Isn’t that funny how something that is a huge fear for years—YEARS—can just suddenly dissolve? I had a fear of flying for almost 10 years after loving it as a kid. One day I woke up and that fear had just melted. It was gone. I didn’t need medication to fly anymore. I consider it one of life’s small miracles! I’m so glad you’re riding again!
I am so happy you have gotten back to riding. I rode hunters as a junior and had some serious burnout (I wanted to do jumpers, mother and trainer wouldn't let me ?? it was weird), then my horse and I had personality clashes that got dangerous, so we sold him and so I stopped after high school. I picked it back up at 33. For a few years I leased a sometimes-insane Morgan from someone who has become one of my best friends and wound up buying a mutt pony that I do jumpers and eventing with. He does not win the dressage and has total ponytude, but he would never do anything mean and is the same guy no matter where I take him. He doesn't turn into a psycho if work gets crazy or I am not feeling well and I can't get out to ride for a week. He's exactly what I needed. I look forward to more stories as you get back into it, hopefully some video sometime!!
Nicole!!! I am so happy you are riding again!! I have sent you a picture of my mare before I believe but I share your horse obsession and the broke youth that deprived me of it. Also a nervous rider who never got comfy with my Thoroughbred and now have the sweetest and bravest Belgian draft whom I absolutely adore. Haven't been riding for a month or so since she has been under the weather and the heat has been abysmal but I am so happy to share your joy and please share all the horse things!!!!
I rode as a teenager and one year into my riding return as an adult I fell badly and broke my tailbone. Once I healed I started back but I was so terrified it wasn’t fun anymore. Took me a few months to figure that out. I really want to ride. Your story gives me HOPE that maybe I won’t be so scared one day. I need an Aurora.
I love sharing in your joy! My son is taking riding lessons and as the middle kid and younger brother to a super competitive play on all the teams older brother the barn and horses really seems to give him something completely different and his own that fits his personality so much better than our short lived soccer team. It's a weird world - he takes lessons at a Saddlebred barn and whew that corner of horses is....different....but they have a really great expansive lessons program that fits our schedule. I keep debating taking lessons myself, I wanted to as a kid (but money) and then I did in college because there was a barn that gave a discount to students but I haven't since. Maybe I'll give it a try again.
That is the biggest mlem I've ever seen! Enjoy your lovely girl! I bet Bella is happy to work with you again too.
BTW I am spending a "day as a gaucho" near Mendoza, Argentina on Friday... I continue to challenge my fear of riding by doing things like this, and if I remain in Argentina for a while, I might actually take some real lessons. Horses are a little smaller here than in the US and that makes it easy on my tight old hips. I'll share my Instagram here especially if I wind up herding a cow!
Isn’t that funny how something that is a huge fear for years—YEARS—can just suddenly dissolve? I had a fear of flying for almost 10 years after loving it as a kid. One day I woke up and that fear had just melted. It was gone. I didn’t need medication to fly anymore. I consider it one of life’s small miracles! I’m so glad you’re riding again!
I am so happy you have gotten back to riding. I rode hunters as a junior and had some serious burnout (I wanted to do jumpers, mother and trainer wouldn't let me ?? it was weird), then my horse and I had personality clashes that got dangerous, so we sold him and so I stopped after high school. I picked it back up at 33. For a few years I leased a sometimes-insane Morgan from someone who has become one of my best friends and wound up buying a mutt pony that I do jumpers and eventing with. He does not win the dressage and has total ponytude, but he would never do anything mean and is the same guy no matter where I take him. He doesn't turn into a psycho if work gets crazy or I am not feeling well and I can't get out to ride for a week. He's exactly what I needed. I look forward to more stories as you get back into it, hopefully some video sometime!!
Nicole!!! I am so happy you are riding again!! I have sent you a picture of my mare before I believe but I share your horse obsession and the broke youth that deprived me of it. Also a nervous rider who never got comfy with my Thoroughbred and now have the sweetest and bravest Belgian draft whom I absolutely adore. Haven't been riding for a month or so since she has been under the weather and the heat has been abysmal but I am so happy to share your joy and please share all the horse things!!!!
That last picture made me guffaw so loudly that I scared my cats right out of the room!
I love this newsletter today and did not expect it to make me cry, but it did. I'm also so so happy for both you and Bella!!
I rode as a teenager and one year into my riding return as an adult I fell badly and broke my tailbone. Once I healed I started back but I was so terrified it wasn’t fun anymore. Took me a few months to figure that out. I really want to ride. Your story gives me HOPE that maybe I won’t be so scared one day. I need an Aurora.
I love sharing in your joy! My son is taking riding lessons and as the middle kid and younger brother to a super competitive play on all the teams older brother the barn and horses really seems to give him something completely different and his own that fits his personality so much better than our short lived soccer team. It's a weird world - he takes lessons at a Saddlebred barn and whew that corner of horses is....different....but they have a really great expansive lessons program that fits our schedule. I keep debating taking lessons myself, I wanted to as a kid (but money) and then I did in college because there was a barn that gave a discount to students but I haven't since. Maybe I'll give it a try again.
That is the biggest mlem I've ever seen! Enjoy your lovely girl! I bet Bella is happy to work with you again too.
BTW I am spending a "day as a gaucho" near Mendoza, Argentina on Friday... I continue to challenge my fear of riding by doing things like this, and if I remain in Argentina for a while, I might actually take some real lessons. Horses are a little smaller here than in the US and that makes it easy on my tight old hips. I'll share my Instagram here especially if I wind up herding a cow!
Nicole, I'm so happy that you are back to doing something you love.
She's SO gorgeous! I am so happy for you both.
Nicooooollle! I’m so, so happy for you about riding again! And that video you posted was BONKERS. And WOW to the racism. Wow. YAY BELLA! 😍