In the Arena # 89 - An attitude of gratitude

Val and I took advantage of some gorgeous weather yesterday to squeeze in a ride before the holiday mayhem sets in - the arena does have perfect footing at the moment. (!)

After a quick warm-up we moved right into trot work - with Val responding to nice light aids. I focused on balance in the corners, not leaning to the inside. Sitting straight and tall, even in my stirrups, and leading with the girls ;). Looking out through Val's ears - not down. Visualizing what I wanted to happen so that I almost didn't have to use my aids after a while. And soft following hands. Things were feeling pretty good, so I picked up quite a bit more contact than I have been lately, which Val loved. He responded by getting rounder and motoring forward using his cute little hind end. 

Most of all - I focused on INSIDE LEG TO OUTSIDE REIN. Thinking of getting that tattooed on my wrist - not even kidding... ;)

We had the most fluid, connected trot work I've ever experienced outside of working with my trainer. I have been trying to improve my posting by loosening up my ankles, and letting them take the weight rather than posting off of the balls of my feet. The quality of the trot also seems to improve when I can accomplish this. We ended our trot fest with what felt like a super square halt and reinback, and did some beautiful turns on the forehand - on the buckle and no stirrups. I'm glad I finally figured out that doing walk work later on makes our sessions much more productive.

Saving the best for last - (can't get enough of Val's cute little whiskery muzzle)...

Can you see it?! There was more before the cookies...

And when really Val enjoys our ride, he grooms me while I clean tack. Love you too buddy!

Yes - this was a hard shot to capture

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Thanks to our kind readers out there in blogland. You never fail to share your inspiration, knowledge, support, humor and friendship with us. I am so lucky to have found you all, and I am very, very grateful.

I hope you all have a great holiday, and get to spend some time with your family and your horses. I'm off to the kitchen - Happy Thanksgiving!!

Giving thanks

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. 

We all have so much to be thankful for (besides the major meal coming later in the week)  :)

Here's some of my list. Please feel free to share what you're grateful for...

• My occupation, landscaper. I am so fortunate to work outside all day, stay fit and my have my father as my business partner. My sideline - jewelry artist - helps fill the gaps, and justifies my college education :)

• The island where I live is one of the loveliest places anywhere, (and equally challenging)

• My trainer, who generously shares her knowledge of classical dressage, horsemanship, and her home with Val and I

• In a little over a year, several of my dreams have come true... finding my fabulous equine partner and purchasing the land where I boarded him... my future home and farmette

 Lastly, I need to acknowledge the online community I've found since starting my blog. Kind, generous, helpful and uplifting - these are just some of the qualities that you all share. You guys keep me inspired and motivated - consistently moving forward. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Oh, and one more thing. To Val - thank you for using your manure pile as a pillow last night. Love you man :)

Giving thanks

 It's been another grueling week. When it wasn't too hot or humid to ride, it was pouring rain. Had a touch of heatstroke on Wednesday. Plus I had to postpone the trip to my trainer's this weekend to keep from getting behind at work. It has been miserable for the last month - the worst summer since I've lived here.

To avoid the pity party I was fixing to have, I decided to remember what I am grateful for. Here's some of my list:

1. Even though I'm starting to feel my age, I have my health.

2. I have a fulfilling job that, besides paying the bills, keeps me fit and outdoors most of the time. And I have a great relationship with my business partner, who happens to be my Dad.

3. In the past eleven months I've made two dreams come true - finding my awesome horse Valentino, and purchasing a piece of land of my very own.

The more I thought about it, the more things there were to add to my list. A good meditation when you are feeling sorry for yourself. An excellent attitude adjustment.

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Today was barn project day. I created a window in Val's stall for cross ventilation and to have a safer spot for the fan. Val mostly ignored the construction, but the reciprocating saw cutting the new window hole was a bit much for him. He sulked out in the far end of the paddock for a while... I had interrupted his breakfast after all.  He returned to give a final inspection :)

Oh, and I'm especially grateful that Cowboy has made a speedy and full recovery from his snakebite.