Grace Gorham is an 18 year old eventer currently compete her OTTB, Murphy at the Beginner Novice level. She hails from Area II and “loves the challenge of having to perfect all three phases.” She shares this and many more insights on her blog, Murphy’s Law of Riding, which you can read here.
Photo courtesy of Grace Gorham.
I’m sure you’ve used the phrase “horses keep me sane” before. Probably just as a joke in passing, without a second thought to the weight it holds. It’s only until I’m not able to ride do I realize how true it actually is for me. Not having Murphy at my barn has made me realize how much I miss him, and yet I don’t at the same time. It’s a confusing thought to come to terms with and explain.
My emotions right now are being aggressively bounced up and down like a ball in a pinball machine. I know most of it is because I’m not able to do anything, regardless of being able to ride or not. But, the one time a week that I am able to ride, a distinct feeling of happiness washes over me, and I realize how much I miss it.
The thoughts running through my head right now when I think about riding are the most cliché things ever, but I don’t care — it’s the truth! Especially when I’m not riding regularly, I become so much more in-tune with what I feel in my body and my brain while I ride. As soon as I swing a leg over the saddle, it’s like the puzzle starts to click into place, and I realize which pieces I’m missing in life without riding. I don’t know if I could even put into words the feeling of joy — you just know it as soon as it overcomes you. It’s a tingling throughout your whole body and it’s when you know you truly love something. As I try to break down this complex feeling while my lifestyle is changing so rapidly, I revisit the reasons why riding keeps me sane.
Riding is my stress relief
Riding makes me smile
Riding is my exercise
Riding is what makes me go to bed at a reasonable hour
Riding is my time outdoors
Riding is the reason why I’m always hungry
Riding makes me think outside-the-box
Riding is my social time with friends who share my passion
Riding makes me laugh
Riding is my creative outlet
Riding is how I grow and change
Riding is why I have patience
Riding is what helps me to keep an open mind
Riding is my time to think – just me, my horse, and my thoughts
Riding is what teaches me to manage a schedule
Riding is what motivates me to be better in all aspects of life
Riding is my escape from reality
Riding is my quiet time
Riding makes me happy
Riding makes us all feel many different things, and we need to spread these positive feelings right now. Please share what riding is to you in the comments below!
