So, I have made up my mind. I have had enough of living 700 miles from home in the cold, rainy PNW, missing the horses I’m supposed to be training and hoping that the owner doesn’t wash her hands of me and find someone else who can actually be there once in a while. I am also sick of having to go through the airport ordeal every time I want a home cooked meal or a hug from mom. To put it simply, I’m coming home.
This is a great school, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think it’s the school for me. It is too small, the horses I have worked with since summer are back home, and, most importantly, my family isn’t here. That may not seem like a big deal, but as a kid, my Dad had the kind of corporate job that allowed him to be home (maybe) on weekends, and he has just retired from that job. He is eager to be my horse show dad and spend the time with me that we missed when I was growing up.
So, I am transferring to UC Davis, a school I was accepted to after high school and turned down because it was “too close to home.” Funny how the factor that ruled it out is the factor that is now ruling it in. I think Davis will have everything I’m looking for: it’s close to home, top ranked, has a great english program, and has an equestrian facility where they told me I could be hired as an instructor. (I probably won’t ride IHSA because I have 4 horses I’m supposed to be riding on the A circuit, so there go the weekends.) Davis is close enough to home (sacramento) that I will be able to hop in my car Friday, go ride those 4 horses, then come home for home cooked food, my own bed, and my family for a few days before heading back to the apartment I hope to find there. It’s perfect for what I want…horses, good school, and my family.
The thing is, I have never thought of myself as someone who would transfer. I always saw myself as the kind of person to see something through 100% whether I hated it or not. But, I’m beginning to rethink that philosophy…after all, as Dad said, the only thing worse than the wring decision for 2 years is the wrong decision for 4. I have learned a lot here and had some terrific classes with some terrific instructors who I will genuinely miss. But, when it comes down to it, I know UC Davis is where I am supposed to be. I know that if I am ever to pursue my goal of being a trainer full time with my own barn (instead of being the free lance trainer living out of her car that I am now lol) I need to keep riding and teaching. I need to do that where I want to live so I can build a client base even now. I don’t intend on living in Portland, and I have some great opportunities back home. Plus, if you take the horses away, I would still come. I just am not happy here: the food is awful, the weather has been getting me down, and the classes are too small for my liking. I hate having things happen without me at home; from my puppy growing up to Dad retiring, I feel like I am missing it all. My brother leaves for college in 2 years (when I’ll graduate), so we really only have 2 yrs left as a family (if he goes away and doesn’t go to school locally). I want those years to be the best they can be.
Sorry this is so long; I just wanted to let you guys know what’s going on in the life of Leap. Oh, and also to ask who from here will be my fellow Aggies next year???
BTW- did I mention the final perk? 5 mths off for summer! See, this school gets out May 3rd, and Davis starts September 26 (or 27???) soooooooo 
Can we say HORSE SHOWS?!?!? LOL
- One must think when looking at a horse that it hears music inside its head
- check out my diary! http://carpediem4gp.diaryland.com
- PNW Clique: Fuzzy Horses, Frizzy Humans!
