Akira Beijing at Horse Expo. Photo by Charlie Critz
The barn is buzzing with activity and all I can do is marvel at the speed at which time whips by. It’s hard to believe it, but another year has flown by already and Team DF is getting ready for the annual trek to Montana for The Event at Rebecca Farm. A year ago I got this notion that I wanted to be on that trailer the next time it made the journey. I would like to say that I am going this year but my efforts to Make It Happen have been admittedly underwhelming.
I can trot out a litany of excuses and reasons why things are how they are, but what it comes down to is that I set a big goal and then I forgot the most important part. I failed at setting myself up to succeed.
This isn’t a bad thing and honestly, I’m not sad or angry with myself. I feel good about my progress, as slow and turtle like as it is. My Dressage is stronger and almost good when the stars align. Down banks still suck, but they no longer set my heart racing quite as wildly as they once did (Thank you Tom Cruise Witchcraft), and I’ve proven that I can huff and puff my way around a Novice track without dying, even if we have to jump in to the worlds largest pit.
What I am less pleased with is my fitness and my weight. In all honesty, my these are both a significant part of what’s holding me back. While it’s true that good, capable and talented riders come in all shapes and sizes, I know that I can be a better rider if I am more fit. My vanity also whispers in my ear, reminding me that I can come up with a way cuter jog outfit if I shed a few pounds.
A few weeks ago I got a message from an old friend of mine, Ryan Polli. She and I grew up riding ponies on the H/J circuit. These days she does graphic design work for a lot of equine industry clients and writes for a H/J focused magazine called Horse and Style Magazine. The universe has a funny way of giving you exactly what you need, right when you need it most.
Ryan has been out of the tack for a few years after an injury and has plans to get back in the saddle. Ryan approached me with the concept that we could do this whole crazy fitness thing together and really, that was what was missing from my last attempt.
Just ask anyone, I need an accountabilibuddy for the gym. Left to my own devices I regularly find myself coming up with excuses to cut my workout short. (“Which vet should you call for a mild choke? Well, try Dr. Cute, he’s pretty good about emergency stuff. Oh, you already called him? He’s on the way? I’ll be there in 20 minutes… for moral support.”)
Both Ryan and I are heavier and less fit than we’d like to be but we can change that. Along the way we will both be blogging our experiences. There will be a lot of sweat, cursing and stories about the guy at the gym who spends way too much time checking himself out in the mirrors.
After Ryan sheds a few pounds, she’s planning on heading back to Hunter/Jumper land, as her connections there run deep. I might have to drag her out for some fun on an Intro level course and see if I can’t show her what this whole eventing thing is all about.
So here we go, round two on losing weight and getting fit! You will be able to follow both sides of the story, here on EN and over at Horse and Style Magazine. Check out Ryan’s first post here!
Collection pass is home! Photo courtesy of Kate Chadderton.
