Mother Nature needs an Antacid

Posted on April 23, 2013 by JennyP

The spring winds have been howling, and all the sand has rearranged itself into my flower beds. I started some flats of seeds recently, and it is so fun to see the new growth. Just add dirt and water and the little seeds come to life. It is so empowering to create new things and bring life into my world. Spring brings new life, and renewed dreams and summer brings the continued growth and fruition of this new life. The seasons are so important to our lives, it is our lives. I continue to grow and change with the seasons. Isn’t it amazing if you think about it that this all happens around us no matter what we do?? I cannot make spring not come, or the winds not howl, I can just play in the time and place where I am right now. I choose to enjoy it and see the good in all the changes. Fighting it just makes the journey harder, and the outcome will be the same, so why not enjoy the journey.
I like to face each day with the fun exhilaration of what is to come, enjoy the view and help those who wish to accept my help. Have fun and be safe. Here are some pictures of my garden.

Posted in Education, Personal growth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

College Riding is a good thing!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by JennyP

I was invited to Judge an NCEA meet last week between Baylor University and Kansas State, held at Baylor. I was really impressed with the caliber of riding. The horses were very nice and the girls were excellent. I consider myself a low scorer normally, so when 9 out of 10 girls in the jumping phase were in the 80′s I was truely excited. The whole team aspect of riding at College is a neat thing. Whether you show, warm up the horses, or do the barn chores, you are a part of the team.

This type of opportunity was not available when I went to College, so these kids are lucky, and parents too. Finally riding can become an asset for going to College. It will also give the good riders another reson to go to College before they may start their professional horse careers. A true win win for all.

So all you kids who want to get a scholarship to a Riding school better get practicing, it is not easy to earn a scholarsip. The competition is excellent, and the schools have many great riders to choose from. If there is a High school team in your area, it would be good to try out for that team, and gain some more exposure and experience before College. It is a fun time we live in with everything growing and evolving for the better.

Keep Riding, and be safe.

Posted in Education, Horse world | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Judging Clinics and fun!!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by JennyP

I have been doing a lot of traveling lately, and it has been inspiring and fun. I am lucky enough to get to judge and do some clinics. Teaching children and active adults to improve their riding is so great. Since horses are different everyday, this sport never gets boring.

I want to put it out there, that there is so much practice and perseverance to really master riding, that everyone must enjoy the process of learning and getting better. We horse show to test ourselves as to how well we are practicing. Horse shows are not the end all, it is the everyday fun and interaction we have with our animals and trainer that is the most important.

Clinics are good as the rider is put in a new situation with a new trainer. It is an excellent way to add to your tool box, and hear someone Else’s opinion of how you are doing. The students must keep in mind that there are many combined ingredients to create that effortless smooth beautiful picture we are all striving for when riding. Every trainer has things that they strive for and concentrate on as the basis of their system. So that is why hearing an additional opinion from a different person is so beneficial. Mostly we, the trainers, are aiming for the same outcome. Hearing it from a different person can often help make it really sink in, or the clinician may verbalize it in a new way that helps you really feel it.

What do you bring with you to a clinic? Attitude is the most important, open mind, your own basic knowledge of your horse, as you will have to interpret to the horse what you may learn that is new. Being willing to try new things and being able to let go of some of your “knowns” to see if this new clinician may show you a different way. You are creating the story of you and your horse, and the clinician is just someone you ask to help edit some parts of your story. You may accept or reject the information you receive, but you will learn something, and that is the fun of riding and learning.

Another question I want to ask you. Do you bring the same ‘try’ to your everyday lessons as you do a clinic or horse show?? The winners do, and I hope that is you. Riding is a sport that combines 2 athletes together, and the horse cannot jump as many jumps as we often wish he could. So all your lessons are important and respecting the horse’s body and the amount we jump is important. Lucky riders have more than one horse to practice on, so use all of your riding time to your best effort.

I love the subject of learning and growing. Keep growing!!

Posted in Education, Horse world, Personal growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment