Blog Hop

Trying this blog hop thing from The Collegial Equestrian.

Share a memory from:

1. The first horse experience you can remember.
2. Your first "aha" moment--when something really clicked for you as a rider.
3. Entering the ring. Could be your first show, or another time when simply entering the arena could be considered a "debut" of sorts.
   
4. The first horse experience you can remember.

1.The first horse experience you can remember.
In olden days when I was a wee lassie, there was, within walking distance from my humble childhood home, a pasture. Upon this fair grassy plane lived two horses. I didn't know their names I knew very little about them other than the fact that I loved them. Their smell, their wild unkempt manes. They where the most beautiful creature alive. I would plead with my father to take me to see the horses at every opportunity. My dad would let loose a mighty whistle and those magnificent creatures would come running for the carrots and apples that fence visitors promised.


2.Your first "aha" moment--when something really clicked for you as a rider.
My first horse was one I acquired as a driving horse I was told that he'd be too much horse for me under saddle. During one training session by beloved Fame threw a tantrum and the resulting fight between him and my trainer caused my horse to pass out and crash the buggy. At that point I was given an ultimatum. Get the horse to walk or give up my aspirations to show him. Hitherto Fame had kind of lead our relationship . I was a new horse owner and was still stuck in horses=sunshine, flowers, and good feelings mode. This was the first that I decided that I could be in charge of our herd. I work him in earnest and in secret. My trainer had pretty much giving up on my horse, I stepped up. I also began to ride the horse that I shouldn't have been able to ride.


3.Entering the ring. Could be your first show, or another time when simply entering the arena could be considered a "debut" of sorts.
This last year I showed for the first time since my beloved Fame had passed. The show occurred on the near anniversary of his death. It was a big deal for my. I was leasing a very big lovely expensive show horse. He was also the only horse I've been able to truly bond with since losing Famous. We took Open Pleasure Driving Champions in a field of six horses. Two Clydesdales, one Mini, and two other National Show Horses. It was a huge triumph for me and for the first few moments I felt like I was holding the lines of my old horse again.