Thanksgiving

Each Thanksgiving my husband and I join my family around a delicious turkey dinner, and we share what we are thankful for over the last year.

Among family, friends, good health, and living-wage jobs during this economy, the last year provided a whirlwind of gratitude for the experiences we’ve had and the people we’ve met along the way. Starting off with the MN Horse Expo, thanks to the Minnesota Walking Horse Association for selecting Makana and I as demonstration riders. Not only was it a thrill to be there on horseback, but we were a demo team for Gary Lane.

Among the other MWHA-sponsored events I am thankful for are the Early Bird Show, B.L.E.S.S. Your Walking Horse Clinic with Bucky Sparks, and Gaited Trail Trials. I am so thankful for the many volunteers who make these events possible and for the people I’ve come to know as friends.

I am thankful Walker’s Triple R and Rocking R Farms for hosting wonderfully organized schooling dressage shows open to gaited horses.

I am thankful to Judy Conger who holds women’s horse gatherings at her farm.

I am thankful to the Northwoods Dressage Association for inviting Makana and I to perform a gaited dressage demonstration at their “Ride A Test” Clinic.

More specifically, I’m thankful for the people who have inspired me this last year and helped me gain a greater awareness to riding this marvelous breed.

Special thanks to:

Gary Lane who confirmed what we are doing well and for ways to improve expression in the show ring going forward.

Bucky Sparks who helped me see what connection from the hindquarters to the bit looks like in a snaffle bit on a head-shaking horse and the importance of getting the horse to bend through the rib cage.

Judy Walker who rides with finesse by sewing transitions together as one seamless movement and taught me the feel of straightness.

Judy Conger who shares from her heart a lifetime of rich experiences with me and the women who gather at her farm. Judy helped me see the importance of working in hand, tweaking my riding position, riding my corners, and proper saddle fit.

Karen Meyers, President of the Western Dressage Association of Minnesota, who I met at Judy’s women’s gathering. She helped me establish a better curb bit connection without inhibiting the head nod.

Hannah Rivard who raised and trained Makana from birth until I bought her as a three-year-old. Hannah has gone on to riding bridleless and bareback on her PRE Andalusian mare. Utterly inspiring!

Judy and Pat who introduced me to trail riding which gave me the courage to ride the Gaited Trail Trials.

Pete Ramey and Jaime Jackson whose books and video instruction have helped me understand hoof anatomy and function and the powerful healing function of going barefoot.

Mary Wanless whose riding paradigm has introduced a fresh perspective on riding and who reminded me of how far I’ve come from the days of paralyzing riding fear after studying her book “The Natural Rider” more than twenty years ago.

Most importantly, I am thankful for my saintly husband who supports my passion for riding and my faith that holds my life together.