New website up! Highlights of 2015 and Leo is turning into a dressage horse :-)

Its official!  2016 has starting off with a facelift to my website (thank you Dana for your help!).  I’ve never done blogging before, but here goes …

2015 has been an interesting year with lots of learning opportunities.  Through the first half of 2015 (and the last few months of 2014), I was invited to be a substitute teacher at Olds College (teaching the dressage portion of the program to the English Equine Science students).  During the 6 months I taught at the College, I learned an incredible amount and overcame some life long fears of public speaking.  Anyone who knows me well, knows how unbearably shy I am.  Speaking to anyone I don’t know, can sometimes cause panic attacks.  I am so proud of myself, as not only did I push past my phobia of speaking to people I don’t know, I eventually became comfortable using a microphone in the classroom (something I was ridiculously terrified of using!).  In addition (although I never want to do it again, lol), I was also able to stand up in front of crowds of strangers and speak (often hiding behind a piece of paper … but hey its an improvement! LOL).     While I would like to avoid public speaking like the plague in the future, I am so grateful for this experience which enabled me to break out of my shell.  It has truly been a life altering experience.  Speaking to strangers no longer terrifies me like it once did!!!  In addition to that, I am thankful for meeting all the wonderful instructors and students that the college brought into my life.

2015 also marked the first time in 19 years that I did some jumping.  Thank you to my friend Katrina who offered her trusty steed for me to ride.  To be honest, after not jumping for 19 years, it was a bit scary … but good old Zebedee took care of me!   After getting more jumping practice through the summer, jumping was fun again (but my heart is still in dressage).  Jumping this summer has really helped me understand “jumpers” better.  Riding position required for jumping and dressage is quite different, but I feel they both compliment each other.  Cross training seems to be very beneficial for both riders and horses alike.

The end of 2015 was marked with Leo reaching the fun stage.    After 12 months of dressage training, Leo has really come into himself.   During a super fun lesson with Lindsey Stroh, Leo offered up some passage and a few steps of piaffe.  I can’t wait to see how he improves over the next few months!

Leo will be available for sale in the spring.

Here is a short video of Leo learning passage …

Feel free to leave a comment!