Genny from
A Gift Horse just posted about finding old photographs from her teenage self that went a long ways toward reminding her why she rides in the first place. Why she goes through all the contortions of balancing home, family, career and horses. And why it's so critical to love and enjoy every second.
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| finally found this photograph - first ride ever! |
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| with Toby at a show |
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| we rode a quadrille pattern |
Her post is a teaser of sorts - as I believe she'll be sharing more stories about some of those horses. But it really resonated with me, and sent me scurrying over to my old boxes of photographs to scrape up a similar sentiment for myself.
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| CJ! i loved this pretty little gelding so desperately |
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| and he was incredibly tolerant for a young guy |
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| Buddy! another resident of the 'fat field' |
These pictures barely scratch the surface of my childhood memories and the horses that have been most important and influential to me. But they still prove Genny's point: I am pretty darn happy in every single photo, and these horses are and will always be in my heart.
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| Harry, the ottb i showed for a couple years in rochester |
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| he gave me my first real taste of success in the show ring, including getting my name on a couple perpetual trophies |
As I've gotten older and become more accountable for the resources that are devoted to horses instead of, say, literally anything else, my mind more easily clouds with expectations and goals and rules and ambitions and wanting to be better and and and...
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| Dakota! |
And I DO want to be better. I DO have goals.
And I pretty firmly believe that we MUST be accountable for the resources we expend in this hobby. There has to be some sort of reward, fulfillment, or value added from all the blood, sweat, and tears, all the time, energy and cold hard cash we pour into it.
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| Lad <3 |
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| he was the most fun ever to jump |
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| so many fond memories of this horse! |
But Genny's post was an important (and timely!) reminder to not get confused about what the end game really is: deriving joy in its purest form.
At the end of the day, the heart wants what it wants, and mine wants horses in my life.
Feels. So many.
ReplyDeleteThis is really sweet, and a lovely reminder. I'm such a sucker for a good ol' helping of nostalgia- can't beat it!
ReplyDelete:0) <3
ReplyDelete"At the end of the day, the heart wants what it wants, and mine wants horses in my life."
ReplyDeleteSo, so true.
Sometimes we let life get in the way of that joy. I have great faith we can change that :)
ReplyDeleteAw, Lad is a totally gorgeous guy. And THAT JUMP. Damn!
ReplyDeleteThe enjoyment factor is pretty high in my involvement in the sport, but part of that enjoyment is tied up in my success and my goals. Kind of interesting how that works.
All the feels, and LOOK AT CUTE BABY EMMA! I just know my 11 year old self would be awestruck at what I do with horses as an adult. It's so important to remember why we fell in love with the sport!
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteGennys post was definitely a good reminder.
ReplyDelete<3
ReplyDeleteToo true!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of pictures!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! So many happy memories and big smiles!
ReplyDelete<3
ReplyDeleteSo true, and well put.
ReplyDeleteLittle baby you had the absolute best hair.
ReplyDeleteAwe so cute!!! It is always good to get those reminders :)
ReplyDeleteThat first pic, so adorable! Love this post so much <3
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the evolution of you going from no riding helmet (first ride) to the various editions of helmet. And besides that, I think I am in love with Buddy!!! How fun. I feel like I'm looking at an old yearbook.
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious of everyone who got to grow up with horses. I didn't even get to ride until my late teens!
ReplyDeleteThis. Like you wrote this for me after that last post about not being sure what I'll end up doing. At the end of the day, as long as I have my horses, as long as I can be on their backs, that's ALL that matters. Everything else is extra.
ReplyDeleteOMG I LOVE THIS!
ReplyDeleteLove that first picture! :)
ReplyDeleteI keep having to remind myself this
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all of these old photos! I need to restart my chronicles series ...
ReplyDelete