The past few days/week has been a bit of a whirlwind. With a microbiology midterm, three lab reports, and relentless hours at school, I have still somehow managed to ride Ginger everyday for an hour and a half as intended. It is exhausting and hilarious how it is possible to ride and be a full time student as a double major. When people ask me how I do it, I simply say the word sacrifice. For example, at this moment, I am updating my blog in the library at Fresno State with my breeches, boots, and spurs still on from the barn. I sacrifice make-up, a regular diet, and of course my clothing choices. But in this week, I feel that Ginger and I both have to put our heads down and keep pushing. I was inspired after watching some videos from The Fork last weekend and pushed myself to set up harder combinations at home that included corner combinations and big oxers to little skinnies. Watching top class riders make it look so easy challenged me to step it up while at home. Ginger is getting stronger each day and more fit. I can tell because yesterday in our dressage she was so strong that it made it hard to ride. (The fact that she is in heat also doesn’t help with control and attention.) I am anxiously awaiting the end of this week because spring break starts and I feel that I can fully devote my attention to the upcoming event at Twin Rivers. This will be the hardest event we will have ridden in to-date. I am trying not to get too overwhelmed, but I can tell you I am so excited to head off to Bea and Derek’s this coming Tuesday for some practice and onto Paso Robles for the event. My dad will be coming down to watch which is always exciting for me. For never having ridden, he has a great grasp on the sport and the strategy involved with being competitive. It must be his young spirit and adrenaline junky side that I seemed to have inherited. Well, with the added anticipation after writing this blog, I better get back to studying.
Until next time,
Ginger and Lauren
