Liebster Award (I know, I'm late)

This blog has been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award more than once. Thank you all who nominated me! I'd love to answer all the questions from everyone ... but I don't have the time and also, I am lazy. SO ... I will just answer one set and leave it at that. Also I know this award has made the rounds already so I won't be nominating anyone who making up my own questions since everyone who I would nominate has pretty much already done this little questionaire.

HOW TO ACCEPT THE AWARD: The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued. Here are the rules for accepting the award:

•Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog.

•List 11 random facts about yourself.
•Answer the 11 questions given to you.
•Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate.
•Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs.
•Go to each blogger’s page and let them know you have nominated them.

11 random facts

1. I have a degree in Equestrian Studies from the University of Findlay. Also a journalism graphics degree from Ball State University.
2. I have congenital hammer toe on both feet.
3. I am going to be an aunt in October.
4. I hate tomatoes.
5. As much as I have tried over the years (and trust me, I have tried), I still just do not like beer. Certain craft beers I do sort of like but I still think Bud Light, Coors, etc etc taste awful. Mixed drinks and wine are a different story ...
6. I ate earthworms as a toddler. My parents let me.
7. In 2009 I followed Phish from Hampton, Virginia, to Indio, California. I'm still a Phishhead.

8. I do not like the Beatles. Yeah, I said it.
9. My friend and I once crashed a golf cart into some lady's MERCEDES. (that one's for you, Lauren! haha!)
10. I collect model horses and also was once very into showing them. (But then I got Hampton and he eats all my money) I'll have to do a post of this "underground" hobby of mine.
11. In grade school, my music teacher told me to lip sync the christmas musical because I was such a bad singer.

11 Questions For You


1. How do you manage to fit riding into your life?
I have a lot of people tell me that my job schedule really blows. I work 3:30 to midnights most nights. But frankly, I have really learned to love this schedule. My days usually start around 9 when I go out to the barn and ride Hampton and/or Rex. Then I will clean 5 stalls, sweep and maybe drag the arena. By now, it's about 1 p.m. I then have time to grab lunch, shower, dink around on the computer a bit before 3:30 rolls around and I go into work. This schedule works really well for me and allows me to ride nearly every day.

2. If you could train with anyone for one year, who would it be and why?
JJ Tate. I really admire her focus, her drive and of course her riding. I also really admire Catherine Haddad and of course the Kaisers in Indiana.

3. What is your dream job (horse related or otherwise)?
I'd love to design for an equine magazine someday! Not sure about the pay tho ... derrrr....

4. What has been your biggest disappointment when riding?
When I lose my temper. Ugh.

5. What has been the happiest achievement in your riding?
A 71% at Second Level ranks up there ... actually just trotting down the centerline at a USDF show in Second Level was pretty awesome for me. Also ranking up there is the first ride on Hampton.

6. Tell me about your favorite horse.
Hampton and Sparkles are tied for my favorite horses ever. I don't think I need to go into a lot about Hampton. Since you read this blog, you probably know more about him that you bargained for.

7. Does your family support your riding and if so, how and if not, how do you deal with it?
Yes very much so! My sister and I used to share show horses. She still loves horses but now has a "normal" life (husband, bun in the oven, house, etc) so she doesn't ride anymore. My parents are major enablers of my horse "problem" and still come to shows to cheer us on and buy me random horse-related items. Infact for Christmas, my mom just hands me the Dover catelog and tells me to mark what I want. haha! Without my parents I would never be where I am today, that is for sure. My mom really loves horses as well and is a bombdiggity horse show mom. She can do makeup, do any type of hair, tie stock ties, tie regular ties, pin coats, pin numbers, you name it. My dad is also super and always brings OJ and donuts on horse show mornings (even though he knows I will not eat anything until after I ride haha). My dad also has been a gate keeper and warm up ring announcer at Saddlebred/Morgan shows in the past as well. For those of you who have been to Come Again Farm in Indiana, my dad is the one who did all of the tile in the bathrooms! (unless it has been redone recently ... he tiled it back when it was Lowry Stables). Over the years they have actually become quite educated and know a good horse when they see one.

8. Tell me about your biggest "aha" moment.
Too many to list really. I don't really have one that is "bigger" than the others. All the "aha" moments build upon another.

9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I really love Louisville so far but I think my favorite place is Boulder, Colorado.

10. Describe your dream horse (price is no object).
To be totally honest, I already have my dream horse. Of course I could wish for a fancy mover. A Grand Prix dressage horse (Valegro! yes please) but Hampton is a rare find, too. He may not be fancy, but I can ride a Second Level test on him one minute, and the next we can go on a trail ride. He carries beginners around with such care and concern. You just cannot train that into a horse. He is always willing to try for me - even when I am expiramenting and making no sense whatsoever. He is friendly and happy and just a good egg. We take care of each other and he is just so honest. I would much rather have a horse like him, than a super fancy mover who was not honest.

11. What is your favorite horse items (tack or apparel)?
Heritage bridles, Piper breeches from SmartPak, Cowboy Magic, Sore No more, County Perfection saddles heh heh