If you dont like things the way they are..........

Fantastic, you have brought a tear to my eye. You have achieved so much in such a short time, what an inspiration. I am on a similar journey with regards jumping. A few things have happened recently that has given me the boot up the backside to get on with it. Next boot I need is buying my own horse again!
 
Vj you should do whatever you have done for a living you clearly have a gift for inspiring people!

And OP the smile on your face! Brilliant. Well done! I felt nervous for the first time in my life yhis last year and all I cam say is respect. Now I know how it feels I am seriously in awe of anyone who keeps at it for years feeling that way. That is real bravery
 
What a wonderfully uplifting thread. Lovely pics too. Sounds like you have got a great team, just lovely, well done all of you.
 
Thank you so much everyone. I really do hope I have inspired at least one person because if I can do it then I promise you anyone can....and if not then......we call VJ ;)

Yep, Dazzle really was £300!!! By far the best bargain I have ever found and to me he is invaluable.

I'm still sitting here with the biggest smile on my face and although I will continue to enjoy Daz and aim for new goals I feel so content in what has already been achieved.

VJ thank you for pushing me and for letting me ride your babies (esp famous Dot!). Your horses are a testimony to you. If they can get on with their job and what is being asked of them with such a nervous sack of spuds on their back then they really are something special.....well I know they are. I have a very squishy spot inside for Bug. Much love for him :)

Oh....and I thought I had uploaded the big train pic???.....bad eyesight and a lack of HHO knowledge is to blame.

So proud of these pics, I keep looking at them :) :) :):)
 
Lovely post and well done!

Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif
Go onwards, go upwards - Go Go Go!
Cheerleader_by_CookiemagiK.gif



About posting photos on HHO, it is the same as posting smileys other than HHO's own smileys, you need a link address + image code in the beginning and end, and you either do it yourself, or you choose the Go Advance option, before posting your post/reply on HHO.

In either case, begin with copying the link address to your photo.

If you want to do it yourself, press the ctrl + alt keys together with 8 or 9 to get [ or ], and write
, and voila, you have link address + image code in your reply.

If you choose the Go Advance option, then above the reply box there is three rows with different options, in the second row point your mouse at the 14:th symbol/look for the envelope next to a blue ball (supposed to be earth) and from the envelope, go two steps to the right. When you hover with the mouse over the symbol a text saying "Insert Image" should pop-up, click the symbol and another pop-up window will appear, press ctrl + v to paste your link into the pop-up window, then okay it, and voila, link address + image code turns up in your reply box.
 
Jesstickle said:
Vj you should do whatever you have done for a living you clearly have a gift for inspiring people!
Click to expand...

It's funny because it sort of is what I do, just in a completely different situation! I teach people to drive! It's sort of the same thing I guess, especially when I think of my more nervous pupils.

It's easy with Dazzle the wonder pony though. He is so awesome, I keep throwing them into different situations and he's all "yeah this fine, no biggie" loads of love for that little white pony!!

And yes, my ponies are very special indeed!!! Not in the normal way hahahaaa xxx
 
Oh wow, lovely thread so kind of you to share your achievements and lovely pics. SB what a beautiful bargain you bought there - fantastic for any age pony.

(and thanks to texas because it was really easy to see pics in that post)

Just great.
 
Fantastic and inspiration for me to keep going with my confidence campaign - I know my mare is capable of it, just not sure that I am but we're getting there gradually and would love to do some little xc with her (cantering/ galloping and open spaces big issue for me too!) so this is fab to see. Well done!!!!!!!!!!
 
Congratulations! Reading this and seeing the lovely pictures put a grin on my face almost as big as yours in the pictures! He does look a million dollars and you both look so happy, brilliant :)
Ps this: "I became someone who rode every horse except the one I was sitting on" - I know exactly what you mean, love this post :)
 
What beautiful photos, the one on photobucket with you kissing dazzle on your wedding day is stunning! Well done to you both and its so nice to have an enriching post.x
 
Where is the Dazzle shop? I need one of them!!

Thank you for such an inspiring post. You are so right...one life, live it. Brought a little tear to my eye (at the situation I find myself in, similar to yours pre-Dazzle)and a big smile to make up for it, for all the joy that oozes from your post and for the human kindness shown you by VickiJay (I could do with one of them too!!).
 
I have an almost identical story to you OP. I came off my sharp, flighty pony in April after he bolted and refused to get back on, lost all confidence and was ready to sell him. An amazing friend of mine encouraged me back on but I wasn't convinced and was truly terrified to get on him. I was almost having a panic attack at the thought of riding. It took for my friends horse to be PTS after a field accident to realise how silly my fears were and get back on.

So I started on the lead rein in walk, then the lunge and then on my own! Went back on the lunge to start trotting before being brave enough to be loose!.

263373_10200560415787344_1795495356_n_zpsd08cda7b.jpg

First walk on our own

269739_10200482507959697_1578451610_n_zps57c0e82e.jpg

First trot on our own

487_10200159414082552_937012470_n_zpsd58c11e9.jpg

First hack with nobody walking with us

Then we decided to start popping some tiny jumps and I was encouraged to do the beginners show jumping at my local show which was MASSIVE for me!

Benjishow3_zps26a688e9.jpg

(Excuse poor position!)

1069333_10200981833202516_1764817066_n_zps3ab4b9df.jpg

We won the class!!

So I got brave and tried some jumping out hacking
Benjijumping2_zps9f7ef31d.jpg


Then my friend decided we were ready for this, which terrified me!!

1411_10201100277003537_1226947966_n_zps94d315c2.jpg


Last week was the last show of the season so I ended up doing this!!

Benjishow_zpsc7dbe1a0.jpg

Novice jumping, unplaced but survived!
1069945_10200981831522474_91877396_n_zpsd5234f9f.jpg


Then Intermediate!

Benjishow5_zps1e56ab30.jpg
Again unplaced but survived!!!!

So I know exactly how amazing you feel OP as I only got back on in mid May. x
 
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words. I'm so glad this post has inspired some of you. Like I said, I don't post often but truly believe that if I can do it then anyone can!

Thank you again to Texas for showing my photos. I was a little gutted that they didn't show as I am so proud of them, so thank you for being clever and fixing that for me :p

Haffiesrock, it's amazing how once you break through the Barrier of "impossible" how "possible" everything becomes! The hard part is keeping the momentum going and to keep on pushing through it until hopefully, one day, things really aren't as scary anymore. Well done you!!

I'm pretty certain that Vickijay should travel the country inspiring riders and helping them cope with the nerves and fear some of us riders have. It's an awful feeling not feeling like a "rider" but we can all overcome those feelings. I'm every lucky to have found such an amazing friend :)

I shall keep you all posted on our journey xx
 
Inspirational. I have been through a similar mighty change in the last 8 months or so and surrounding yourself with the right people makes all the difference. I know little about what you are feeling right now!
Plus you deserve it for having taken on a pony who is not in the first flush of youth. Seriously lovely pony, but some people would have discounted him because of that. What goes around comes around..
 
HaffiesRock said:
I have an almost identical story to you OP. I came off my sharp, flighty pony in April after he bolted and refused to get back on, lost all confidence and was ready to sell him. An amazing friend of mine encouraged me back on but I wasn't convinced and was truly terrified to get on him. I was almost having a panic attack at the thought of riding. It took for my friends horse to be PTS after a field accident to realise how silly my fears were and get back on.

So I started on the lead rein in walk, then the lunge and then on my own! Went back on the lunge to start trotting before being brave enough to be loose!.

263373_10200560415787344_1795495356_n_zpsd08cda7b.jpg

First walk on our own

269739_10200482507959697_1578451610_n_zps57c0e82e.jpg

First trot on our own

487_10200159414082552_937012470_n_zpsd58c11e9.jpg

First hack with nobody walking with us

Then we decided to start popping some tiny jumps and I was encouraged to do the beginners show jumping at my local show which was MASSIVE for me!

Benjishow3_zps26a688e9.jpg

(Excuse poor position!)

1069333_10200981833202516_1764817066_n_zps3ab4b9df.jpg

We won the class!!

So I got brave and tried some jumping out hacking
Benjijumping2_zps9f7ef31d.jpg


Then my friend decided we were ready for this, which terrified me!!

1411_10201100277003537_1226947966_n_zps94d315c2.jpg


Last week was the last show of the season so I ended up doing this!!

Benjishow_zpsc7dbe1a0.jpg

Novice jumping, unplaced but survived!
1069945_10200981831522474_91877396_n_zpsd5234f9f.jpg


Then Intermediate!

Benjishow5_zps1e56ab30.jpg
Again unplaced but survived!!!!

So I know exactly how amazing you feel OP as I only got back on in mid May. x
Click to expand...

This is a lovely story, well done x

SmartieBean09 said:
I'm pretty certain that Vickijay should travel the country inspiring riders and helping them cope with the nerves and fear some of us riders have. It's an awful feeling not feeling like a "rider" but we can all overcome those feelings. I'm every lucky to have found such an amazing friend :)
Click to expand...

Travelling the country, making people occasionally cry but then see them feeling happy in the end!! There would be worse jobs :) xx
 
Awwwwww. ;)

A very well done to all of you! Such a great story - congrats on your courage and all the effort you have both putting into making change happen. It's not easy but it's worth it, not least because, as you say, once you start making changes it's easier to see the next level of possibility.

And special pats and Polos to Daz. He is The Man.
 
Just seen this thread and it's so lovely I couldn't not reply.

Amazing pictures and such a happy story. You and VJ are as lucky to have each other as Daz is to have you :D

He's an absolutely stunning boy and in no way does he look 24, he's clearly looked after like the super star that he is.

Well done !!
 
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