Ecogold Photo Contest: “Horses at Work” Finale

Steeli helps me out at work by trying to braid Gazelle’s forelock when he knows I’m having a busy day….but in all seriousness, when I am fortunate enough to be able to call grooming part of my “work”, I am grateful to the horses for providing me with everything from amusement to a quiet moment in a stall or field to regroup. For the rest of the 365 days in which I may not galavant about, they provide me with a reason to stay productive — so I have something to put in the bank, which soon turns into something I have to put in their stomachs (in massive quantities, I might add), and hopefully leaves enough something left so that I may attend a little something else we call a three-day event. Go eventing(/ecogold)!

I too am stuck in a cube that is as bland as the day is long. I’m a horse person that can’t make a living being a horse person, which really sucks. I have used every vacation day for the past 7 years to groom for Jen and Pooh and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The really twisted part is that I have two human kids and two dogs but you won’t find a single photo of any of them in my cube; just Brett, Tubby, and Pooh! Some of my co-workers are astonished when they find out I have grown children with two legs. I know I should be embarassed but strangely I’m not.

(3) Fridge Fun

I am a 33 year old full time mother of an almost 3 year old and a die hard eventer. My little girl has had 3 open heart surgeries so my competing has slowed down and I have spent a lot of time at home over the last 3+ years. My kitchen has become my office – especially my fridge. My fridge talks to me – and yes I am crazy but I do not care – have a good look at the pictures and quotes and maybe it will talk to you too. I will often catch myself staring at the fridge for 15+ minutes (probably more but I won’t admit that). The pictures and quotes motivate me and inspire me to pursue my dreams no matter what is thrown at me. I have managed to continue riding three horses and compete training level with the daily advice and guidance from the fridge. Actually not only does the fridge talk to me – I sometimes talk back to it. Conversations with the fridge – ya. 

bonus photo

My mother always said that if I wanted to do something challenging that I had to get my ducks in a row – see top of fridge – ducks in a row. Top middle is Jimmy Wofford. At first glance I thought that he was smiling at me but after many times staring at him I now know that he is actually laughing at me and saying in his head that he thinks that I am a crazy girl for actually trying to read all of his articles, books and recommended books! You can only imagine what George Morris is saying. My husband and I are at the bottom – check out the look on his face – sheer “holy crap what have I gotten myself into” face!! There is much, much more to see on the fridge. Everytime I see it I look for details not seen before, say strange comments to it, or go and get my riding pants on as I was severely procrastinating that day. On one final note – I attended a David O’Connor clinic last year and learned the O’Connor ‘5 necessities for a top rider’ – I wrote them on a random piece of paper and put it on the fridge. I read them every day, several times a day and whisper to the fridge, “Oh, Mr. David O’Connor wait to you meet me – I have IMAGINATION your final and most rare quality of a top rider – just look at my fridge!!!!”

(4) Student’s Desk

This photograph is of my desk at Governor’s School at Virginia Tech. While other students brought pictures of their family and friends I have images of the horses in my life and a baseball cap with the logo of the barn where I train. On my computer screen is the research paper I am supposed to be writing, on perennial grasses as a source of biofuel, but next to the word document is the eventingnation website. I have been away from horses for three weeks (I return home this coming weekend) and I miss it so much. However, thanks to my photographs I am able to look at “my babies” whenever I want, and somehow due to this I have managed to maintain a small bit of sanity.