REIGNITING THE PASSION FOR EVENTING

 My blog name has changed over the years, but my goal always remained the same, to be in eventing! I had goals, but never knowing how to attain them, or have any formal training, or access to training in central Maine really stunted my growth in that dream. Now at 53 I am facing the reality of that coming to fruition. 2008 trip to the Rolex ignited the dream. Inspired by Bruce Davidson at 68 riding his 21 year old
gelding he retired that year. It made me think at 38 yrs old I would still be able to get there! That false hope, and unforseen life changes like divorce, moving or selling my eventing horses, getting remarried and following my husbands passion barrel racing for 10 years let that inspiration slip away like vapor.

As my LIFE itself is ever evolving and changing, who knew I would be able to actually return to that aspiration of eventing. A slew of events chronologically panned out resulting in a new vision and realistic goals. Interestingly my last appy bred hopeful was the one responsible for this opportunity. Who knew it would be Charlie that would make a way for me to return to my love of eventing over the course of 6 years through connections. Short story version: Wapschocolatemousse aka Charlie, Moose went on lease to St Andrews college for 2 yrs. A graduate reached out to me to continue a private lease for 2 yrs, who then purchased to continue eventing under the 4* Training guidance of Mckenzie Cumbea, owner of Morning Line Farm. After I restarted jumping lessons with another trainer before turning 50, I decided to purchase Bristol Indian, a proven 2* 3DE gelding I had hoped to show me the ropes of upper levels. Maintaining connection with Charlies owner who was then barn manager for Mckenzie, allowed me to realize a better opportunity to materialize my showing potential with Bristol would be at her show training facility. Thankful I made that decision in that moment, but it still took 2 yrs to come into being where I am today mentally. Through life changing state of affairs to take care of my mother, then loosing my mother during that 3 year time period had only prolonged the inevitable. 

Everything happens at the right time and for the right reason. My experience in Southern Stockhorse, NBHA, website building, marketing, showing weekends for 10yrs has prepared me to be where I am, at the right time. Mckenzie's expanding training/boarding business needed her website to reflect the professionalism and highly qualified level of horses she was showing. I offered to update her website and branding for her sale flyers. My photography, videography, graphic design degree and 50 years of horse life forged our business relationship. An unexpected opportunity to groom for her at Chattahoochee Hills Event solidified my "personal groom" job title during the week & for her 2024 show season!

To say that I am excited for this chance to change future sequence of events, is an understatement. What the future holds for me to attain any personal goals have better odds if you are connected with people that have the drive you once had and actually desire to motivate you to do better every day!

What more can 2024 offer me to get back to my goals? 

Thank you Jesus for Charlie!

TIME FLIES ~ THE GOOD & THE BAD

 

TIME FLIES ...  NOT NEW NEWS RIGHT!?

Sometimes mistakes turn into beautiful moments, for me or others, which reminds me it wasnt actually a mistake at all ... 

Started jumping lessons at nice facility on thier lesson horse, it only took 3 lessons to know this wasnt for ME. I need a REAL horse, something that I can work with, know and understand. So I brought a stunning, fit and already jumped a 4' pasture fence named Sunny. After the lesson which went great giving it was Sunnys first lesson jumping, I was feeling optimistic! Trainer advised it would be too much work to actually start this horse and get to the levels I was aspiring to. Hindsight 20/20. She was wrong. I sold sold Sunny and took a loan to acquire "experienced  2* horse" to learn on. 3 years later and I have wasted time never getting any further along if I had just kept Sunny! I have trained, jumped and shown him. Acquired life long friends in this process which is why I say it wasnt a mistake. Bristol doesnt have to bite, kick, be hateful, rear, strike, buck or refuse to jump or load in trailer with me! YAY! He has learned to bow and humble himself for kisses on his eyes. He is in a happy place being tended to as KING. That is a huge accomplishment! Again I say he wasnt a mistake. He has learned it is a partnership. I have also learned that it all takes TIME! Beware of RED FLAGs, like if a horse bites in the pre purchase.... ABORT ABORT! 

I just felt that turning 50 the clock starts ticking. If I didnt commit, it would never happen, so I forced it! That same year, I lost my barrel horse Sally after double colic surgery. 

ONE DOOR OPENS, ANOTHER DOOR CLOSES...

Jeff retired as state director for NBHA and we traded the 44' 4HLQ for a 44' Camper/Toy hauler as life with his now 3 grands was taking priority. Sold the poultry farm to have more time to do these things. Invested in beach rentals to subsidize income, and unfortunately whether it is hurricane IAN, doubled taxes, doubled insurance rates or immoral property management companies stealing from out of state owners, makes us think we are always making the wrong decisions... but GOD WILL PROVIDE!

So so much to be thankful for. Just moving here with horses, finding new friends and job. Getting married, accumulating 13 horses for training/selling. Moving Dad and then his travel friend buddy to NC. Building 2 on property venues: Barrel Racing Arena & Go Cart Racing Track. Assisted my husband as NBHA District Director and then years after taking the job for State Director and overseeing all  shows within NC. Learned a lot about people/organizations with horse showing. Championships held 2X a year in Perry GA was always fun with our group. Relocated Jeffs Aunt & Uncle from Utah back to east coast of NC for family to visit and enjoy. Then, FINALLY convinced MOM to move down from Maine. I have to remind myself how BLESSED I was to have all of the moments I gained with her in the 2.5 yrs she was here. ALSO, Blessed she unexpectedly passed peacefully during her afternoon nap. Mom is why horses are in my blood! My first pony at 3 and riding with her off and on my whole life. What a Blessing to have shared horses with her, and her legacy lives on, as a part of my life.

Now 2024 and it is time to implement the BLOG title: BEGIN ANEW!

Hoping to share the materializing sale of Bristol to his future young hopeful! 

Share about my part time job with 5* rider as Groom, Marketing & Web Manager!

Ready to stamp my NC realtor license also as a SC realtor this year.

Next time I will share most recent trip with a friend from elementary school!

Lastly, get back to HORSES! My blogging training sarcasms of oversized sorrel horse that would remind you of Clifford the Red Dog. Started as a barrel racer, got over 17h and I decided to keep him for eventing. 

Never a dull moment here.... just living life and feeling BLESSED!