Instructor says: "I'm mocking you! Better make it better!"

So I read a quote about the New Year.  It went something along the lines of:

“Today [New year's day] is the first page of 365 page book.”

I just kind of liked that haha.  Well, I figure I can just write myself a little book.  Or at least, I will attempt to do so.  For example, it’s actually January 12th.  This is my birthday of course.  I will get to that.  Let me just give a little catch up/Update. Just get used to this not exactly happening on an everyday basis. Do forgive me.

I have no resolution about getting healthy or weight loss like most people seem too.  I’d love to shed some pounds and convince myself to pick up a salad when I want a bag of chips.  But… That’s going to be really hard.  So I decided I would set an easy, yet kind of difficult resolution.

My New Year’s resolution this year is to attend the ODS (Ohio Dressage Society) Year End Awards 2014.  I want to have a wonderful and successful show season/year with my cute  golden pony, Avalon.  At first, I kind of wanted to go for a champion youth or horse award for intro class but I decided just to come home with some ribbons.  Though, I won’t complain if we get some kind of champion award ;D.

Anyway, 2013 was quite a year.  In January, I first met Annie.  I had to humbly explain how I wanted to work at her barn, with absolutely no horse experience whatsoever.  I simply had spunk, a little enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.  It got me pretty far apparently.  I’ve been riding for a year now and supposedly I’ve gotten pretty far (or so Annie keeps saying).  Annie told me just the other day that she was worried she would never find someone as good as Chris.  And that I was sure as heck a good choice.

So anyway, my birthday was awesome!  My sisters tried to plan a surprise party (which ended up no being a surprise).  My mom actually wrote on the North Wind Stables' barn page as you can see...

It brought a good laugh at the very least.

But they brought cake.  And it was really nice but I didn't get a picture!!  Yeah, I know, what is wrong with me?  It reaaally looked handmade but that's okay.  She mad a chocolate paint pallet and it made the whole cake.  They also brought ice cream (my favorite thing in winter for some strange reason).

Then, on total coincidence, Maddy brought delicious shreaded pork and chicken, chips, and another cake!  And Chris brought my Christmas/birthday present.  It was the book George Morris teaches beginners to ride.  Which I have happily finished reading and enjoyed.

My ride on Athos was quite interesting that day.  Because of Christmas and this crazy polar vortex thing, I had pretty much a week of no-riding.  So what better way to start again than jumping?  It was pretty bad so I didn't actually go over a jump.  It involved Chris shouting "I'm mocking you!  Better make it better!"  It was very beautiful.

My ride on Avalon was much better.  He has been doing a lot of bolting and other naughty things since winter has started.  Well I hoped on him on my birthday and he was perfectly happy.  He was in his summer brain (even if only for a day).  He was the horse that I first met when we decided to buy him haha.  He was goey, but using his brain.  I didn't stay on long, because Jamie (who is a much better rider than I and our farrier's daughter) got on him for fiveish minutes.  And man, did Avalon look good!

I was very happy with him.  And I'm glad he's feeling better physically and mentally.

I had a happy birthday, indeed!!

Anyway, I shall see you guys tomorrow (in theory).