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a professional and I found they laugh with him at whatever it is he done well by it. But it is not your only
were easy to ride, had great gallops finds funny. gift, you have many,” she said.
and a huge open canter stride. All
the things that are important, these He has chosen Buddhism for his “It made me think about what my
horses had naturally, that made my religion of choice. “The religion life is and what I wanted out of it. I
job easy. It was nice to get to learn fascinates me. I’ve studied lots feel like I need to give back because
on great horses, it gave me a super of different religions and picked so much has been given to me. I
foundation,” said John. Buddhism because they realize that can do that working with the elderly
we are all really one and it’s not and I would like to eventually feel I
“I don’t need a lot of sleep, four you against the world, we are all have made a difference in someone’s
or five hours a night and I love interconnected. It teaches us to live life,” John mused in contemplation.
mornings. I like to start the day with together in peace and live in the “That’s what I want to end up
breakfast and wake up slowly. It’s my now,” he said. “The chanting for the doing when I get too old to get on
favorite meal of the day and I like religion has also helped me with the a horse.”
to enjoy it. I stretch every morning quiet focus I like for the hunters.”
and as time goes by I need to really California has afforded John a
address that program as well as get John loves the jumpers but has made chance to ride and show year round
regular massages. That keeps me a conscious decision to specialize in and keep his foot in the ring. John is
in physical shape to do as many the hunters. He had great success happiest when he has another show
rides as I do. I love it though and I on Cathy Mendez’s Millennium but to look forward too. His vacations
wouldn’t trade my life for anything,” believes that to get to the top in the are regular as he believes it keeps the
he wistfully paused. “I especially
love the horse shopping. When I
see one I like I take the time to try
“They usually like you to “ask” them to do their
to see it and think about it the way
job. The last thing I want to ride is a horse I
it will eventually be. I find myself
thinking about it all the way home
have to “make” happy, it’s just not my style.”
and nonstop till it’s in my barn.”
jumpers you need several horses in mind clear. His last one was to Santa
He is, by self admission, a order to stay sharp. “It is hard to do Domingo where he spent New Years
perfectionist. It suits his personality both disciplines and do them well,” Eve with the Pueblo Indians.
to be quiet and slow. “I am not an he said. “All great jumper riders
aggressive person which is probably specialize and focus only on the “You have to do other things or
what makes me so suitable and jumpers, that is what makes them so your mind becomes cluttered and
comfortable on the hunters. They great and cool at big jumps. I really unclear,” said John. “There is more
usually like you to “ask” them to do liked doing the jumpers but I didn’t to life than one show after another,
their job. The last thing I want to ride want to give up hunters and teaching as much as we love that. To stay
is a horse I have to “make” happy, so I re-opened Waldenbrook with sharp mentally and give the clients
it’s just not my style,” he said. plans for the future to have hunters your best, it is important to do
that are competitive anywhere. But something for yourself and get away.
It’s easy to settle into a comfortable I really want a few jumpers too” he It also makes the coming back more
conversation with John. He is not the finished. fun,” he ended.
least bit pretentious, and quite the
contrary, he is open, conversational, John’s passion and dream is to own a He has found a happy balanced life
and honest. He finds it important, retreat type retirement home for the for himself, combining the winning
when talking with you, to make elderly, he loves working with older of the show ring and the quiet
sure you get what he is saying. He people. He got involved not too long pleasure of life that revitalize him.
has an amazing sense of humor and ago when an elderly lady stopped It replenishes his sense of humor
drops quick sharp witty comments a him to talk, mostly just about life. and we all over that, he is really quite
lot. Without notice his laugh creeps “Riding has been a treasured gift that funny. Just stop him and talk, you
upand all of a sudden you want to has been given to you and you have won’t be disappointed.
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