There is love in loss.

Today I write with a heavy heart. A heartbreaking goodbye was said today among my barn. A long time boarder at Doubletake's horse was put down today because of a very bad colic. He was old, and had lived a good life, but none the less heartbreaking. I was with Erin when the call was made saying that it was in his best interest to put him down. How sad it was. But as the title of this post says, there IS love in loss. Though it was very tragic to lose such a special horse, it was so great to see my how much Jenny, Abby, and Erin care for the horses, even if they aren't theirs. It warms my heart to know that the people caring for so many horses, care about each one of them as though they are their own. I feel so blessed that I work with people like the twins; not all horse people care about the horses as much as they do. That is something which I have grown to dislike about the sport, but they are short of nothing but some of the best owners and trainers I have ever known. Ian was a very sweet horse. Sarah and I always said hello to him and spoiled him, and I had a blast dressing him up for Christmas. Though he was not my horse and not necessarily one I had ever truly worked with, it is still hard knowing friends are struggling and that there will be an empty stall in the barn every time I go now.

I know this post is short, but I am short of inspiration this evening. I'll write more about mine and Joe's progress and our work this weekend.

Inspiration

You know, inspiration to write really comes from many different sources. Today, I just happened to be inspired twice. (though by the time I post this it will likely be technically tomorrow.) I have kind of had a longggg 24 hours. I started out the day pretty well, but it kind of progressively got worse. I have been noticing my uhm..how shall I put this...my difference in opinions with others shining through lately. Sometimes, I literally do not understand how some people can be so heartless, ignorant, and unwilling to see the sides of others. This really translated in to the horse world when today I read a post that Hillary reblogged on tumblr that talked about how "arabians are good for nothing." I believe it literally said "Endurance? yes. racing? yes. Dressage? Sometimes, but they never get far. Everything else? Fuck no." Excuse me, but that's just absurd. A horse is a horse is a horse. Why does it matter what papers say? I don't even know what breed Joe is, but honestly, I could care less. I know he would jump the moon for me. I know he and Sarah EXCELLED in dressage. I know he can go and go and go forever because he has excellent endurance. BUT HE ISNT SOME FANCY WARMBLOOD. I love him just as much as I could love a warmblood. Not saying anything against warmbloods, but what's wrong with having a non-warmblood horse? I can pretty much say that Joe may have well saved my life. I owe him riding ability. I know I would be no where near as good of a rider as I am if he hadn't challenged me SO much. I am sure I could have learned a bunch on a different horse, but I don't.

I love with all my heart a 14.2hh unknown-breed bratty, short, chubby, stupid, sassy pony who I am too big for and will never grow out of. And anyone who sees a problem with him, or me riding him can just accept that I love him for what he is, and I don't feel like I need an expensive imported horse to win things. I don't think winning is everything, and I will be just as happy as I have ever been not showing this year. I think the most important part of riding is having fun, not running around bragging because "you have the fanciest horse" or "you win every class."

Over The Moon!

WELL, after a few weeks of not riding because of weather and such, I FINALLY got a chance to ride!! And to make that even better, I got to have a lesson with a very dear friend of mine who I had not seen in a long time; let alone ridden with!! But this was probably the best lesson i have had in a LONG time! Everything was just spot on. I was absolutely elated to be having a lesson with Karisa and I even convinced Ana to go too :D I knew it was going to be a good ride when i got on and Joe was immediately supple. I usually have to fight with him at least the first fifteen minutes, but he was immediately spot on. I was so happy, that never happens! We started jumping and he was a bit silly at the first fence, but it had flowers at it. Needless to say i was NOT surprised. Josephine was just stellar. I simply can't get over it. We were both spot on. I jumped what was the highest since my accident in October. I finally feel 100% again. I am so thankful for that. We ended up working in a gymnastic to three feet. I felt like everything finally fell in to place. I just let go and trusted Joe and that really worked out for me. When I couldn't see a distance, he carried me there. That was truly a gift. He took care of me. It was so wonderful. We had a few pretty good fences in there, too! I can't help but say that I wouldn't feel this confident if it weren't for my trainers. Jenny never hesitated to make sure I was confident in riding. She helped me slowly build up my confidence to where I felt like I could succeed again, and I do! I even feel like I could show!! (Which is a crazy amount of confidence for me. Unfortunately school takes priority over horse shows.) I am so thankful for Jenny and Abby and Josephine. I feel so blessed. I could go on and on and on about how happy I am about yesterday's ride. It has been a long time since I have felt like this. And I couldn't be happer :')

PS Sorry this blog is so rushed, i'll try to post more next weekend. I have to run off to class!! Here are some pictures of Joe being adorable to make up for it.

Friends make the world go round!

Well, I know I said this blog would be to blog about Joe's progress but today in Arizona it is RAINY AND COLD! But we all braved it and my barn put on a lovely dressage show and I had an amazing time with my friend!! But for my weekly "Joe update," we turned him out today and he was like a little rocket!  he was out there bucking and running and having a grand old time!! But, being the little dork he is, while rolling he got stuck on his back! It was just absolutely hilarious. Luckily, Renee of Elegant Strides Photography caught a picture of it. So laugh at it like I did :) hehe

Copyright Elegant Strides Photography

SO ANYHOW! The purpose of today's blog has to be dedicated to my awesome friends. Especially since all I did today was laugh and laugh and laugh because of the wonderful sense of humor's they all have. So many people have touched my life and I have been so blessed with such a wonderful group of friends!! Just to name a few, I am beyond blessed to have the best best friend in the world. Ana Leasa has woken up before 5:00am to go out to horse shows with me, is always the first person by my side when I have fallen, and has always been the first to give out a hand to help me up. She is the reason that I survived high school. I haven't the slightest clue what I would do without her. Our relationship has ups and downs like any other, but she always makes me smile. She pretty much lives with me and that is always one of the greatest joys throughout my week. She is such a great supporter of anything I do, and whenever I suggest to do something stupid, she is right there next to me asking what we are doing next. I legitimately have no idea what I would do without her. I was so selfishly happy the day she told me that it was official that she would be transferring down to the University of Arizona to go to school. I have never wanted to jump and scream so much from pure happiness. She is my pillar, without whom I could not stand.

My other best friend, Sarah has always been so special to me. She helped me through so many hard times, including the loss of two horses. Though she is away at school now and i miss her terribly, I dont think our friendship has suffered at all. We have had SO much fun in the past, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think I ever had as much fun riding, as I had while I was riding with her. She helped me rediscover my passion for riding, and sometimes I wonder if I would have continued riding if it were not for her.

Though I don't have any pictures (yet) with this next friend, her friendship has been invaluable to me. Megan has helped me through so many things. I know I can tell her absolutely anything, and that she will always give me advice that I could not live without. She has listened to me whine about so many stupid things, I sometimes wonder why she still talks to me! I love so much that I have someone that I can talk to at all hours of the night, about anything in the world. I am so INCREDIBLY proud of her for her academics and I am absolutely ELATED that she is moving her next year. It will be too much fun.

The next person I absolutely have to thank, is my Mama Erin. This is one incredible woman, ladies and gents. She has always supported me in any endeavor, and is even my boss! She pulled a ton of strings in order to get me a job, and has defended me in any instance I needed help. She even showed up and the hospital the day I had my surgery to surprise me with a priceless photo of Joe and I. She is like another parent to me (or a grandparent on somedays!) She takes my calls at all hours of the night and I know I do not thank her enough for anything.

And who else next but my Mama Darla and her incredible daughter Brenda. These two are such an incredible pair. Brenda is one of the kindest, most caring kids I know. She has a very special gift with animals and it is beyond amazing to watch her grow and evolve with her pony. They have come so far even in just the last few months; I couldn't be more proud of her. And Darla never has considered me anything less than family. I feel very safe around her and wouldn't have it any other way. Plus she give the absolute BEST hugs!! I love the both very much.

 And on the subject of love, where would I be without my own parents?! My parents have always encouraged me to follow any path that I could ever desire. They were so kind to put me through riding lessons and now college. I am SO fortunate to have parents who love and support me so much. I have been so blessed by such amazing parents, I would not have it any other way. They are my biggest enthusiasts and I look up to them so much. I hope that one day, I can be just like them. They are the best parents I could have ever asked for.

Even further on the subject of love, my amazing boyfriend has been a rock that I can depend on unfailingly. He was there when I needed to cry about having to be dependent on others because I didn't know how to function with only my left arm after my surgery. He is such a special man, and I am so lucky that our paths crossed. If it were not for the quartet I am a part of being formed, I know we would probably not be together. We will have been dating for a year tomorrow (yay! :D) and I have just had the absolute time of my life. He is just so special to me, and I love him so dearly.

Last but CERTAINLY not least, comes my trio of gossips: Camille, Hillary, and Renee. These three (along with Sarah and I) have an ongoing Facebook chat group, that is a ton of fun, laughter, and the ocasional insanity. These three are such dear friends to me. Renee always comes out to Doubletake to come gush over sweet little Josephine and always gets the best pictures. She is a total riot to hang out with and I have such a greta time hanging out with her. I am so thankful she came in to my life as a friend. Hillary is always so kind and willing to share her horses with others. In my opinion, that is a very special gift. So many people now a days are incredibly greedy, and her sharing something so special to her is just astounding to me. Camille is someone I know that I can ALWAYS relate to in any situation (especially our love of cats). We are so similar and I have such an amazing time talking to her. I am extremely glad we have gotten to know each other over the last few months. She is SO much fun and I cant wait to get to know her even better :)

I KNOW I didn't mention every one I could have, This just happened to be who was on my mind at the moment. They are all so dear to me and I am so thankful to have these people in my life. I love each and every person who has touched my life. :)

See All Ready

Hi there, I'm Alana! And welcome to "En Omnia Paratus." I'm sure you're wondering just what that means. I am a long time Gilmore Girls fan, and my favorite episode was entitled "You Jump, I Jump, Jack." In this episode they explore a secret underground society, whose catch phrase is "en omnia paratus." En Omnia Paratus is a latin phrase meaning "ready for anything" (literal translation is "see all ready" hence the title of this post.) Throughout my life and riding career, I know (like many others!) I have been through many ups and downs. But I kept riding, and proving that I was just that; ready for anything. 

I am a freshman in college this year, studying biomedical sciences, with a minor in French. I am extremely fortunate, because though my family cannot afford a horse, I am given the opportunity by my riding instructors to work with a snarky, short, stocky, fluffy, scared shitless, SPOILED 14.2hh morgan pony mutt named JJ, Joseph, Josephine, Broseph, Brosephina, Just Get Over It, Dorkus, Sassafrass, Lassy, but more commonly Joe. This pony means the world to me (as do all of the other horses whom have touched my life) and I have no idea where I would be in my life if it weren't for him. Each ride he is a different pony, and really tests my abilities and perseverance as a rider. I'm really writing this blog to give an insight in to our life together, and to show our improvements (or steps backward) on our journey together.

the little guy and i :)

My time with Joe began when I wasnt really sure what I wanted to do with my riding. I was stuck in a rough spot and going through a downward spiral. After two or so years, I moved to barns to Doubletake Equestrian and began training with Jenny and Abby Price. They matched me with the perfect horse, and almost two years later, I am still working with that same perfect horse and those same perfect trainers. Joe helped build my confidence back up and it felt like next thing I knew, we were in the show ring!! He was a completely different pony at shows. He was NAUGHTY!! But we ended up getting around, and even getting a 2nd place in one of our classes. I don't think I have ever walked out of a ring, smiling as much as I ever have that day. Time passed and we just kept improving. But I was battling a shoulder problem at the time, along side my best friend dealing with one worse than my own. She gave me the confidence to keep riding through the pain and to not give up, even though I was so frustrated with my own body. Several doctor visits and months of physical therapy later, I had an answer and was signed up for a surgery in what felt like the blink of an eye. My surgeon told me it would be nine months before I could ride again. NINE MONTHS!! I just about had a heart attack. After the operation, the first thing I wanted to do was go see that little fluff monster of a pony. I needed to be out at the barn with my friends, and interacting with the animals who had shaped my life so much. I was finally able to go out to the barn and to see "my" pony. I swear I walked in to that stall and he hugged me. I dont know how he did it, but he did. And I have never felt so connected to him in my life. A bond with a horse is truly a special thing and I realized that day how truly powerful it can be.

Months passed and I was finally able to ride again. Oh what a great day that was! My friends were all there supporting me and it was one of the best times I ever had. Even more time passed, and seemed as though the break I had to take from riding was one of the best things that had ever happened for it! My equitation was drastically improved (of course, that was a combination of my trainers help too!) and I was schooling 3ft courses consistently with Joseph; something I never thought we would do! It was finally time for the local hunter jumper association's annual show and medal finals! I felt so ready! We ended up winning a few classes and placing 4th in our medal final. I was incredibly proud of him, and myself. He made all the difference in the riding! On the second day of that show, however, schooling in the morning (thanks to my own STUPID self!) we had a crash. We both fell (Joe was totally fine, but enjoyed a couple days off (: ) but I suffered a contusion on the 1st metatarsal of my right foot and was once again out of the saddle for about a month. But this crash did much more than keep me out of the saddle for a little bit. It made me lose a bunch of confidence. However more time passed and after improving our flat work through some dressage training and encouragement and help given to me by a dear young friend who I consider a sister I am slowly getting my confidence back (and so is Joe!). Though I am still struggling with a bum shoulder and lacking confidence to say "I AM a good rider, and I DO know what I am doing," I have not once again considered quitting riding. But without my friends, and family, I would never be where I am today.

I think that brings everyone up to speed on our story together! I'll update this blog on a (hopefully) weekly basis, telling stories of the little pony who could. He has changed my life, and I hope that our little story of triumphs and downfalls can keep you entertained for at least a little bit :)

Photo Copyright to Elegant Strides Photography

-A&J