My Thoroughbred

Now I have been riding for a full five weeks. I love every minute I get to spend with the horses. There is something entirely relaxing when I am around them. I know it may sound crazy, but they have taught me so much. This is the happiest I have been in a long time. I don't feel lonely anymore and I have so much confidence! I have always been a perfectionist and usually I take a lot of things personally when they aren't intended to be at all. However, I now know imperfections are not a bad thing. I understand myself more fully and I accept me for who I am.



Now, I think it is time to introduce my horse, Tulsa:





Although I do not own her I love her as if she was my own horse. She is a purebred Thoroughbred and such a sweetheart! She is 21 years old. Unfortunately she has not grown a close bond with anyone. A girl in 4-H bought her when she was young, but Tulsa made riding so easy and this girl wanted a horse with more problems. Now I am working on building up her trust. At first I was just another person but now she comes to me when I bring her grain. She knows who I am. I like to lean up against her when I bring her grain. Her chestnut coat is so warm and soft...She is always there for me and I love her so much.

This week I have started cantering and boy does Tulsa like to run! She is a Thoroughbred though. I can't help but laugh when we canter. Her ears perk up and she lifts her head and chest to pick up her stride. I think we would both run all day if we could. Haha! Also this week I started to jump. It was during my lessons and I was riding Smokey. There is a lot more to jumping than I originally thought, although I know if I was on Tulsa she would make jumping feel so easy. It really sucks that the weather is turning off cold. I am learning so much and most of our riding will be put on hold once it gets cold. I am going to ride as much as I can this winter, but I know I will go through withdrawals. Right now I need to figure out a way to stay in the valley. I would miss Tulsa too much if I left. :)

That's the update on life!

Update On Life

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything! Life has been pretty busy, but I am really enjoying things. Right now I am student teaching at Logan High. I am teaching two classes - Symphonic Band and Intermediate Percussion - while I help out with Wind Band, Advanced Percussion, and Jazz Band. Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays we go to the Mount Logan Middle School and help with sectionals. Teaching has been great. It's everything I have been working for. My cooperating teacher, Dan Stowell, is great. He is a pretty easy-going guy who will listen to what I have to say. He's always laughing or making-fun of me in some way, but he has really gotten me to loosen up. He's just the medicine I need.

As of last week I have become involved with horses. Linda - Dan's wife - loves to ride. After we went to the Lipizzaner show I really, really wanted to take riding lessons. We talked it over and agreed that if I helped with 4-H she would cut down the cost of lessons. I eagerly agreed. Last Monday was my first lesson. Even though I have ridden Western before English is very different. We started with the basics. I learned about the saddle and how to mount. Linda lunged me in a circle while we practiced balancing and how to hold myself. The feeling was amazing! Linda said I was a natural and I would just fly through the basics. I hope so! We did some trotting. I learned how to post, about diagonals, and how to change diagonals. I left the lesson feeling so elated! Now I have been helping with 4-H and I love every minute I spend with the horses and the girls. On Friday Dan made us dinner while we discussed Portfolios. As we were sitting around the table I took a few seconds just to watch everyone. At that moment I realized I was where I needed to be. They all felt like my own family away from home. Working with horses is exactly what I needed in my life. I can't wait until lessons tomorrow, but it should go by fast. :)