Amazing update! Somehow this is the first time I’ve seen this thread but I’ve read it through now and have to say I have so much respect for your tenacity and love that COTH became part of the cure. All my best for 2015!!!
UPDATE: Page 3, post #61 WITH picture links.
Good early morning everyone!
I have not added to this thread in almost six months, but I cannot contain my enthusiasm any longer!!! Thanks to some of my best friends in the whole world (I have to publicly call out Cameraine on here), I FINALLY achieved one of my goals and dreams!
Despite all of the hardships and hell I have been through over the last (almost) two years since my accident, I have refused to give up. There are plenty of times I have wanted to, but thanks to great friends, I have kept plugging and kept trying despite the difficulties (physical and mental) as well as the pain I have encountered with riding again. Of course I must say, the pain I dealt with after this weekend, was well worth it!!!
My conversion to the dark side is officially COMPLETE!!!
I had the pleasure of FINALLY schooling XC this weekend! I could not have done it without the support of my amazing, amazing, amazing trainer Kate Mason with Dark Horse Eventing, my dearest friends in the entire world, Nicole and Katherine and other great friends Dulce, Claire and Brittany. All of their support made it possible. They have helped me with Charm over the years, they have helped me regain my confidence and overall been the support system that I needed.
I must admit, I was very nervous. The idea of solid obstacles has always been extremely intimidating to me. Add to that, my horse has one hell of a jump, and add to that, since our worlds turned upside down post injury, I realized, I had never cantered him over a fence before until my lesson a few weeks ago. (When I purchased him, his brain was fried and I started him over from scratch. We just started trotting fences when I was injured). I wasn’t sure if I was ready to make my first time jumping lines/courses or even really cantering fences on a XC course, but thanks to good friends offering their support, I knew I could. I used the advice from everyone here and made a grab strap out of a stirrup leather (which is the greatest homemade invention ever) and thank goodness for it, because I used it A LOT!
We only jumped the intro height fences since it was my first time, as well as his first time schooling XC. I can’t even describe the feeling. As I sit here on my couch typing this, I can feel the cheesiest grin take over my face. I have added links to some pictures to share with you all. Please don’t mind the atrocious equitation, I was left behind a few times over fences and just trying to get my bearings with the idea of jumping in general. I think we have found my horse’s niche as well! In the 2.5 years I have owned him, 3+ I have known him, I can honestly say I have never seen this horse so happy in his life. It’s like he was born be an eventer.
I’m adding the links for the albums on facebook to share the photos. If you cannot see them, don’t hesitate to let me know. The photographer posted them and tagged me in them, so I think they are public. I have no idea how to hyperlink photos so hopefully this will work! We are the bay horse with the orange and blue saddle pad, and I have the sage colored breeches on.
Thanks again for everyone’s support!
https://www.facebook.com/claire.wynkoop/media_set?set=a.10205759134171138.1073741826.1639730815&
type=1&pnref=story
Congratulations on your tremendous recovery! I’ll have to view the photos when I get home as I’m blocked from FB at work, but huge props for getting back in the saddle and taking on cross country. Glad you and your horse both had a great time. Keep up the good work.
