Year in Review

In my usual blogging tradition, I am sitting in front of the fire, ready to recap my last year. 2012 was a fast paced and exciting year that brought a lot of changes. I got to travel, try new things, and meet some really fantastic and important people. I feel like this year brought a lot of tragedy to a lot of people I know and love, but the year was kind to me. I went into the year unemployed and at a loss for what to do next, but with a renewed attitude and sense of determination, and with a brilliant man at my side. So here it is... my month by month recap of the last year.

Sorry if this is disjointed!



January
The year started in style with a trip to the beach with Mike, Herbie, and my new camera.

Mike was rapidly taking more and more interest in the horses and even rode Ozzy for his first formal riding lesson.

We were both on break from work and spent a good bit of time hiking through the winter months. We explored Schooley's Mountain, Baldpate, Clayton Park, and the D&R Canal. We also took up driving around the back roads of New Jersey. I dabbled with HDR photography for the first time.

We were both living for the moment and took the time to enjoy things like meteor showers and storms together. I was positively giddy as our relationship blossomed.

I learned to ride a quad and had a blast.

We even tried to take up bike riding... but that was short lived!

I met Ann at Animal Alliance and learned a bit about being a vet tech. I came home exhausted, but with a newly realized passion. I felt like I had helped the greater good, and considered becoming a vet tech full time. Soon after, I started to help Carolyn out at McSNIP, her spay/neuter cat clinic. At first I just helped out as she needed it, but it wasn't long before I had a part time job, teching for her three days a week. It's not a high paying gig, but it gives me a deep sense of satisfaction, and fuels my good karma. I have learned a LOT about cats and medicine in the last year. I have seen stories both of heart break and miraculous success. I think I'm a better person for the time I've spent working with Carolyn.

Despite the fact that we no longer worked together, Erin and I still made time to hang out. Mike and I accompanied her to the Horse Park for Jabby's first schooling.

We had a very mild winter, but got enough snow for some photo ops.

We took advantage of the powdering to go horse sledding with Kim and company. Mike started to realize that I might be a little on the crazy side. Haha.

This year I took it pretty easy on Oz. I swore right from the get-go that I wouldn't be competing with him at all in 2012. I miss riding my horse for hours and hours every week, but I think it's been good for him to sit and unwind, and every time I've ridden him this year has been a pleasure, starting with our eight mile jaunt from the farm to Washington's Crossing and across Baldpate. Having access to the mountain without the need for a horse trailer has really opened up a world of riding for us.

We wrapped up the month with a return trip to the beach. It turned out to be a magical night that I think will stick with us for the rest of our lives. We got within ten feet of wild foxes and watched seals frolic in the ocean at sunset.

February
February started on a scary note when Mike and I went hiking in the Watershed and nearly lost Herbie. She took off after a deer and we spent a panic stricken hour searching for her. We found her not far from where she'd taken off, but it got both our heart rates through the roof.

But we soon had a much better hiking experience when we met up with Kaitlin and her dog, Monty, for a hike through the Assunpink.

We also made time to drive out to Long Island, where Mike suffered a nasty horse bite that left his arm scarred, and where we had dinner with Melissa.

After we came home, we hauled hay for my own horses, using Mike's lowered Chevy S10. I swore I'd never make fun of his little truck ever again.

I started to casually think about getting back into horses, and possibly making money along the way. I even drove out to PA to look at a potential sale horse. The young Morgan mare was very cute, but not what I was looking for. Still, she got the wheels in my head turning.

Mike came to Carolyn's and dropped a bunch of big trees for her. I took the time to take really creepy photos of guinea hens.

On the side, I started making some money by giving riding lessons. I had my first 'real' student. Agnes came to ride every week and learned in leaps and bounds. Her vote of confidence further fueled the horse business flame. Agnes has, since then, gotten pregnant and taken a hiatus from riding, but she promises to come back in the spring. She quickly became a friend as well as a student, and reminded me that running my own business would mean picking and choosing the people I work with.

I continued to ride Ozzy in my free time. I was enjoying him more than ever, and his training hadn't suffered from his sitting idly in the field.

The more I thought about it, the more it made sense, and at the end of February, I launched my horse training website, and waited to see what would happen. Mike gave me his full support, running on crazy horse errands with me, building me a mounting block, and offering to catch me financially if I fell on my face.

March

Almost immediately after I started advertising, I got my first training client, the infamous CP. I had known the pony as a two year old, when I boarded Ozzy at the same barn. Apparently, the pony had turned into quite the problem child and his owner sent him to me to fix and train.

I got on the pony and he. was. wicked. He launched me on the first ride, but I got right back on. He was tense and green and prone to bucking fits, but I was determined to make it work.

But with some consistent riding and a good bit of velcro butt, the troublesome chestnut started to come around, and I realized I was dealing with a VERY nice horse.

In the mean time, I started to get the endurance bug again. Ozzy wasn't ready to compete, but I started looking into some other options. I went riding with Jen and Sunraider, then with Wendy and Ival. While I was with Wendy and Ival, I met the ECTRA president, Cate, and her two horses, Spot and Poe. We spent a fun filled weekend riding in the Pine Barrens, and despite the fact that Wendy got dumped in the river and nearly drowned, I had a good time. 

In the mean time, Mike and I continued to enjoy life outside of horses, which included my old friend Joelene's wedding. I hadn't seen her in years and I was thrilled to be invited. Mike and I enjoyed one of the best weddings I've ever been to, which featured everything from slow dancing to a magician and a mentalist!

Unfortunately, the month also featured a great deal of sadness. Mike's cousin lost her year old son and we went to the funeral. The tiny casket is an image I won't forget any time soon.

Life continued on at an out of control pace, but I made time for friends and family in the midst of the chaos. Tor came down and galloped Ozzy around. Mike and I accompanied Erin to the Assunpink where she rode Willie into the sunset. 

I had my first photography client for the year, a young Lusitano dressage horse. 

Mike and I spent an early morning at Round Valley with his sister and HER dogs.

We wrapped up the month with a three day trip to North Carolina. Erin had a job interview, but the three of us decided to make a road trip out of it. Mike and I spent a night sleeping in the hatchback (ouch!) and gazing at the stars. The three of us (and Herbie) hiked up a real mountain and took in some stunning views. It was just the mini vacation we all needed, despite some major frustrations with my bank card. We also stopped in Virginia to see my friend, Kelly, who I don't get to visit nearly enough.

When we came back, it was right back to work. I worked with GQ, a prized jumper with a trailer loading issue, and went to evaluate JR, a crabby 14 year old Morgan pony with a bucking issue.

Spring arrived in New Jersey and my bunny, Kodak, enjoyed spending time grazing in our back yard.

We introduced CP to trail riding by ponying him around Baldpate mountain with the older horses.

April

April started with a bang. I went to Maryland to ride Spot in the Chesapeake Spring CTR at Fair Hill. Cate was running the ride so I rode Spot and Wendy rode Poe. Mike ended up saving the day as the in timer and Spot and I came in 1st at the end of the weekend. It was only after I had bonded with the stubborn appaloosa that I learned that he has cancer and his time on the earth is limited. 

When I came home, I started a new morning gig, feeding horses for a woman named Emily, who I had crossed paths with many times in the endurance world. The gig ended up being short-lived, but Emily was impressed with my work ethic and knowledge. We wound up forming a lasting friendship and I count myself blessed to have her in my life. 

I also started working with Romeo, Jen's two year old American Warmblood. He is an absolute joy to work with and a quick learner to boot.

We had a pasture expert out to assess the farm and find out how many horses I could potentially board if my business took off.

CP continued to make progress and went on his first real trail ride at Baldpate. He is a stellar trail pony and loves being out and about.

Crysta came to visit from the west coast and I gave her a whirlwind tour of NJ, which included horse farms and abandoned buildings.

Mike and I celebrated Easter with my family and our hippo.

I got to meet OnTheBit and Marissa and their horses on a wonderful Friday the 13th. There was trailer loading and photography and more laughter than you can shake a riding crop at.

I took Mike to visit baby horses at Bluestone and dragged him to Maryland to help my dad with his boat.

The weather was getting nice and I had Christine come down and ride with me. I put her on Art and gave her a refresher course since she'd been out of the saddle for a few years. My secret hope was to get her riding with me regularly. Little did I know!

Melissa asked me to dog sit Roxie for her and I gladly agreed, so we wound up with an ancient beagle for a few days.

Ozzy tried to escape the indoor by jumping a four foot gate and wound up breaking the gate instead.

JR, the supposed problem pony, moved in at the end of the month. He settled in quickly and it wasn't long before he proved that he was worth his weight in gold. The bucking issue resolved immediately when I pin pointed that he was back sore and rode him in a saddle that actually fit. 

CP made so much progress under saddle that I thought it would be time to try him with another rider. I invited Erin down and she hopped on him, and fell in love as quickly as I did.

I drove up to North Jersey to see Cara and take sale photos of Mikey for her. The horse looked great and it was good to see him happy again. He wound up finding a wonderful home with an elderly woman looking for a horse to hack around.

Ozzy turned 11 and I wondered where the time has gone.

Mike started to build jumps for me and I gladly took him up on the offer. It turns out he has a very real talent for making these things and it wasn't long before he constructed an entire course for me. He sells the jumps on the side and I'm really hoping it takes off for him. In the mean  time, I got to see a baby squirrel up close when it wandered into his yard during construction.

Since I had the jumps available, I started CP over fences and evaluated JR. Both ponies proved to be awesome jumpers.

May

I brought home a pair of little black kittens to foster until they were old enough to eat on their own. Herbie fell in love and stepped in as their surrogate mommy.

I started working with Traz, a young OTTB who was being rushed through his training and acted out as a result. His owner was amazed at how much progress he made in just one session... without gadgets and in an unfamiliar place!

I briefly contemplated a pair of miniature donkeys, but decided I really don't need any more animals.

Despite the fact that we were competing, I bought Ozzy a fancy endurance hackamore. I think he looks rather dashing in it.

Jersey Fresh came to town. I missed almost all of the cross country this year, but did catch some of the stadium jumping. Herbie, at least, had a great time running in the water complex with the other dogs. 

JR started to earn his keep by giving lessons. He proved to be a very well rounded pony... capable of teaching toddlers and beginners, and happy to turn around and jump courses and conquer XC. I started to get very attached to the honest little guy.

Emily went away and hired me to ride her mare, Tryssta, while she was away. She was a very nice horse and I had a good time working with her. She was for sale and eventually wound up getting a great home in Virginia.

CP was really starting to come together as a riding horse.

Christine started taking regular lessons on JR. She and the pony formed a bond almost instantly. We started jokingly calling him 'her' pony.

Herbie made friends with Jen's one-eared pig. It was like something off Animal Planet.

I drove several hours into Pennsylvania to compete in the Glass Memorial CTR with Poe. It was a two day 50 and we wound up finishing second. Cate and I rode together, with her and Spot. The scenery was gorgeous and the weather was brutal. I felt very accomplished when we finished. 

Ozzy was still resting at home, but he was looking good and keeping himself fit.

Emily and I started riding together. She invited me to condition her horses with her. She's sane and has a lot of the same training philosophies that I do. Her horses are well trained and have manners. Riding with her proved to be a great getaway for me throughout the year.

Marissa and I joined forces to go XC schooling. Unbeknownst to me, it was to be Tucker's XC debut. Funny coincidence... it was CP's first time too! We wound up having a great time, and I was pretty convinced that CP wanted to be an eventer. He was honest, bold, and had plenty of scope to spare. Marissa proved to be the perfect schooling buddy and I had an absolute blast riding with her.

I got sad news about an old training client. Yankee Dreamboat, the sweet older broodmare who I had saddle trained in 2009 had passed away in her stall one night. I contacted her owner with my condolences and she offered to hire me to train her other horse, a Swedish Warmblood named Jazz.

June

Emily and I started the month with a ride at Hawk Mountain in PA. The views were stunning and we made it back to the trailer just before the skies opened up. It was my first time riding Chotori and I started to wonder if I should just suck it up and get an Arabian as my next endurance horse.

I got a call from a woman in Ringoes who had two problem horses, a standardbred and a thoroughbred. They had injured her on several occasions and she wanted to get them safe enough to sell. And so I met Dallas and Clarence. Over the next several months, I made quick and steady progress with the two horses. Before she knew it, their owner was proclaiming that they turned out to be the best damn horses she's ever owned. It was one of my biggest success stories for the year.

I visited Erin at her new job and took some pretty cool photos.

In June, I took a nasty fall off of JR. It was my fault for jumping ahead and I just happened to land the wrong way. Luckily, I wasn't seriously injured, but my helmet was in pieces and my face was badly swollen.

Carolyn brought home a litter of foster puppies from down south, where they'd been living off table scraps under a deck. I photographed them and loved on them, and it wasn't long before they found homes.

CP's jumping training progressed in literal leaps and bounds. Mike's jumps started getting fancier and fancier.

I drove up to Boston and back in one day to see my brother graduate from MIT. He is basically a genius and I am very, very proud of him. He's in grad school at MIT now, after working the summer at Apple in California. I jokingly tell him not to forget about me when he strikes it rich. After all, I wasn't as mean as I could have been when we were kids.

Tor and I took CP and JR to a hunter pace in the Amwell Valley. Despite another fall, this time off CP, it was an awesome day. The ponies went above and beyond and Tor and I had the time of our lives. We swore we'd have to do a ride with our own horses some time in the future.

Kitten season was in full bloom. I can't even tell you how many cats I handled this year.

I did an evaluation ride on an older thoroughbred named Charlie. He was awesome.

Christine continued to take lessons and it wasn't long before she was jumping JR.

I continued to work with Romeo, teaching him to ground drive and stand still at the mounting block.

I took a four hour trail ride through the Amwell Valley with Emily, learning new trails and enjoying the weather and the good company.

This year, I finally got to spend some time with Tor and her own horse, Cola. I even went out and took some pictures of them together, and even rode him myself once.

Mike and I took a detour on our way home one day and wound up finding a tiny fawn hiding in the woods. I got one of my favorite photos for the year.

July

Mike built me a lattice jump. It was super fancy :)

Some of my favorite teens, Rachel and Kristin, came to visit and ride. If there's one thing I miss about my old job, it's my volunteers. Getting to see them really brightens my day. Rachel's mom ended up signing her up for weekly lessons for the rest of the summer, which was pretty cool.

CP was working more consistently and jumping better than ever. He was starting to look like a real horse.

We took a break from the heat by rafting down the Delaware. We couldn't find enough real rafts for everyone so we resorted to pool toys. And then we got caught in a wicked thunderstorm and BARELY made it to safety. What can I say? We know how to have fun.

After our first batch of puppies found homes, Carolyn brought home three pit mixes to foster for Animal Alliance. The three girls were rescued and adopted out in memory of an animal rescuer who had lost her battle with cancer.

The other great friend I made this year was Sandy, another endurance person who I had narrowly missed meeting on several occasions. She brought her leased Belgian cross, Snuffy, down for a ride with Ozzy and me. Good times were had by all.

About halfway through the month, I made up my month about keeping JR and announced to his owner that I'd like to take on a long term free lease with the pony. And so my horsey family went from one to one and a half. I couldn't be happier.

Meanwhile, my client list was growing. I started working with a Gypsy Vanner named Wink in south Jersey. 

Mike's sister was super pregnant by July and we went up for her baby shower, where I learned that her next door neighbor knew my first boss (the one I got Ozzy from) and took some of his horses after he moved to Florida. Small world!

By that point, Tor was coming out pretty regularly to ride CP. She and the pony really clicked, and his training was really coming along. He got softer and more responsive and he seemed to grow more talented with each passing day.

I started writing for the Team Unruly blog, and was extremely flattered to be a part of such an amazing group of dog owners and blog writers. I don't spend nearly enough time doing it, but being a part of the blog makes me very happy.

In a moment that made me feel like the world's worst dog owner, I slammed Herbie's tail in a car door. She recovered quickly and with no lasting effects, but I made it up to her anyway by spoiling her with treats and toys and extra snuggles.

As the year progressed, Mike and I spent more and more time cooking together. We discovered that we work really well as a team in the kitchen, and our mutual love of food and experimenting makes cooking fun!

Christine and I went on a trail riding adventure and accidentally ended up at Southwind, where we got yelled at for trespassing. We retreated with our tails between our legs and tried to smooth things over with the neighbors.

Kim invited us over for another pony play date and I got to gallop my favorite percheron cross.

August

I started working with Lilly, a Missouri Foxtrotter mare who had a history of neglect and who had gotten off to a late start in life. As the months progressed, she turned out to be quite the trail horse.

I also started working with Booger, Lilly's two year old half Arabian daughter. Booger is opinionated and tough, but beautiful and smart. I'm excited to see what 2013 brings for me and her.

Tor continued to jump CP around.

Meanwhile, Erin had a project of her own. I went to the Horse Park to take pictures of her and Gem the wonder pony on the cross country course. Gem was available through Horse Rescue United and wound up finding the perfect home with a teenager to call his own. Much better than living chained in someone's yard!

I decided I'd had enough of watching other people show their wonder ponies and entered CP in a series of dressage shows. He blew me away with his willingness to work as well as his scores. He qualified for championships and earned Reserve Champion in his division.

Herbie disrupted what was a profitable and fun summer by impaling herself on god only knows what and needing to be rushed to the animal hospital, where she got $1000 worth of stitches. Thankfully she recovered with barely a scar. She scared us half to death though. We never found the culprit that caused the wound.

By then, Mike had a lime green mohawk, which we took everywhere from the hospital to the balloon festival.

Sadly, Herbie wasn't the only animal to have a bad month. My bunny passed away quietly in his sleep in the middle of the month. He lived a long life and was plenty spoiled, but I was still unexpectedly heartbroken about it.

I got on Romeo for the first time. It went swimmingly.

The three pit puppies found homes and Carolyn brought in the next batch of pups, six Sato puppies from Puerto Rico.

Mike and I got in a fender bender coming home from his mom's house one night. It was raining and the other driver tried to jump around us over double yellow and side swiped the car. We ended up in court with her to make sure she got the full extent of the law.

Christine and I spent much of the month playing 'pony pals' with CP and JR. We laughed like school girls and galloped around like we always dreamed of doing when we were kids.

I FINALLY crossed skinny dipping off my bucket list. Mike and I re-visited one of our favorite 'date' ideas... dinner and sunset at Round Valley.

Herbie made a comeback from her injury and was delighted to be allowed to play fetch again. And by fetch, I mean extreme fetch.

September

September was not a good month. Bryce's dad suffered a massive heart attack and never woke up again. We were all thrown into a vicious grieving cycle, and I felt helpless as Bryce's world fell apart in front of me.

On the same day, Mike's sister had her baby, a boy they named John Michael.

I made time to go see Sandy and her new horse at her farm in north Jersey. I met her 45 year old horse, and a dog who reminds me a lot of my own Herbie.

CP was listed for sale.

Dallas and Clarence proved to be rock steady trail horses. Their owner and I started going on weekly adventures together.

I spent a day with my friend, Lynn, and played 'pretend agility' with Herbie.

Jazz moved in to my barn for six weeks of training while her owner was away on business.

We made a trip out to Devon to see the jumpers.

I went back to Maryland to do the Chesapeake Fall  CTR with Poe. We did a three day 80 and finished Reserve Champions. I battled the flu and cramps, and Poe and I got stung by a whole nest of bees just three miles from the finish, but we completed.

October

The month flew by because Mike and I worked Haunted again. This year I played a creepy, but silent ghost in the piano room. We had some good scares and some good laughs, but think it might have been our last year.

Romeo went on his first trail ride... with yours truly on board.

I started working with Spyder, a standardbred I broke to ride as a youngster, and his adopter, Jess. The two of them are making awesome progress and have a bright future ahead of them.

CP moved off my farm, ending his seven month stay.

I did a rescue transport for HRU, pulling Lucille A from the Amish in Pennsylvania. Tor was my faithful co-pilot and helped me maintain my sanity on the seven hour round trip.

I decided it was a good month for horse rescue and decided to do some plotting of my own to save another standardbred mare, Aurorapedia, from a fate with the Amish. I donated a free evaluation ride and fund raised through my blog, then found her a home with an old sailing friend's girlfriend. It took a lot of planning and scurrying, but the mare is safe.

Mike and I celebrated our 'official' one year anniversary by catching a loose cow in the Amwell Valley.

Tor managed to get her hands on a truck and trailer and come down for the AVTA fall hunter pace. We accomplished our goal of riding our horses together and Ozzy proved that he's sound enough to do an event here or there. It was a blast!

Christine J. invited me out to ride her friend's Belgian mare, Annabelle. I hadn't ridden a full blooded Belgian since my high school days and I was squealing with delight.

I met and evaluated an OTTB named Rovi who had a nasty bolting habit, and was probably one of the more dangerous horses I worked with this year. His owner really absorbed what I was saying and has made progress with him since.

Jazz worked hard through her stay at my farm, conquering old dressage moves as well as trail riding.

I was introduced to Rosie, the nicest horse I've ever ridden and was presented with the amazing opportunity to take four lessons a week with a Grand Prix rider. It wound up not panning out for a multitude of reasons, but it was a gorgeous facility, a gorgeous horse, and a very lucky opportunity that I count myself lucky to have experienced.

We got hit with Hurricane Sandy. The damage we suffered personally was minimal (some downed trees, broken fences, power outages, and an escaping JR) but the state as a whole was hard hit. My clients lost property and friends were hard hit. The damage is still part of our day to day routines, but I consider myself very lucky that we, personally, weren't harder hit.

November

My friend, Bekka, called me early one morning to announce that she had found two puppies wandering the streets of Camden, and asking if I could help. As it so happened, we were just ready for new foster pups, so we took them in. They found homes quickly and were very sweet.

I worked with an eight month old colt named Jagger, my youngest client horse.

I accidentally took Lilly on a two hour trail ride. She did extremely well and I was very, very impressed.

I turned 26.

The next day, I met Liz and she let me accompany her to a hawk banding where I got to watch the catching/banding/releasing process and got to hold some birds, including a drop dead gorgeous red-tailed hawk.

Mike rode JR and Art. And learned to post.

I worked with CP once at his new boarding barn before his owner moved him to a bigger facility up north.

I started working with a quarter horse named Arrow, who turned out to be a former rodeo bronc turned saddle horse. He and his owner are a joy to work with and I look forward to writing more about them in the future.

December (so far)

I went up to visit my friend, Erin, in NY and Herbie made a new friend.

I took an awesome lesson at a new-to-me farm and vowed to go back for more whenever I can.

I picked up a new lesson student for JR, a girl with confidence issues who wants to get back into riding after a three year hiatus.

Christine and I finally accomplished our goal of going on a REAL trail ride with Ozzy and JR. We did a twelve mile loop that included Baldpate Mountain.

I started riding at Watchung, where CP is. He is currently giving lessons to teenage girls, with the hope that one of them will provide a forever home for him. I also started working with a horse named Willie there, but his owner got hurt riding her OTHER horse and the future with that business relationship is on hold for now.

Mike's mom's cat got very very sick a few days before Christmas and ended up in my clinic, causing me more holiday stress than usual. He seems to be recovering, but only time will tell.

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So, basically, it's been a crazy year full of lots of riding, lots of new relationships, and lots of jump building. I seem to be running my own business, which is pretty cool. I can't imagine going back to being an employee for anyone again. I am happier than I've been in a long time and I'm making ends meet. I tried new things and made time for old friends. My relationship blossomed. I got a new horse. I learned to take it easy with Ozzy.

And this is just the stuff I blogged about! I still haven't talked about Ace, my newest client horse, or the fact that I've got two horses lined up to move in between now and Valentine's Day, or the client who ships in from two hours away to ride with me, or the fact that Emily got a new horse and hired me to work with him... the list goes on and on.

I guess my hope for the new year is to stay this happy and this busy, to keep plugging away at my dreams, to keep taking photos, and to keep blogging. I can't complain about where I am now, and I'd be happy if I could say that at the end of years to come.