Resolution

Thank you, Melissa, for your comment on my last post. It really helps to know that I am not the only one who feels a little... uncomfortable with other people wanting to ride, or riding, my horse.

I am happy to report that there has been some sort of resolution to that particular dilemna. After a few days of really thinking about it, and weighing all my options, I finally got up the nerve to talk to my riding instructor about it. This was based, in part, on yet another comment that was made to me by one of the other riders at the barn. Turns out all three comments were related one particular incident. It turns out that barn mom I mentioned (that has her own horse) did, indeed, ride Gwen. Yeah, so not thrilled about that.  But my riding instructor explained the circumstances of that instance, apologized, and told me that it would not happen again (for several reasonson). I asked her how often Gwen was ridden by others, and the answer was "very, very rarely". She explained the few times Gwen had been used, (of which I already knew about; little kids, etc).

I did not ask her to stop using Gwen. Given my situation, I felt that would be extremely selfish of me. But after our conversation, I feel confident that my feelings on the matter are known, and that if Gwen is ever used for lessons, it will be only with a young kid to walk around the ring with. At the moment, I am content. If there is ever a time when I flat-out own Gwen, then I will bring up the topic again and make sure that Gwen is no longer used for lessons/trails/etc.

On to other news... Keep your fingers crossed that I am able to film my Level One Online audition tomorrow!!  I am super excited, really hoping everything goes well. Weather should be good, and the barn should be mostly empty, so those things will be in my favor. Whee!

Second... I have been letting everyone know (friends/family/boyfriend) that the ONLY thing I want for christmas this year is money for a saddle. I am fairly certain I will be able to buy one, but I have no idea if I want to get an english saddle, or a western one.  I have been riding her in Western, and my original objective was to purchase a western saddle, but now I am not sure... I am trying to think long term, and I don't know that I would ride any other horse Western. I have always ridden english... hrm.

But, price is definitely a factor. I have been looking around online, but it's hard to know what is a good brand, and what is not. Bleh. So stressful!

J