I am a lifelong equestrian. I have been riding for as long as I can remember... That means approximately 30 years, at this point! You would think that I would be a master by now! Alas, I am not.
But, I continue to learn!
Horses are my passion.I have cleaned stalls to pay for my riding lessons. I have read (and continue to read) tomes on riding and horses. I study riding theory (we can probably agree that this means classical dressage). I have ridden horses that obviously know more than I do. And I have spent hours upon hours in the saddle attempting to apply the things I learn and discover.
This summer (August 26, 2012 - actually), a dream came true. I rode in my very first horse trial. And I rode it on my first horse!
This dream began during a ride when my horse was very naughty...
I was riding in a pasture, my horse attired in western saddle and a bosal bridle. As we cantered along the back fence, he pretended to spook and bolted toward the barn. I got him stopped and turned around, so I tried the canter line again. This time, there was no spook, just a naughty dive and bolt for the barn. This time, there were no brakes. We were headed for a creek that bisects the pasture. As the drop-off approaches (think of it as a drop bank into water jump), he shows no sign of slowing or changing course. When the bank is obviously unavoidable, I wonder if he will stop or jump. Then I wonder if I want him to stop or jump... No idea! So, I prepare for both. In the last stride, I settle deep into my seat, grab the saddle horn, and push my hand (and the reins) forward up his neck. My 8 year old horse sails out and drops into the water. He gallops out on the other side as if he hasn't a care in the world! Oh, my - how exhilarating!! I thought,"He could be an event horse! If only the jump had been my idea..."
Thirteen years later, we both try it for the first time!
I invite you to follow me on my journey as I enter a new sport. Eventing.
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