Getting up in the early morning to go see a stable full of lively horses is a spectacular experience for any equestrian. Luckily I get to do just that. Walking in at 8:30 am to my favorite smell of horse sweat and poop, it’s quiet but not for long. My sneakers bounce against the concrete floor and I smile at the familiar views. The light peers in from the many windows in every stall, empty for now. After the never ending walk to the back of barn, I unlock my musty box. (My grandma couldn’t stand all the cobwebs and dirt so she had to clean it; although the dirt and spiders create a mystique not any ordinary barn could have.)

It’s time to get started… lugging my saddle, saddle pad, and bridle to the wash stall. Then to wait with my boots and chaps on till 9:00 am to get Molly, my horse for the summer.

Walking to Molly’s pasture where, she, Destiny, Sassy, and Scorpion hang. The hot sun beating on my back, dirt kicking up covering my boots. Swinging my lead rope back and forth, hitting my legs. Opening the rusted gate and looking inside. Molly comes running towards me as I run to her… nope, that’s not exactly what happens. I walk all the way to the back of the humongous pasture only to have her walk two steps forward. Making me do all the hard work.

Scorpion far left. Center of the pasture, Molly to the left of Sassy and Destiny to the right.

Time to ride! In the beginning of the summer I set out to jump a full 2 foot course, only had enough power to jump cross-rails throughout the year. But with perseverance and getting up with a smile I got somewhere. Jumper turns, elevated 1’9- 2 feet oxers, a full 2 feet course, and sooner than later a flying lead change. That’s what I achieved by devoting my whole summer to riding this one horse, working hard and learning something. And now, I am going to keep it up with all the challenges I might face and to eventually jump 4 feet.

This is me jumping 1’9

Me jumping 2 foot

Me jumping a 1’9 oxer