First Post - Current Day

February 8, 2024

If you're reading this, thank you! I have decided to start blogging as a way to appreciate the past and present of my life with horses. This is therapeutic to me - I have always loved writing, so this is the perfect way for me to keep up with that as well as share my love for horses and the sport of eventing.

Right now I am based in Northern Virginia, otherwise known as NOVA to the locals. I moved here in August to pursue a professional career with horses, only to realize that is not a path that is meant for me. At least for right now. Sophie, my current horse and the first horse I have owned as an adult, resides down the road from my apartment at a wonderful eventing and dressage barn. We have plans to compete at a few events in the area this spring before moving back up north to our OG home base of Area 1.

Together, Sophie and I have moved from the novice to the preliminary level of eventing. That path has not been entirely smooth sailing, but she is an incredibly talented mare with a big heart. As I am continuing to hone in on my skills as a rider, we are becoming increasingly more confident as a team. I have been going through the process of getting both of us registered with FEI in order to hopefully attempt to break into the FEI sphere later this spring. (crossing all fingers and toes)

Sophie had about a month and a half off between November and January due to an injury I had. Between a severe struggle with my mental health and surgery, she got to enjoy some time just being a horse out in a field. I don't think she was too sad about that :)

Since then, we have gotten back to a consistent work schedule and I have been slowly getting her (and myself) back into shape to prepare for our goals this season. In the meantime, we have a few schooling shows and horse trials we will be attending to get our feet wet again. We recently stopped by a local schooling jumper show, where Sophie and I both remembered how fun it is to compete and brought home blues for both the 3' and the 3'3 classes. Soon we will be heading down the road to a schooling dressage show, where we both might not be as fired up, but will do our best to show what we have been practicing at home for months!!

I have a fair amount of time on my hands these days, so I plan to update this site often. I have a lot of thoughts, I have been blessed to have had a lot of experiences, and as a result I do believe I have things worth sharing that might also be worth reading. Thanks for coming along with me!

K