Blog Spotlight: Confessions of an AA Eventer

Each Tuesday, we shine the spotlight on a rider blog we think is deserving of a little extra attention. Today’s featured blog is “Confessions of an AA Eventer.”

The blog’s author, Suzanne, describes herself as follows: “I am an Amateur Owner. I work a full time job and manage to ride 5 days a week. I make mistakes, pick myself up off the ground, dust the dirt from my shoulders and I try again. Life is good!”

Horse Nation salutes Suzanne and her blog because she gives a voice to all those pesky fears and insecurities that all riders–or at least all riders who are being honest with themself–experience. But then, instead of letting them defeat her, she tells them off.

In her latest blog entry, Suzanne writes:

There is voice in your head, so close to the surface just SCREAMING at you to QUIT!  Nothing is worth this anxiety, fear and self-imposed humiliation.  You can hear the whisper…  “You like dressage… and it feels good when the power is collected and the body springs forward…  yeah, you like dressage…  why don’t you forget about this thing called eventing and just do dressage?”

And you stick with it because somewhere in your screaming head you know that there is nothing like eventing… the freedom and thrill of a great cross country run.  So, you find the right help while the Snowbirds enjoy the sunshiny warmth and the pleasures of Florida.

The Professional Friend who works on your PTSD  brings you closer to peace.  The City Barn Instructor and her sturdy, students just jumping school ponies, through spooks, missed striding and all sorts of mayhem, as if the courses were a part of the World Equestrian Games.  They scream for more jumps, more height and their enthusiasm builds into yours.

Today at my Jumping Intensive…  the barrels loomed in front of us and for one moment, I could hear the screaming and it wasn’t my inner B A Honeybadger.  Then, the sweet advice filtered through… getting clearer and clearer…  “Power into that jump as if you mean it!” “Power!  Power! Power!”  And my lil’ Pinto Pony, dropped her energy into her hind end and we were lifted up… and over as if the very earth carried us fluidly and strongly.

And for those of you who may not know…  Barrels are not a Sugar favorite and subsequently not my own. Yet today, the barrels are a symbol of the beauty of perseverance… cause today, I can truly say…  We’re gonna be ok!!!  Really, truly OK!  And that has me smiling!  Broadly smiling!

Confessions of an AA Eventer is one of those blogs that makes you want to pound your chest and say, “If Suzanne can do it, if Suzanne can conquer her demons, so I can I!”

I think that Suzanne would agree.

The world from Suzanne's point of view

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If you know of a blog that deserves attention, let us know! Email your tips to [email protected].