F-E-A-R
As I’ve learned from riding horses since I was eight years old, fear, is one of the most dreaded words in the horse world (aside from chestnut mare). They say when you’re young, you fear nothing, no second guesses. Well, that’s how riding felt for me up until recently. My goal was always to just higher, go faster, and always do it again and again. Confidence and pride always radiated off my body and I was fearless. No matter the horse or the circumstances, nothing could phase me.
I started at a summer camp in North Carolina at the age of eight. I had braids in my hair, lace ankle boots, and the burning desire to ride. The horses made me feel alive, like I had a partner. I was assigned to a gentle retired eventer, he probably wasn’t worth a nickel, but he was priceless to me. He taught me the basics, walk, trot and attempted to canter on accident. By the time I was done with my first week of camp, I thought I was practically ready for the Kentucky Derby.
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My love for equestrianism never decreased, even to this day. I felt like the sky was the limit and nothing could ever make me feel different than the little eight-year-old with braids dangling by her ears on the first day of horse camp. My dream was to specialize in cross country, a mixture of everything I adored about riding. The perfect combination of speed and jumping without the intenseness of showjumping and the scenery is just a
Once you get them to settle down and get there mind focused on just walking and the rider then you know the bond with the rider and horse are strong. When it is time for the second run of the night you want to warm them up again but not as hard this time because he or she has already been warmed up once before this, so just a little warming up won’t hurt. When it is that time for the second run the rider will bring the horse him a set him or her up for their first barrel and make the most of the race. If you see the rider smiling then everyone knows she has done her job with this horse. The rider can make an automatic barrel horse where that horse know his job and she barely has to ask the horse for a turn or touch his face to go around that barrel. When the rider gets a horse to be like that everyone can tell they spent hours and days together. The rider worked with that horse but never made him sour or hate coming into the arena. They spent time working on flexing the horse and making sure he knew when to tuck his nose and leave it for an extra second. They will all see when they are running home how much they spend time they spend together if they are fast and smooth through the pattern and don’t have any blow ups before or after coming in and out of the arena. After the race is over and the announcer say who
As a barrel racer, I have gone to a lot of shows and rodeos with my pony. My pony was diagnosed with moon blindness, caused from a bacteria called, leptospirosis, that got into his eyes. As he starts going blind he relies more on me, especially with barrel racing because he has to watch out for the barrels so he can turn tighter and not tip them over, but he can not do that because it is very hard for him to see.
fun with and enjoy your horse. To start you should have your horse groomed and in the cross ties.
Establish Credibility: Six years ago I became more interested in horse racing and what it took to become a jockey. I went to numerous clinics with my Thoroughbred, Clint Eastwood, and dreamed to race with him someday, until I was in a horseback riding accident that injured my left leg as well as crushed those dreams.
Young, Rhoria Lee, and Maggie Bracher. "Horsemastership part 2: Physical, psychological, educational and social benefits." International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 12.3 (2005): 120-125. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
During, the whole rodeo season I looked forward to going to the State Finals. I didn't attend the finals as a participant, but as a spectator. As President of the "Saddle Bronc Fan Club" for my friend Cole, there was no way I would miss this experience. We both had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
The first thing she worried about after she woke up in the hospital was being able to ride again. She had taken riding lessons since she was three. Her dad bought her a Palomino barrel horse when they moved to Utah. She started competing in rodeos when she was seven. Her mom got her into pole bending, barrel racing, and breakaway roping. She did the best in barrel racing. That was her favorite event. She thought that after the accident she would be able to get back on her horses just like she used to. But it wasn’t the same. Her balance was very bad and she could barely stay on. She got so upset that she couldn’t ride anymore that she told her mom to go sell the horses and that she would never see them again. She would not go near them. Then one day she got a phone call for an interview. They asked her to sit on her horse and for them to take a picture for the interview. She decided to give it one more try and her balance was better than it was before. They started working with her some more and they figured out a way for her to ride again. They put straps on her saddle so her legs wouldn't fly everywhere and they also put a seatbelt on her saddle so she would stay in. They also taught the horses to listen to her voice and not her
Riding encourages a child to work with their hands, exercise, and connect with horses and people of all ages, gain confidence, and learn new skills. Courtnee Niggel, an instructor summarizes how “A six year old child was told she will never walk again but after years of equine therapy she is now able to walk with a walker or by holding on to the sides of walls” (Niggel 1). Equine Therapy leaves a child with amazing results and changes their life drastically all the way from growing social skills to helping with motor skills, even to
One of my earliest memories of Grandpa begins with us driving to the Monmouth Park Racetrack. We sure did love to go to the track and root for Julie Krone or one of our other favorite jockeys. He loved challenges, and he especially loved the challenge of picking the ponies. He would read the race programs in the Asbury Park Press and usually pre-pick most of the day's favorite horses before ever leaving the house. Still, on arrival, we always bought the program and maybe a race sheet or two before entering the track grandstand. After picking up a couple of seats right around the finish line or maybe a little past it, back to figuring he'd go. As he went, grandpa would always point out the horses that had won recently or looked like they were due. "I have a feeling about this one" he'd say.
Growing up as an only child I made out pretty well. You almost can’t help but be spoiled by your parents in some way. And I must admit that I enjoyed it; my own room, T.V., computer, stereo, all the material possessions that I had. But there was one event in my life that would change the way that I looked at these things and realized that you can’t take these things for granted and that’s not what life is about.
Attention Getter: To me life with out horses is a life not worth living. To most people there are only two types of styles of riding, English and western, but there are many more types than that. And all are different.
Have you ever felt trapped in that box that you call life, with that feeling like you can’t breathe? Where it’s dark, constant, and feels never ending or worse feels like you’ll never get out? The claustrophobia about life that you don’t realize until you are too trapped underneath the daily grind is more common that some may think. I’ve felt it myself a time or two and I’m just starting out in life. I’ve always had goals set since I was a little girl, but over time things change and it starts getting stressful. I felt ready to crumble under all the pressure, that is until my mom introduced me to the horse world. I’ve always been fascinated before, but actually owning one is a totally different experience than just meeting
On April 11, 1998, my parents named me Brian Flatley Jr. After careful consideration, I have concluded that these words best summarize my personality and strengths:
In conclusion, horses mean more to me than many other things. They are part of my friends and family, but I also have great respect for them. Horses are surrounded by benefits that make us feel exceptional. Their colors are all attractive. Their breeds are marvelous and unique. Their history with us is quite a beneficial relationship. Their behavior is different from ours, but is an easy language to learn. Showing horses is exhilarating! Caring for them can seem like a chore, but is actually an overall fun and propitious experience. Riding horses is fun and meaningful, not just something to learn or do just because. And, no matter what people say, I believe there is something truly special about my dear friend the horse.
I never really thought about where my life was going. I always believed life took me where I wanted to go, I never thought that I was the one who took myself were I wanted to go. Once I entered high school I changed the way I thought. This is why I chose to go to college. I believe that college will give me the keys to unlock the doors of life. This way I can choose for myself where I go instead of someone choosing for me.