Hey, my name’s Lindzer. I’ve been riding for nearly 12 years now, and have always been a Classical Dressage rider! I started out riding Dressage, using my background with it to become a Classical Event rider, unknowing that I was one of just a handful in the Eventing world. I’ve been able to catch-ride at hunter-jumper barns just to get something between my legs and in front of them, thinking of my Eventing career all the while, through out small detours.
Right now, I’m getting my barns sorted out. My first and forever instructor, Gael, lives 90 minutes away in the town that I was born and raised in. When I was 2, my parents relocated to where I live now shortly before the birth of my only brother. I keep my horse with her right now while the barn I’m waiting to board at, Redtail Ridge, is finished with their 4-6 stall addition In the mean time, I only get to go up on weekends to ride once, or twice if I get lucky, because of how far Gael is from my house. Luckily, my dad’s parents live in the same town, so I can have an excuse to come up to see Gael more often, and have a place to stay if I need one; considering that Gael knows ahead of time and everything. I always threaten that one day I’ll move into the little apartment at Gael’s barn and have her daughter, Michele, home school me, since she’s a certified teacher who is now the Director at The Equestrian Therapy Program at Fasset Farms. Michele keeps her three horses with her mom, and lives just across the street and a few turns. But then there’s my dad who pulls the cheesy, “Well I’ll miss you too much!” line, and how can you argue with that? He’s keeping my life the way I want it, so he wins. (:
In school, I am an A average student, known as being one of the regular kids in my class, and for my love of horses. I am a freshmen in high school (2013 baby!) and am taking mostly regular classes, Enriched PESS (Physical & Earth System Studies) being my only “smart kids” class. Somewhat against my will, I am swimming for school, which is just November-February. GO CARDS!
So, you probably want to know what this blog is about, right?
My horse is not your average bay Thoroughbred gelding, although he may look it. Officially named Before Color, he’s known as Deco, or Pony, Horse, Decodawg, DecoPony, Big Brown, Pip, Baby, Decily, or Dawg. He is a 10 y/o bay Thoroughbred gelding, 16.1h in height, and has gone Training level with a past trainer. Because of the first trainer that we went through together that was close to my house, since Gael is too far, Deco’s gone through some traumatic experiences. Long story short, Deco has surpassed a 26.28% tear on his right front suspensory ligament and has minor trust issues that are getting better. By trust, I mean anything that has to do with humans, period. Deco is ear shy [occasionally], deathly afraid of whips being moved around [taken from the wall or being put on the wall or being mounted with the rider holding on] when there’s a rider on him but alright about them on the ground, and other issues. They aren’t something that is all that shocking and horrible, but to me, it seems like it. Especially when everything all fell apart at once, and I was still working for the monster who ruined my horse twice over. Not only did she ruin my horse, but she trashed my hands and seat while I was with her; and I’m just now breaking the habits, nearly 5 months later.
This blog is about how Deco and I have started on our second chance, after being together for one year; our bond holding us together through all the problems. Deco’s health is perfect, and I’m riding with Gael until the stalls at Redtail are done, so we’re good for now; although I only get to ride on the weekends, only some weekends depending thankfully.
We live and we learn, to take ONE STEP at a time.
