I took this Blog Hop from the $900 Facebook Pony! Always enjoyable.


1. Why horses? Why not a sane sport, like soccer or softball or curling?
So the funny thing is... I did gymnastics for a long time. I did it for a long time until I hurt myself doing a double back flip. From that point on every time I would try to go over backwards I would hesitate. And I couldn't get past it. So I quit. It is super hard on a persons body as well, so it may not be a bad thing, but I still think about going to a trampoline park and trying some things out. But I am not flexible like I used to be.
But why horses? I have always loved them, and was intrigued by them. I never looked back.

2. What was your riding "career" like as a kid?
When I first started I just rode! I just wanted to be with them, to smell them, to clean up after them. I just loved them. From there I showed some dressage, some eventing. But I really didn't care about doing anything but being with them.

3. What disciplines have you participated in?
I am a true all arounder! I own a third level dressage horse, and still enjoy that. I have shown jumping and still love that as well.
Lately I have been showing Western Pleasure and Hunt Seat Pleasure. It is so completely opposite from what I was used to. Such as haunches in at the canter. And SPUR STOP. I thought this was crazy when I first rode it, but now I love a good spur stop horse.

. What disciplines do you want to participate in some day?
This may not be exactly what this question wants. But I want to show Java in Pony jumpers. That is my goal, and I am excited for it.

5. Have you bought a horse at auction or from a rescue?
No... and I hate to say it, but I don't think I will ever get a horse from a rescue. I know that they do great things, but I have a hard time spending what many of the rescues near me charge, to not be able to own my horse. Especially if I put a ton of training and time in. I struggle with that. A couple of the rescues here also limit what you can do with your horse, not allowing showing, etc. I like to show.
As for an auction... I haven't, but that doesn't mean someday I won't.

6. If you could go back to your past and buy ONE horse, which would it be?
Honestly I think I would have bought a horse I used to ride in lessons. He was a little OTTB, and so much fun.

7. What was your FIRST favorite horse breed - the one you loved most as a kid?
I was typical. I wanted a Friesian, and daydreamed about it.

8. If you could live and ride in any country in the world, where would it be?
New Zealand. It is beautiful, and I would totally live there.

9. Do you gave horse-related regrets?
Oh yes. So I work with horses. All day every day, full time. I love my job most of the time. But I don't enjoy my horses or any horses like I used to. I honestly was ready to quit this summer. Ready to just have them and not ride them. I questioned what I was thinking even riding them, so I decided to show and see if I could get my excitement back. And it seems to have worked.
I also regret my first horses death. A terrible accident that was not foreseeable, but very traumatic.

10. If you could ride with any trainer in the world, ASIDE from your current trainer, who would it be?
I am so busy, that I have never really had time to think about it.

11. What is one item on your horse-related bucket list?
I will say two... Ride at Paint or AQHA world. And ride on the beach.

12. If you were never able to ride again, would you still have horses?
Depends. Maybe not. If I couldn't ride, would I be able to care for them? Maybe I would own a mini or something to drive.

13. What is your "biggest fantasy" riding goal?
Ride a Grand Prix Dressage Horse. Ride and win a pony jumper jump off, and Ride and win a large breed show world class. I have very different dreams. lol

14. What horse do you feel like has taught you the most?
My OTTB. She is so particular, so sensitive. But I have learned so much from her.

15. If you could change one thing about your current horse/ riding situation, what would it be?
I think that other than what I said above, I would want more time. I need more time. I have had the wonderful opportunity to ride AMAZING horses, but I feel like I never have time for my own.

16. If you could compete at any horse show/ venue in your home country, where would it be?
I am not sure. I am not to picky!

17. If you could attend any competition in the world as a spectator, what would be your top choice?
The Freestyle Dressage at the Olympics.

18.  Have you ever thought about quitting horses?
Oh yes, see above.

19. If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about the horse industry, what it be?
I think people need to have a better understanding of what horse ownership is like. I think that you should be required to take lessons regularly, take a riding test before you can lease or own. I think you need to be able to take tests on what horses need to live healthy lives.
I also think that horse breeding needs to be limited to only the best breeding stock.

20. Whats the dumbest horse-related thing you've done that actually turned out pretty well?
I do a lot of stupid stuff. I will get on almost any horse and ride it. I do wear a helmet on most. I think the stupidest things I have done have been riding young horses on my own, without telling anyone what I was doing.

21. As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of?
I am actually less fearful now than I have ever been. I have never been fearless. Now, I hate rearing of any kind, I don''t like when they get light on the front end.

22. What horse related book impacted you the most?

23. What personality trait do you value most in a horse, and which do you dislike the most?
I love a horse with heart. The ones that want to work with you, to try what you ask. I don't like horses that are so hard headed that it feels like you are taking one step forward, two steps back all the tiem.

24. What do you love most about  your discipline?
I think I just like to be with like minded people. I love to have fun with horse people. With dressage I love the connection you have with the horse. With jumping I like the courage and trust. So many things.

25. What are you focused on improving the most, at the moment?
My timing! But really. I am working on my right shoulder. It likes to creep forward and is a problem.