Taking In The Moments

After our big 229 in Idaho! A day I will never forget!

This past month I have been thinking about experiences in life and living in the moment. We often do not take the time to enjoy all experiences or at least learn something from them. Not everything is enjoyable, but even if they aren’t what can we take away from them?

I was fortunate enough to be able to go to a couple of shows out west, the Idaho Futurity, and the El Rancho Futurity. I was able to make this trip a couple of years ago and loved it, but it is an expensive trip to try to make. When a few things shaped up to be able to go for it, I was anxious because it consists of being gone for a month, a lot of driving, and the risk of not doing well. I decided to think of it as an adventure and an investment in the future. I knew I needed to show a good bit to get ready for the big futurity in December, and this was a great way to immerse myself in the sport entirely after a slow year of showing. I also was able to focus on my work with Cutting Horse Central. It was positive in so many ways; I just had to be brave!

Just one beautiful moment in Rancho!

The anxiousness is just part of me I think but trying to take on something this big on my own, that had me a little sleepless right before we left. The cool thing was though; I wasn’t alone, I had a whole team around me that I was able to go with, and it was amazing! Countless people wanted to see me do well and celebrated the unbelievable month that I had on the road. It made it pretty easy to forget about the people who weren’t happy for me.

I have issues not thinking about the few negative people. I dwell on that, which I have talked about before. I want to figure it out, I want to fix it, and reason with them. The truth is sometimes it is just not possible, and that’s ok. It is just part of life, and that is a positive to take away from a negative situation, you have to do the best you can, be your very best self! I had to focus on the people who went out of their way for me and the special moments I had with my horse.

An amazing farmer’s market in Cali!

There were beautiful, early mornings listening to classic rock watching talented horses and riders get ready to show. Moments of delirium after hours of driving that resulted in badass throwback playlists and the purchase of a snowman beanie baby (to represent a horse named snowman of course). Chinese and wine nights after a long day of showing in California. Beautiful farmer’s markets, a unique carnival evening, and exploring Sacramento on the one hand then interesting laundry mats, and “burners” who attended Burning Man in the other!

Some of the moments with my horse will go down as some of the best I have experienced as well. I marked the highest score I have ever marked in Idaho after taking several risks that paid off in the run! Then followed it up with a run in Rancho that made me smile for hours after it was over. I feel like I figured out a lot about Sammy on this trip. I have shown him for several years now, and he has made me grow in many ways. I feel like I am finally starting to approach doing him justice, and that is beyond rewarding. It’s hard to say precisely how much he means to me!

Now that I have exceeded the warm and fuzzy levels that should be allowed in each blog I will wrap up with what I started with, enjoy the moments. Enjoy the experiences, both good and bad. Go into everything with an adventurous, positive attitude. It is difficult when things aren’t going well, but that is part of growth. When I am having a down moment in the future, I will look back on this trip and channel how I felt as a reminder that it is what I am working towards.

I feel excited and refreshed to take on the rest of the year, in the studio, and with my horses. I have my confidence back thanks to amazing people and one unbelievable horse!

“A Great Horse Will Change Your Life, The Truly Special Ones Define It””