With a foot of snow dropping in Virginia, it's official. It's winter, my least favorite time of year. I don't like being cold, I don't like the wind, and I hate emerging from my carefully crafted nest (I'm part hamster.) I do like cute winter clothes though, so I guess there is a positive. Wint[...]
I haven't been able to ride much over the past few years. It's been sporadic at best. This is the life of a parent though, kids take a lot of attention that may otherwise be used for riding. Now that my kids are old enough to function and do their own taxes, I decided I'm going to make riding w[...]
I enjoyed Upperville so much that I went back for round 2: Loudoun Benefit. This show is held on the exact same show grounds the week following Upperville, which means another opportunity for pretty pictures underneath the oaks. But I actually photographed on the other side of the road[...]
The tiny town of Upperville is about to be flooded with the annual yearly June migration. 2,000+ riders will emerge, seemingly from thin air, much like the cicadas that are infesting other parts of the country. Luckily these riders aren't clinging to your clothing, but they are waiting impatiently[...]
Having the perfect bit can feel like a dream. As if you had put magic in your horse's mouth, suddenly they are responding with eagerness, turning your ride into a complete dream. But having the wrong bit can feel like a nightmare - your horse can refuse to listen, throw its head, and act out. Choos[...]
I saw a lease advertised on Facebook, and it rubbed me the wrong way. It was a "Free Lease," but the leaser was required to pay all the expenses of the horse during the lease. This included board (on the owner's property no less) and medical bills (the horse had a prior injury that required ongoing[...]
It was inevitable: I fell off Stu. It was my first fall off of him, and my first fall in about 5 or so years, since I fell off of Berry at a show. It's been a few days now, and I keep coming back to it. It could have been prevented, it was my fault for letting the situation escalate, but he's als[...]
I had my lesson today, and at first everything seemed fine. I had an awesome lesson! But then I really wanted some media of me jumping, so after sitting and chatting with my trainer a bit, I went back out to jump more. This was apparently a mistake. Full lesson recap coming, but here is the worst[...]
Naturally I am behind nearly everyone in regards to my jumping knowledge, but I just learned something that is so surprising to me that I must share. To give appropriate credit, I just bought "The American Hunter/Jumper Forward Riding System" presented by Bernie Traurig, and this is mentioned in th[...]
Substantially shorter post than usual, but I suppose I have less to complain about when everything goes well! It was raining most of last week, which means I barely got to ride. On Sunday, I took Berry to a ring to school her. The same barn that did my rating also allows OPRC members to school in t[...]