Category Archives: Amateur Hour

For me, the writing's on the wall. I can’t actually remember when I first realized I was a highly superstitious person. It might have been in my teenage years, while...

I recently read California hunter rider Hope Glynn's widely shared post following the close of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) 2023. And, like so many others, I think there’s a...

And when you’re stuck in the proverbial rut, what can you do?  Six years ago, I was standing outside my horse’s stall just minutes before mounting up to compete in...

For better or worse, it had been a while since I'd fallen off a horse.  But having taken a tumble mid-lesson a few weeks ago—and setting off my airbag vest...

In honor of the incoming year of our lord of good horses, 2023.  I will wear my airbag vest during every ride.  I will be on time for my lesson...

Every time I mount a horse, I’ve started do this new thing. It began with my own horse, back in the early days when I was newly pregnant, and he...

People talk a lot about unicorns these days, but I’d like to put a word in for the ‘class horse.’ Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have either of...

I am. Guilty as charged. I sold my first pony, Cinnamon, to another young girl in the barn when I was 16, and had clearly grown too big for him....

My husband and I lead separate lives.  Not strictly in the traditional sense. We’re not consciously uncoupling, or Kris and Caitlyn Jenner-ing; no one, I hope, is pulling an Adam...

"Gretch, you fell from six feet going 25 miles an hour," my horse trainer said as I stood up and limped back to the mounting block. I dusted the arena...

I just bought my first expensive helmet. Then I spent the entire drive home from the tack shop panicking about how much money I had just spent. Up until that...

Before I describe my recent foray into the driving world, I’d like to take a moment and issue a blanket apology to everyone. I may have, occasionally in the past,...

Due to COVID-19 canceling many of the bigger events, the local horse show I rode in this summer was better attended than usual. The tiny arena heaved under the load...

When I was young, I developed an interest in flying. I received my private pilot’s license at age 20, and my instrument pilot rating at age 22. I aggressive pursued...

I stood in the ring holding a lunge whip and Shadow, my lesson horse, by a lunge line. For me, this was new ground, having jumped at the opportunity to...

Robert Redford’s character in The Horse Whisperer. Teenage Amy Fleming from the popular series Heartland. Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet. Horse trainers are highly romanticized in popular entertainment. The reality,...

I’ve been a proud member of the US Pony Club since I was a wee kid riding a naughty pony named Pickles. My devotion to this organization has seen me...

I’m lucky to live in an area that hosts rated shows for hunter/jumper enthusiasts. I used to spend the whole year stashing pennies in my savings account, relishing the opportunity...

I don’t think I’m alone here when I say that I have a love/hate relationship with Instagram. Mainly, it’s a relationship borne out of envy. It seems like every rider...

“I got a horse you need to try out,” dad said, for seemingly the hundredth time. My go-to response kicked in. “I already have a horse and I don’t need...