Be the "I did it Rider"

The horse world is a very hard place to be.  You can be at the top one minute then at the bottom the next.  In reality the bottom can last a long time for some people.   You read the stories of the odd few that have "made it" and you wish it was you.  You are envious.  You try and try but things just do not seem to go exactly right. 

It is funny how us horse people set our sights on the olympics (and only the olympics for some reason) when if you look at it realistically the odds of having the horse, the money, the soundness, the support and all of your lucky stars aligned all together at the same time and then make it only to have all of that happen once every four years the odds are really not that great.  Probably 99 percent of horse people will end up in disappointment all because of the statistical improbability of 'making it' to the Olympics. 

For some reason we keep the dream alive.  Is it punishment that we seek?  Is it a false sense of reality?  Have we been brought up in an equestrian society that places all emphasis on "You are only good if you have been to the Olympics"?  Therefore we think that in order to be good or have others see you as good that we have to strive for the Olympics.  Strange.  Self defeating.  But then again some people that you know have had that success and you start to think - hey if she/he can maybe I can too.  The horse person returns to the dream.  The horse person has to dream.  Without dreams there are no goals, no hopes, no aspirations.  But more often than not that single Big dream won't come true.  But we still dream as there is that one chance in a million that your dream will come true and if it did that would be the most possibly be the most amazing feeling in the world.  On the other hand not making it after trying and trying - would that not be worse - a life filled with self defeat?

So that being said continue to dream.  Dream  big dreams but also dream smaller dreams.  Smaller dreams would also be considered smaller goals.  More realistic goals.  More attainable goals.  If one has smaller goals then would have some feeling of success, satisfaction, and self esteem will be achieved.  I really like having the one star, two star etc as it gives a FEI experience while still being within reach.  So with that in mind I have set a goal of competing Prelim this year on Quest and doing at least a CCI * or CIC * with him.  Realistic, attainable, possible.  I will still maintain the dream of competing a high level again however my small dream is Prelim/one star and see where it takes us. 

The moral of this is take the Olympic dream out of the equation (don't lose it just put it to the side) and put in broader more general attainable big dreams and also add in some smaller dreams/goals in hopes of being the rider who 'did it' (ie.  rode Advanced) rather than the rider who "said she was going to the Olympics but never made/did it."  I want to be the rider who strived to be competent at Intermediate and  accomplished it - the "I did it rider".  I will give this a try and see what happens.

Randoms for Monday Dec 21th

Quote of the day

To be honest, if you want something, you chase it. Don't wait for it to happen all by itself, because it won't.

- EventingSafety John from Eventing Nation

Horses are Good for the Heart

Horses are Good for the Heart

Ask me to run in deep sand on a beach for half an hour because it is good for me and I would tell you to get stuffed.  Put me in a huge sand riding ring with a jump and a horse running free then hand me a lunge whip and watch me willing run around in the sand for a an hour.  I huff and puff and sweat like crazy but I don't care because I have to help that horse get through that jumping lane....

Tell me to go for long walks everyday down the road or on a treadmill because it is 'good for my heart' and I would say, "My goodness why?  What a waste of time.  I will not."  Take me to a horse show where my camper is 500m from where my horse is and watch me walk miles and miles and miles back and forth and back and forth and back and forth to my horse each day. 

Tell me to go hiking in the forest down through trails and up steep hills - noooo thanks.  I will whine and complain every step of the way.  Put cross country jumps in a 50 acre field that runs through trails up hills and down steep mountain slopes and I will trudge through any trail/path many times over without a word of complaint.

Tell me to do bicep curls at the gym to strengthen my arms.  I tried it.  I went over and grabbed the little five pound weights and could barely do 10 reps.  Then that same day watch me carry full water buckets, heavy saddles, 50 pound feed sacks, 12' poles, huge standards, and push wheel barrows full of water logged horse manure.  Hmmmmm

Tell me to strap weights on my ankles and wrists while going for a walk to increase my strength and endurance.  Unn - nahhh  Give me a saddle, bridle, saddle pad, girth, helmet, whip, gloves, and a grooming kit and tell me that my horse is 'way over there' and watch me strategically place and hang all of the equipment all over my body so that I am able to walk over a great distance to my horse. 

Tell me to go outside in minus 26 degree weather in a snow storm with 2 feet deep of snow on the ground and the wind blowing like crazy to "go out and get some exercise" and I would say that you are out of your mind.  Now put my horses into the picture.  They need to be fed and cared for.  I put on two pairs of pants, two toques, 4 jackets, gloves and my insulated gum boots and off I go in the minus 26 snow storm to feed the horses without a problem.  Slowly fighting through the deep snow each step of the way, walking sideways to break the wind, and carrying a water bucket in each hand as the horse water is frozen.....Huffing and puffing and sweating like a pig .......I would not give it a second thought - the horses needed their supper..... 

Tell me to take up Karate.  "Wax on Wax off."  Naaadaaa.  I would rather just brush my horse with my left hand, brush my horse with my right hand.  Pick up the rubber curry comb.  Brush in circles with the left hand, circles with the right hand.  Below is a picture of the Karate Kid showing us 'how to feed a horse from your hand' - karate style. 

 

Tell me to go running.  Go for a run down the road.  That would be very good for your health Robyn.  And do interval training.  Yes.  Wind sprints.  You run, walk, run, walk then run again.  Very, good for health and fitness.  Not in your life I would say.  Sooo not me.  Hhahahaaaa.  Here we go.  My horse breaks a fence and is now galloping down the road.  What do you see.  Robyn running after it. The horse stops to eat grass.  Robyn walks.  The horse puts his head up and starts trotting further down the road.  Robyn runs to catch up.  Horse stops as he sees something scary.  Robyn walks slowly to try and casually get closer to catch the horse.  Horse lets Robyn get very very close.  Horse then spins around and gallops down the road in the complete opposite direction.  Robyn now runs down the road after it.  You get the picture.  A horse girl's version of interval training. 

Tell me to do lunges at the gym to strengthen my gluteal muscles (my bum muscles) and my thigh muscles.  I would reply, "That is so boring.  Yuck."  But give me a a wheelbarrow full of manure and a muddy hill to go up in order to dump it and watch me step forward, bend at my knees, push with my quads and buttocks, and repeat over and over.

I am quite healthy; healthy thanks to horses.  Horses make active living easy.  Healthy living is good for muscles, bones, joints, lungs, and the heart. 

Therefore horses are good for the heart.  :) 

Funny video for a giggle

The end

Randoms for Thursday Dec 16th

I really hope Santa brings me a Charles Owen Helmet for Christmas.

I like the tack website Victory Canter and Tack Depot.  The tack store in Falkland called Big M Tack is one of my favorite tack stores.  You can order what you want through the Tack Depot and then it goes to Big M Tack then one picks it up from there.  Great deals.  Pretty nice bridles for $50.00, saddle pads for $20.00, winter blankets for $100.00 and I have tested many things out for over a year and they have been great.  Black padded crank noseband with a flash for $12.00

There is an excellent sports psychology video for riders on Ecogold facebook.  Also other great videos can be found at the Ecogold website.  Click on video and blog to see them. 

I did not win the Ecogold saddle pad contest but everyone that entered got given a $35.00 gift certificate toward any ecogold product!  So I think I will pick the white dressage boots......I will keep trying to win a saddle pad. 

Equestrian Helmet Fact Sheet

Courtesy of the BC Medical Association.© Horse Council BC 2005

Equestrian Helmet Fact Sheet

1. Over 33,000 people in BC ride horses. Athletes involved in horse riding are

more likely to suffer head trauma than those involved in football, boxing or

soccer.

2. Head injuries are the most common reason for admission to hospital or even

death among riders. Most injuries occur during pleasure riding.

3. A fall from 2 feet (60 cm) can cause permanent brain damage. A horse

elevates a rider 8 feet (3 meters) or more above ground.

4. A human skull can be shattered by an impact of 7-10 kph. Horses can gallop

at 65 kph. Children s skulls are the most vulnerable.

5. Ten to fourteen year olds are the children most likely to be involved in an

accident with a horse, however all ages are at risk.

6. A rider who has had one head injury has a 40% chance of suffering a second

head injury. Children, teens and young adults are most vulnerable to sudden

death from a second impact syndrome; severe brain swelling as a result of

suffering a second head injury before recovery from the first head injuries.

7. Death is not the only serious outcome of unprotected head injuries. Those

who survive with brain injury may suffer epilepsy, intellectual and memory

impairment, and personality changes.

8. Hospital costs for an acute head injury can be in the range of $2000 per day.

Lifetime extended care costs may easily exceed $3 million. There is no

funding for rehabilitation outside the medical setting.

9. Helmets work. Most deaths from head injury can be prevented by wearing

ASTM (American Society for Testing Materials), SEI (Safety Equipment

Institute) approved helmets that fit correctly and have the chin strap firmly

applied. Other types of helmets including bike helmets, are inadequate.

10.Racing organizations require helmets and as a result jockey now suffer less

head injuries than pleasure riders. The US Pony Club lowered their head

injury rate 29% with mandatory helmet use. Britain s hospital admission rate

for equestrians fell 46% after helmet design improved and they became

routine in use.

11.The BCMA (BC Medical Association), CMA (Canadian Medical Association),

AMEA (American Medical Equestrian Association) and the AMA (American

Medical Association) recommend approved helmets be worn on all rides by

all equestrians.

I have been given permission to reprint this information.  This information is from the Horse Council BC Website under brochures. 

 

Quest.wmv

Turn up the volume it is really funny!!!

Honey - All That I Need is a Fence for my Horse

Honey - All I Need is a Fence for my Horse

I am so lucky to have Aaron. 

We bought our farm Dec 26th 2003.  We got possession of it in January 2004 and the first thing I did was run (actually non - intentionally slide on my bum) down the hill to the plateau.  I said to my husband "I know we do not have any extra money and I know I am really far in debt but all I need is a fence for my horse."  Take note a true horse person does not say want, they say "need" and by only asking for a fence for one horse it sounds fairly easy.....The picture is of Aaron looking accross the plateau saying, "So you want what and where?" 

Aaron said "We can't do anything right now as the ground is frozen but as soon as the snow goes I will see what I can do."  I was soooo excited that I went down again with many bright orange cones and began trudging around in the snow placing them stategically around the property.  As I had in my mind that Aaron was actually standing in my future riding ring, I placed the cones way over on the other side of the plateau.  Aaron said, "Why are all of the cones way over there?  I thought you wanted them here."  Well no honey this area is where the riding ring will be.  He replied "What?  Riding ring?  I thought all that you needed was a fence."  Well yes I need a fence but I need a riding ring too.  But don't worry about the ring, all I really need is a fence for Mack.

The snow finally went away in the spring and Aaron said that we would get a bundle of rails and a bundle of posts and he would build me the fence.  Yippee.  Once again very excited I ran down to the plateau, reorganized my cones and layed out the rails where the paddock was to be.  Below is a picture of the rails and cones ready for Aaron.  Aaron looked at it and said "That is huge!  That is not a paddock, that is a field!  That is way bigger than I thought."  Yes honey it is big - isn't it wonderful.  And there is room for more than just one horse in there.  Aaron, "More than one horse.  What are you talking about you just have Mack."  But honey Mack will need a friend when he gets here so the paddock has to big enough for two horses.  But again don't worry about that, all that I need is this paddock.  When Aaron got closer to the extremely large paddock to have a better look he noticed some extra cones and rails on the ground (see the cones and rails that are perpendicular to the top part of the paddock) and he stopped in his tracks.  He asked, "What is this?"  I said, that is where the shelter will be.  All horses need shelter.  But don't worry about that now, all that I need is this fence up so I can bring Mack home. 

My husband is a very smart man.  My husband is not a push over (anyone that knows him will attest to this).  It is not that he did not 'get the big picture' or 'get tricked into anything' he was actually storing this information in his memory and was choosing not to tell me that I was insane.  He truely understands the craziness.  So that being said Aaron shook his head wondering what he had got himself into mumbled under his breath, "I have got to keep a tight rein on this girl's imagination or I could be in big trouble."  He then went and got the 80 pound post pounder and started on the fence.  Aaron pounded every one of the posts by hand and hammered up every rail within a single weekend.   Soon after he did the fence he built a big shelter, a small pony shelter in the paddock as well as a tack/feed shed right next to the paddock.   My husband thought that he was going to get ahead of my imagination.....See picture below.  Note: there is three horses........

Now it it 2005 and I have three horses in one big paddock.  I really prefer to feed my horses seperately. This was especially important considering how much more feed the thoroughbred would need compared to the quarter horse crosses.  So I mentioned to my husband that I needed to separate the horses and it would require just one more fence/paddock for the thoroughbred.  He glared at me and said, "I thought you said you just needed the one paddock."  Well not now that I have three horses and the thoroughbred eats so much more than the others so I just need one paddock beside this one for the one horse (Notice a theme here???).  Aaron went and got the post pounder again and made another paddock.  See below - the next paddock is on the left side of the picture.    

As I had mentioned earlier that all horses need a shelter one can only guess what I asked for next.  Yes.  A shelter for the new paddock.  New shelter far left in picture below.

Now that I had two paddocks, two big shelters, one pony shelter, a tack shed, and three horses I needed a cover for the hay.......Honey, I need to cover my hay.  He said, "I know dear, you do not have to say anything more about this."  See below.

Since the hay shed I have "needed" two more paddocks and one more shelter.  Aaron also has the holes for another shelter dug waitng for posts......Trying to get ahead of me again .....

During all of this I also started asking him about the riding ring.  It started with "Honey, All that I need is a fence for my Riding Ring!"  Hahhaha  I love my husband.  He is the only person that can keep my craziness and imagination under control while at the same time make my dreams turn into reality. 

Love you honey :)

Randoms for Thurs Dec 9th

Randoms

Yesterday Extravaganza Equestrian surpassed the over 400 total views to date!  Thanks for reading.  Any questions or comments send me an email to azimmer1@telus.net
Quote(s) of the day:

“If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.”
- Brendan Francis


"A star is a naturally talented rider who wants to gain as much knowledge as possible through working very hard."
- unknown

just a horse

Randoms for Tues Nov 7th

Randoms


December is human health month (hopefully).  Time to get to the chiropractor, doctor, orthodontist, dentist, and any other health appointments that I have been putting off because I was "too busy riding horses."


December is also "work as much as I can" month.  Working on Christmas is usually double time and 1/2, boxing day is time and 1/2, and New years day is time and 1/2.  I want to work those days :)


I am aiming for one piece of writing per week.  I have started this week's personal story and it is coming along nicely (I think).


Quote of the day:


"The most important thing is rhythm; you can jump anything with rhythm.  Don't worry about 'seeing a stride' let the rhythm take you to the fence until your eye kicks in.  Keep the impulsion, the rhythm, and horses head up, keep the shoulders forward, the heels down, keep still, soften the rein on take off."
- unknown

Horse Council BC - Equine Education Conference - I am going to this!!!

Escape the winter weather! Join other like minded equine enuthusiasts at HCBC's "Equine Education Conference" running January 22 & 23, 2011 in Kelowna, BC. Enjoy two days of socializing, networking and learning at a FIVE star resort!

  

Our exceptional speaker line up includes:


Dr. Hilary Clayton who will speak on the Biomechanics of the Equine Gait. A gifted veterinarian and researcher, Dr. Clayton will teach you how your horse moves, conditioning programs and how to deal with lameness.

Judy Wardope will teach you how to "Improve Your Eye for Functional Conformation". Judy will demostrate the connection between how a horses' conformation affects its ability to perform. You will also learn techniques to evaluate your horse's conformation and how to make good performance and training decisions.
Jennifer Woods is a Livestock Handling Specialist with a degree in Animal Science. Her "No Stress Horse Hauling" presentation will cover off how to make educated choices when purchasing a trailer, equipment maintenance, accident response and horse behaviour and handling.

Paton & Martin Veterinary Services will teach you "What Your Vet Wants You to Know."  Also covered will be the latest information on deworming, wound management and lameness.
Mike King of CAPRI Insurance comes with a wealth of knowledge in the insurance industry,specializing in "Equine Insurance Coverage". Mike will explain in detail the in's and out's of insurance and the importance of proper coverage.

Shelly Henshaw, partner in the Waterstone Law Group, will talk about "Equine Legal Issues". Specifically the precautions to take in buying and selling horses, drafting liability waivers as well as negotiating and preparing agreements pertaining to the leasing, training and boarding of horses.
Isabelle Aube specializes in "Equestrian Athlete Conditioning and Rehabilitation". Isabelle will walk through how to teach riders to improve their performance by incorporating simple and easy techniques into their daily routines.
Juli Holloway of CopperMoon Communications is a media specialist with a background in website design and development. Her presentation will cover how to make your website "stand out", using your website to attract sponsors and making use of online tools. 

Randoms for Monday Dec 6

Randoms

Here is a really neat video clip of Parelli riding with no saddle, no bridle.......
Pat Parelli


Nice horse for sale = Flag
http://www3.telus.net/absolutehorse/horses/index.htm


Quote(s) of day:

"Less can be more."


"Give up control to get control."


"Things must become repeatable."


- Conrad Shumacher 1999

FEI World Cup Dressage - Grand Prix Freestyle to Music 2008

Sunday Dec 5th Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts

Extravaganza Equestrian has been going for about 5 days and there has been over 300 total visits to the site!!!!  It might be my mom going to the blog 300 + times reading the post on her addiction or my husband checking it many times a day making sure that I do not write anything incriminating about him........


Interesting website:
Euro Dressage

Canadian Equestrians Named to Leadership Roles within the Canadian Olympic Committee

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/12/04/canadian-equestrians-named-leadership-roles-within-canadian-olympic-committee

yourdictionary.com
whinny (hwin′ē, win′-)w

intransitive verb whinnied whin′·nied, whinnying whin′·ny·ing

to neigh in a low, gentle, cT

Quote(s) of the the day:

"All you have to do to succeed is decide to succeed."
- Jimmy Wofford


"It is okay to have butterflies flying around, just make sure that you make them fly in formation."
- Denny Emerson 1988

I Ride - Author Unknown

I ride.
That seems like such a simple statement. However, as many women who ride know, it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power and empowerment. Being able to do things that some might had once considered out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill water barrels in the freezing rain, wait for the vet/farrier/hay delivery, change a flat tire on a horse trailer beside the freeway or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of building a warm fire after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride, calls for dedication. At least I call it dedication. The men in my life call it the sickness. It’s a sickness I‘ve had since I was a small girl, bouncing model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most o f the women I ride with understand the meaning of the sickness. It’s not a sport. It’s not a hobby. It’s what we do, and in some ways, who we are as women, and human beings.

I ride. I hookup my trailer and load my horse. I haul to a trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I breathe the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen-smeared face. I pull my hat down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust. Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. The rhythm of his walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with warmth.

I consider the simple fact that I ride. I think of all I do because I ride. I climb rugged trails, wade into a freezing lake, canter through the pine trees all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Because I ride, I sew, and hammer, use power tools, and cut trees. I can use a map and GPS, and load the camper by myself. The daily job I do and long hours I put in, the sacrifices I make, and the other places that I have decided not go. Most everything I do, I do because I ride.

The beauty I have seen because I ride, amazes me. I’ve ridden out tot find lakes that remain for the most part unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The cliffs, of Tam McArthur, soaring eagles on the wing, the deer and elk that bound through the trees, all add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.

I think of the people, mostly women, I’ve met. I consider how competent they all are. We haul 40 ft rigs and we back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We setup camp, tend to the horses, cook and keep safe. We understand and love our equine companions. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, carry water, wait and doctor. Your hands may be a little rough and you travel without makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the sickness, and probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse and dreamed of riding a real one.
( unknown author)

Random Thoughts of the Day

Randoms:

Lucinda Green wants steeplechase back in eventing - Horse and Hound


We have an excellent facility here in Salmon Arm - Topline Stables
Here is a short eventing report that I wrote for the Gaitpost Magazine:
Topline Summer Horse Trials And Combined Test - you have to scroll down to find it.
  http://www.gaitpost.com/Equestrian-News.aspx?

The website Three Days three ways is running a Thelwell pony contest.  Check it out.


Horses for sale in the Okanagan.  Here are some great sites:
 
Cross Country Horse Sales

http://www.vickidaviesequine.com/


Quote(s) of the day:

In riding you must focus on what you want to happen, instead of what you are afraid might happen.


A relaxed horse will learn - a tense confused horse will fight.


Ride both sides of the horse and control both ends.


It isn't as easy as it sounds, but then, whoever said that riding was easy?


- Sally O'Connor



Photography
Paper Horse - Andrea Blair Photography

Erin Rispin Photography

Interesting

I wonder how this works??  Maybe it is best not to wonder.

The Addiction - Horses

My mom has an addiction - Horses



Here is a brief overview of the last 15 years.

"Robyn, I will never own another arab/part arab" - no need to explain why she did not want an arab.
"I never want to own another grey horse.  Too much work keeping them clean."
Soon after those statements she ended up with a grey anglo arab gelding - Popeye

"I do not want to own another thoroughbred - I am too old for them.
I also do not want to own a horse that is big - I think under 16 hands is good."
Soon after this my mom ended up with a very big, sturdy, 16.2hh Thoroughbred gelding - Big Daddy (aka Spud)

"Ok Robyn you can make fun of me for getting a grey anglo arab, then a big 16.2hh tb but I am serious this time when I say no more big horses for me.  I am a short lady and I do not want to fall very far.  My next horse is going to be under 16hh.  Oh ya and no mares either.  They cause too much trouble."
My mom's next horse - yep - an almost 17hh, giant Warmblood Mare!!!! - Lacy (Harmony's Legacy)

"Robyn, I know I said I wasn't going to get a big horse, or a mare but I could not pass this up she is soooo nice.  But after Lacy I will have a horse under 16hh and no mares.  Lacy is a good mare but she is enough.  And as I am nearing 60 no more young horses for me."
Here she goes again - she bought (Harold bought for her with her permission) a 2 year old warmblood mare that was already 15.2hh at 2!!!!  - That is Lucy (Harmony's Promise)

There is more...... "Now listen to me Rob, I have 3 horses total right now and that is enough.  Actually 2 is the best but 3 is my limit.  No more horses for me.  Listen to me and learn from me - don't get too many horses stick with 2 or at most 3 but no more."  I mentioned to her that we might start looking for a pony for Orianna for next spring - after our cold snowy winter.  NEXT YEAR.  So my mom decided to 'put her feelers out' to see if there were any nice ponies that may be available for next spring.  The next thing you know - my mom now has gotten the most wonderful pony and is going to keep it at her place for winter.  And she is in love with him and is saying that if he wasn't for Orianna that she would keep him for herself - ahhhh!  Now mom has 4 horses!

It goes on......"Ok, Ok.  I know I am nuts Robyn.  I fully admit it.  But that's it.  My barn is full.  No more horses.  I swear once I get back down to 3 horses I can get my life back to normal."  Sure mom.  All of us are now joking about all of these horses, mares, large giant horses, etc and it is pretty funny until......I said to my mom that I really liked this pretty little chestnut mare of Margareta and Bertel Berg and that I was going to travel down to the coast to pick her up.  I had arranged with the Bergs that I would train her and help them sell her next year.  As it was November of this year my mom did not want me to drive down to get her.  She also did not want the Bergs to drive down either (they live in Kelowna near me).  So what did my mom do - she bought Carolina!!!!  She bought a 4 year old, chestnut, warmblood, mare!  Now my mom has 5 horses!!  The only thing that partially saved mom this time is that Carolina is about 15.2hh - finally something that fit into her "under 16hh." 

So the moral of this story is .......hmmmmmm............maybe I will leave that up to someone else (I might get in trouble).

Love you mom,
Your daughter,
Robyn

A Fathers Love The Most Inspirational Video EVER!

Inspiration

David O'Connor riding bridleless in a parelli show

Motivation

What are some things that keep you motivated to ride??  Email me azimmer1@telus.net
I would like to do a series of posts about what keeps us motivated to ride.  Is it a quote on the wall, a picture of a famous rider in the tack room, websites, magazines, friends or ???

My favorite website is Eventing Nation.  It is so funny and extremely informative, educational, inspiring and most of all MOTIVATING!

One thing that I use for motivation is my pictures on my fridge.  If you follow Eventing Nation and saw the photo contest for the Ecogold Cross country boots - I am "Fridge Fun."  Here is my fridge for those who missed it........

Eventing Nation

 

I am a 33 year old full time mother of an almost 3 year old and a die hard eventer.  My little girl has had 3 open heart surgeries so my competing has slowed down and I have spent a lot of time at home over the last 3+ years.  My kitchen has become my office - especially my fridge.  My fridge talks to me - and yes I am crazy but I do not care - have a good look at the pictures and quotes and maybe it will talk to you too.  I will often catch myself staring at the fridge for 15+ minutes (probably more but I won't admit that).  The pictures and quotes motivate me and inspire me to pursue my dreams no matter what is thrown at me.  I have managed to continue riding three horses and compete training level with the daily advice and guidance from the fridge.  Actually not only does the fridge talk to me - I sometimes talk back to it.  Conversations with the fridge - ya. 

 

My mother always said that if I wanted to do something challenging that I had to get my ducks in a row - see top of fridge - ducks in a row.  Top middle is Jimmy Wofford.  At first glance I thought that he was smiling at me but after many times staring at him I now know that he is actually laughing at me and saying in his head that he thinks that I am a crazy girl for actually trying to read all of his articles, books and recommended books!  You can only imagine what George Morris is saying.  My husband and I are at the bottom - check out the look on his face - sheer "holy crap what have I gotten myself into" face!!  There is much, much more to see on the fridge.  Everytime I see it I look for details not seen before, say strange comments to it, or go and get my riding pants on as I was severely procrastinating that day.  On one final note - I attended a David O'Connor clinic last year and learned the O'Connor '5 necessities for a top rider' - I wrote them on a random piece of paper and put it on the fridge.  I read them every day, several times a day and whisper to the fridge, "Oh, Mr. David O'Connor wait to you meet me - I have IMAGINATION your final and most rare quality of a top rider - just look at my fridge!!!!"

 

Thank you,

Robyn Zimmer

How to fall with Horse & Hound

Third Open Heart Surgery

Orianna's third open heart surgery was just 9 1/2 months ago.  She had a heart catheterization just 4 1/2 months ago.  This surgery was also a planned surgery and Orianna was out of the hospital in 7 days!  She was the fastest recovery of any little person ever from the fontan procedure.  The record was 8 days. 

Feb 9, 2010

Orianna - 2 1/2 years old

Some days I wonder why I am so tired and then I remember what we went through just this year......

People asked how we got through it - I say my husband, our entire supportive family and friends, and horses.



Second Open Heart Surgery

This was a scheduled surgery.  We had many meetings to prepare us.  Orianna was 6 months old at this time.  April, 2008. 

First Open Heart Surgery

First Open Heart Surgery - Nov 1, 2007

The surgery was about 4 hours and they were originally supposed to go in through her side (not open front) but when they cut into her side she crashed on the table and they quickly closed up her side, stablized her vitals and went in through the front.  This is Orianna approx 3 hours after returning from surgery.  She is 3 weeks old.

Three Years of Open Heart Surgeries

Well it has been just over 3 years since Orianna was born.



Orianna born Oct 13th at Womens Hospital and then moved to NICU at Childrens Hospital - IV's in head

 We were sent home after a few days as she was doing so well.  Then on Halloween I checked her oxygen level and it was 44%.  We went to Vernon Hospital where they then flew us to Childrens Hospital.  On the plane her oxygen saturation read 24%.....She had her first open heart surgery the next morning - Nov 1, 2007.

Just a horse

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6Qk7AdVgE

I wish that I had written this.....

From Time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse". Or, "that's a lot of money for just a horse".  They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse".  Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse".  Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse", and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.  If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.  Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.  So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.  "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.  I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman" or "just a man."  So next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand. 

Author Brittany Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZyR4KtFBC0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ycWI25Suw

The Cab Ride

The Cab Ride - Author unknown

I

Arrived at the address and honked the horn.

After waiting a few minutes

I walked to the

Door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a

Frail, elderly voice. I could hear something

Being dragged across the floor.

After

A long pause, the door opened. A small woman in

Her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a

Print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned

On it, like somebody out of a 1940's

Movie.

By her side was a small nylon

Suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had

Lived in it for years. All the furniture was

Covered with sheets.

There were no

Clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils

On the counters. In the corner was a cardboard

Box filled with photos and

Glassware.

'Would you carry my bag

Out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase

To the cab, then returned to assist the

Woman.

She took my arm and we walked

Slowly toward the curb.

She kept

Thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I

Told her.. 'I just try to treat my passengers

The way I would want my mother

Treated.

'Oh, you're such a good

Boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave

Me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive

Through downtown?'

'It's not the

Shortest way,' I answered

Quickly..

'Oh, I don't mind,' she

Said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a

Hospice...

I looked in the rear-view

Mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have

Any family left,' she continued in a soft

Voice.. 'The doctor says I don't have very

Long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the

Meter.

'What route would you like me

To take?' I asked.

For the next two

Hours, we drove through the city. She showed me

The building where she had once worked as an

Elevator

Operator.

We drove through the

Neighborhood where she and her husband had lived

When they were newlyweds She had me pull up in

Front of a furniture warehouse that had once

Been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a

Girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow

In front of a particular building or corner and

Would sit staring into the darkness, saying

Nothing..

As the first hint of sun was

Creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm

Tired.. Let's go now'.

We drove in

Silence to the address she had given me. It was

A low building, like a small convalescent home,

With a driveway that passed under a

Portico.

Two orderlies came out to

The cab as soon as we pulled up. They were

Solicitous and intent, watching her every move.

They must have been expecting her.

I

Opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to

The door. The woman was already seated in a

Wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?'

She asked, reaching into her

Purse.

'Nothing,' I

Said

'You have to make a living,' she

Answered.

'There are other

Passengers,' I responded.

Almost

Without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She

Held onto me tightly.

'You gave an

Old woman a little moment of joy,' she

Said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her

Hand, and then walked into the dim morning

Light.. Behind me, a door shut.. It was the sound

Of the closing of a life..

I didn't

Pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove

Aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that

Day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had

Gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient

To end his shift?

What

If I had refused to take the run, or had honked

Once, then driven away?

On a quick

Review, I don't think that I have done anything

More important in my life.

We're

Conditioned to think that our lives revolve

Around great moments.

But great

Moments often catch us unaware-beautifully

Wrapped in what others may consider a small

One.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY

WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL

ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM

FEEL.

Reminding us that often it is the random acts of

kindness that most benefit all of

us.

Thank you, my

friend... I love you all!

____________________________________________________________

Life

may not be the party we hoped for, but while we

are here we might as well dance

Cab Ride

Spruce Meadows - 2006 Six Bar

CRAZY Horse Jumping

Epiphany

I just started this blog today and really have no idea what I am doing.....I will fumble around and see what happens.  Extravaganza Equestrian (Eventing) has become my hobby.

Dreaming......

Dreaming of next season of competing......