Over the last few weeks, I have been encouraged by my horse riding trainer to participate in several horse shows....one for fun, & one that requires a lot of dressage training to pass the test requirements.

This takes sooooo much concentration in order to become one with my horse in order to make the slightest touch tell him what he is supposed to do. I am finding that with the amount of concentration it takes, there is no room for the other junk that has been floating around inside my mind. Not that it is gone....I know that I have been stuffing because the dreams & other things are still there when I am not thinking about my riding. However most of the time, I am running the riding thoughts, techniques, & tests through my mind....kinda like practicing without the horse.

The first show was yesterday, & I guess all the time & practice I have put in paid off because I took 2 first places. One in English equitation where my technique was being judged, & one in English pleasure where my horse & I had to look like we were having fun & we were. It is such a wonderful feeling to become one with your horse, like floating through the air, or being on a rocking horse. I feel so good everyday I go out & ride (almost every day).

Physically, I am barely able to have enough energy to do this, & when I do, I end up having a hard time getting rehydrated & my weight drops by bunches. Even though I end up back not feeling very well physically, the mental freedom is sooooo worth it.

I have found that when I feel good, I continue wanting to feel good...it is kinda like riding my horse...the more I practice, the better I get at it...maybe feeling good is the same way. I know I still have a bunch of stuff inside that needs taken care of, but having a sense of freedom along with that allows me to take a break from the other things I am dealing with. It seems like it is a part of healing too by being able to let yourself enjoy those things around you & not dwelling on the junk.

Seems to be working when I can end up taking first place in the class above my trainer. Of course, she had a disadvantage in that she was riding the horses she has been training & the babies are really a hand full...but she can usually make anything look easy so I still feel good about being recognized for all the energy I have been putting into my riding.

I think this concept can be applied to other things than riding....When we find other things that we enjoy in life, then we don't have to dwell on just those things that bother us.

Debbie