Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10
each training ride, and close to that same time when we got back. I was darn proud of how well I prepared my horse for training. Linda asked her next question: “What was my goal in the extensive
time in detailed preparation?” My answer was to make sure she was comfortable and ready before we went out to train. Then the life-altering question from Linda: “Do you enjoy this prep-
aration time with the horse?” “I LOVE horses and endurance riding” was my quick answer. Linda explored further: “It is obvious that you are really good at
taking care of the physical needs of this great horse, but what are your feelings while you are doing the preparation? Are you in the moment? Do you enjoy it?” And so came the life lesson. I returned home, and being rushed and
Trail’s End W
hen I was competing in the sport of endurance, I attended a clinic with Linda Tellington-Jones and came away with a new perspective. Linda asked me what was the one issue I most wanted to address and
solve with my horse, Kami. Kami was a true superstar endurance horse and I could not ask more of her in her job; however, I was frustrated because Kami was very aloof and I found it diffi cult to establish an emotional bond. Linda asked me to describe my routine with Kami. I refl ected and
revealed…rush home from work, quickly change into riding garb, catch her (no small feat in a 60-acre pasture), tie her up and carefully groom to make sure she didn’t have any sore spots. I was meticulous in clean- ing and inspecting her feet, legs, back. I would tack her up with saddle and headgear custom made just for her, to ensure the best fi t possible. Then on to massage and stretching to prepare her for her warm-up around the arena over poles. I spent a good hour in preparation for
quick was how I might describe my eff ort to head out into the pasture. But from that day forward, I lived in the moment, and took the time to enjoy the preparation. When I brushed her, I learned to enjoy doing things that made her feel good and happy. This may sound weird, but I smiled at Kami more. When I was grooming or stretching her, I didn’t let my mind wander off to work or the million other details of life. I thought about Kami and…well, I enjoyed her! About a year later, I took Kami on one of the toughest and most
competitive 50-milers in California, where 150 of the best riders from the western states had gathered. Kami came in second, tugging at the bit as she galloped across the fi nish line. She went on to win Best Condi- tion that day, and it was the greatest endurance race I’ve ever enjoyed. After I had taken care of all her physical needs, I stood and watched
her as she contentedly munched on her grain in the portable pen. I found myself overwhelmed that she had been such a fi erce competitor that day. I went into her pen and when I walked up to her, she didn’t move away. And when I put my arms around her neck, and hugged and thanked her…she didn’t pull away. In fact, for the fi rst time, she smiled at me and hugged me back. It was a great moment, not only that she had given me such a magnifi cent performance, but that I was able to share the victory with her. And so my dear friend Linda taught me one of my greatest life les-
sons: to live and enjoy every minute of life, be it the goal or the prepa- ration. So how about you? Do you enjoy the journey as much as the destination?
ADVE R T I S E R S’ D I RE C TO RY
Absorbine ..........................................................................100 Adequan | Luitpold ...........................................................31 Alpine Publications ..........................................................93 American Heart Assc - Mid Atlantic Affi liate ...........39 American Quarter Horse Association ..........................5 Bear Branch Horse Resort .............................................. 85 Best Ever Pads ..................................................................... 92 Best of America by Horseback ..................................... 89 Bimeda, Inc ................................................................. 7,81,92 Cashel Company | Equibrand ..........................................9 Cavallo Horse and Rider ............................................17,93 CBY Boots..............................................................................93 Circle Y | Tucker Saddlery .............................................. 99 Coldfl ex | BSI ....................................................................... 92 Colorful Manes & Tails .....................................................93 Connected Riding ....................................................... 65,93 CQ Equine Giſt s ................................................................. 92 Dixie Midnight .....................................................................93 Double J Saddlery ..............................................................13 Downunder Horsemanship ............................................67 Dr. Rose’s Remedies...........................................................93 Dude Rancher’s Association .......................................... 85
Equine Digit Support System .........................................52 EQYSS Grooming Products ..............................................3 Espree Animal Products ...................................................59 Freedom Saddle .................................................................71 Gaits in the Grapes ........................................................... 85 GroomLight ......................................................................... 27 Heartland Veterinary Supply ....................................... 92 High Horse Saddles ...........................................................95 Horse And Rider Books .................................................. 66 Horse Health USA ........................................................19,92 Horse Tech, Inc. ....................................................................4 Imagine A Horse .................................................................43 J M Saddler Inc. .................................................................. 25 J T International Distributors ...........................................2 Kerrits Performance Equestrian Apparel ..................10 Lance Campers ................................................................... 83 Leather T erapy................................................................. 38 Leatherwood Mountains ................................................ 85 Life Data Labs, Inc. .............................................................51 Marinera Publishing ...................................................34,57 Nag Horse Ranch ................................................................57 Nutrena Cargill ....................................................................35
98 | June 2013 •
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Priefert Manufacturing.......................................................8 Renegade Hoof oots | Lander Industries ................ 50 Ride Alert ............................................................................. 45 Saddle Up Shop ................................................................. 92 SciencePure Nutraceuticals, Inc. ...................................53 Sean Patrick ......................................................................... 88 Smartpak Equine ................................................................21 SOURCE Inc..........................................................................33 Stonewall Saddle Company............................................70 Summit Equine Nutrition ................................................ 73 Sundance Trail Guest Ranch .......................................... 85 Synergist Saddles .............................................................. 92 T e Nibble Net | T inAir Canvas ...........................34,92 Tsylos Lodge ....................................................................... 85 TTEAM .................................................................................46 Twisted X Boots ..................................................................61 Warner Guiding & Out it ing, LTD. ............................ 85 Weaver Leather .............................................................47,92 Wendals Herbs ...................................................................11 Wesley Enterprises | Carri Lite Corrals................ 73,92 Zephyr’s Garden ................................................................ 60
Susana Gibson | founder and publisher
PHOTO BY MARCIE LEWIS
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