First Show!

"I'm on the edge of glory, and I'm hanging on a moment of truth
Out on the edge of glory, and I'm hanging on a moment with you"
Edge of Glory by Lady Gaga

Sorry for waiting until the day after the show to post. But anyway the show went great. Mystic was absolutely phenomenal this past weekend. Dressage went quite well, just one little bobble at the down the diagonal, but we received a 32.4. I was pretty happy. We were in second after dressage. Stadium as fun. Mystic decided not to be Ricky Racer that ride, so it went quite well. I only missed really bad to one jump and Mystic saved my butt like she always does when i miss.

Cross country was amazing. Mystic ate up the course like it was her dinner. Optimum time was 5:33 and we clocked in at 5:10. We ended up staying in second. I cannot continue to express how happy I was with the weekend. Everything about it was awesome.

Mystic and I got the day off today, so the day consisted of laundry, working out, and fun times with friends. Daddy left for a business trip today and will be gone until Wednesday. I'll be alone for the next couple of days, so I stole his bed. Tomorrow lessons start up again, and because the course is open for a few days, we are going out into the field to school.

Mystic and I were featured in Arabian Sport Horse today in their highlights of Rocking Horse I. Pretty exciting. I had so much support this weekend and I cant thank everyone on enough. Whether you were there physically or virtually, it kept my nerves on the down low. 

This ones kinda short, but I promise updates, and in the mean time, heres highlights from my weekend! My dad kept my mom updated with video and she put this together. So if you want to watch it, click the link down below! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYpUT3Gnf40&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Settling In

"And we'll never be royals (royals).

It don't run in our blood,

That kind of luxe just ain't for us.

We crave a different kind of buzz."

Royals by Lorde

Well we made it to Florida! We are all still trying to regroup from the long trip. Things have been great around Rocking Horse. Though I have to say, Altoona, Florida is the retirement town. This is the place to live after someone retires. Granted, it's an adorable town. We have a show this weekend. Yay! Mystic has been absolutely brilliant these past few days. Though today we got a little frazzled when I missed my distance to one jump and then overcorrected causing me to miss all of my distances so we had to jump the same jump over again until I figured it out. Minor issues that can be fixed. 

I don't believe I've ever been so sore in my life. Not even when I was working 13 hours at Jenna's. And this is all because Heather, at dinner the other night, was like "hey guys! Do Insanity with me!" to all the people staying the entire time. For those who don't know what it is, it's a crazy insane workout program, hence the name. I'm totally cool with doing it, but it just hurts to have to like craw up the steps in the RV to get in. It's fun being out there suffering through it with everyone though. 

Helping out in the barn has been cool as well. Today we had to ride the horses out to Mike and Heather and then ride the horses they were riding before to the barn, so they didn't have to come back and forth from the jump field cause it was a long way away. I got to walk back this horse named Barney and like I've loved him from the ground but even walking him, he was so awesome. He's just a year younger than Mystic, but he's 17.2 and awesome. He just doesn't know where his feet are yet. But he's a big puppy dog. I like being out at the barn helping out. I don't like sitting around.

I'm really looking forward to this show. Ride times came out today. On Saturday, I do dressage at 11:19 and stadium at 11:59 Florida time. It's a good thing she'll be warmed up. I'm not one hundred percent sure when my cross country is on Sunday, but I think it's early morning. Hopefully, it won't be cold though. Today in my lesson I had 3 jackets and a long sleeve shirt on. It's like I left Texas to escape this. 

Life's been fun here in Florida and I've only been here for four days. I'm looking forward to what the season brings.Hopefully all good outcomes!  

And We're Off...Again

"Life is a highway

I wanna ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I wanna drive it all night long"

Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts 

I honestly feel like those lyrics are the story of my life. Well that and On the Road Again by Willie Nelson. But needless to say, we are ACTUALLY on our way to Florida! Finally. Like I've waited long enough. 

Mystic, to finish off the week at Mike's, was still absolutely bonkers. Until today that is. I think it was because I didn't really have good chances to work her hard at home because of the weather. Today we went schooling at Texas Rose Horse Park on our way out of the state, and she was absolutely amazing! She took everything I asked her to, and when you don't get much instruction you know it's a good thing. I was so happy. She was coming back to me great, and anytime we became Ricky Racer again, she'd chill out and slow down when i asked her. So major improvement to the horse I had this past week. 

Everyone is off now. Dad and I helped reload the trailer of tack and horses before we headed out. Mystic loaded right into Heather's trailer again with ease. I was worried about her going in Mike's semi horse trailer, but was happy to see her go in the big goose neck attached fo Heather's semi truck. Now we embark on the 16 hour trip to Altoona, Florida! Mike, Heather, Mystic and the rest of the horses are driving straight through, but dad and I can't decide if we want to or if we are going to crash for a few hours. It all depends on how he feels. He's the one driving, not me. Even if I had my license I wouldn't drive the forty foot fifth wheel. Nope. I'll stick in the passenger seat. No thank you. 

I was super worried that, after how Mystic was acting this week, that it would hurt my chances of moving up but was extremely estatic of her performance today. She really did super. I'm really excited to see how everything goes in Florida. It should be good! 

Long trip here I come. Can't wait until I'm actually there. 

Mystic and I today at the corner! 

Whee!!

"May our hearts be full like our drinks tonight
May we sing and dance 'til we lose our minds
We are only young if we seize the night
Tonight we own the night"
We Own the Night -The Wanted 

To say its been an interesting couple of days at Gold Chip would be an understatement. It has jumped from fake gambling at a banquet, to Ricky Racer Super Pony, to a very bald Mystic, jumping back to craziness with people dancing on tack trunks, then dialing it down to nights in the apartment watching movies by myself. Eventers know how to party lets just say that. 

In Saturday's lesson, my horse was completely bonkers. Now we all know that Mystic likes to jump, but for heavens sake baby girl is getting cocky! And I mean that in the best way possible. It's a good, crazy, confident cocky, but I could do with out my horse running off after every jump. Mike thinks we will do better with the everyday training, so maybe this will work out. As far as the fake gambling banquet thing Saturday night goes, well, lets just say, if Area V went to Vegas, we'd come home bankin'. On another note, congrats to all who received awards this year, y'all deserved them. 

Today, Mystic got a buzz cut! First time being body clipped didn't go so bad. Mommy and Aunty Megan were covered in hair, but that's the price you pay when you shave a 1200 pound animals entire body. She's almost done, drugs wore off to fast, so she will be finished tomorrow. I'll post a picture with the finished product later. Thanks Megan for teaching me to clip. 

Today was the horse's days off at the barn, so some people took this advantage to clip. Some friends came out after they got off school and had a fun time prepping for Florida. I just kinda sat back and watched this afternoon after I got back from lunch with my brother. There is never a dull moment at Gold Chip is the easiest way to put it. 

Things are starting to wrap up in Texas. Needless to say, it's been pretty stressful. Saturday night kind of took everyones mind off it, and it was good for us to have fun. Lessons start back up tomorrow and I'm sure Mystic will be revving her unstoppable engine to jump. Nights are always quiet around here. It's nice, but then the later it gets the creepier it is because I can here everything that is going on down at the barn. The rest of the week should be fun. We leave for Texas Rose Horse Park to school cross country on Friday. It should be exciting. Then we leave for Florida. I'm counting down the days. 

Here is Mystic and I in our lesson on Sunday! 

And We're Off

"Does it look like I've got everything under control?

I'm good at faking it

The ice is getting thin but I'm the only one who knows

I'm only making it up" 

-Make It Up by Sam Tsui

You know, as much as I am not at home, packing for two months is absolutely bonkers. As I was packing today, putting things for both Mystic and I into a pile to take with us to Mike's today and then a pile for my dad when he comes in a week, I started to realize that I won't be home for two months! I've been away from home before when I lived at Jenna's, but I came home Saturday night and went back Sunday afternoon. This time it's 8 weeks in another state. I've always been super independent, something you don't see a lot of in my generation, so really it shouldn't phase me. I guess it's just an odd idea because I've never done something like this before. Eh, well it's prepping me for college, which isn't that far off for me.

Anyway, we are currently on I-35 headed to the good ol town of Flower Mound, Tx. This is a trip my mom and I could do in our sleep. We always blast music in the car to keep us awake at night. It's become a tradition. Sadly for her, she's doing the drive solo because I'm to chicken to get my drivers license. But I'll jump a horse. I'm actually pretty excited for Florida underneath my normal anxiety that always seems to creep up when I go somewhere big. 

To be quite honest, I truly never thought I'd make it here. I had been shot down more times that I'd care to admit. Though I couldn't ask for a better horse to embark on this journey with. People who don't understand me in any shape or form don't realize that Mystic is pretty much my best friend. She is the one thing that can cheer me up on a crappy day. She does this thing to get out of working that I find quite hilarious. When I'm going to bridle her, she will burry her head in my chest and give me the puppy dog eyes. Getting snuggles from your pony on a bad day just makes life so much better. She's truly an amazing horse, and I know that she will do everything I ask of her. 

My sister, Ellice, came to visit today with her daughter, Lilly,  as I was packing(panicking). She walked into the guest room, took one look at me and was like "are you okay?" I wasn't. She had put Lilly down so she could run around and play with the dogs as Ellice tried to calm me down. I ended up stopping for a minute so I could talked to my sister before I left. I walked into the hallway and Lily screeched a gibberish 18 month old aunty! and bolted toward me wanting a hug. After that I made sure Ellice had a Skype account. I made sure my little brother remembered that he had a sister and needed to Skype me as well. He ended our hug with a "will do broda" a nickname he calls me from a tv show that we watch together. 

My dad finally enrolled me in UT online high school today. I should start school in a few weeks. If I work hard and fast enough, I could be finished with junior year before I get home. Score! Florida should be a great classroom. 

Everything is finally coming together, and I couldn't be happier. Mystic and I did pretty well with me flying solo in my training most of the time. So I think with the everyday training, we can truly achieve our goals. Well until next time guys! I have to keep my mom awake. ;)   

How We Came About

Well it looks like all the guilt tripping into starting a blog worked. Not that I mind, I like sharing my story with people. So where do we start? I guess how I acquired Mystic, and how we got to where we are now.

It all started when I was ten, and my mom got a call from my best friend, Katrina's, mom, Kelly. Mystic, at the time, was 14 months old. We had bought her older sister, Lara, when I was nine, and she was going to become my young rider mount, which didn't work out, now she is a lovely hunter. So the day Kelly called my mom is the day, I guess, you could say, my life changed. Mystic had gotten in a pasture accident; Kelly wasn't sure she could afford the vet bill and said she would sign her over to us if we paid it. We went for it. Unfortunately, the mare was untrustworthy of humans. It took months to just let us walk her on the line, let alone catch her. I am the only one she truly trusts now.

When Mystic was about to turn three, I met someone who I consider family now. I was leasing her horse, Reckless. Christine had come to my house one weekend to see Reck and I; she took one look at Mystic and Lara and said "sell the chestnut, the black one is gonna be the good one." We kinda passed it off. We were going to sell Mystic and Lara was going to be the better horse. I admit, Christine was right, we were wrong, very, very wrong. So she took her home and broke her. After 90 days, it was time for her to start college again, so she brought her home. Then I finished all the training, dressage, jumping, you name it, and I did it. Not bad for being 12 if I do say so myself. Mystic did go off to get a little bit of jump training when she was nearing the age of five because Lara had shot my confidence with her rearing and Mystic was just insecure in the first place, so we weren't getting anywhere. But when she came back, she was ready to rock.

We bounced around trainers frequently. I didn't want to, but to many of them had told me I wasn't going to be successful with this mare, or in my riding in general because of my disability. Those who have known me for a while knows I don't have sight in my right eye. A cataract took my sight at young age. Now being told I can't be successful doesn't exactly sit well with me. We finally gave up and said "you know what? It's time to go to Mike Huber" or at least thats what my dad said. Going to see Mike Huber, the best eventing trainer in Area V, was an intimidating concept for me. I am known for working three hundred times the normal limit of a human being, but I was starting to believe what people told me, granted I tried not to let it show. I really didn't want to embarrass myself in front of Mike. In my first lesson, I felt like I was auditioning for a spot in their barn. Scariest thing I've had to do, and this is coming from an eventer who is pretty much fearless.

Anyway, I began riding with the Gold Chip crew, but they were three hours away from me, and I couldn't get up there as much as I wanted. I ended up picking up dressage lessons again with a new trainer for when I wasn't up in Flower Mound. Jenna has probably improved my dressage position and my horse's balance the best out of any the dressage trainers I have ridden with. I honestly don't think I would be so close to moving up to preliminary and one star if I hadn't went to Hutto and been a working student for Martin and Jenna this past summer because Mystic and I wouldn't have progressed in such a fast pace and in such great amount if I hadn't. All the lunge lessons and riding different horses on my jump days did me some good. As much as us eventers hate to admit it, dressage is the biggest component in our crazy sport, and with being a student of both Concordia Dressage and Gold Chip Stables, all three of my phases have progressed greatly. It's also a confidence boaster when Mike sees all the work Jenna and I have put into Mystic.

I guess all that leads to where I am now. As of Saturday, I go up to Mike's for a week to get my butt kicked before we leave for the great warm state of Florida. From January 19 to about March 10, Mystic and I will be doing shows and trying to qualify for my life long dream of becoming an Area V young rider and competing in the North American Junior Young Rider Championships. It's not going to be easy, but I believe that Mystic and I could conquer anything anyone throws at us. It's not like we haven't done it before. As I'm writing this, reliving all the memories of our time together, it seems so surreal. I never thought I'd get to where I am now, and I don't think it will stop. To see how far we have come is so, for lack of a better word, awesome to me. That's what happens when you put a person and a horse who have both overcome adversity together; they just click.

I guess it's time to wrap up my first post.  I'll try to update as much as I can, which shouldn't be that hard because I'll be in an RV working on homework when I'm not riding. Because I'm always listening to music, every blog will start or end some lyrics to express what I'm feeling or how I'm doing just 'cause I have a niche for finding music to fit my mood. Before I finish up completely, I would like to thank everyone who has been with me as I have worked on achieving my goal. It has been truly an amazing experience for you all to be by my side as I work day in and day out. So just thank you.

"Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you gon' find yourself
Standing in the hall of fame"

-The Script