Bloghop: Favorites Of 2018

Ok, so I know this is a little late, because we are already into 2019, and I should have written this about a week and a half ago. But I found this bloghop from A Collection of Madcap Escapades, who found it on The $900 Facebook Pony. And it looked like a fun thing to do, so I am going to share my favorites of 2018 too!

And when I first found this bloghop, I wasn’t sure I would be able to find enough of my favorites to write about. I am happy to say I was wrong! And I am not one who reflects back over the past year typically. But writing this, and reflecting over the past year was actually really fun! So enough chit-chat, lets get on to my favorites!

Favorite Show Picture

Ok, so I wasn’t the one showing, but, I love going to the Colorado Horse Park and capturing photos of the incredible riders there. I think it helps me to focus on my own goals to get me and Ethan to the horse show. Probably not the Horse Park this year. But the journey is part of the fun. And who knows, maybe one day a picture of me and Ethan will inspire another equestrian, like this one inspires me.

Favorite Non-Show Picture

I have taken hundreds and hundreds of pictures over the past 12 months. But I have to say this is one of my favorites. It was in February of last year, and it was one of the moments I actually rode Ethan. He looks so calm! And even just walking around on him makes me so happy, this is why I love this picture. It gives me goals for riding him in the upcoming year.

Favorite Thing You Bought

This is by far our most expensive, and my favorite purchase of the year, and probably of the past few years. And it wasn’t even my idea to buy it, it was my husbands. And even though it is ‘his’ tractor, I think I use it more than he does. It is so nice to be able to groom the arena, move dirt or horse poop! This little Kubota tractor makes fast work of grooming the arena. And by adding the box and arena drag, the ground gets torn up and groomed all at the same time.

Favorite Moment On Horseback

I had a lot of these moments the past year. But I think my favorite moment was going over a small cross rail during a riding lesson. And I was even happier because my husband was there and videoed the moment as it happened.

Yes, my form is horrible, and yes the jump was about 6 inches tall where we jumped it. But I did it. And that was so awesome! I did it! In front of people!

Favorite Moment Out Of The Saddle

I had a lot of these moments this past year. But if I had to narrow it down to one moment, it was after I had surgery last May. For the first time ever, I got to stay home from work for 6 weeks. I had a lot of time with my horses, and my husband. It was such an incredible feeling to wake up every morning and not worry about how I was going to get everything done.

Yeah, I had to have surgery, but toward the end of my recovery, it was more like an extra long vacation! I enjoyed that time off so much that this summer, I have decided I am going to save all of my vacation for the year and take 4 weeks off. And the best part is, I won’t have to have surgery to get that time off, it will be 4 weeks of vacation!

Favorite Between The Ears Photo

While I didn’t take a lot of photos while in the saddle, I had a lot more time in the saddle this year. Thanks in part to taking a weekly riding lesson, I rode soooo much more this year. I just didn’t take much time to capture a true between the ears photo. But I do remember practicing two-point, a lot. And if I would have had my camera, and could have managed balancing while doing two-point, this would have been my favorite between the ears photo of the year.

Favorite Horse Ridden (Other Than Your Own)

This is easy. My most favorite horse I rode this year was Murphy. He was one of the lesson horses I rode at Millbrook. He is such an incredible horse. And I did so many firsts with him. First time cantering in a lesson, first time going over a jump with a trainer, and things like that. If I had the space and a lot of money, I would love to have Murphy for my own. I love this horse!

Favorite Funny Picture Of Your Horse

Ethan always gives me funny photos. He is the biggest ham of a horse I have ever owned. He has such a personality! And the longer I have him, the more he settles in, and the funnier he gets! This horse has so much heart. And while sometimes he frustrates me beyond belief, I love him more and more with every passing day.

Favorite Fence You Jumped or Movement You Conquered

Again, I have to go back to Murphy. He was the first horse I cantered on (in many many years) during my riding lessons. And while cantering might seem easy to most, for me it was a triumphant moment.

Favorite Horse Related Thing I Made

Ok, so this topic was not one included in the original bloghop topic. But I am just so happy we made this last year. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t awful either. And I am so happy, and grateful to have a ‘real’ riding arena! And the best part is that we did it, all by ourselves. With the help of my incredible husband, I have an official riding arena that I can use, year round, when it isn’t snowing. And I have a place where I can keep my jumps or arena set up without the horses destroying it. Yes, I love my arena. I think this is one of my most favorite projects for the past several years. And it will continue to serve me for many years to come. And if you want to see how we made our own riding arena, I have an article sharing the process which you can read, here.

Favorite Horse Meme or Funny Picture

I had one of my horsey friends give this to me, and I literally almost died, it’s so true! Don’t be a quitter! That is now one of our favorite things to say to each other and makes work more tolerable. It’s great to have horsey friends at work! And I can’t wait to see what kind of favorite moments I will have to share with these horsey friends (and you) next year!