#paraequestrian

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Jan 15th 2022 and Dec 23rd, 2021: “There is no better place to heal [a broken heart] than on the back of a horse.- Missy Lyons . Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well! I’m finally back after a really long hiatus. Life has been wild since I posted last and I haven’t had the energy or time to post, but now I feel ready to start again. Before Christmas break, I started working with a new four legged friend! Meet Cassati, a nine year old flea bitten grey Holstiener gelding and ex-showjumper. He is so affectionate and curious, and most definitely an in your pocket kind of horse. He also has a great forward walk that is easy for me to ride. I have only had two rides on him, so we are still getting to know each other, but it seems like we fit together well so far! My goal is to continue working with him for the foreseeable future and refilm FEI Novice Test A for the virtual judging program later this year! In other good news, I got a part time job working as a Clerk for the Radiology Scheduling Department at Baycare Health System! 😊 . I don’t want to go into detail about why I stopped posting for so long, but November and December were incredibly difficult months for me. I went through a lot of loss and change. I’m honestly still working to move on from everything, and I have good days and bad days. But, I’m still showing up and doing the best I can for myself. I have picked myself up and with help from everyone in my incredible support system, have continued on the path towards my dreams. I am on my way again. 😊🐴❤️🇺🇸 . #healing #healingisnotlinear #horses #horsesheal #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #equestrian #paraequestrian #dressage #paradressage #fyp #photooftheday #usef #adultamateur #progressnotperfection #trusttheprocess #loveyourself #disabled #cerebralpalsy #chasingdreams #breakingbarriers #kerritseq #troxelhelmets #sponsoredrider #kerritsrootd #myariat #moveunited #jointhejoy #enjoythejourney #cassati #goodboy (at Quantum Leap Farm, Inc.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYy5pfLr85H/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Oct 22, 2021: Took a trip with my roommate to finally check out @worldequestriancenter Ocala yesterday! There is CDI dressage going on this weekend and my friend and trainer @nina_michelangelo was showing in a different class with her horse Cleo so we thought it would be the best day come out to show support, watch her school, and see the facility! This place is nothing short of amazing. Elegant, clean, well organized, gorgeous, huge, and best of all accessible! I could go anywhere on grounds that I wanted without feeling stuck, and the barns are spacious with huge stalls and concrete floors. There’s also a great selection of places to eat with decently priced food, shops including an @ariatequestrian store, a really fancy hotel with an even fancier lobby that has horse and dog pictures everywhere, multiple huge arenas and rings, and plenty of turnout paddocks. Long story short: I loved every second here, didn’t want to leave, really want to show here, and hope that they bring paradressage events here soon! . P.S I wear this red, white, and blue Ariat riding shirt whenever I go to a new horse related place that correlates with my goals because it reminds me of my long term goal! . #adventure #explore #horses #horse #worldequestriancenterocala #worldequestriancenter #equestrian #paraequestrian #dressage #paradressage #fyp #photooftheday #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #enjoythejourney #supporteachother #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #bigdreams #funtimes #chasingdreams #breakingbarriers #disabled #disabledathlete #myariat #kerritseq #aspiringparalympian #la2028 (at World Equestrian Center - Ocala) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVZAt8JLa7R/?utm_medium=tumblr

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May 7th, 2021: “There’s nothing better than putting your arms around your horse’s neck, feeling their warmth against yours, and letting them know that you love them with all your heart” - Me 😊 . For the longest time, I couldn’t hug a horse like this from the saddle because going down that far was really painful for me. Biking has really helped to loosen my hips and now I can give Shane and Cappy even more love which makes me so happy ❤️ . I had a really good lesson today! I practiced some independent riding and then Mrs. Lisa had me practice turning my head while keeping my body centered. Usually, when I move my head, my body wants to come with it so I need to learn to separate my head movement from my body so that my horses can better understand where I want them to go. That will help me ride better and allow us to reach other milestones easier. I tried my best to keep my arms relaxed while riding him today, but they still need some work. Cappy was such a good boy and did his very best. I think I’m going to make a new tradition of hugging him at the end of every lesson because it’s soothing for both of us 😊. I can’t wait to see Shane tomorrow and give him a hug too 😊❤️🐴🇺🇸 . #horseylove #horseyhugs #loveyourhorse #horselover #horses #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #progressnotperfection #equestrian #paraequestrian #dressage #paradressage #usef #adultamateur #explorepage #photooftheday #iloveyou #trusttheprocess #enjoythejourney #strongereveryday #chaseyourdreams #troxelhelmets #troxelshare #neverknockgoods #myariat #kerritseq #kerritsrootd #cerebralpalsy #aspiringparalympian #la2028 #iamusequestrian (at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/COlaBn1HOBT/?igshid=ic5p3ucb93fs

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March 19th,2020: We did it! Cappy and I filmed our video today for the @littlebit_trc Virtual Dressage Show! I’m so grateful to Mrs. Lisa and Nina for allowing me to enter and for everyone who helped out today! I couldn’t have done it without you! I found that I was really nervous when we first started filming, but by the second take everything was fabulous! I learned so much today and hope to use my new knowledge as I continue to perform. It’s amazing just how much changes in feelings affect my body and how I am able to sit on my horse! I’m planning on entering more shows later this year and riding independently! Cappy was such a star and the most perfect little show pony! I was so blessed to be able to have him as my partner today. It was such an emotional, amazing day and I know that this is just the very beginning of so many wonderful experiences on my journey to the 2028 Paralympics. Today i was reminded just how much I love to perform and I can’t wait to see where we ho next! . #cpawarenessmonth Sometimes with my CP, I find it difficult to appreciate my body as it is. When I’m on a horse, I forget about the limitations I have and feel like the greatest athlete ever. They have touched my life like nothing else. . Show outfit: @troxelhelmets Avalon Black Helmet @kerritseq Affinity Aero Show Coat @tuffrider_ White Knee Patch Breeches @ariatequestrian Paddock Boots . #showseason #showseason2021 #horseshowing #horseshow #horseshowlife #virtualshow #dressageshow #dressage #paradressage #equestrian #paraequestrian #usef #adultamateur #explorepage #photooftheday #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #positivity #thefutureisbright #enjoythejourney #trustyourself #troxelhelmets #troxelshare #sponsoredrider #kerritseq #myariat #strongereveryday #chasingdreams #cerebralpalsy #aspiringparalympian (at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMnYsARHNV6/?igshid=1tgcsbszlgh2b

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Feb 24,2021: They say to never give up on something you can’t go a day without thinking about. For me, that thing is horses ❤️ . Cappy and I had another fantastic lesson today! Before I mounted we did our usual standing exercises, but I also did some balance exercises on a Dynadisc to wake up my core muscles. Little did I know that this tiny addition to our routine would make such a huge difference! Because my core already knew its job from the unmounted exercises, I felt much more secure and relaxed than normal, and was able to find my center faster. This was the first lesson since I started riding Cappy that I didn’t find myself constantly reaching for the surcingle handles for support when I became unbalanced in any way. This is absolutely HUGE progress for someone like me who typically relies on her hands and arms for everything! My balance was so good that I got to try leading Cappy with the reins more today and he listened so well. I’m getting much better with communicating with him and giving the right cues too. Right now, we are only looking for small but proper responses, so I am learning the right moment where I should release pressure to reward Cappy. Oh did I mention that I am doing all this with only a halter and bareback pad? Yup, no tack here yet! . I’m absolutely blown away at how much progress Cappy and I made with just a small change today! He was so amazing and I brought peppermints to give him as a special treat. Younger me would be shocked at what I have been able to do. Every day in the saddle leaves me more and more optimistic and hopeful about my future in Paradressage ♥️😊🐴🇺🇸 . #littlechangesbigresults #enjoythejourney #trusttheprocess #progressnotperfection #progress #balance #stability #horses #equestrian #paraequestrian #dressage #paradressage #explorepage #photooftheday #believeinyourself #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #strongereveryday #chasingdreams #usef #adultamateur #troxelhelmets #troxelshare #sponsoredrider #breakingbarriers #jointhejoy #cappy #goodboy #littlevictories #cerebralpalsy #aspiringparalympian (at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLsjlWyHKqP/?igshid=j1oflw8np673

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Jan 20th, 2021: Hi everyone! I had a super lesson with Cappy this morning! My body was super relaxed and ready to go, and settling into the surcingle was easier than weeks past. Today was really special because I got to use reins with Cappy for the first time and it was my first time using looped reins! I was completely in sync with him and could follow his movement with my body and hands fluidly. I really felt like a Grand Prix rider, and I have a feeling that pretty soon we’ll be riding circles around everyone! The looped reins were really helpful as I had a secure place to hold and didn’t have to worry about them slipping through my hands. I have another lesson tomorrow and I’m excited to keep working towards my goals! Maybe I’ll be able to practice a test with Cappy soon 😊. I’m learning more about myself every day, doing my best to be present in the moment, and hopeful for the future 😊❤️🐴🇺🇸 . #loopedreins #reins #fyp #photooftheday #thefutureisbright #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #trustyourself #trusttheprocess #chasingdreams #dreambig #strongereveryday #breakingbarriers #paradressage #dressage #equestrian #paraequestrian #usef #adultamateur #myariat #troxelhelmets #sponsoredrider #sponsorship #cappy #welshxtb #horse #horses #progressnotperfection #enjoythejourney #aspiringparalympian #cerebralpalsy (at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKSAz3knb8l/?igshid=10hx48pglvpvn

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July 18th 2020: Shane and I are back in action after 4 months off because of COVID!Riding again felt amazing! It was a pretty great ride all things considered! I’ve lost some of my core and I started leaning back in the saddle because of fatigue again. I’m a little frustrated because of it but I know I’m going to work back up to where I was. We just focused on transitioning from walk to halt and getting him to walk with intention, and then went on a short trail ride around property. Shane was a good boy even though getting him to walk on in the heat took a lot of my energy. I’m really proud of Shaners for listening so well and I gave him lots of pats. ♥️😊🐴. . #horse #horses #equine #equines #equestrian #paraequestrian #dressage #paradressage #paradressagerider #therapeuticriding #equineassistedtherapy #therapyhorse #therapyhorses #usef #adultamateur #adultammy #teamcaf #grade1paraequestrian #shane #goodboy #americanpainthorse #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #thefutureisbright #workinghard #chasingdreams #strongereveryday #cerebralpalsy #disabledbutnotreally #breakingbarriers (at Quantum Leap Farm, Inc.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCyoihiHblr/?igshid=1fm09ngu9jfrs

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March 17th, 2021: “Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.” . When I’m riding, I often forget to smile because I am so focused on what I am doing. So I’m going to challenge myself to express my happiness outwardly more often, just like I am in this picture, and just like the quote says it is important to pat ourselves on the back for all that we have done and believe that we can achieve our wildest dreams and beyond. . Cappy and I got to rehearse our test for the @littlebit_trc virtual dressage show in a 20 x 40 arena today and it went awesome! Cappy was such a good boy and I’m especially proud that I got our halts right on the mark 😊 I’m so pumped to film our test on Friday and I’m excited to show you guys what we look like all dressed up! I’m going to practice using my elbows more at home before Friday, but other than that I feel confident that we’re going to do really well. This is just the beginning of so many more shows and tests to come and I’m really looking forward to the future ❤️🐴😊🇺🇸 . #cpawarenessmonth because my CP makes it difficult to walk, I often spend most of the day in my wheelchair because it’s how I get around and get things done. I love my chair, but sometimes I want to experience the world a different way. Horses give me that opportunity. They give me freedom and a chance to see things from another perspective. With them I feel like I can go anywhere and do anything, and I’m endlessly grateful to have them in my life. . #horseshowing #horseshow #virtualshow #dressageshow #smilemore #smile #havefaith #progressnotperfection #trustyourself #beconfident #fyp #explorepage #photooftheday #usef #adultamateur #dressage #paradressage #equestrian #paraequestrian #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #thefutureisbright #chasingdreams #breakingbarriers #troxelhelmets #troxelshare #sponsoredrider #kerritseq #cerebralpalsy #aspiringparalympian (at Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMh_BRwHBMA/?igshid=dlj2bdercy2d