Meet my newest mount

I just realized I dont think I ever formally introduced my "baby" horse Kiss (jc name KissTheButterflies).

Finally having my girls together at the same barn felt really nice

I saw an ad posted about her and just could not stop thinking of her. I had fresh money in my pocket to go towards her purchase and it was burning a hole in my pocket.

The day I went to look at her (she is 3 in this picture)

If any of you remember Typo in my adding to the roster post...I sold him pretty quickly to an adult male as his first horse because he is just so chill. I knew pretty quickly he wouldn't be sticking around...i like my feisty mares...and he fit perfectly in with his new owner's agenda. They still are building together and happy which makes me super happy.

One of our first off farm schoolings...can you say wood allergy!?

 Kiss has by far been way easier, more sane and willing than Tillie was at this young age. Sure she has her moments, but she is just so NICE. She was so good at her first few events last season. Worried for sure and just wiggly...so not like the cocky tillie dragging my butt around.

First ever full event, looking the part already

Both my mares could not be any more opposite. Kiss is typically happy to plod along however fast or slow you ask...sometimes more on the slow side. She tends to be a worrier which is something we are working on. Really managing her confidence and protecting that.

Another outing in the season at Loch Moy...having some baby feelings about it all

She jumped around very well and confident though!

She isnt as brave as tillie, but once you show her the way shes usually pretty honest. I admit to not always giving her the driving, supportive ride she always needs to things simply because I am not used to that! Its been a learning curve for me but a very fun one. Hence us sticking at intro last year to feel one another out...we were about to move up to BN for one final event but all the darn rain foiled that and everything was cancelled.

Dressed up in "racing gear" for a paper chase

All that rain didnt help set us up for success this year just yet. This season we are struggling with her big feet somewhat, but we got pads put on and so far **knocking on all the wood** that has seemed to keep her happy and comfortable.

Did i mention she sometimes feels like a human blender?

My goal for her this year (shes is now 5) is to keep plugging away at the confidence building. Lots of miles, traveling and exposure. We will likely live in BN land for a while until she tells me she's bored.

Schooling at tranquility last fall

 The mare has some talent in there I am excited to see come out, but must be careful not to push too fast too soon...because she is so much easier than tillie was, its easy to get carried away.

Not touching this mom!!

Scope for days

 Her legs and feet are so much thicker than Tillie....and her body longer. Its been interesting learning how to put her together. Shes also much lighter in my hands...

First day of trying her

Last week

She was so young and awkward, I really tried to take some time with her...i gave her most of this winter off and the time off hasnt disappointed. Shes come back well aside from the feet issue. 

Just because shes cute

 Our first schooling of the season she was doing much better jumping across and not so up and down...however we went again when the footing was wet and we had that issue again which makes me things studs are needed sooner than I realized.

So that is Kiss!! My princess pony...while Tillie is very much still queen bee. We have a busy season planned between the two! 

If you don't succeed try, try again

My mother used to say the saying over and over again, "if you don't succeed, try, try again." Sometimes in a really annoying sing song voice to try to be cheerful when I was down and out about my latest failure. I never appreciated it as much as a kid, but looking back that very support and blind activism to keep trying has made me the glutton for punishment I am today.

No professionals to be found here

Competing and getting noticed in this wonderful sport of horseback riding is not easy. Its flooded with other go getters just like me with the never-give-up attitude. For someone like me who started extremely late and didnt attend my first show until an adult, well you could say I have a lot of catching up to do.

Oh sooo much catching up to do

Its so easy to fall into the trap of never feeling good enough and always doubting my abilities...after all when good riders rider they make it look so easy and effortless. Us fellow riders know that its not, and it isnt for them either...we just get to see the outcome of countless hours in the saddle ironing out all those kinks everyday - some even with it being their full time jobs.

I am just an ordinary person, with an ordinary job, an ordinary social media following (probably with friends and family members tired of the posts gushing about my horse) and a blog to record the progress I make with my horse.

Oh so ordinary complete with trials and tribulations

I fall off, I get back on and I write about it...usually just long winded journals for myself to reflect. I wont deny that I have dreams to be a professional rider, but I am realistic to admit I am not there. I am very much ordinary and its taken me a long time to say that is ok.

It is ok to try and fail. For a long time after getting Tillie, my first off the track green bean horse, I expected myself to always be perfect so I wouldnt ruin her. I started being a working student in addition to my full time job and teaching lessons on the weekend (holy cow that is a lot!) to make sure I was doing it right.

Right or not, it was not all roses and I felt like more often then not I was doubting whether or not this was the right choice for my start in eventing. The advice I have heard after already getting my cheap OTTB was to lease a packer...well gee I did this all backwards...I should have been a working student before getting a new horse and learned on something seasoned for a few years.

Rolex 2015...doubt Ill ever get here but Ill keep dreaming

So the point of this blog is to just throw out there that its ok to fail because it stands for = first attempt at learning. It may take a few tries, but when you finally get that right answer, the good ride or that harmonious moment when it all comes together, it really does make up for the losses. I have finally come to a point where I no longer doubt if Tillie is not the right horse for me. She pushed me past my comfort zone, and still does. She's made me stronger and, under the helpful eyes of many many trainers and instructors (Ill refrain from listing them at risk of embarrassing them from my riding), we have finally seemed to reach a place where we are working together. I am so excited for this year...I know we will have ups and downs, but Im going to keep trying!

When you try and dont succeed, you try try again. Try enough times, you may just get it right!