What am I doing now? Well I am currently sitting in my office at work 'batching received checks' (accounting terms) that pay invoices for light bulbs. Sounds like fun huh? Maybe for someone who likes sitting at a computer all day. But not for an avid equestrian itching for the clock to hit 4:30 so she can sit in 45 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic just to get to the barn before dark. Yes, that's my life as we speak. I went from doing what I loved day in and day out to trying to be an adult when offered a '9 to 5' job with weekends off, holiday pay, benefits and some vacation time.
You could say that a lot has changed in just a years time because well, it has, I moved from Aiken, SC after loosing a job I loved, to Maryland mainly to train with one of the greatest trainers I have ever met but also because I thought I had landed a job that would make me just as happy as I was at Darley. That is where I was mistaken. Needless to say, said job did not work out but I found myself wanting to stay in Maryland going with my gut that I was here for a reason. Although I still think I was brought to Maryland for more reasons than one, they have come and gone and it is time I listen to myself. What is it that makes me happy? Does getting to the barn at 6:30 Monday thru Friday after sitting at desk all day only to ride my horse alone make me happy? No. Does working all day doing something that doesn't really interest me so I can live pay check to pay check but tell myself it will benefit my future make me happy? Sorry to say but...no.
^ Fullback with owner Lindy Gutman out on his second hunter pace ever!
What makes me happy is working with horses all day everyday. By that I don't mean just working with off the track thoroughbreds. I will take cleaning the grossest of stalls over sitting at a desk 8 hours a day, hands down without a doubt. Give me all the nitty gritty work and I would still prefer it over having to pretty myself up every day for a job a I don't love. But don't get me wrong, although in general I haven't been the happiest with my life here in Maryland, there is plenty that did make me very happy. Fullback, my last years makeover mount, has an amazing new home where he loves his life and never will be pushed beyond his limits. I have been able to work with Nuno Santos for the last six months watching him ride and taking lessons. My riding has drastically improved in doing so and I have learned an incredible amount from him. He and his wife Katie are two of the most self less people I know and I will be forever grateful to have them apart of my life. Loblolly Farm, where Nuno runs Santos Sport Horses out of is hands down the best facility I have ever been apart of from horse quality, to care quality, to such a close knit group of boarders it is unbeatable.
But the truth is Darley is not sponsoring me for this years makeover to do a mediocre job at training Coordinate. EnviroEquine is not sponsoring me to do a mediocre job of training Coordinate. And to be honest mediocre is all I have been able to do since he arrived because of how my life is here in Maryland. I know some of you will think I am being too hard on myself but at 25 years old I know what it is in life that makes me happy because I have already done it and why stop now? Why let myself slip into a life that may seem better for my future to some but to me is making me unhappy? The time is now for me to get back to exactly what makes me happy and to do my absolute best with Coordinate to ensure he shows everyone what he is capable of in Kentucky come October. That is why I am pleased to announce my moving back to Aiken in a few weeks where I will be breaking and exercising polo horses at C Spear Farm. It is an opportunity I am so thrilled to have been presented with and I cannot wait to be back in the wonderful horse community of Aiken. Cheers to the next chapter of this crazy life! Let this blog be a little reminder to my future self in always doing what makes me happy.
^Coordinate looking better and better thanks to EnviroEquine!
No comments:
Post a Comment