Baby T's First Ride

Summer is flying by much too quickly. We have been so very busy, and thankfully...it's the good kind of busy.

I have been meaning to get T riding months ago but the drive to the barn is long enough that she was always completely out for her mid-morning nap. Now that T is older, she's also awake for longer stretches. A few weeks ago, we had a (rare) free weekend morning and it turned out to be a perfect family time at the barn. 

After grabbing Quest from the field and getting her groomed and tacked up in the little S-hackmore and bareback pad, we headed over to the outdoor. I hopped on first to knock the rust off and then C got his tandem pony ride in first. He really enjoyed telling me where to put Quest's feet. As we serpentined and wound our way around the barrels and traffic cones, C kept asking if we could go over the small jumps that were already set up in the outdoor arena. Maybe one day haha 

During this entire time, my husband was having quite a time keeping T from trying to climb the fence into the arena. It was such a magical moment to see her face light up when she finally got on Quest, nothing but smiles and happy baby laughs. 

I guess I can finally officially say that both my kids have ridden Quest now. Words don't express how grateful I am to have a rock-steady and sane mare like her. She just knows what is needed from her in the moment and goes right into babysitting mode when the kids are around. She's truly my once-in-a-lifetime horse. 

MCL Puzzle Tournament

My husband and I participated in another speed-puzzle competition this past week. Word of the tournament has definitely spread. By the time the event started, the room was PACKED and every table was occupied. The organizer learned their lessons from last time and the selected puzzle for this event was larger (550 pieces) and featured a more complex design. The image has bright sections here and there which made it good for a thorough sort upfront. 

Once we sorted as much as we could, we then start working on each of the sorted piles as smaller puzzles. We ended up finishing in 1hr 6mins which is pretty good being a team of just two people. We came in a respectable 6th in teams overall and 1st in pairs.  It was quite interesting to note that the teams that did beat us were teams of 4 or more and we also finished ahead of all the other pairs teams by several good minutes. 

I was really pleased with how we did. My husband has been such a great sport being my to-go partner and support. I think this event confirms the fact we just honestly need more man/woman-power if we want to come out in the top.  Next time! 

Birthday Mare

Quest turned 20 years old a couple weeks ago! I have her papers and it has been always been pretty neat to know/have an exact date. I did a celebratory post on FB the day of, and it was so hard picking out just a few photos that exemplified our decade-long journey together.  

Quest was a long-shot, life-long dream come true. I still can't believe how incredibly lucky I was finding her where and when I did. As a first-time horse owner who was constantly learning things as I went, Quest was imperfectly perfect for me - always forgiving, patient, and game for any crazy thing that I set in front of us. 

I hope to do many more things with her, but of course only time will tell what the path ahead looks like. Whatever may come, it'll certainly be an adventure. 

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day weekend

Redefined

This quote resounded with me quite profoundly, especially while I try to balance and embrace just how much my life has grown and changed in a single decade. Ten years ago, I was a very different person with very different dreams and motivations.

I grew up with strict parents who tried very hard to discourage me from doing everything that wasn't what they wanted me to do. As a kid, when I started showing an interest in art and started teaching myself how to draw, my mom even tried to throw out my art supplies. I remember hiding my sketchbooks (that I bought with my first summer job working as a lifeguard at the local community pool) when I was away from home so didn't have to worry about coming back to find them missing. 

My parents were scared of horses. I never got to be around them either and only really started riding in 2014 after graduating college and getting my master's degree as a working adult when I had my own income to pay for lessons, a half-lease, and finally taking the dive into full ownership a year later. 

I am ever so incredibly grateful to those who have been instrumental in providing me a safe place to discover and explore the best parts of me, those who encouraged me to pursue dreams, be it art or riding, respectively. My art mentor and friend who believed I had the skill to freelance and generously gifted me my first professional-grade Wacom tablet. My first trainer who told me after just two lessons that I had a natural seat and talent; to keep riding and keep learning. With only 1-2 years of riding under my belt, I was blessed with incredibly generous owners who trusted me with their endurance horse as I got to ride across the country from Pennsylvania, Texas, and California. 

Muckleratz CTR - July 2015

Texas, Oct 2016

California Day 1, Oct 2017

California Day 2, Pacific Crest Trail

I admit to thinking the "better" days were over, especially during the past few years as Quest and I came to an involuntary standstill in our distance riding journey together. It took time, but I've come to see that though my adventures now look a little different, they are no less transformative and meaningful. It's infinitely more valuable to find your tribe, to surround yourself with a community uplifting and positive people who will celebrate with you in the good times and cry with you in the bad times. 

It is, quite simply, easy as that.