Chetak Horses

Lucky

I have mentioned from time to time that I have a wonderful support system.  It consists of both friends and family but they are all people that believe and encourage me to do my best on a daily basis.  I consider myself very, very, very lucky to have people like this in my life.

This support system though would not be nearly as strong without the involvement on my family.  They’re loud, crazy, in my business 24/7 but without them I don’t think I would have the self belief that I do.  My parents and my younger brother have never told me “No, you can’t do this.”  It’s quite the opposite, they always encourage me to reach for the highest thing I can, and encourage me to keep trying if I don’t succeed right away.

So when I informed them 4 years ago that I wanted to adopt an off the track thoroughbred and train it to be a dressage horse I was met with no resistance.  They gave me a steep budget, wished me good luck, and told me to find a horse that I loved.  It took several months but I finally found Achates, and brought him home a week later.

Achates and I didn’t exactly get off on the right foot.  The day he came home I went home crying to my mom asking if he would ever like me, and yes I am ashamed to admit I reverted back to my preteen ways of crying when I was upset.  My mom could have said I don’t know, or maybe, but instead she looked me straight in my eyes told me to stop being silly and that everything would be alright.  And I believed her.

There have been moments over my training journey when I lacked faith, or when I was told that the goals I had in mind just weren’t going to happen.  And in those moments I’ve thought of my parents.  They have never been afraid of conquering the impossible or trying as hard as they can to succeed.  They have become the driving voice in my head during my lows and highs, pushing, always pushing me to do better.

It might seem like it would be a lot of pressure but I can’t think of it that way.  Having a supportive team behind me of people who want me to succeed only makes me feel lucky.  Great things are coming our way, and Achates and I can’t wait to share them with everyone who has ever encouraged us.