I have such a love/hate relationship with Tumblr. I wish I could make posts private. I wish there was a more efficient way of logging posts, like with a blog or journal, or what have you. I wish I wasn’t so stupid. Who cares. I guess I could just start a real blog. But then I’d just make everything private anyway, so what’s the point? Eh.
For anyone who cares, my summer has officially started, though I’m not quite sure yet if it actually feels that way or not. Nonetheless, I am relieved. This semester was quite awful, as I was trying to balance my time between academics and my new position as Vice President of the UMaine Dressage Club/Team. Although academics should always be a priority….well, what can I say? Along with the new shiny title, I also competed with the IDA (Intercollegiate Dressage Association) team for the first time last semester, so yeah. That took up quite a bit of time, but it was well worth it. And, since so far I haven’t received a grade below a B-, I am neutral regarding my academic performance. Minus the part about needing to maintain a good GPA so graduate schools will even look at me. Priorities? Huh?
Does anyone really care about this shit?
Despite putting the world of academics on the sort-of-back burner, I have, in my opinion, come leaps and bounds as far as my riding goes. I starting riding Riley, an American Warmblood gelding, early this year. The first time I rode him was my first lesson after I came back from Christmas break. I had a horrible time with him. I just couldn’t figure him out. I didn’t ride him for probably close to a month, and then had him again in a lesson, and things just started clicking. And the rest is history. He is challenging, but it is good for me, and we get along really well. I am going to be starting a part-lease on him next month, and will continue to ride him and show him throughout the summer.
Speaking of shows, I had my first show with him the first Sunday of last month, and we did Training Level test 3, and a re-ride. I got two firsts— a 68.4% and a 70.2%. I was pretty thrilled. Then, just last weekend I made my First Level debut (honestly, besides riding in the IDA shows last semester, my show with Riley was technically my Training Level debut too), and rode First Level test 1 and 2, and scored a 62.414% (2nd) and a 60.811% (3rd). I was really happy, considering I got bucked off during my warmup, heh. It was actually a wonderful day overall. I landed on my feet! And Riley was just feeling good, since we had to warm up outside and he actually hadn’t been out yet this season! So, I don’t blame him. I was just happy I didn’t fall.
So, considering the fact that at the end of last semester, I had been dumped by Nonni (the woman who owned Bruizer), was dealing with drama at Val’s, and didn’t have a solid horse to ride, I am pretty proud of how far I have come. Although I was always grateful to have a horse to ride, I have been stuck showing Introductory Level for the past two summers, since I was riding/bringing along Bruizer. Though *some* people seemed to think he was ready for more, I, among many other very qualified people, know that he was not. So, as much experience as I took away from him, he was also holding me back. I realize this now. It was time to move on, and I am so glad that I did.
This is quickly turning into a novel.
Anyway, my plans for this summer are to carry out my mediocre, yet accommodating work-study job (too boring to discuss), work off my part-lease on Riley, and continue to ride and show through the summer. I also have decided that although I have said this for the last three summers, I am going to hike as much as possible this summer. I also am going to learn to swim. Not that I can’t swim..but..well, yeah. I can’t. And, I am also going to bike as much as possible. And frequent the gym when necessary.
With that said, I am bored of this, so…that’s all for now. Kudos to you if you actually read this all. Why would you? If you did, you should state why. God knows I’m not actually that interesting. Or am I?
Until next time,
XOXO -J
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