021

Phew. 2020. The saying hindsight is 2020. I don’t think anyone (maybe) saw that coming. In any event, we’re beyond it. While 2021 is beginning as a continuation and may be even a little more surreal (e.g. WTF US?) I’m ready to get to work. On me. On my riding. On my writing. For those…

Bring it 2016!

I cannot believe I’m writing my 2015 recap. Didn’t the year just begin? They say time flies when you’re having fun (or when you get old), so I guess I’ll claim a little of both. The last year has been such a whirlwind for me after looking for a new job and starting one at…

What’s good for the soul, is good for the saddle

I am a serial exercise fanatic. Well, maybe not fanatic but I have been known to start a program, stop a program, start a program. So, maybe I’m better coined as a serial exercise junkie? I’m not in great shape, I can admit it. I have years of neglecting my fitness piled up in my…

No more excuses

It’s been cold. It’s winter in Northern Illinois, so that is probably no surprise. Four days of down time due to the horrendous temperatures and weather. Even going to the barn was cut short a day due to the extreme colds. Luckily, my trainer/barn manager made sure that my boy and all the other horses…

Thankfulness. Appreciation. Love. Timeless.

As we near the season of tradition, giving thanks, and renewal, I was searching for some quotes about dressage that reflect where I am with my training with Carter right now and found a few that seem to capture it well. “The passionate pursuit of perfection by the obsessively imperfect.”  – unknown I’m not one…

What a Horse Can Do

Since Carter came into my life a little more than two years ago he has influenced some of the most significant changes in me I’ve ever experienced. Even at age 46, horses can change someone so completely that you might not recognize yourself before it happened. I thought I’d share just a few Life Balance…

We got this!

In four days Carter and I will be competing in the GAIG/USDF Regional Dressage Championships. This is my mantra for the next 72 hours… SMILE… BREATHE…Enter A working trot, X halt salute… 1….2…3…, proceed working trot track left at c (eyes forward, head between the ears, find my focal point). hxk one loop (straightness, right/left),…

2012… What is in store?

The first day of a new year. I’m not one for resolutions…I figure if I need one day to make up a list of things I should be doing anyway it’s a pretty weak reason to create them at all. This year I will think about happenings of the past less and instead take what…