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And now…..

I can honestly tell you that last weekend while getting Biasini to the show and watching Lynsey ride him through two tests, I did not think”Gosh I wish I was showing”.Not once. It never even crossed my mind. I should be clear that I have done lots of showing in dressage for over 20 years. Five different horses over those years. I have shown Biasini in the Prix St.George and the Intermediare 1.We have done well and we have also done not so well depending on the day. This June I will be 74 years old. And I had a grand time just watching my horse .Just watching.

But what does all this mean for the future? Will I go into the show ring again? I doubt it.Not just because I cannot ride my horse as well as Lynsey but because I don’t have the desire to show. If I did I would have felt that over the two days of being at the show. It is not something that beckons to me anymore.

I go to lots of shows to take photos for my blog. And it is not like I am giving up. I am listening to the voice in my head and it isn’t saying. “I would l love to be in this show.”

So there you have it.

Biasini and Lynsey in the ring.

Lynsey ,Biasini, and Super Groom Lexi get ready to head over to the warmup.

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anne leueen

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Comments

33 responses to “And now…..”

  1. Tina Schell Avatar
    Tina Schell

    I’ve always rather thought of you and Biasini as best friends rather than horse and rider Anne. And of course you will continue in that role, which must be very precious to you. Here’s to the next phase of your friendship.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Tina for this lovely comment ❤️

      Reply
  2. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    Stepping away on your own terms, that is all we can hope for, in any pursuit. I wish there could have been one last hurrah in the show ring. Coach Trish has said winning and success is not the point. It is going out on a sunny day, or a crappy day, and enjoying your ride to the max. When Elizabeth read this, she said she and Lilith will have to go out and win something for you.

    Now, we do expect when you’re fixed up and healed up, that you’ll stay with the lessons. You have a good coach in Belinda, one who pushes you and challenges you to ride better and be better each time. Just go out and do it.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I certainly plan on continuing with training and lessons with Belinda. I’m not a Happy Hacker yet. Thanks for your comment. Tell Elizabeth I would be happy to have her win something for me. 😄

      Reply
      1. Deborah Avatar
        Deborah

        Elizabeth and Lilith won the $145,100 1.50m FEI Grand Prix CSI3* this afternoon. She did it in a convincing manner, being the only rider to finish clear … which, of course, means no jump off. Tara and I pulled the top rail on the very last fence. I can’t believe we did that. Elizabeth said the win is for you. Congratulations, Anne. 🐎🥇🥇🐎

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          WEll please tell Elizabeth that it means a lot to me to have that win dedicated to me. You do know that I started out in the jumpers. It was so long ago that they used to put the heights of the jumps in feet. The highest I ever jumped in competition was 4 ft. I was at a barn where the guy who ran it was a horse trader and was always getting horses in to be sold. He would get me or my friend to ride them in shows so people could see them.

          Reply
  3. MichaelStephenWills Avatar
    MichaelStephenWills

    You have a wise attitude.

    Reply
  4. Terri Webster Schrandt Avatar
    Terri Webster Schrandt

    I believe it is so important to embrace our limitations and enjoy the memories, Anne. I’m sure watching Biasini and his handler provide you with hours of joy!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes! his rider is such a good rider that she is able to get a level of engagement from him that I would not be able to. So it is splendid to watch. Thanks for your comment Terri.

      Reply
  5. Avery Avatar
    Avery

    Grand! So long as you and B enjoy each other and life, nothing else matters. You do you, no excuses!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes exaclty! Thanks Avery

      Reply
  6. Rupali Avatar
    Rupali

    I am glad you accept the changes Anne and enjoy watching Biasini. Are you covering the event?

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes i am . Today I went ot take photos of my coach Belinda Trussell who was riding in this weekends’ show.

      Reply
      1. Rupali Avatar
        Rupali

        That’s great.

        Reply
  7. kevinashton Avatar
    kevinashton

    Dear Anne,
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts about changes in our lives.

    In the last few years I have made lots of changes as a chef, because of my age.
    Some more welcome than others such as spending lots of my time teaching cooking via zoom at home instead of spending 12 hours in a kitchen.

    I have more time for exercise and spending time with my wife and funnily enough my eating habits are better than younger me.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thanks for sharing your experiences. I appreciate hearing your point of view!😀

      Reply
  8. scrapydo2.wordpress.com Avatar
    scrapydo2.wordpress.com

    Good to hear that you are at peace with your decision not to ride Biasini in shows. There are other ways you can still enjoy every moment of him.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I agree 💯

      Reply
  9. cagedunn Avatar
    cagedunn

    There are many ways to participate and enjoy a life with horses. I still enjoy giving short courses to kids at pony club on basic dressage and jumping (mainly cavaletti), and sometimes a bit about how to care for a paddock agisted horse.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes indeed..there are many ways to have life with horses. Thanks Cage 💕

      Reply
  10. Lesley Avatar
    Lesley

    I can understand the way you feel, Anne. The stress of competing has been replaced by the sheer joy of watching Biasini perform, and it’s freed you to be able to observe, take photos and take notes for your blogging. I’m so glad that you got much joy from this experience and lots to look forward to in an exciting new direction. 😀

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Lesley. I agree 💯

      Reply
  11. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    “listening to the voice in my head,…” that is wise thing to do, Anne!

    Reply
  12. whippetwisdom Avatar
    whippetwisdom

    This is a wonderful realisation Anne and gives you, in a way, more freedom of choice in your journey with Biasini. There’s so much to enjoy and be grateful for in all of this and that is worth celebrating too 💕🐎💕 xxx

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Xenia!! I agree.😀

      Reply
  13. Emma Cownie Avatar
    Emma Cownie

    I am glad that you enjoyed the show as an observer and photographer.

    Reply
  14. Pepper Avatar
    Pepper

    Good thinking . There is much more out there for you. Sounds like shows will still be a part of your life but just in a different form. Excited for you. 😊

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thanks so much for this supportive comment!💕

      Reply
  15. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
    Suzette Benjamin

    Anne, your path is in your heart. Whatever you choose is best. Enjoy!

    Reply
  16. Alli Farkas Avatar
    Alli Farkas

    I don’t show anymore either. My horse doesn’t have it in her, and we never made it beyond second level. I have taken a long side trip to purely classical dressage. Knowing that, I can’t imagine forcing her into the image the judges want to see nowadays. So we work with our trainer, who is of a like mind and only cares about how correctly we ride. BTW I will be one year older than you this year! Happy 70’s!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      And Happy birthday for whenever you reach a higher 70s number. 💐🎉

      Reply
  17. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    What a lovely post, Anne. You’re intending a new direction for yourself, it will be a grand adventure for sure.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Thank you Laura. I think it will be grand too!

      Reply

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