July 10

Stolen from VivaCarlos. Thanks, LWilliams!

1. Do you actually always pick the horse’s feet? Always? Really?

Nope. Zero legit excuses for it too...my back hurts and I'm lazy. This is a twice a week task, but then I do spray them with whatever antibacterial/antifungal/magical potion I happen to have on hand. That probably doesn't make up for my laziness, but it seems to work for us.

2. What is the biggest obstacle/reason preventing you from becoming a professional or competing full time with ease?

Being a professional: Talent. And, since George Morris doesn't think that's a good excuse, I'll add in a lack of determination. I'm not prepared to put in the hours I would need to be good enough to be a pro. I like the other parts of my life too much :)
Competing full time: Money. Talent. And again, determination/dedication. A life of full time showing would be too much time on the road for me, and honestly, I like keeping shows fun because they're a novelty. Also, I could never justify the cost even if I had an unlimited horse budget, I'd rather see the money go to tangible, potential life altering things, like helping animals or people in need.

3. Do you think it will ever not be about the money?

Maybe I'm dumb, but will what not be about the money? Horses? Showing? Life? I'm probably super naive, but I don't think anything is about the money. It's about enjoying the moment, hard work and maybe a little luck. Money is for losers ;) 

4. Was there ever a horse that you loved and really wanted to have a connection with, but it just never panned out?

Honestly, no. But I don't feel like I'm prone to love at first sight with horses (or humans). I need a long "getting to know you" period and don't invest much effort before I'm sure things could work :) I'm such a cynic.

5. What is one weakness in your riding that even your trainer doesn’t pick up on, only you?

I'm quite good at putting my body in a technically correct position that looks ok but is not the most effective for me...my trainer is big on letting everyone find what works for their body type so I have no idea why I keep forcing my body to fit 'inside the box'. She's starting to notice, though, after realizing I ride quite differently/in her opinion better when I hack out and think no one is watching:)

6. What is the biggest doubt/insecurity you ask or tell yourself in your head?

That I'm going to ruin my horse by: being a terrible rider, being too heavy, being too inexperienced. 

7. There is a barn fire. You are the first person to discover it and see that the roof is collapsing in slowly, and you can tell it’s going to come down any time. Do you call people first or head straight in to save the horses?

I'd never board at a barn without exterior runs from the stalls, so cheater answer is I would make sure all the exterior doors and gates I could get to were open. Barring that, as awful as it sounds, I'd stand back and call for help...if the barn is burning so bad the roof is seriously caving in at any moment it's doubtful anyone is surviving anyways.

8. What is one event in your riding career/horse/anything that you’re still not over, even though you might tell others you are?

My first horse was a nasty bolter. He could go from a relaxed sleepy walk to a gallop way faster than my little kid brain and body could react. We ended up running down the middle of a highway, stuck in a forested ravine, falling upside down in a ditch, wiping out over the arena fence...you name it, it happened. Super dangerous, but hey, the only horse I had so I rode him for 4 years. Doubt I'll ever get past it though.

9. If you could tell off one person you just don’t like, what would you say?

To mind their own business and to get out and live their own life. Try to be happy. Life is way too short to waste time on the negative you think you see in everyone else's lives.

10. Have you ever seen questionable riding or training practices, but let it go/ignored it? How do you feel about it in hindsight?

For sure. I'm good with it...there's more than one way to do things and I'm no expert, nor do I usually know much about the backstory/reason (and there almost always is one!) Maybe it's a cop out, but I hate drama and I mind my own business. At most barns there is usually at least one person who has the desire to tell everyone what they think, so I let them 'handle' it ;) Joking aside, if I see someone doing something horribly dangerous through ignorance I will say something in a very non confrontational way.