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Riding the Current Swell: Understanding the Gist for Everyone

Last night, over dinner, I inquired Meg Kep, our winter resident, about the unusual feeling I experienced when browsing through memories on Facebook showing Tate and me competing at Kentucky in 2011, 2014, and 2016. I wondered if it seemed odd to her, I queried. During this season, numerous...

Navigating the Current Swell Together
Navigating the Current Swell Together

Riding the Current Swell: Understanding the Gist for Everyone

In the quiet moments of everyday life, author [Name] finds inspiration in the words of Ian Millar: "Don't practice till you get it right, practice till you can't get it wrong." and "I don't give up until I succeed, and I never give up." These inspirational quotes resonate deeply, guiding the author through the challenges that life presents, both within and beyond the barn.

Recently, the author found themselves engaged in routine errands, returning a Neue-Schule full-cheek turtle top and picking up grey paint for the barn. Yet, amidst these mundane tasks, the author was also immersed in self-improvement, reading self-help books and seeking guidance from a sports psychologist.

Meg Kep, a winter resident, was asked about the author's apparent sadness when looking at old photos of competitive events with Tate in Kentucky in 2011, 2014, and 2016. Kep acknowledged that it's normal for the author to feel nostalgic about the past. However, these reflections did not lead to resolution, but rather, a deeper contemplation on how these memories shape the author's attitude at the barn and with their horses.

The world, currently in a "strange half-halt," is not moving forward, and almost dares people to be backward in their thinking. The author compares this situation to being pregnant, stating that they can deal with almost anything as long as they can plan for it. But uncertainty leaves them in an uneasy state.

In the current stillness, the author believes people should look inward, at themselves, their horses, their training, and their programs. They encourage studying weaknesses and being prepared for opportunity. The author also emphasises the importance of kindness to oneself and others, and staying healthy.

The author reflects on the balance between being too caught up in the past and looking too far ahead, and finding peace to appreciate moments without over-thinking. This is a lesson learned from a struggling horse, who was compared to the ocean and its waves by a woman who helped the author with the horse.

The therapeutic riding program that is suffering due to state closures is the Reittherapiehof (therapeutic riding farm) in Neustetten, where the death of the pony Lissy led to restrictions impacting the therapy offerings there. The author encourages looking back with appreciation and looking forward to action.

In a bid to continue learning and growing, the author recommends Noelle Floyd's Equestrian Masterclass for horsemen. As the author navigates through these challenging times, they remind us all to stay resilient, to find inspiration, and to keep moving forward.

Hundreds of pictures from Kentucky flood the author's Facebook page this time of year, serving as a poignant reminder of the past. Yet, the author encourages us to remember that people need purpose and inspiration beyond staying healthy and alive. There is opportunity even in the worst of times, and the current situation is no exception. The author believes that even in a tsunami, there is a chance to rise above the waves and find a new path forward.

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