One year ago today, I drove with my trainer out to PA, and I traded my very handsome, 16.2, papered AQHA gelding for a 15.2, draft cross mare of undetermined breeding and pretty much unknown age. I wish I could say I never doubted myself for the decision, but I will admit, there was a lot of doubt in the first few weeks. Especially when I first put her in the stall, and this was the best picture I could get of her:

 

Our first ride looked a bit like this. My saddle didn’t really fit her, and she found my leg on her sides super offensive:

There are very few pictures from our first lessons together, as it was literally us attempting to steer in a circle. We did jump that first lesson, practically sideways through a gymnastic, but May showed off how honest and game she is!


We did go play around at a show in the area. May was a touch confused, and we got a lot of stares from the fancy warmblood people. I was over the moon though:

Our first time through a gymnastic, she bobbed and weaved. Our first show, we did a 2′ combined test. We scored somewhere in the high 40s (eventing scores) but had a very positive day. I ended up first… out of two.

Our first XC schooling was easy, but I was terrified. We barely jumped anything, and I apparently had an affinity for jumping up her neck.



We did a modified event for our next show… and I almost fell off in front of Marilyn Payne (see instagram below!). Our Dressage score barely improved.

https://instagram.com/p/6paAZAnsnr/

Then we started to hit our stride. We did a full horse trial at the Starter (2’3″) level and had an absolute blast. I am not sure where we finished, but I made it into the mid-30s with my Dressage score. The next show was less successful. Dressage and XC was great, but we seriously struggled in the Stadium. I am fairly certain we took down 4 rails… I continued to jump up her neck.

Over the winter, we put a lot of work into our Dressage, but we also did fun stuff – like bareback.

In February, we went to a clinic with Marilyn Payne. I actually did fall off that time… for the first time in nearly 4 years and gave my fiance the worst Valentines Day gift by scaring him like that. (I also learned to stop jumping up her neck). 
I got my big girl panties back, and started schooling BN sized XC fences:


(Just kidding… still jumping up her neck)

But didn’t get a whole lot of practice before our first full BN horse trial. We rocked it anyway:

It wasn’t a flawless year. I am sure a pro could’ve gotten her to BN a lot faster than I have and her basics would probably be more solid (instead of still a work in progress), but we have had a lot of fun getting here!

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  1. aHorseForElinor

    I love seeing the progression in these pictures! So much promise. You guys are doing great!

  2. Lauren

    She is such a cutie pie. Next year will be even better!

  3. kalinann

    New follower, so trying to catch up! She’s adorable, loved reading some about how you got her!

    1. mayaswellevent

      Thanks!! It was kind of a crazy way of buying a horse, but it has really worked out and I love her!

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