2017 will be rolling into the history books very soon. I have taken a look back through the year at the blog posts I have written. I was torn between several but there are a few trends that are very clear.
STRUGGLE AND SURVIVAL
Three posts that many readers seemed to identify with or find inspiration in were about people who have come through a health struggle, and have survived and carried on. The first one is “The Slender Thread of Hope.” This is my own journey of recovery from colorectal cancer.
Another story that many were drawn to is ‘When Life Hands You Lemons” This is the story of Eddo Hoekstra, a Grand Prix dressage rider , trainer and coach who was struck with a series of strokes that robbed him of his future as a rider. But he turned it around to become a great clinician and teacher who inspires many other riders.
And finally the story of Dale Dedrick, Paralympian. Dale had qualified as a surgeon when auto immune disease struck and basically took her life away from her. At least most of her life other than horses. Paralympian! Equestrian! Warrior! is the remarkable story of Dale Dedrick and how she has fought back time after time.
OUTSIDE THE BOX
One post focused on a very interesting technique that my Florida coach, Luis Reteguiz Denizard uses. He teaches his students to ride the mounting block. Do I hear you say: What?? Well this post explains how this can help any rider, of any level, improve their seat , position and effectiveness. Curiously enough this post was popular enough that Luis was asked to give a clinic on riding the mounting block. The Beginners Guide to Riding the Mounting Block.
REAL LIFE
Many athletes dream of going to the Olympics. My coach at home in Canada, Belinda Trussell, has ridden for her country in two Olympics: Athens and Rio. But what is it like when after all the work, all the preparation and all the excitement you come home and the Olympics are over. In this interview with Belinda she talks about life when she returned from Rio. So… you Competed in the Olympics. Now What?
STARS AND GRAND MASTERS.
Last winter the film La La Land was winning awards and audiences. At about that time I interviewed a young couple who are successful dressage riders and competitors rising to the top of the international scene. Meet the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone of Dressage. In this interview they talked with me about being a married couple and having to compete against or should I say “with” each other and at the same time parent two young children.
Then in October the Dressage Star of the World , Carl Hester ,came to town. I did posts on both days of the clinic he gave at the Caledon Equestrian Park. Despite both posts being longer than my usual I still had lots of things that I had not put into those posts. So I felt it deserved a third post: The Wit and Wisdom of Carl Hester This post had the most views for 2017 and there are still people taking a look at it today.
ON TO 2018!
The World Equestrian Games will be held in Tryon NC in September. This will make it a very interesting and competitive winter season in Florida as the riders compete to get places on their nations’ teams. I am planning to do interviews with the Canadian riders who are hoping to represent Canada in Dressage at the WEG.
I will also be writing about my own riding and training and competitions. No doubt my horse, Biasini, will be “speaking” again. So let me ask you…..
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FROM ME IN 2018? Leave some comments below!
! Tomorrow I will be posting a Guest Post by Gayle Jorgenson of The Fuzzy Fanatic. Then I shall be absent for a few days enjoying the holiday with family. Best wishes to all readers and followers for much happiness and best of health in 2018!
HorseAddict 
I’d love to hear from you!