So, I went to college after Shaker and really, had a wonderful experience. I would never tell someone not to go to college, it was fun, educating (of course), and just something that I'm so glad I experienced. I do regret my student loans though, oh how I wish I would have worked in college to pay for school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was horseless while in college, but I did join the equestrian team. I went to Western Michigan University btw. Our team had approx. 20 girls. If you were to join the Equestrian team, you basically had two choices. Hunter Jumper or Western. I took that as my opportunity to learn something new, and started taking hunter jumper lessons with a trainer naned Rob. We competed with neighboring colleges: University of Michigan, Michigan State, Findley (Ohio) and a few others. The hosting school provided the horses, and the girls would literally draw Popsicle sticks to determine their mount for each class they were in.
Jumping was a whole 'nother ball game for me. I was under the impression that I was a good rider & that I knew alot. Pshhhhhh....jumping sure put me in my place. Apparently the way I rode in the Morgan world was NOT sufficient for jumping. My legs were all wrong, I did not use my calves at all, my feet were pointed way too straight, my hands were wrong - I even had to ride with a pop bottle to get them right - THE HUMILIATION! After weeks and weeks of on the flat riding, my instructor FINALLY thought I was ready for the ole' jumping thing. I felt so uncoordinated, bopping over those fences. My problem was that my equitation was was fine on the flat but would completely fall apart the second the horse popped over the fence.
On one occasion, I really made a spectacle of myself. My lessons were always group lessons with approx. 5 other girls. We'd line up and wait while each girl took her turn jumping a course that Rob (the instructor) had set up in his indoor arena, the others waited and watched upon their horses. This particular day was to be my first day riding more than just two jumps in a row. I had to do a line of three right in a row, then turn a corner (GASP) and jump two more. Anyway, Rob had two very young daughters, one was about 3 and the other was 6 or 7. The two girls were both in the barn watching us for some reason this day. When my turn came up, I bravely (it took effort for me to do this, lol), gathered my reins and began. The first jump went fine enough, but the horse I was riding balked a bit before the second jump, and I lost my center. She jumped it at the last second and I lost my left stirrup, "F*CK!" I screamed. The third jump consisted of my losing my right stirrup "SH*T!" I yelled. Around the corner we went, the horse on autopilot as I desperately tried to find my stirrups. "SH*T, F*CK!' I bellowed as over the third jump we popped. Now, I was hanging on for dear life, my seat out of the saddle and my arms around the horses neck. Over the fourth jump we sailed (or plopped as the jumps were only like a foot or two off the ground). "Mother EFFER!!!!" I shouted as we completed. As soon as the horse stopped and I righted myself, I noticed everyone was silent. Rob, his girls, the riders, barn help - everyone was staring at me with their mouths open. "Uhhh, Jenny" Rob said, "try to keep your language in check!" He he he.
I competed twice with the WMU equestrian team (always on the flat classes). Once at Findley and once at UofM. Both times I noted that Rob had me as his key rider - must mean he liked my riding skills, that is, he liked my riding when I was NOT jumping. I never did really get good at that. I have alot of appreciation for riders who have the guts to jump. It is very hard work and quite dangerous as well. Those who know me, know I don't like danger ;).
I have pics of this, but my scanner is being a butt ;)
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