Category Archives: Amateur Hour

There are obviously countless reasons why a couple decides to breakup or file for divorce. As anyone who has survived a failed, long-term relationship knows, there are so many reasons...

My Connemara cross mare JEF Anna Rose and I finished our 2017 show season the last weekend of August at a close to home recognized USDF/USEF show, held at Longfellow...

Living in a town where being horsey is not the norm, I have often been challenged with this question, by others and even myself. It's hasn't been the easiest path,...

Coursenesia is a condition that selectively affects hunter and jumper riders and involves disruptions or breakdowns of memory, consciousness, awareness and/or perception. These symptoms can interfere with a person's general...

Well, I did it. I’ve joined the ranks of adult pony owners everywhere, and I couldn’t be more pleased. And while I love my little tyrant, I’ve noticed there’s a...

In my younger days I breezed racehorses alongside emus in the forests of Western Australia, galloped bareback through snow-laden fields in Canada, descended precipitously steep mountains on horseback in the...

I’m having the best horse show season of my 35 year career in the ring. Yet I’ve barely been subject to the judge’s eye myself. I love being in the...

I want to talk about that person behind the scenes who does her best to hold the sh*t show that is my show career together while working her tail off...

If you’re a parent with little-to-no interest in horses, little-to-no money for the expensive hobby, yet were blessed (cursed?) with a horse-crazy child, you have my sympathy. I write this...

Last fall I bought my 14-year-old daughter a jumper. She had just finished a successful season in the low jumpers on the local circuit and was ready to move up...

Look, I might have gotten (slightly) taller, a lot older, and perhaps a little squishier around the middle. But in my heart of hearts, I’m still a barn rat—through and through....

My pursuit of perfection has gotten me into a lot of trouble over the years. Both in and out of the saddle, it's led to paralysis and inaction more times than...

I've been feeling a little guilty lately because I haven't been able to maintain my riding and competing at the level I once did. I have increased responsibilities at home...

I've been riding horses since I was five-years-old. Maybe even before that. My mom used to hold me in front of her on the saddle on long trail rides in Central...

Is there a National Barn Owner Day? If not, there should be. I think it should be a Friday (or whatever your barn version of a Friday is), so all...

I'm not sure when riding stopped being fun for me. It crept up on me. A dread that began on my way to the barn and didn't ease until the...

I may own a farrier business with my husband, but I’m still an amateur rider and competitor. It’s a tough world out there. All the articles I see online mostly...

There are a number of prestigious competitions held throughout the world, where the best of the best can compete in every imaginable discipline. Rolex. WEG. Tevis Cup. NBHA World Championships....

The Urban Dictionary defines “Spirit Animal” in this way: In pagan religions and systems, a spirit animal or totem is meant to be a representation of the traits and skills...

I hate failing. Did that even need to be said? Do any of us enjoy falling flat on our face (sometimes quite literally in our sport) in front of our...