School and Riding; The Fine Balance

 Hi all!
Hopefully you are all having a fabulous day. Today I'm going to write about something that truly scared me so much the beginning of this school year... balancing riding and schoolwork. Here are a couple of tips that have help me do well in school while riding daily.
   I am a full time student in grade 9 this year, and I also go to the barn every day. Making the transition into high school terrified me, I thought I would have no time whatsoever and would barely be able to spend any time at the barn. In reality, it's easy to be committed to both school and horses, as long as you are doing it right. So here are my pro tips on how I manage being a competitive equestrian while still maintaining good grades.

  The first tip is to make a schedule and stick to it. Either come up with one in your head or write one down. Plan how much time you intend to spend at the barn, and be sure to leave some time for homework.  I usually go the barn almost right after school. I'll stay for about 2 hours, then head home to have dinner. After dinner I have plenty of time to shower and study. It's all about planning ahead to ensure you have time to do everything that needs to get done.
  Secondly, remember that school does come first. Our horses mean so much to us that sometimes we forget about everything else. Everything including schoolwork. But keep in mind you need good grades to get into college or university, which will land you a better paying job. More money means more horses, so don't write off that math test! Another way to make schoolwork a bit less unbearable would be to bring it to the barn. If you have lots of boring reading to do, sit down in your horses stall or paddock and do it there. Even if you have to read a very dull 50 page science textbook, at least you'll be doing it in the company of your horse.
   Third, get your priorities straight. Do you want a social life, good grades, and sleep? Then you might not be able to go to the barn every day. We have to make sacrifices, because unfortunately there are only so many hours in a day. Don't spread yourself too thin. And remember, you are a human and humans need sleep. Accept that you are not a superhero and sometimes you will have to decide between that party and going to your lesson. You won't perform well in school or riding on 4 hours of sleep. Remember that you can't have it all, you've gotta decide where your true dedication lies.
   My last tip is not to isolate yourself. Too often people find themselves alone and miserable because they've pushed all their friends away to commit themselves to one thing. Don't be that person. Make good friends who understand your dedication to your sport. You don't have to be lonely to succeed,  because when you do succeed,  there will be no one there to cheer you on. So try not to push those good people away. I know we all wanna crawl into a cave with only horses and the last 7 seasons of heartland sometimes, but friends are important to have. They make the miserable parts of school less miserable and a good friend is worth a lot. Barn friends are the best kind, and if you make good barn friends, you two can just go live in that cave together and live happily ever after.

  So I hope you enjoyed my tips for being successful equestrian students. But always remember after a long day be sure to hug your horses. Thanks a ton for reading,
Annie

Perseverance and the Constant Struggle

Hi everyone!
I hope you are all having a great day.
 My day was difficult. If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know that I have JIA (Juvenile idiopathic arthritis) which affects my ankles, knees, wrists, hips, and possibly my jaw and elbow. This makes everyday activities a little bit harder, and makes riding a challenge sometimes. Everything was going great, but recently I've had a flare up. Well I've had this problem for about 5 years now, so I've learned how to deal. However dealing with the pain and not letting it get you down are two different things.
   There have been many times when I've thought about giving up riding. Last winter I almost quit hunter jumpers, because it was just too painful to keep my feet in the stirrups. This has always been a thing in my life that has kept me down. Even just the smallest things, it nags at me to stop. My body is fighting against itself. And that internal battle is exhausting. And even when it makes me want to give up riding forever because the pain just becomes too much to handle, horses are what keeps me alive. Riding sets me free. I may not be able to run, or even walk much on some days. But the second i'm on my horse, I am free. For a second I have an excuse to forget the pain and everything I'm thinking about, I can just live. Even if it means walking around bareback for 20 minutes, that 20 minutes is time that I can just forget for a bit.

  Today I'm going to forget for a little bit that this is going on in my life. Today I'm going to focus on the dreams and goals I have. Today I'm going to be thankful for every single chance I get, and for the pony who made it all happen. I have this incredible gift right now, a bond so strong and unbreakable with this beautiful horse who has come so far. And I have the chance to show that we can do this, and those four words just mean so much to me. We can do this. WE can do this. Not me, not the arthritis and negative thoughts that consume me, we. Littles and I. A team. When we are together that constant battle goes away for a little bit, because together I am not suffering. I am the most blessed kid in the whole world. And with no doubt in my mind, we can do this.
   Thank you for reading my ramblings, and remember to believe in yourself and your horse. Go hug your ponies!!!!
Annie

Bitless Bridles

Hi everyone!!!
 So today I got to try a bitless bridle on Littles. I tried the nurtural bitless bridle, and this is my opinion on it.
***DISCLAIMER***
THIS IS NOT BASHING BITLESS OR BITTER BRIDLES. THIS IS SIMPLY HOW I FELT
 BITLESS WORKED ON MY HORSE.
Okay, so now that we've gotten that out of the way. This is how the ride went.
So my first impressions were that the bridle is absolutely beautiful. It has the cutout on the crown piece so it would not pinch her ears, and is a lovely color.  I really like the look of it. I'll post a picture below so you can see how it looks

 The system in which it works is quiet simple. The reins attach to two rings hanging down which are attached to the noseband.  For more information check out the website.

  The bridle seems to fit relatively true to size. I was using a cob size on my large pony, and it fit pretty nicely. It is very adjustable, so quite hard to go wrong with sizing. So that's my basic review of the bridle, nice quality, true to size, overall a nice product.

  The ride was pretty much like any ride. I can't say I saw a huge difference. Littles, who can be quite a hot horse, was still able to stop, turn, and slow down just fine. For basic riding it went pretty well. She did get heavy on it after the canter, which was a problem for me. I think due to the lack of support, she ended up on the forehand and on my reins a lot. Bending was a lot harder for her, due to the lack of intricate rein aids. There wasn't much of a difference in her attitude. She wasn't more relaxed without a bit than she is with one. 

  So that is pretty much how my ride went. I don't mind the bridle, but I'm definitely not convinced on it. I don't totally hate it, but you won't see me going out to buy one any time soon. My pony wasn't any more relaxed or happy in the bitless bridle, and I much prefer the subtle aids you can give with a bit. I need much less contact with a regular snaffle than no snaffle, and when you are jumping or doing anything really, I'd rather have my pony off her forehand. 

  So that is my take on the bitless bridle and how it worked for Littles and I. Thanks a ton for reading, and go hug your horse!!

Annie

First Lesson in a While

    Hey all!
Hope you're having a lovely horsey day.
Finally, Littles and I are back in full training for the show season! When school started up again, everything was so hectic. Littles was having some back issues, I was going through my "I'm too big" stage, we didn't have a saddle. Needless to say, we weren't training too hard at that point. Finally we are back on schedule!
  Today we had our first lesson in a whole month! We've been working pretty hard on our dressage recently, so my coach was really happy with where we were at. We worked a bit on adjustability, not rocketing after jumps, it was great. I'm very happy with how Littles is coming. She was a dream today, she really tried her heart out. She listened to my seat, stayed nice and calm in canter trot transitions, really I could not have asked her to be any better. She was a super pony!

  I also have a new saddle to ride in! I don't own it, but a friend of ours is lending us their beautiful antares saddle. It is like a cloud to ride in, fits Littles perfectly, honestly it is heavenly. Hopefully it will help Littles out with some of the back issues we've been having. She's been sore in her lumbar region for the past little bit. Usually the soreness goes away after she's been worked, which I find quite strange. Originally I thought it may be me being too large, but we've ruled that out. Hopefully with consistent work and daily stretching it will improve. She's definitely not lame because of it, and it is slowly getting better. We shall wait and see.
  It seems like our dreams of pony jumpers are actually coming true. With a winter of work, my coach thinks we can give it a shot. This is so overwhelming for me, it's only ever been a dream of mine to show at that level. It's going to take a lot of work and money and time, but getting to the royal would be such a great experience. It's going to be hard, considering I don't have the nicest stuff, or pony (no offense Littles,  you are priceless to me), and I'm not the richest, I'm ready to work my but of to get there,  and I have the best pony I could ask for. I know we can do it. And I'm determined to show everyone else that we can make it. I believe in us. And I want to show that it doesn't take tons of money to be successful,  it takes hard work, good riding, a strong bond, and partnership to get there. And I'm ready to commit all of myself to this. And I know Littles is too.

  So today I feel like the luckiest girl alive. I have the pony of my dreams, who I love so much. A lovely saddle to use. Regular lessons. And the possibility of having one of my biggest dreams come true. Thank you for reading,  and make sure you go hug your horses!!
 Annie

My Goals

  Hi everyone!
Show season has come to a close for many of us,  and even though I didn't do a full season this year it has got me thinking about my goals for Littles and I next year. So after chatting with my coach and thinking, here are my goals for next year.
   First of all, over the winter I would like to bring Littles up in her dressage training. Right now we are schooling very basic dressage, and beginning on working on turning stretching into some form of collection. By the end of this winter and before show season, I'd like to be schooling solid first level. It's going to be a lot of work, but I know we can do it. She is already improving so much and is so eager to learn, so I know we'll get there. Having higher dressage training will help us so much in our jumping as well as improving her body condition and longevity. Eventually, I'd like to have her schooling 2nd level. I believe every good jumping horse should be up to 2nd level, so I'd like to get Littles to that point.
  One of my other goals is to work on our tackless riding and liberty training.  I'd like to canter no tack or neck rope by the end of this winter. As well as just have some fun with Littles in general. Winter gets so boring and doing fun stuff like this will not only strengthen our bond, but also keep us from getting too bored.

     Now for my show season goals next year. I think I may tackle one of my biggest dreams next year, pony jumpers!!! I never thought this would be a possibility for me, considering this means I would be competing against some of the best riders and ponies in the province, and even the country! But my coach thinks we might give it a shot. This would be my first year on the A circuit, my first full season in jumpers, and Littles first season ever. The thought of it terrifies and excites me. The goal would be to qualify for the ROYAL WINTER FAIR!!! Yes you read that right, I've only dreamed of having this opportunity, and it just might become a reality. I don't know how well we will fare, considering my 13$ show coat cost less than some people's hair nets,  but this might just be the chance I've been waiting for. I'm on my dream, once in a lifetime pony. And I don't care if some people's saddles cost more than her, this sport isn't about money to me. And I hope I'll get the chance to prove that, and show that it doesn't take a 50 000+ dollar horse and a GPA helmet to succeed.  It's about partnership, and hard work, and proving those who doubt you wrong.

   These goals are huge to me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit scared for the future. But this is mine and Littles chance at making it to the big leagues, and I believe in us. Thank you for reading!!!! Go hug your horse!
Annie

Not Giving up on You

  I am not giving up Littles. As much as I've tried to convince myself that what those who doubt us say is right, I can't give her up. This horse is my partner, she has stood beside me through everything. Both of us came from nothing, people doubted us. They still do.  We've gone through he'll and back. We've gone through some of the hardest moments of my life, but also some of the best. She has challenged me, frustrated me, and made me question my belonging in this sport. But she never gave up on me, and I'm sure as heck not giving up on her.
    It was time for me to stop listening to other people who think they know my situation,  and time to listen to my horse. This is not the end, this is only the beginning. This is not the kind of horse I will ride for a year then move on, this is my horse. I'm so sure of this. I don't know what the future will hold, but my heart tells me it will have Littles and I together. I truly believe with every bit of my being that this is meant to be.
   I can't and won't give up on the beautiful bay pony I fell in love with just a year ago.  The pony who nickers when she sees me. Who jumps her heart out and does whatever I ask. Who I know truly believes in me. And I'm not giving up on her.
   Thank you for reading, make sure you go hug your horse!!
Annie

 

So It's Been Awhile

 Hello to anyone who may be reading this. It has been months since I've last written, and a lot has changed in that time. First of all, I am not at my old farm anymore. That barn sold, and I moved to one only a couple minutes from my house. So I didn't get to finish my show season on Appy. I stopped leasing him in June, because he moved to a farm very very far away. Which kind of sucked.  Saying goodbye to the horses, people, and barn that had become my salvation and my first real taste of hunter/jumpers was really hard. And I can't honestly say I don't wish I could go back to that time. It was so much simpler. Luckily I have seen and ridden Appy since then, and he even moved to a barn closer to me! He's doing great, and I'm so happy he's still part of my life.
   Littles came with me to my new barn! Which has truly been great. She has improved so so so much and so have I. She is now a calm, honest, amazing pony. The pony I always believed she was. I love her with all of my heart, and am so proud of how far she's come. She took me from the 2 ft hunter to schooling 1m jumper courses! The horse she is now is the horse I always knew she was on the inside, and it just took a little bit of work to get her to the point where she is now.
   But life hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns. I grew. I grew a lot. I'm too big for my wonderful little pony. As much as I try to deny it, I'm simply too big. It's not fair to her, and as much as I'd love to keep her as a pasture pet, she's too good of a pony for that. And even though this is tearing me up so so much on the inside, she needs a new rider. It hurts me so much to say that, but I have to stop being selfish and do what's right for her. Though I would love to keep her forever and ever, it's not the right thing to do anymore. I love this horse so much, and that's why I have to do this.
  So right now my goal is to find her a good home, with a little girl who will love her. With this summer of training, she has become quite the hunter/jumper/dressage pony, and I think there is a little girl out there who is going to love her and enjoy her. I hope I will still be able to visit her, and maybe even ride her every now and then. This is what makes this business so hard. Saying goodbye is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, and it already is. I feel so broken right now, but I know this is the best choice for her. I just hope I've done this amazing little pony proud, and I hope she continues to make her next rider as happy as she's made me. This is just so hard.
   It's so hard to think of the future right now. Every goal and dream I had was with Littles,  and now all those dreams are gone. I feel like I've hit a dead end. I don't know what my next move is, because it hurts so much to think of loving another horse. Even though I know there's another horse out there who needs me, who needs someone to give them a chance, to believe in them, it's so hard to move on. I just really don't know what is happening in my life right now. I guess we will just wait and see what happens.
   Well wish me luck. Go out and huxg your horse because you never know when the circumstances will change. Thank you for reading,
Annie