Introduction!

My name is Lisa.  I have just voluntarily assumed the position of MVEC’s amateur-rider-in-house blogger - my official title has yet to be determined.

Pertinent facts about myself are as follows:  I started riding when I was about 9.  The only horse I ever owned, until recently, was a very safe, plump, grulla mare.  It was backyard riding at its finest!  When my parents recognized that I had outgrown Mocha, they convinced me to sell her and trade up.  I moved from lessons at the riding academy to a jumper barn and then to a hunter barn.  My GRITS upbringing (Girls Raised In The South) required that I develop “well-roundedness” so I balanced riding with a variety of other activities.  I’ll have to say that it was convenient to be fitted for custom chaps while wearing my tennis skirt.  When I advanced to the point of needing a nice horse to continue my sport and my dad wouldn’t spring for the $15,000 push-button, grey gelding, I knew I had come to the end as I went off to college.

Fast forward 25 years, one husband, 3 young boys in private school and a mortgage later.  My sweet, dear husband gave me a series of riding lessons for a gift.  I stumbled upon the barn where Lesley soon-after became the trainer and the world of eventing was opened to me for the very first time!

Lesley had her job cut out for her as she patiently and deliberately dismantled my hunt seat and reconstructed it into a balanced seat – something I am still working on!  Though I have been with Lesley for 5 years now, my progress has been drastically impeded by the fact that I have not had my own horse to do with as I please.  I have bounced from horse to horse, either exercising them for free or ½ leasing them, mostly only riding once or twice a week and always in the arena.  The exception was a couple of years ago when the owner of the horse I was ½ leasing at the time allowed me to compete her horse at my first ever event.  Fun, fun, fun. 

Let it be known - I have only ridden XC three times in my entire life.  Galloping, especially out in the open, is both a thrill and a challenge for my confidence.  I know I hurt my husband's feelings when I came home after my first time schooling and told him it was THE most fun I had ever had... sorry honey!

One of the benefits of horse bouncing was getting to know a variety of horses and horse types.  I absolutely fell in love with one of the horses I rode for a short time and, when the timing was right, my dear, sweet husband graciously and bravely took that leap into the world of horse ownership. 

That was 7 months ago...