RtR Blog Hop: The Support Group

No matter what discipline we ride, we are all connected by our love of horses. Whether this love started at a young age or later in life there were probably people behind you, supporting your passion. Maybe they were morally supportive or financially backing you. So, in honor of them:

What person/people are you most grateful to for helping your riding career and why? 

*If you've done all of it on your own, you deserve some serious credit. Please feel free to share your story :)

My family
I was fortunate enough to be born into a horse loving family on my dad's side. My mom loves horses, but is really the only one on her side of the family.

I was a strange looking child.

I literally grew up on a horse's back. I was showing from the time I was two and doing play days and rodeos at the age of four. My mom taught me to ride. My dad taught me that not getting back on after getting planted wasn't an option. Both of them were always very supportive. When I wanted to ride, they saddled my horse and I rode. If I wanted to go to a show or rodeo, they took me.

We didn't have a lot of money, but I always had nice horses and good tack. It didn't matter if I wanted to be a rodeo queen, show AQHA, or ride jumpers, they gave everything they could so that I was able to follow my dreams.

I come from a family of rodeo queens....

Mom and dad didn't freak out over me giving up a full-ride scholarship because I wanted to ride. When I did my working student program back east, they sent me money to live on. They bought me show clothes and tack. Both if them have been there every step of my riding career. I am beyond fortunate to have had their love and support.

Dad helping me clean stalls in Denver

My grandmother, great-grandmother, great-aunts, and aunt were always there supporting me too. They came to so many shows! Not to mention, they captured a large part of my growing up on horses in photographs. My aunt also helped coach me at these events. You know, because sometimes kids aren't the best at listening to their parents.

Dad and my aunt hanging out at a dressage thing.

My brother tolerated the time we spent with the horses and never got jealous. He only got me bucked off a couple of times ;) I have the most amazing brother though. Even if he didn't always agree with my decisions to put riding horses above all else, he never turned his back on me. He was always still there when I needed him.

My sister, though there were times she wanted to choke me when we were really young, was always proud of my riding. She passed away when I was sixteen, but I know she would have wanted me to do whatever it was that made me happy. Bailey was never one to think that you should follow the path that society expects of you. I guess we were a lot alike in the fact that we were hardheaded and going to do whatever we wanted with our lives no matter what other people think. When I get burnt out and frustrated, I know that she wouldn't want me to give up. In fact, she probably would have chewed my ass for even thinking about it. So, I don't give up.

Bre, Me, Megan, and Tash.

There are so many people out there that have helped me with riding throughout my life. Amazing people! Trainers, bosses, my fiancé, and friends. I have some of the most amazing friends that have encouraged me. No matter if I was in Canada or what state I was living in, they were always there for me. When I come home, they not only listen to my horse ramblings, but are actually interested in them. I am incredibly blessed to have so many wonderful people supporting my horse habits! Thank you to all of you!

Jill and her son at the races. We've been friends since I was ten and she was eleven. Her dad let me show one of his horses when I was about twelve.

Aly and I at a dressage show. Not just one of my best friends, but also my best horse friend :)

Megan and I have been friends for thirty years, since I was born and she was six months old. Her and her son came to see me and watch my mom's horse show.

P.S. I thought this would be a good time to do this blog hop with the #rideabovehate movement going on right now. It seems that if people can see not only how much the rider puts into this sport, but also what those who support them do/give up, it will make them think twice about saying things to hurt someone. If another rider made fun of my horse, clothes, or tack, I didn't want to tell my parents because it hurt them too. The people with a tendency to be jack asses realizing the toll that equestrian sports can put on an entire family/group couldn't be a bad thing.

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