"I have been preparing for this my whole life."

Not too long ago I was reading a particular post on Eventing Nation which got me reflecting on my own riding.  It was an interview with David O'Connor in regards to applying for the US Coaching position.  At one point it was written that David stated, "I have been preparing for this my whole life." This statement stuck in my head and is still there.  I began to think that I have been preparing for my whole life - to present myself as a rider - to him.  This is especially true now more than ever as I think I finally have two (maybe 3 soon) incredible horses that are putting the final few pieces of my puzzle together.  Just to clarify - I have a very, very big puzzle and there is still a few other pieces left......

I was talking with a good friend of mine last week and she said that according to studies of children that at age 5 years old and at age 10 years old they are the most uninhibited by external life pressures and it is the most likely time that a person will express their passions in their personality (of course given the opportunity).  For example if a young person is freely dancing to music and loving it that potentially this is their true passion.  Now what were you doing when you were 5 and 10?  What were you doing, thinking, or even dreaming of every day? 

At age 5 I was begging my mom and dad to build me cross country jumps so I could practice!!  I was dying to get out of the ring and gallop and jump!  Pictured below is me on my first pony Pilot putting one of those jumps to the test.  I really liked this jump as I thought that it was really big and the direction that I am going there was a downward slope on the landing side which I thought was really challenging and fun!

At age 5 I was insisting that I had to go in jumping shows so I could get good at jumping in the ring.  I thought that this jump was the biggest jump in the entire world and I was quite apprehensive to do it but I was determined to do it.  If you look closely at my cheeks in this photo you can see that I am holding my breath and puffing my cheeks out - kinda funny. 

At age 10 I would gallop my pony or any of the horses from Pacific Riding for the Disabled (we lived on the property) around the big field.  There was cross county jumps there too and I would sneek over the jumps and gallop up the hill.  I also would do gallops in the mud to practice riding in the mud as at events it was often muddy so there you go. 

I am 34 now and am still that little 5/10 year old girl as yesterday I found a giant puddle in the back field at the barn and I was out there in a flash with my young warmblood so I could get him in water and practice for water jumps.......

Through this reflection I refer to myself as "Quietly Persistent."  Quietly persistent at putting the pieces of my own life puzzle together with the hopes and dreams of eventually being ready to present myself to DOC as a competent, passionate event rider.    If and when I actually get to bring my horses to train with David I will say to him "I have been preparing for this my whole life."  I hope I don't fall off after that!!!