I just realized that I never finished that 30 Day Equine Challenge, so here are days 22-30.
Day 22- The importance of riding in your life:
Riding is...freeing. galloping around the track with Shadow is something that I just don't think I'd ever be able to explain to someone who hasn't experienced something like that for themselves. Learning to ride has taught me more than just how to sit a canter, it has taught me responsibility and love.
Day 23- Critique a famous/well known equestrian’s jumping round of your choosing:
Oh, God no. I wouldn't presume to know enough to critique a professional.
Day 24- Your best riding friend:
I desperately wish that I had any riding friends...no one is ever at my barn when I'm there, and when someone is there, they're way older than I am and aren't interested in me. That...sucks to actually think about. My friend Maddie is my best horse-friend, I guess, but she boards her horses and trains at a barn that's about 30 miles away from mine.
Day 25- Your dream trailer:
I know it's uncommon, but I don't have a dream trailer. I mean, it would be great to have one, preferably with space for my tack and all that nonsense, but as long as it's safe for my horses, that's enough for me.
Day 26- Biggest riding pet peeve:
Riding with someone who is disrespectful toward their horse. I can't stand people who treat their horse like it's "bad" and yank on the reins or use spurs like morons and then blame the horse for their poor technique and bad horsemanship.
Day 27- You know your an equestrian when….. (Give 5 original ones):
There are so many that people have already come up with it's almost impossible to come up with an original one, but I'll give it a go:
You don't mind sharing snacks with horses.
You have been sneezed on by so many horses who have eaten so many different things that you don't care anymore when someone else is grossed out by the green slime on the back of your collar.
You've been known to pull treats, hay, and hoof picks out of your pockets in non-horse related environments.
People are often allergic to you because you're always covered in hair, hay, alfalfa, and dust.
You'll gladly use Mane n' Tail on your own hair.
Day 28- Helmet or no helmet?
HELMET. The only time I ever neglect to wear one is when I'm riding Shadow in from the pasture to get him ready for a real ride, which only takes a few minutes. I've seen too many people smash their heads into rails and gates to ever go for a real ride without a helmet. In fact, one of the reasons I quit Westernaires was because they actively frowned on those of us who wore helmets because they didn't look good with the bleeding uniforms.
Day 29- A style/trend in tack/riding apparel that you don’t like:
People who color coordinate their outfit with their horse's stuff. I can't tell you how frustrated I get when I see a horse with a purple halter, purple saddle pad, and purple-ass rider.
Day 30- Your Future With Horses
I'd like to think that I'll start eventing again sometime soon, but for now I'm happy to just spend time with Shadow. Working out and trail riding, working on cross country and that sort of thing is enough for now. I plan to keep him in my life until the very end, and I think that that's how any relationship I have with a horse will be. I guess that my relationship with my horse is more important than their ability to compete...I can't stand people who trade in their horses for newer models just because they're old and can't jump as high. Shame.
