Found My Mojo!

With my move and work schedule change last fall, my life changed dramatically. I've been really enjoying having so much time at home and am feeling a lot less stressed and pulled in every direction. Looking forward, I'm so excited to adapt my work schedule further, freeing up even more time to spend there.

Bridget is happy and my boarding barn there is perfect for Sophie too. Board is dirt cheap, they've got room to run, its super low key, and I love having the time to be more hands on in their day to day care.

Bridget even looks less like a potato these days!

Really, what's not to like?

This is such a first world problem, but I'm really tired of riding alone in the ring, and so bored of the trails. I mean, the trails there are beautiful, but more then once a week and I'm kind of "meh". I really, really like learning and pushing myself and I miss having lessons and goals and being surrounded by likeminded people. B, however, is thriving being my trail pony so I'm all alone in those feelings, lol. I've been feeling really unmotivated and kind of lost, to be honest.

B's trail ears are always happy

I had to stop by EC's barn the other night for an unrelated matter, and as soon as I pulled in the driveway, I was like "THIS. THIS place. THIS is what I'm missing. THIS is where I'm supposed to be right now." So funny how the answer sometimes hides right in plain sight. Logically, I've been doing the right thing by focusing my time and money on the horses at home and on progressing with Bridget. However, what makes perfect sense on paper isn't always what makes you happy in real life.

While I was at EC's, I took Audrey out for a hack, because I <3 Princess Audrey, although I wouldn't put it past EC to have added that offer as a way to gently point me back in her direction, riding wise. Because, of course I came back from my ride and was like " I love Audrey, and I miss it here so much!" and then EC,  the busiest woman running the busiest barn I know, just happened to have spare time in the calendar for me to ride Audrey on a regular basis after my work days here :) Coincidence? Maybe? Or part of a master plan? ;)

Old photo of the princess, sorry.

I feel like I should do a recap of who Audrey is. She's EC's young prospect who's quirky and fun and oh so talented. They moved up to Fourth level this spring and are winning, and I'm super proud of them both. Anyway, I always feel lucky to ride Audrey, she teaches me so much!

We sort of touched on what I'm feeling regarding Ms Bridget and the future with her, and it was nice to have a little validation of my thoughts. I mean, I'm an adult and don't need permission, but it's still always nice to bounce ideas off people who get it.

So, moving forward, we are reinstating my Monday night lessons. I'll be riding Audrey and will pursue my riding goals on her, hopefully until such time as Sophie is ready. I can also hack her or another of the barn horses the Tuesday or Wednesday nights I stay here for work, if I feel like it. Bridget is going to remain where she is and I'm going to trail ride her as much as I can stand on weekends, and will use her to help teach Sophie. I'll part lease her should I find the right kid. I'll pick away at training things with her only if I want to. Sophie's going to get lots and lots of groundwork and hiking or ponying miles for now.

It actually feels very freeing to let all those unfinished goals with Bridget go, so maybe that's a further sign this is the right call for all of us, at least right now?

I'm excited about riding Audrey again, and hopeful this is going to be an excellent compromise between still pursuing and progressing in my riding goals, yet still having the time I need at home and keeping Bridget happy. Because, despite my lack of desire to keep pushing Bridget along competition wise, I'm in no way forgetting she's the horse that gave me my confidence back and took me on so many adventures I never thought I'd be able to achieve. She's one in a million and means the world to me. Pony has earned herself the best home I can give her, for life.

Further adventures in the works...