a slight change in plans

So you all know I'm a fairly goals-oriented individual. I like to have something to work toward, things on the calendar, ya know?

And, of course, I've written at great length previously about what my journey as a horsewoman and rider means to me. About how, to me, personally, a major fulfilling aspect of my horse habit is the act of learning, getting better, and improving my own skills.

For me, it's all about developing and growing. Facing new challenges even if they scare me. And learning, over time and with practice, how to refine and improve.

charlie's known how to strike a pose since day 1. no bad angle with this good lookin gelding!

With Charlie, this has manifested in my choice to bring him along myself, as his solo rider and trainer since his final race in Aug 2016.

Of course I've had the guidance and instruction of many, many, MANY professionals and trusted advisers along the way. But generally speaking, I'm the one in the irons. And the pace of our progress is and has been dictated in large part by my own abilities.

There's more than one way to skin a cat, however. And with horses, it sure seems like all roads lead to Rome, as far as I can tell.

Which.... Is another way of saying, "There's been a slight change in plans."

first introductions went well!!

You see... I've lamented recently about my difficulties in budgeting, and the expenses of what was promising to be a big blockbuster show season. Ya know, bc I wanted to move up, and show recognized, and maybe even earn some qualifying results.

Which.... currently all feel like majorly ambitious goals when accounting for my own limited abilities haha. To even just get that far, it was clearly going to take a huge investment in coaching and educational experiences, etc. Considering that getting me to ride even marginally better is akin to Sisyphus and his god forsaken rock... It would be no small task, and one big price tag!

The reality is, tho, that.... Well. I'm broke, yo. And I'm finally coming to accept the fact that the enormous cost of reaching those qualifications goals, the unfathomable speculation that is imagining myself as capable of riding even halfway decently... Well... Realistically it's gonna take way more resources than I currently have on hand.

charlie kept his cool at his first major international gig with Matt

Suddenly, tho, and basically out of nowhere, Charlie got his big break and I got my deus ex machina. You see, Charlie's always been a beautiful horse. Let's be real, half the reason I bought him in the first place was bc of his impeccable hair.

Turns out, tho, I wasn't the only one to notice this. A luxury modeling agency's talent scout happened to stumble across pictures of Charlie on a random google search (true story: she was casually searching "fail" horse memes and our George Morris critique popped up lol) and was immediately mesmerized by Charlie's tall, dark and handsome features.

In fact, she happens to represent international Australian model, dressage rider and Youtube sensation Matt Harnacke, and thought he and Charlie would be a perfect match.

to say i'm a little jealous of the bond they've developed would be an understatement!

Obviously, I was shocked when I got the call. And my immediate knee-jerk reaction was an emphatic, "No way, are you actually fucking crazy?!?" What sort of lunatic would I have to be to ship my horse all the way over to the Netherlands just for a couple photo shoots, when we're only just now getting ready for our own competition season?!? Are you guys really that strapped for good looking horses that you need to import my no-name OTTB??

But.... the more I thought about it, the more it made $en$e, even if I felt a little sad and bittersweet about it all. Realistically, the exposure is just so so good for Charlie's career. It would be selfish of me to deny him that.

And obviously the sponsorships were too hard to say no to, esp that Divosa spree!! Plus, Matt even generously volunteered to keep Charlie in work for me, so maybe the horse will come back as a supermodel AND dressage star?

So off Charlie went. Off to fame and glamour and luxury, off to earn his own benjamins (or whatever they call them in Europe haha), while I sit here twiddling my thumbs and waiting for his ad campaigns and agency contracts to run their courses.

It's all good, tho. Yes I still have goals. Yes I still want to do things and go places with Charlie too. But all in good time, right? It's only April 1, after all ;)