Early Mornings

   I am going to predict, if you are reading this, you probably know and understand the scene and feelings I am about the explain.
  Your alarm clock just went off, not to mention its way to early for it to be going off on a weekend. You roll over, turn it off, then say to yourself "Why, why do I do this to myself?" You contemplate blowing off your plans for the day, you decide sleep is much more valuable. Then you remember why you set your alarm clock in the first place. You set it because you have something very important to do today, something you have been busting your butt for. But yet, you still question "Why, why do I do this to myself?" At this point the thought of falling back asleep is no longer tempting. You have woken up too early too many times for your body to let you fall back asleep. So, you give in. You roll out of bed, and proceed in zombie mode. You make your way though the house, turn on the coffee pot as you pass by, and you then walk out the door. 
   Now, you are hearing and smelling something that is far to familiar to you. The sound of impatient foot falls, eager nickers, the scent of your favorite animal mixed with the scent of hay. The reason your alarm clock started making that annoying sound, and disturbed your peaceful dream, is now all so clear. Your love for the animal, the sport, the trill, the joy, the frustration, the self confidence, and perseverance; it's your life, and it is in your blood, something you can not change, nor would you ever dream to change. It's part of being an equestrian. 
   Welcome to my world, 5 AM Saturday morning, January 21, 2012.

   I must say: I am a pretty lucky person. The reason I say this is because I am surround by the most supportive and special people anyone could ever ask for.
   First of all because my mother is just as dedicated to my sport as I am. She woke up with me at 5 AM so that she could drive me a hour and a had away to see my horse and have my lesson. Although do not be fooled, when she brings me to the barn she doesn't try to fine a warm place to wait until I am finished. No, my mother is the ultimate horse mom. She is out there in the freezing cold video taping my ride! So, for that, I would like to say a special Thank You to my mom because she is the best mom ever.
   Next, I am want to say that Cassi Martin is an amazing person. Not only was she willing to give me a riding lesson at 7:30 in the morning, in the middle of winter, in 10 degree weather. She also had my horse all tacked up and walking around the ring when I got there!!!!!! I felt so spoiled, but I really do appreciate everything Cassi has been doing for me! Plus, I also know Link is really enjoying her too!
   Finally, I what to say Thank You to Tina for catering to all of my horse's needs. I know he can be a Pre-Madona sometimes, so again, Thank You Tina.
    If I were to spend another early morning in the barn riding while it is only 10 degrees, I wouldn't do it with a different group of people. No matter what the conditions where we still managed to have a successful ride and a good time.

Progress

    As each week comes to an end I get more and more excited for Saturday to arrive. I love going down to see my big pony; to be reunited with my best friend. Then the realization of how out of shape I am sets in when I go home later that same day. Luckily the weather is supposed to warm up and my lovely three year old, Taber, and I will start going for rides through the field.
    Lately I have had to focus hugely on what I need to be doing, but without forgetting about really riding Link. Luckily Cassi has been a huge help! I really appreciate all of her hard work! This past week Link's shoulder in's have become more fluent and he has been working on his haunches in too! Here is a short video of my lovely horse from my lesson with Cassi on Saturday 1-14-12!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o01jPLR3SYI

New Year Update!!!

Unfortunately I have not updated my blog in a while! ): My Uncle Rick informed me of this today! So, I decided I should give every one an update on what has been going on. 

One of the everyday questions I constantly ponder has to do with “All The Little Things.” Should we just learn to let them go, treat them as a big deal, or is there something in between? Recently, I have learned from my horse, Link, that with him, the little things are a big deal. 

As a rider and horse owner it is my responsibility to ride and train my horse to the best of my ability. For example, if Link is a little sore one day it should be a big deal for me. I need to make sure, that as an athlete, he is totally comfortable!

Ok, moving on from me questioning myself to an actual TeamLavengro Update!

I would like to start off this update by saying; for the next three months my trainer, Willette Brown, is fortunate enough to be in Wellington, Florida with her horses. I am super excited for her! I so wish I could go too! Being around good horses, good riding, and good teaching just rubs off on you; all in all it makes you a better rider! I can not wait for my chance to go to Wellington for a winter!

However, while she is gone the plan is for Link and I to continue to make lots of progress. As an outcome to the plan, yesterday Link arrived at his new home for the next three months!(Thank you Tina Nichols for taking such good care of him!!!!) Link will be staying at a lovely barn while he is in training with the very talented, and young, Cassi Martin! 

I am so looking forward to the progress I know will be made over the next three months! Unfortunately, Link is staying about an hour and a half away from my house so I will not be able to see him everyday. Although, I will be going down to ride him at least once a week!

One really cool aspect to this whole plan is the technology piece! Myself, my mother, Cassi, and Willette are going to try and set up virtual lessons! We hope it is possible to hook the video camera to the computer and have it stream live to Willette over Skype. This would be awesome because Willette would be able to watch me ride LIVE from Wellington, Florida!!!!!!! 

I hope to get another blog up soon!! Thank you to everyone that is following my blog and supporting me in my riding career! It means so much to me!    

All Of His Toys

     Of course most people hope that when they go to some big event, their horse is going to be perfect and they will get to work on some serious and fun things. I, of course, wanted this. However, when my horses started living up to the meaning of his name in German rather than his registered named I had to just "ride it out."
     Kyra Kyrklund put it perfectly when she said my horse acts like a "child having a temper tantrum and throwing all of his toys of the pram."
     Even though my horse was a bit petulant I still learned a lot. I learned about how important having a soft  seat is for a horses back. I also learned how use two bucking straps (one on each side of the saddle with only one end attached) to keep my hand from moving forward as my horse is being naughty! This weekend also showed that it would be very beneficial if my horse went with my trainer to Florida this winter. I plan to keep working on trying to find a way to get my horse to Florida this winter. I know some way, some how, I will meet the people that will believe in me and want to help me get my horse into training.
     Non-the-less I will still say I had a great weekend. I met many people, who were all very wonderful. They all seemed to be impressed that I was laughing at my horse when he was having his temper tantrums.
   

NEDA Fall Weekend Symposium featuring Kyra Kyrklund Day One

     On Wednesday I took the day off from school so I could pack everything I could think of, that myself and my horse might need, for a weekend at UMASS Hadley. By noon time, on Thursday, with the packing complete and the horses being loaded a trip to UMASS Hadley was soon to be made. On Friday, riding in front of Kyra went well. I made it onto the Symposium, Yay!

      Saturday, today, I will admit, I was extremely nervous riding in front of about 400 auditors. I know Link sensed my tension because I also know he was nervous himself. It lead to an interesting ride, I will say that. With some moments of Link saying "Oh my, this is really scary." Along with "Um, sorry mom, I think I want to be done now." Regardless, it was a good ride. I now have a game plan for tomorrow, and I hope this plan will help so I can have an even more successful ride tomorrow!

     Thank you to all of the people that help me and support me with everything I set out to do in life! Just to name a few; Mom and Dad, (I could not do what I do without you guys! You are the best parents ever just so you know) My trainer (Willette; So thank you for braiding my horse for me because I stink at it and need practice. Thank you for teaching me everything I know so far about dressage. Thank you for being there for me even when I cry out of frustration. I could go on forever so here is just and over all THANKS), Melissa (for taking care of the ponies at home when we go on trips) , all of my "Barn Moms" (Thank you Annette and Cynthia for coming to the Symposium! You guys are so supportive, AND FUN) Thank you to everyone that is giving me suggestions and helping me to find sponsors. Also another big thank you to the NEDA staff that organized this weekend event! It is a great learning experience for everyone that attends. I think I should also mention a few of the people that are, kind of, "in the back ground." I thank to my brother for those late night talks that usually consist of "You are a good rider, but don't let it go to your head. Keep it up, love you sis." They do mean a lot to me. (: Finally, to my "friend" I know you don't understand horses but thank you for putting up with my late night text messages that are most likely annoying AKA "I can't sleep, OMG!!!!!!!" THANK YOU GUYS! I really appreciate everything you do for me!

Game Plan = Eliminate/forget about my stage fright and do some hardcore riding! (:

Up And Coming

     These past few weeks have been so crazy due to my up and coming weekend at the 2011 Fall Weekend Symposium featuring Kyra Kyrklund!
     For starters I want to thank my mom, trainer, vet, chiropractor, staff at Hunter Hill, and my close friends. These mentioned people are always there for me and they help me though so much! With that being said, this is what the last few weeks of my life has consisted of;
     About two weeks ago now I brought Link to the beautiful Crystal Springs Farm and Imports owned by Susanne Hamilton. It was an amazing experience! Link was able to get off the farm and be ridden in a new place. Along with the fact that I managed to get a double lesson with my trainer, Willette Brown, and her good friend, Susanne Hamilton. It was almost a little scary because they fed off of each other's excitement and REALLY get into the lesson! However it was a fun experience because I learned a little bit about what it is like to "Ride Like A German Girl" Words of wonderful encouragement and wisdom by Susanne Hamilton. In the end it was a successful day! I learned so much and really appreciate the effort put in by my trainer, Willette, and Susanne Hamilton, to make that day happen!
      I then received an eye opening experience! I learned a tremendous amount about my horse when the chiropractor, Dr. Scott, worked on Link. Knowing and understanding that when owning an athlete, such as Link, takes time, dedication, hard work, and much love for your animal. I have made it my personal responsibility to keep my horse comfortable and healthy. Some people may say my horse is treated like a King, I say its owning and caring for an athlete! (:
      Currently, as I am sitting here with just a few days before I pack up and ship to Massachusetts, my excitement is running wild! A few months ago I sent in an application to be a demo rider in the 2011 Fall Weekend Symposium featuring Kyra Kyrkland. About a month ago I received a phone call from a nice woman that was planning the symposium. I feel bad, because when she told me I made it as a semi-finalist I probably shattered her ear drum! I began screaming and running across my driveway to tell my mother. That was a moment of sheer excitement and thrill for me. Now my excitement has turned into pent up nerves. With only two more days to pack (Mind you I have not even started packing yet) I am fretting about what I am going to take with me. However, I can not wait to arrive at UMASS Hardly Farm, where this event is taking place. Then, on Friday, I know for a fact I am going to be extremely nervous. Friday is the day that Kyra watches the sixteen semi-finalist ride. She will pick nine riders to be demo riders in the Symposium. I think that riding in front of Kyra, and not knowing what she wants to see because she is not allowed to talk to the riders before choosing, it is going to be immensely scary. Regardless, no matter the outcome I know I will come away with a great experience from this up and coming weekend.
     I look forward to blogging about what happens this weekend, so be prepared, because I know I am going to be full of excitement!

October 19, 2011

Team Lavengro

So I am excited to share that this is my first blog! I hope to write often and share my experiences! Currently I am thrilled to say that my horse, Lavengro (AKA Link), has been amazing! I have owned him for a year now and the progress he has made is astounding. I have learned so much as well!            Currently I am working on securing sponsorship. My goal is to make the NAJYRC team. Sponsorship would help me truly make this dream come true. Making such a big goal requires dedication and support financially as well as encouragement from my family. I am lucky to have parents who believe in me and have worked hard to help me meet my riding goals. I have a wonderful trainer that goes above and beyond to help me with anything that I may need help with.  I also have my horse Link who is incredibly talented and that I love dearly. Link and I both need more training in hopes of reaching the FEI level within the next two years. No matter what happens I am determined to make my goal. I know that with hard work and prosisitance I will be able to make it one day.