2009 Overview and Welcoming 2010

I cannot believe that another year has come and gone so quickly! 2009 sure did hold many big events in my life, and I'd like to take a minute to look back at all I've accomplished this past year before moving forward...
*Turning 16 - this was, of course, a big milestone in my life that I got to celebrate this year. I feel as if this day were only last month, but here I am looking at another birthday coming up in just a month!
*Graduating 10th Grade - Though this does not seem like a huge accomplishment, it is. It is important because this was the last graduation in an actual school system, and a big accomplishment because I finished the year with straight A's. I have always made straight A's, but I thought it especially important to finish out this school semester well.
*Deciding to/Becoming Homeschooled - This was a very difficult decision God led me to make. The school I had attended for the past 4 years is a rigorous private Christian school, and the work load that came with it had really taken a toll on my horsemanship. I had to pass up opportunities to go to clinics, and I had to work around my schoolwork when it came to daily working with my horses. The decision I made to become homeschooled was not one that was made quickly. I gave it a lot of thought and prayer, and I decided that this decision would allow me to dedicate myself to my horses in a way that would not be possible to do while in school. I also was not sure of my future in regards to college, etc. and the school I was attending is VERY college oriented. I did not want to disappoint anyone at my school if I chose to not take the conventional college route, so I decided to study my schoolwork from home. I am SO thankful my parents gave me this opportunity because now I am completely flexible, I am able to go to week long clinics whenever available, and I can spend my days primarily outside learning from the best teachers: my horses.
*Harry Whitney Horse Camp in June - This is yet another big event in my life because at this camp I really learned the importance of being open to everything and everyone. There is no one right way to do everything, both in life and in horses. This was really the time that I realized I have a LOT to learn about horses, and from many different people from many different backgrounds. This is also the time that I began to branch out from Parelli and explore other master horsemen. (note: that last sentence was not meant to sound as if I am not involved in Parelli anymore. I am still, for the most part, in support of it, but I have opened my eyes to other horse masters as well.) This is also the place where I was able to canter my pony for the first time ever, and I also met and became friend with many very wise horse people.
*Acquiring Teddy, My Mini - It is always exciting to have a new member of the herd, and boy was I excited when I got this little rascal. He is a very different kind of challenge than I'm used to working with, in that he is skeptical and afraid rather than unmotivated and unwilling. He has made huge strides already in working with me, and he still has a long way to go, but I believe he has potential.
*Harry Whitney Bible Camp in October - This was big for many reasons. First, this was a week in which I was studying the horse, mainly without my mom. That is a big thing because most of my learning has been done alongside of or with my mom, and I think this represents that I am growing into a more independent horse-woman. Also, this was an introduction to Harry Whitney for many of the PPG members. I am so glad they could come and learn from Harry, and that they were willing to take a chance and learn from other horse people.
*Meeting Kathleen Lindley - Kathleen is an amazing horse woman who I can and have learned a lot from. I am so happy I got the opportunity to spend time with her, both in the company of horses and away from the horses. I learned at lot from my weekend with her, and I hope to learn much more from her in the future.
*Being Exposed to Buck Brannaman - He is a MASTER horseman who has a LOT to offer. I really enjoyed spending time to watch and listen to him work with and talk about the horse. I hope to learn more from him in the future as well.

Looking back, I sure have had a very horsey year, and I have made some big changes in both my personal life and my views towards the horse. I have learned a lot, and opened my eyes to many other master horsemen. I am thankful for the teachers who have taught me so much this past year, such as my mom, Terrie Wood, Harry Whitney, Kathleen Lindley, Buck Brannaman, Kathy, Lauren, and my horses.

Now that we have looked at 2009, lets look ahead to what 2010 might hold...
*Turning 17 - Birthdays are always big events in teenagers life! I can't believe that in a mere month I will be 17! 
*Finishing my High School Courses - This year will be the year I graduate high school, and yes, I am a year early. I look forward to finishing when my friends will be graduating from their Junior year in the beginning of June (hopefully). This is a blessing I am so grateful to have; that I have been able to work hard and to finish two years worth of courses in just a year!
*Harry Whitney Camp in June - Mom and I are signed up to return to Mendin' Fences Farm in June again to spend more time with Harry Whitney. We will be 2 of the six people attending our week (it is a mother daughter week with two other mother/daughter couples). I am, of course, looking forward to this event to learn more from a master, and allow Woody and I to make even more progress.
*Beginning Basic College Courses at Comm. College - Hopefully this year I will be able to take some basic classes at our local community college in town so I can be that much more prepared for what the future holds!
*Finding a Horsey Job - Not necessarily a "job," but I would love to be able to work with horses other than my own. My main goal for this year is to advance my horsemanship by working with many different kinds of horses. There is an Andalusian farm right down the street I plan to inquire about come Spring (just helping out around the farm and hopefully getting my hands on some horses!), and there are many other opportunities around here I intend to look into.
*Devoting More Time to my Job - I would love to be able to work much more frequently this year than before so I can save up that money to invest in horse expenses that are sure to come.
*Devoting Myself to Becoming a Better Rider - In the many years since I've set out on this "natural horsemanship" journey I have devoted myself to becoming a better horsewomen. Though I definitely plan on trying to learn as much as I can in that aspect, I also would like to begin to study the art of riding. I have purchased many books on the topic (Centered Riding 1 &2, Yoga for Equestrians, and Mind, Body, and Spirit Gymnastic Approach to Riding), and I would really love to discover how to ride properly, as the classical riders learn. I aspire to become more balanced, confident, understand the anatomy of the horse and how it relates to riding, and also maybe delve into the world of classical dressage a bit. I also want to improve my ability to teach my horses an idea from their backs, and have the confidence and ability to work through the temper tantrums if necessary.
*Working on My Fitness - This is not to say that I am fat or anything, but I do know that I am not the best version of myself that I could be. I lack core muscle strength, and basic strength all over. I plan to work on my strength, understanding my energy and center of power, and also improving my flexibility. I am pondering the idea of participating in a Pilates class...
*Developing my Horses - I want to develop each of my horses into the best versions of themselves they can be, too. I am not saying I plan on solving every issue or fear or problem they have inside them in this year, but I am saying I plan to make serious progress in allowing my horses to become more willing, more trusting, more athletic, more understanding, more soft, more healthy, and more equal (left and right, fast and slow, all being equal).
*Continue to Work with Joy's Horses - I will continue to work with Joy's horses and possibly start playing and working with my favorite, Mirage. She says she wants him to possibly become her riding horse, and I would love to be able to be a part of that adventure.
*Continue to Study Natural Trimming and Hoof Care - I want to be able to understand the hoof, the basic diseases and problems that can occur, and also be able to do maintenance trims on my horses.
*Graduate Level 2 - some of you may already know I passed my Level 2 Online this past summer, and I would really love to assess my Level 2 riding skills, so I can have my blue string. After that, I believe I might be done with official assessments of Parelli, but since I already have half of Level 2 done, I would like to finish it.
*Look into Virginia Tech as a Possible College to Attend - I have been thinking recently about colleges and what my plan regarding them is. I would like to attend a University that is close to Roanoke, is a good school, and has some type of specialization in animals/equine sciences. Any of you who are familiar with VT know that that is pretty much the school that I described, so I have been wanting to check it out as a possible college for me to attend.
*Harry Whitney Bible Camp in October - I am signed up to attend the Bible camp in Floyd again this year, and I am looking forward to this opportunity very much.

These are some goals I would like to accomplish or work toward accomplishing this year. Here's to 2010!
~Eden