Don't Let Go

College Video

Blondie and I worked on some riding for our college video! The weather was amazing today; no snow, no rain, and no wind. Perfect day to ride. She was very calm today, but still didn't want to listen. She's always trying to work her way up the hill so she can see her buddies. I'm trying to break her of that habit. AND of becoming barn sour. I can't have a barn sour horse!!

     But she did fairly well for not being worked all week. We did transition work from walk to trot and trot to canter. As always, she needs some practice with the trot to canter. I'm also working on the walk to canter with her. I wish I could have learned how to do the half pass sooner so that I could put it in my riding video. Oh well. I also got my sis to ride her!!! I hope to get more video of her this weekend and make a final video that includes jumping! If I get footage from a couple days, instead of just one, chances are some days will be better than others; meaning my riding will be better and give me a better chance of being accepted to a college!!!

Day to Day

I try to visit Blondie whenever I can now. I went to the barn the other day, practically forcing my internal self to go. I was so worn out that I wanted to lay around all day. I realized I was starting to lose sight of my passion, life, and dream. SO I got my lazy butt up and went for a ride. Good thing I did because Blondie needed it...and so did I.

Getting into a good riding college is becoming tricky. I don't have any way to make a riding video, which is what they need. Nor do I have the leg strength I used to in order to ride like I used to. I'm afraid I'd look loose in the saddle and choppy in my posting that they'd throw the video out anyways. I'm a little stuck on where to go from here. Blondie's okay. She has the talent to take her anywhere. I just wish I could jump her more often to keep her fit and constant with her training. On top of that, she loves to jump so the snow isn't making it any easier. BUT we are almost PERFECTLY in sync. I'm getting used to her different "speeds" and rhythms. I feel closer to her after every ride. 

My barn manager wants me to come out more often during the week so I can work horses for her, but I work 6 days a week on top of school. I'm not really sure what to do. I spend my days-off mucking stalls for a discount on board and it usually takes me till the sun goes down. It's like I don't have enough hours in one day to do anything anymore and I absolutely hate it! I just can't wait until I graduate so I can spend all day at the barn! 

   

     Also, I really want to make t-shirts for the barn! The last barn I rode at sold t-shirts and hoodies with the stable logo and name on it for riders. It makes it feel like a real place with a family of horse people. I just want everyone at the barn to feel that way, connected and belonging to something. A place of their own, so to speak. And the barn is that place. 

     I'm not really sure what the logo would be without speaking to the barn manager for ideas, but it supposed to be a surprise so I'm in a pickle. Of course it has to have a horse on it and represent our barn specifically somehow, but I'm not sure what yet. Guess I better break out the sketchbook and get started?