Thanksgiving Day 8: Silent Run

I don't even know where to start with this one, because it has truly been a long, crazy ride (no pun intended!). I have been so blessed the past 12 years of my life to be able to live out every little girl's dream. When I was little, I was horse crazy. I was literally obsessed, although you could say that I still am! I began riding when I would visit my grandpa, and I would ride his horses. When I was about 7, I began taking lessons at a local stable, and I was hooked. As I progressed, I began to compete, which is when the horse bug really bit me. There was no stopping me after I began to show, or especially after I began to jump. I started to sleep, eat, breathe horseback riding. I'm fairly certain my elementary school classmates are still sick of listening to presentations on horses to this day!

Since I started riding, I have "gotten around" and ridden at nearly 10 different barns, and been with many different trainers. I am so thankful for each and every barn though, because I had so many different opportunities at each one, and I learned a lot from each trainer. For several years, I rode at a competition/breeding barn about 20 minutes from my home, and this is really where my riding took off. It was at this barn that I began showing often, where I leased my first horse, and where I got experience riding all types of different horses. I was able to ride a variety of sale and lesson horses for my trainers, and eventually was even asked to ride other clients' horses for them.

It was during this time period that I began riding Panda, whom many people know as Ponylicious, or even "Wonder Pony!" Panda and I were a fantastic team, and we were highly decorated as far as awards go! In 2009, as myself as her rider, Panda was Region 6's USHJA (US Hunter/Jumper Association) Horse of the Year Reserve Champion Medium Pony Hunter, as well as Horse of the Year Reserve Champion Green Medium Pony Hunter. Both of these are huge accomplishments both for myself and for Panda! Panda and I definitely made a very special team, and I will always treasure the year or two that we worked together!


Towards the end of my time with Panda (and really the reason that I stopped riding her), I was so blessed to be able to get my own horse, Silent Run (Sy). I always tell people that there is only one guy for me, and that is my horse! Everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say that, but Sy and I have literally gone through so much together, that I can't even imagine life without him anymore! Since I have owned him, we've had our battles with injuries (both of us!), sickness (mostly him!), and we've certainly had our fair share of arguments! But he is mine, and I am his, and I don't think that anything can change that, even if we part ways someday. Owning Sy has taught me so much about horses, about people, about myself, and about love. Our three and a half years together has been the experience of a lifetime, and I can't even describe how thankful I am for that. Thank God for this amazing opportunity. If you want a stable relationship... get a horse! ;)