It’s a gray day today. Doesn’t matter if you spell it grey or gray it is that kind of day. I picked out a red t-shirt to wear to the gym this morning and realized I had not it seen for awhile. On the front it says: I’ll stop riding when I’m dead. That was the perfect one for today.
I have had this t-shirt for 17 years. I got it in the summer of 2000 . The summer when I was still recovering from a very major surgery for colorectal cancer. But I was back riding! I did not know it then but I would have 10 years of CT scans annually and colonoscopies before I would graduate and be declared a “survivor”. When I put on the t-shirt this morning I thought about what riding and horses mean to me. Biasini is still down in Florida until the end of this week and so I am not riding. That was fine a few days ago as I had lots to catch up with when we first came home. But now? Now I am still busy but there is a big piece that is missing…..my horse. So, I get up and I go to the gym.
THE GYM
I go to the gym so I can be fit enough to ride. I need the endurance and the muscle strength and the mobility and that is what I work on at the gym. After the gym I reward myself by going for a latte. I need a reward because frankly I find the gym a tad boring. It’s ok and I know it serves its purpose but I am motivated to go because of my riding.
MY HORSE AS THERAPIST
There have been a few times when I have been struggling with various issues; health problems for someone in my family, the usual stresses of life affecting me or those close to me. I love to go to the barn and as I go through the gate, I park all the “issues” at the gate and do not pick them up till I drive back out. I can take a break or at least I do my best to take a break.
If I go out on a trail ride I often will talk to my horse. I talk to Biasini and I have talked to the horses before him. They have all listened so well. If there are things that are getting me down or stressing me out I will talk about those things. Out loud! That is my exception to the parking the issues at the gate. I talk to my horse and I tell him the truth.
MY MOTIVATION
I am in training with Biasini. I take regular lessons and we both work hard. I have to make plans and set goals and work toward realizing those goals. Biasini is an athlete and so am I. it does not matter that I will be 68 my next birthday. I am an athlete! This is what keeps me going, what keeps me thinking, what keeps me working toward something in a future I believe I will live to see. A future I believe I will live to see.
And that , Dear Readers, brings me back to my t-shirt. I’ll stop riding when I’m dead. Nothing more to be said about it really. And I think there are two other riders that I have written about recently who would feel the same about their riding. Dale Dedrick, Paralympic equestrian and Janne Rambough, First Lady of Wellington Dressage.
I believe we will all be riding on!
HorseAddict 
I am right there with you Anne. If I didn’t have my horse, it would have been tough to get through my surgeries and the curveballs that life likes to throw at you 🤠
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed!
LikeLike
You have found your passion, enjoy the experience to the utmost, keep on riding without fear or yearning for newer experience. There are many that go through life without touching that milestone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this thoughtful comment.
LikeLike
You are welcome!
LikeLike
❤ ❤ ❤ I talk to mine too and I will stop riding when I am dead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your passion makes you going. Keep it going!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I will.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderfully put together. My favorite post from you now I think!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Elinor. I’m sure you know all of the emotions I express in this post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love your article, you are an amazing lady with all the difficult side steps in life! You just look forward and horses keep us thinking that way, every day as we never finish learning ! We have no time to die !! There is always something new to learn around the corner!!! That red shirt is right!! ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Janne! You know this so well and are living it as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I have the pleasure to do the same
LikeLiked by 2 people
I knew an outstanding lady even older than me, with crappy hips and no way to fix them. Her standard line was, “when I can’t ride any more, just take me out to the pasture and shoot me”! We’ve since lost touch, but I suspect she is still riding (and she is probably one of the most “effective” riders I’ve ever known, but you never actually saw her do a single thing to get the results from the horse that she got). I think of her often as I plow my way through the exercises that keep me strong enough and supple enough (is there ever enough of either???) to ride.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it. I hope she is still riding!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inspiring, motivating and heartfelt!! All the best to you 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m feeling this one… Thank you Anne!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are most welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful post- honest and straight from the heart! All the best, Anne ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Go you! Gives me hope I’ll be back on a horse someday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
When you get back on it will all come back to you. Maybe a few sore muscles for the first couple of times but after that ok!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Inspiring post
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your comment.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome ma’am, keep inspiring 👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ohhh I am currently learning how to ride horse! This is great post that will further motivate me, amazing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good for you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I started going to the gym and working with a trainer four years ago at age 64 because of hip pain. It has made a huge difference in my fitness, strength, balance and attitude.
All of the above have helped me to pursue writing and photography and like you, I plan to die with my pen and/or camera in hand!
I truly believe that when we stop looking forward, we stop living fully.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What an inspiration you are Anne!!! ❤ Thank you so much for sharing… 🙂 I have a t-shirt similar to this, ad love it also!!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your t-shirt reminded me of a few amazing women in their late seventies who struggled to walk but could still ride and would meet up for a weekly hack when they left all their worries behind. Horses are such amazing friends ☺
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are amazing they just “know” when a rider needs a little help.
LikeLiked by 2 people
U sound really fit, that age and still going strong!!! Congratulations.. I can empathise bout the talking part. Horses truly are amazing listeners
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s funny because I find going to the gym, boxing, lifting weight, and Zumba the second to best thing for me. First is walking the beach.
LikeLiked by 3 people
P:erpahs if I did not ride or have a hrose I would get more active with the gym, and join the spin class or the Zumba and then I would be more engaged with it. I like it well enough but I’m not doing all the things you do at the gym. The beach is wonderful isn’t it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sure is
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are a brave lady and an inspiration for all of us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You would be just as brave if faced with the same circumstances. But thank you for the support.
LikeLiked by 3 people