10 Questions for the Lazy

If you are reading this, again it is because I don't have a post ready because life exploded or I forgot or it got eaten by the dog or whatever your excuse of choice is.

What do you consider “jumping high” for yourself? Anything prelim level (3'6") or higher. When I was a young stupid teenager I was schooling around 4' or higher but that was when I had an amazing trained horse and also I was insane. I think the highest I've ever done was 4'6". To be honest, looking down the barrel at 3' looks huge.

I used to jump big girl jumps.

This is a bit more my speed of late.

Side note I don't understand why jumpers went metric I can't understand any of the height classes anymore. .9m? I don't get it.

What are your short term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them? See the goals pages. Usually my short term goals are something I consider a stepping stone towards my longer goals, designed to be achieved and bolster my confidence. So by definition, yes.

Long term goals for riding? Do you think you’ll reach them? Oh god I have so many long term goals. My longer term goals I imagine are completely out of my reach even if they really aren't, and then suddenly one day I'm standing on the precipice of achieving them with no idea how it really happened.

How many barns have you been at in your riding career? Oh jesus... you're really gonna make me count? Let me think... 16? or 17? Boy I get around.

Some were super fancy.

Some were less fancy.

How many different trainers have you been with in your riding career? Probably around the same as above. A lot of places I moved trainers when I moved, although some barns I stayed with the same trainer and we all moved. Occasionally I rode with several different trainers at one barn (for example, when I rode at Essex Equestrian I was there for a year and a half and took lessons with four different people).

Olllld old lesson video.

Ever worked at a barn? What did you do? Yes. I have done everything from tack cleaning and mucking stalls to teaching lessons and riding horses. I have done ALMOST everything.

Scariest thing that has happened at your barn?
I should say the scariest thing that ever happened was when a horse flipped over on me. But really the scariest thing that ever happens, is discovering a colicking horse. I've accidentally caught two serious colic cases and I'm glad I was there but... Being alone in the barn and hearing a horse thrashing around and seeing them in distress is the worst feeling in the world.

2nd worst is this guy in his ice boot
going "WHEN CAN I BE OUTSIDE"

Have you ever given a lesson? What level was the rider? Yep. Mostly they were kids, although I've taught the occasional adult amateur. Also depending on my relationship with my friends I'll offer advice if it looks like they're struggling. I will say it can be extremely satisfying. I helped a friend work through teaching her horse the beginning of a leg yield and it felt really great to see her take my advice and have it work SO well.

And then you teach kids, and they don't listen and run around like psychos and fall of and break their arms.

What is your opinion on the accuracy of critiquing riders online? Taking a moment from a picture is a shitty way to critique someone. You don't see how you started the jump or what happened on landing. That being said, it's fun to have a discussion about it and I used to do it a lot. I used to get practical horseman specifically for George Morris' photo critique.

Critique this. Don't tell George.

What is the ideal height of a horse for you? I never want to ride anything over 16hh (maybe 16.1hh) ever again. I have seen the light of the little guy and I love them!

He was 17.1. Look what a tiny little boop I was!