Looking back on 2015 my show season definitely did not go according to plan. In the begging of January I was on my way moving up to Prelim and planned to have a solid year at Prelim and run my first one star in the summer. However, my season consisted of far too many “E’s” on my record and changing disciplines all together.

The third biggest lesson I have learned so far since becoming an adult amateur rider has been: It’s not all about the ribbons.

It’s almost that time of year again when the snowbirds arrive! While many are repeat visitors every year more newcomers are coming to see what Aiken is all about. I thought I would share my version of an “Aiken Bucket List”

I was very fortunate to graduate with a great job lined up and was excited that I would finally be able to take the financial burden off of my parents.

I said it.

1. It makes you do crazy things.

I spent my Sunday cross country jump judging at Full Gallop Farm for their July schooling horse trials. We were unfortunately very short on volunteers but everyone kept a positive attitude while judging multiple fences. From my standpoint the show ran smoothly.

A lot has happened since the last blog post with two shows and a vacation up north in between. On Wednesday July 1st Carino and I competed at the Stable View Under the Lights Jumper show

Since the show I have been busy waking up at 5am to be on the moment the sun rises to beat the hot 100 degree temperatures we have been having. I gave my horse Monday off to rest physically and mentally from the not so great horse show weekend. I rode him Tuesday morning with the plan that we would have a jump lesson Wednesday morning.

I’m writing this while thinking back on a frustrating horse show weekend that did not go according to plan. I think I can say that every equestrian has been there. Replaying every second in your head trying to diagnose the problem.