Octovember's 10 Questions

Because sometimes we forget to post these during the right month.

What do you consider “jumping high” for yourself?

At this point, anything over 3'0" would be high. Even 2'6" still feels a bit daunting.

Remember when I was young and reckless?

What are your short term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them?

My big short term goal is to get back to showing at 2'6" without wanting to throw myself off a cliff. I'm not sure how likely that is. It depends on a lot of different factors at the moment.

Long term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them?

Become a trainer. We appear to still be going in that general direction.

How many barns have you been at in your riding career?

Ah, geez, too many considering how long I've been riding. If I'm really counting all of them, 10, all for various reasons, and that number may go up to 12 by the summer.

Newest location is straight grass and trails, my kinda heaven

How many different trainers have you been with in your riding career?

This seems incriminating, but I guess I'll spill. I've only had two trainers who I'd consider my main trainers: Miss S & Miss El. The other four were/are situational.

Ever worked at a barn? What did you do?

Yeah, I did a ton of work for Miss S, in and out of the barn. Besides cleaning pastures and helping out during lessons, I did her website and a lot of photography. Had we been able to do a show before I left, that would also be added to the list.

Scariest thing that has happened at your barn?

One of my teammates went over her horse's head a couple weeks ago and took a hoof to the ear. It was . . . unsettling.

GP jumpers are also a bit stressful to watch let alone ride

Have you ever given a lesson? What level was the rider?

I've walked lead liners around, but the most I've ever done is try to explain left vs right to them, which is shockingly difficult. My children won't know direction because I'm not teaching that ever again.

What is your opinion on the accuracy of critiquing riders online?

Accuracy is a crap shoot. Same as real life. Plenty of people traipsing around show grounds and internet forums pretending that they know what's up, flaunting their so called "knowledge" when they can't tell an elephant from their own ego. That being said, I personally appreciate those conversations because it becomes painfully clear who I shouldn't ask for advice.

What is the ideal height of a horse for you?

Listen, if it's a horse, I will not complain. I don't have many options at the moment (although minimum 15.2 is preferred).

Pony days are never over