Journey to Rio

Paralympics

Wow, today was a great morning watching Marlo work Ari!  I needed a break.  I was worked on by my chiropractor and got a little to dizzy today.  My ribs are healing well and I am working on my neck and shoulders they are very tight.  Who here carries their stress in there necks and shoulders?  Apparently I do.. I came in with lots of butterflies to the point of tears and forgetting that Ari wasn't a dog that you can't just ask him to come.  lol I had Marlo come in his stall to help me know that if he is eating its okay to just put his halter on. I am looking for someone that does cranialsacrial work. I am sure i am not spelling it right.  I will also look for someone for stone massage probably once a month.  This will aid me in my journey. 

I was able to groom Ari today and start re braiding his mane.  Its relaxing for the both of us.  I will start making this a habit.  It helps calm me and he seems to fall asleep or relax him. I got the bridle and saddle this time. lol  On the bridle, I wash the bit put the reins on top of the poll piece, wrap the strap that goes around Ari's muzzle around the reins and the piece that goes around the throat latch twice around the middle of the bridle.  (Check Hope thats right Marlo) 

Marlo worked on softening Ari's mouth, walked, trot with and without posting, leg work and forward thinking with Ari.  Oh I pray I will look like her on my horse very soon.  Patience is a virtue and I am happy and grateful Marlo is patient with me.

I got the 4 runner back for 4 wheeling in the snow.  My MK car is going to be traded in for the cash option

Journey to Rio

Paralympics 

Tomorrow I will know if the finance go through.. I pray that they do. 

Todays lesson was good with Marlo and my prince.  I had fun and I wasn't in pain from my injury to my cartilage in-between 3 ribs.  Thank you Lord and Dr. Pierce for helping me get better quicker!  

Today I came in a got Ari with halter and lead rope.  Put him in the cross tie and groomed him, it took a little longer.  I saddled him well and by golly I forgot how to put on the bridle. I was grateful for Marlo's help.  I pray I can remember how do work all the parts and how to handle Ari's halter and bridle at the same time.  I was 10 mins behind.  Its okay, I will master the bridle with ease and forgive myself if I don't understand it.  I can always ask for help. :-) I am working the saddle and girth with ease.  

Marlo warmed Ari up and I got on him with the lead rope.  I went through my exercises: rotate ankles, scissor kicks, frog legs, grab ankle and the other to rotate my thighs inward like a V making sure that my calves and ankles are out away from Ari's barrel. Then grabbed both ankles and made sure i was balanced in my salad bowl :-). Repeated exercises when Ari was walking. Feet in stirrups and walked halted.  Then at a posting trot. Balance was somewhat an issue and was reminded to belly button to spine, not grip with calves, use my thighs and core to balance!  Keep my feet away from his belly.  It helped and we ended with a great trot transition to walk - halt.  

I got off with out incident wit my ribs.  

Note!  Write down a list of things in order to do after I ride.  I forgot to wash bridle!! I was distracted, Ari was stomping and that usually and indication he needs to relieve himself.  

Marlo mentioned AZ and training Ari 5x a week.   I am excited to achieve and have fun at the same time. 

Journey to the Paralympics 

9-16-13

Wow!  Today was Incredible.. So many things happened today.  Lol I felt a little embarrassed about when I came in.  My brain was on over load literally and I kinda had a tiny melt down, tears and everything.  I thought my lesson was at 11:30 and it was at 12:30 (looked on my text tonight) I looked at my calendar it was 11:30, sigh!  Thanks Marlo for not making me feel small.  It was my bad. lol 

The great point was, I got to see Marlo train a pony. It fascinated me the teaching of the transitions from trot to canter on a non schooled pony.  The pony actually did well under her tutelage. 

Okay, oh I had to laugh at myself a lot today.  I went to Ari's stall a few times seeing if he would respond to me calling his name.  I was excited to see he did!  I would put my hand out and he would put his face in it and let me touch and pat his cheek. I would also take the halter and roll play as if I was putting it on him. I am sure he thought that was funny.   Its how I learn.  Marlo had asked me to go get Ari alone today.  I went to go into his stall but stop short!  I thought to myself wait I don't remember what side to be on to put the halter on. I paused for a time.  I said to myself I am not proud, I need to ask.  Ari looked at me like where are you going?? I want to go?? :-)  I went to ask Marlo.  Its the left side always.  So, its opposite of his feed in this case.  I went back knowing what I was to do and Ari, bless his heart put his face right into the halter.. It was so easy!  I thanked Ari for his patiences and love.

Todays lesson was growth promoting and intense for my brain.  

1. Marlo warmed him up.  He was experiencing stiffness in the left hind quarter.  It affected his canter.  She was able to loosen it.  

2. Got on and had Ari stand still for a few minutes

            Had Ari on a lead line today 

3. I started with my exercises first

    a. ankle rotation inward

    b. scissor kicks- one leg forward the other back behind and traded off (I forget this in my notes last time)

    c. ankle rotation again

    d. I took my left ankle and brought it up to my hip to rotate my thigh inward to create a V shape with my leg.

    e. repeated with my right ankle to my hip

    f.  Marlo wanted to see if I could get my feet in the stirrups with the V rotation. The right foot was easier to get in not my left. She put    my left foot in.

    g. Marlo asked me to repeat all of these exercises at a walk with a lead rope.  That was so weird! I felt like I was going to fall off on                 

        the right side.  I was leaning forward and my seat wasn't back. As soon as I corrected these important steps I was more balanced.  

    h. Marlo incorporated a new exercise today.  I will attempt to explain it.  laughing.  My arms high up above me, then rotate one of my 

        shoulders round like a propeller down and keep the other arm above me. Its like the leg scissor up and down. The trick is to            

        rotate shoulders and challenge the brain to do something very different - opposite directions.                                                                          It was confusing.  I will master this exercise with ease and remember its okay to be patient to have my brain remember. 

When I got off Ari I was sore in both hips but what I experienced was the same as I do when I am off the ground. My equilibrium forgets to balance all the way. So I sway in my head and the connections from my brain to my feet are slow. It took a little over an hour to normalize. A little longer than I wanted it too.  I experience a more enhanced version when I am in the car driving over 3 hours and airplanes wow still trying to stay out of a wheelchair.  Its crazy, very real thankfully it doesn't hurt. 

After my lesson we had the vet pre-purchase exam!  I was grateful we did it and I have a lot to think about.  Thanks Bo for the x rays and the report that will be sent. You and Austin were masters at what you do and very grateful you explained everything.  Thanks Marlo for your experience in these matters.. 

                       Journey to Rio

    PARALYMPICS

9-13-13

I have been encouraged by my wonderful and talented trainer to make a journal of all my practices.  (as she doesn't know I don't have a fondness of writing) I am about to learn to love the pen or typing.. My hope is that I may retain this information and if what I have written isn't correct then I will make appropriate adjustments.  

My trainers name is Marlo Vivenzo.  

My second lesson from her was Friday September 13th 2013 my lucky day!  :-)

Marlo warmed up my horse which is named Ari (nickname) Marlo calls him her love and he is my prince for now. lol

Marlo rode him swimmingly and I felt Marlo and Ari looked fabulous in Marlo's ride.  I strive to look like the smooth, in control, balanced and graceful as Marlo is teaching me soon.  

We had a great lesson full of information that I hope to convey on paper.  

1. Stretching is a must in our lessons.  Marlo is helping me open up my hips and get a solid seat established! Before we go on to the body of our lesson I am on Ari. Marlo has me take out my feet of my stirrups and rotate my ankles inward. Staying in a tall sitting position on Ari.  To get a strong seat my core (trunk of my body) and my thighs rotated in like a V shape and feet away from Ari.  How to achieve right position Marlo asked me to pick up each ankle and bring it up to my hip slowly to show the rotation in my thigh and to see that my feet are away from Ari. I will need to have for a strong seat esp. when I am trotting on Ari.  Apparently, I still have the flexibility in my body.  Thats good.  So, then I slowly with out moving my rotated thigh release my ankle and put my foot back in the stirrup (the length of the stirrup feels quit short now) The ball of my foot is placed in the stirrup with toes extended.  An exercise I get to practice at the beginning of each lesson and each time I ride. I will master this correct seating exercise with ease.  

2. We went onto the next lesson which about smooth transitions with a walk to a stop or a trot to walk to stopping Ari.  We focused on the walk to stop transition.  Seated correctly, the warning to Ari is to bring my thighs more into a V shape inward, lowering my elbows with my shoulders down and my wrist soft and higher then my elbows for transition.  I will continue to watch the video of Ari and Marlo. Marlo and I agree to have me filmed so that I may watch needs to be improved upon or what is looking great!

Then I was able to go around twice in a trot.  Ari is so smooth in his trot. It feels so much better on my back and my ankles now with Ari and seating correctly.  

Ari.. :-) I can't help but smile.  He is patient with me.  I strive to be patient with him.  He wants to please me when I ride him.  He is affectionate.  I need to be careful of his head at times.  He likes to nug me and it sometimes its harder then I like it to be.   I love his eyes! They seem to settle on me with kindness. I need this right now.  I appreciate the ease that he gives me when I am grooming him.  I don't feel fear esp. when I am cleaning his hoofs, hind quarters and tail.  I am excited to continue to learn how to groom him. Marlo is efficient in this way. I will strive to do the same. Ari seems to enjoy his grooming and it is a bonding time for both of us.  I will make each tool in order of application so it will go like clock work.  I must remember to lead Ari in the back of the grooming stall and turn him around. Place the cross ties on first lead rope off, groom him order and sweep up my mess I made.  If there is anything else need cleaning help out.  Its good to leave the area better then when you came in.  

Helpful hints:

When Ari is pawing at the ground he needs to go potty.  Lead him directly to his stall in the breezeway.  Always have a helmet on. 

He has a Vet check on Monday.. It great to have a second opinion on the your horse you about to buy.

I am getting back to my Mary Kay business.  It going to be funding this journey and I will need all the help I can to achieve this incredible goal.  Thank you to all my customers and team members who have for all they do as friends and those who buy Mary Kay's beautiful products. 

Journey to the Paralympics

I am sad that I haven't kept this blog up however, that will change as of now.  I am hoping that I may write my journey to the Paralympics and kleen the lessons from it.  I am not a great writer by all means however I can try! :-)

I started at Courage Reins about 3 yrs ago with a tramatic brain injury for physcial therapy.  I have had a great trainer and supporters there!  I am not perfect however I have made major strides in my recovery in my balance and contections from the brain to rest of my body.  Its exciting and I feel such gratitude for all those who have been involved in my healing process.  

Since I was little girl I have known I was going to the Olympics.  I have never forgotten that dream.  I was good at jumping horses and excellent at soccer.. It was one or the other that I wanted to excel in towards Olympic dream.  Its amazing how life can throw lemons at you!! I developed the attitude of gratitude with each lemon. The lemonade from those lemons have been so sweet and delilious!  At this time of my life I have been given the opportunity to make more lemonade!! Yeah!! 

I am in the beginning stages of picking a horse out for my journey.  I will meet him on Wednesday, tour the facility and get a great idea of what is expected of me.  The owners have given me a chance to ride him for a (lease) month I have changed trainers and will be training in Park City!  This isn't going to be cheap!! This horse is $15,000, saddle will be between $2 to $3k, bridle about $500, bit about $150 and I haven't even started with vet, board and training!  HaHa... I have a plan. :-)  

I understand practice makes perfection. There will be lots of tears, some disappointment, craziness, excitment, graditude, joy and so forth.  Thats nothing new to me!  

More to come but first I need to make dinner, I am hungry.. 

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