Gaining a New Horses Trust

First off, since it is Veterans day, I want to thank all the veterans who served or are currently serving. This is the home of the free because of the brave and I am so thankful for those who serve this great country. Don't thank them just today, thank them everyday. 

Thank you to reader Abby Foley for this question. I hope this helps you out with your new girl!

-         -  So- I am use to having horses since they were foals. I recently bought a 3 year old. I saw your post about coming so far with your horse Charlie - him trusting you, etc. What are your suggestions on how to build that kind of relationship with a horse that is 3, not a baby?

Gaining a horses trust is very simple when you own them from birth. Buying an older horse that has already bonded with someone else and trying to recreate that bond can be difficult. I personally have always primarily shown horses bred, raised and trained by my family. However, with my dad’s training business, we have a lot of horses in and out that were not raised on our property and I have the opportunity to ride and occasionally show them. These are the horses I have to work at my relationship with.

When trying to gain a horses trust, I have found that just loving on them can go a long way. Hug their face, give them treats, and take them for a walk or grazing. They will come to associate you with pleasant things. They also feel comfortable with you. It is amazing how far just some quality time can take you in a relationship with your new horse.

Next tip, take hands on care of them. Go clean their stall. Go spend 30 minutes just grooming them. Get to know every little inch of their body and all their quirks. When you truly know your horse, it will deepen your bond. Find their itchy spot and make sure to itch them every day you see them… there is nothing they love more.

When it comes to training and working, I find that showmanship can really bond me with new horses. Something about moving in unison and having them learn to react off your body so harmoniously just really gets you together in rhythm. Even if your horse is bad at showmanship or it’s not their event, do a little bit. It certainly can’t hurt and you will be surprised how much rhythm it gives you as a pair.

As for riding, I suggest starting out slow and easy. Lots of walking, bending, just feeling them out. Teach them to trust your hands by being slow, soft and easy. They mostly need to learn to trust you so in the beginning, don’t give them a reason not to. Of course, don’t let them get away with bad habits but I always avoid picking fights in the beginning until we have a trust built up.

Horses are herd animals; they look for a leader and a place to belong. When they are show horses and being care for by people, you need to become their herd. They need to look to you for guidance and leadership. Building that bond of trust and love will help with this. Play with them, scratch them, take them for walks; All of this will help them to realize you are their herd.

I know these tips all seem super simple and self-explanatory but they work. Even the horses I raise go through this process; they still need to learn to trust and love you. Charlie is a great example; he was scared to death of everything. He had the biggest panic button. I spent so much time just loving on him (maybe why he is such a cuddle big now) and leading him around and treating him more like a puppy then a horse. I cleaned his stall myself and petted him in between pitchfork-fuls. I groomed him and brushed his mane and figured out he loved having his withers scratched. For him, it helped him to trust me; he realized I would never lead him into harm and my presence usually meant something pleasant. He will follow me almost anywhere now. He trusts me. All the time I spent in the beginning paid off now because as long as I reassure him, he will do always anything for me now. I haven’t stopped all this once I gained his trust; I keep it up. You have to constantly work at a relationship and a relationship with a horse is no different. I think Charlie truly believes I am the leader of his herd and one of his people…. Or he just thinks he is a human child… it could really go either way with him. But the key is that he trusts me and will follow me anywhere. That is a bond that is purely priceless to me.

A $3500 World Champion

It is sometimes said that one should surround themselves with people who inspire them. This is one cliché I can agree with. In the horse world especially, it is so easy to get caught up in the competition and the cut throat atmosphere. It is easy to become judgmental and even hateful at times. Surrounding yourself with horse show friends who do not fall to these temptations is something I try very hard to do. I have been very lucky to find some ride or die friends who I can say, wholeheartedly, inspire me. 

Just a slight height difference between our boys

Around 2011, I had just started showing Charlie as an all-around horse despite the fact he was just 4 years old and in his second year of showing. A new girl around my age showed up at the Ohio paint shows with a giant red roan gelding. Her name is Rachel Walcoff and her gelding is EFC Holesinmysocks. My parents are longtime friends with her trainer and through that mutual friendship we became friends. I learned the story of “Socks”, her giant gelding. They came across him for sale for $3500 and all he did was jump. He had cancerous sarcoids on his leg that had to be surgically removed and treated. He didn’t know the all-around events and given his older age, he wasn’t terribly interested in learning them. She was transitioning from showing Appaloosas and didn’t know anyone of the paint circuit. We quickly bonded over the crazy year of showing our polar opposite geldings; mine was young and clueless to the horse show world and hers was old and would rather not learn new tricks. We also just have a blast together; every show I see Rachel is bound to be a good time. Throughout the tough shows where the boys continuously screwed us out of winning with their antics, we realized that we were both in this for the same reason: a genuine love for showing and horses.

Fast forward a few years and we were back together again at the Pinto World Show. The geldings were much easier to show now. They knew their jobs and despite their ever present weaknesses; we both found great success. Rachel and I stayed up all hours of the night braiding our fingers raw to help pay for our classes. Charlie and I won reserve world champion in Western Pleasure and Rachel showed Socks in his strong classes of jumping and hunter events. I will never forget watching my sweet friend win her first world championship on that old roan gelding in the Amateur Dressage; my heart was overwhelmed with happiness for someone who had worked so hard to take a horse that no one believed in to the highest level of competition and WIN. She followed up that buckle with a win in Amateur Working Hunter and she literally danced her way out of the arena with her buckle. For someone who genuinely loves this sport, loves her grouchy old man and pays her own way to the horse shows through her summer job to reach such great success inspires me.

Because why not dance after you win your first world championship?

Currently, I am sitting at home, preparing Law School applications and writing papers and watching the APHA World Show live feed with jealously. Many of my friends are there showing, including sweet Rachel for her last show with Socks. I wish I was there with everyone. Two mornings ago I turned on my webcam just in time to catch the end of Rachel’s jumping pattern and the subsequent World Championship she received. Yesterday morning she won another one. She is having the show of her life and living her dreams; all on the back of a $3500 gelding that no one believed in. Despite the wish to be in Fort Worth, I could not be happier to watch someone receive the success they deserve. I am honored to be friends with someone who truly inspires me. I absolutely could not be more proud and happy for the success she is having. She pulled a diamond out of the rough and put in the hard work to make him the world champion he is today. Also, I could not be happier for our good family friend and Rachel’s wonderful trainer Ric who spotted the talent in that gelding and helped Rachel every step to bring them to this level as a pair.

Never underestimate the power of hard work, dedication and a little bit of love; the least likely candidate may just become a multiple world champion. You don't have to have all the money in the world and the fanciest horse to win. 

Rachel- 

I truly could not be happier for you. Thank you for being a great friend and thank you for inspiring me. Give Socks a treat from Charlie and I and I expect to see those buckles next time we get together <3

❤️ Brandy 

Fall Must Have's

The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and Pumpkin Spice is everywhere... It is fall! There are a lot of things I love about Fall but also a lot of things I dislike. It signals the end of show season, blanketing begins and layering up to go to the barn is a must. Here is my list of 5 must haves for Fall to make it easier for all us equestrians.

1. A Jacket and Vest
It's getting cold so some warmer clothes are necessary for crisp fall rides and a few hours cleaning stalls. I love to wear a light fleece with a vest or a light soft shell jacket in the fall. Not too warm but enough to keep the chill out. Love these styles from Noble Outfitters - comfortable, functional and pretty: the trifecta for barn clothes!! Love all their products!

2. Mid-Weight Sheet
Not cold enough for blankets yet but sometimes a light sheet just isn't enough to keep those show hair coats. I absolutely love this sheet. I use it all through fall and as a liner under the heavyweights during winter. It is nylon outside to resist stains and fleece inside to keep them toasty warm.

3. Grooming/Bathing Supplies
Trying to keep a show hair coat in the fall can be tough. Good grooming products can make or break that hair coat. A good, stiff, sharp curry comb and a soft but firm brush are classic and simple but you can't beat them. I also use EquiFUSE Shine spray every other day to keep my ponies coats healthy and shining even as their winter hair starts to come in. As for bathing, fall is the time to get their manes and tails in tip-top shape because bathing is a rare occurrence all winter. If your horse has a white mane or tail, get it sparkling in the fall. Condition the crap out of them. I only use EquiFUSE because it will get them super clean without striping their natural oils and health out of their skin and coat. Also, nothing is better for their manes and tails in my opinion. Gleam used with this brush is a LIFESAVER in the winter to keep those tangles at bay until they can get a good bath.

4. Coffee
Well not really horse related but if you know anything about me, you know I love coffee. Fall is the best time to take a travel mug full of rich coffee out to the barn to keep you warm and caffeinated. To each his own, but coffee is generally present in my tack room. (I promise this is the only random must have)

5. Hoof Oil
Winter is DRY. Dry hooves are a bad thing. Start early in the fall with the hoof oil to get those hooves healthy and keep them hydrated all winter long. This is the best hoof oil I have found. I do this once a week during the Spring and Summer but every other day in the Fall and Winter. The more the better!

A Visitors Guide to the All American Quarter Horse Congress

The All American Quarter Horse Congress.... aka any horse persons personal shopping paradise and heaven nestled in downtown Columbus, OH for the entire month of October. I have heard it called the Superbowl of horse showing. So many of us visit simply to watch, shop, see the famous horses, learn from clinics or just to get a feel for the biggest horse show in the world.

For the last 10 years I have been living in Ohio, a mere 1.45 hours from the Congress, I have visited at least 1-2 weekends every Congress to shop and hang out and watch. With my experience and amount of time spent there, I have amassed a large knowledge base on navigating the Congress as a visitor not exhibitor and many shortcuts and tricks. Here I will be outlining my best tips and tricks for a fun trip to the legendary All American Quarter Horse Congress for those of us not showing.

1. Best Times To Go
 -The first weekend is the best for shopping. Everything is fully stocked, lots of sizes, not very busy. Store workers are fresh and happy and excited to help you. They haven't run out of free stuff at booths yet. Downside is the classes are mostly reining and cow horse and if you don't want to watch that then theres not much to watch. Also, Gilligan stall fronts aren't all set up yet and those are so worth seeing.
-The middle weekends is the best for watching the classes. This is pleasure, hunter under saddle, trail, showmanship, etc. Freestyle Reining is the second weekend and always a fun evening of big stops and good music. It is busy though so shopping and navigating the buildings can be hard.
-Last weekend is a time for deals. Stores don't want to haul it home so prices are often reduced. Also, less traffic this weekend.

What a beautiful sight

2. Best Places to Shop
Personally, I love Schneiders, Rods and Big Dee's. They are the biggest and mainstream and there is good reason for that. They have a great selection and quality products. Schneiders and Big Dee's have very reduced stores at the congress this year but they offer free shipping in. Some of my more hidden favorites include The Tack Room: great quality and selection of English apparel and quality halters, storage materials and little bits and pieces. I also love Kathy Williams Tail Extensions; in addition to great tails, she always has great show clothes in her booth. Chicks and HorseLoverz are also good destinations for little random things- you can't beat the prices.

3. Walk Through the Barns
Trust me- take at least one walk down the main aisle of Gilligan and see the amazing set ups of the trainers. They are pretty incredible. Also, you never know when you will be walking down the aisle and see a famous trainer or horse.

           

Building the Stall Fronts and one of my favorite set ups

4. FOOD
The food stands are seriously the best. You MUST get a cinnamon roll from the Sweet Shop. Also, the Stromboli is to die for. You can't shop on an empty stomach so eat. A lot. It is worth it and you will work off the calories walking around and carrying all your purchases :)

YUM!

5. Go sit at the Practice Arena
This is usually my dad and I's favorite congress pastime. We love to sit at the practice arena next to Congress Hall and just watch everybody ride. It's amazing how much you can learn just watching these great trainers ride and listening to what they tell clients warming up. I highly suggest taking even just 15 minutes to go watch- you never know what you will pick up.

6. Fun Events
Freestyle Reining = enough said. It is a super fun evening. The rides are great, the music is fun... defiantly one of the Congress's best events. Grab a Stromboli and sit yourself down in the Coliseum for a night of music, spins and stops. Also, sometimes you get to witness history... such as 2006 when I watched Stacy Westfall perform her legendary bareback and brideless ride LIVE. The Masters is also a really cool experience- it is awesome to see the upcoming great horses in their first class and witness the pinnacle of talent in the industry.

Few things a cooler then watching Stacy Westfall win the Congress... again

7. Clinic's and Product Information Sessions
Why not? If you are there during a clinic, go stop by. Just like the practice arena, you never know what you might pick up and learn. These are put on by highly skilled and successful professionals and I guarantee you could learn something from any of them. This is also a great opportunity to rest your feet and set your bags down for a few minutes. Also, stop and listen to the product demonstrations. There are always a million new products available here and someone who wants to tell you all about it. Sometimes they are silly and other times they might be your new favorite product. I would have never found EquiFUSE if I had not stopped and talked to the dealer at Congress. It doesn't hurt to stop and get the info and sometimes they give you free samples... and who doesn't like free samples?? (only crazy people)

8. GIVEAWAYS
Ah the giveaways.... they are everywhere at the congress. Free stuff, gift certificates, free breedings... they are endless. When and doubt take the second to fill out that little paper. You can't win unless you play. Smartpak always has a great giveaway for not only starting Smartpaks at the Congress but also a raffle. Farnum usually has one, AQHA usually has one, The University of Findlay gives away hats and t shirts.... I know I am missing a ton but seriously find the giveaways and sign up. More chances to eventually win something.

9. Deals, Deals, Deals
I am a huge bargain shopper. I love nothing more then to find a good deal. Congress is great for this. I always take advantage of the deals on Jeans at congress: this year it was buy 2 get 1 free on Wranglers and Cinch at Rods! Yay! Also, as I previously mentioned, Chicks and HorseLoverZ always seem to have little deals like the zip up Sleazy I got for $20 yesterday! The last weekend will have a lot of places giving even better sales and deals because they won't want to take it home. Bargain shoppers heaven!

Nothing better then new riding jeans :)

10. Watch the Show
After all, this is the reason for the whole shebang. Go sit and watch the best of the best compete for bronze trophies and bragging rights. At risk of sounding like a broken record, you can learn something from this also. Drool over the outfits, dream about the horses and be in awe of the incredible  level of the competition. The Congress is overall, first and foremost a horse show... the biggest in the world.

The Celeste Arena

The Congress is one of my favorite equine destinations... such a convergence of all things equine and it is just a blast. I was there yesterday for the day and it was as good as ever. I got some new jeans, stuff for my puppies, treats for my spoiled ponies, a new sleazy for Charles and some information on breeding... more on that at a later date ;). I love the Congress and I like to think I have it pretty well figured out as a visitor. I hope these tips help you out when visiting the legendary show.

A beautiful evening at the Congress before we left

Happy Shopping and I hope you learn something too :)

 ~ Brandy

- What are your favorite parts of the Congress???

Starting Fresh: Tips for Starting Over Showing with a Young Horse

It is a great feeling to have a horse that is 100% in tune with you, knows their job and does it successfully. You know all their in's and out's, all their quirks and how to ride them to their best. These are the horses that show all day and are competitive and successful in almost every class... the ones people sit back and say "wow, that horse sure knows it's job". These horses make showing easy because they know their job, you know how to show them and they make you successful. These horses are finished, broke, smart and to be honest, a little boring. It is usually when my horses reach this peak of training and performance that I start finding a young prospect. Don't get me wrong, I love a good, broke, easy show horse but sometimes it's fun to have one that challenges you, makes you think and teach them. I love nothing more then to take an unbroke 2 year old and turn them into that superstar all around horse we discussed above. This is not an easy transition. It's a long, frustrating journey from start to finish but one I have found to be most rewarding.

I am currently experiencing this transition. Charlie is broke to death; he is 7 years old, he knows his job, he is a piece of cake to show and he really only needs to be kept in shape in order to go to horse shows and be successful. I love having him so finished but at the same time, I have my younger project, Ella, a 3 year old filly who keeps me on my toes and is still completely in the process of learning to be a show horse. Though sometimes it can be frustrating, my wise father reminds me that they do not all start out "Charlie-broke". It takes time. About 4 years ago I was in the same situation except I had broke to death Slipper and was attempting to teach baby Charlie how to fill those big all around shoes. I remind myself daily that Ella will get there, I just need to be patient. Now that I have done this process once and I am starting it again, here are my top tips for starting fresh with a young horse.

Starting Fresh: 5 Tips for Teaching a Young Horse to be an All Arounder

1. Be Patient
Young horses require endless patience. They are young and they don't understand. You have to slow it down and TEACH them their job or they will never do it successfully and happily. They do not become machines overnight... even the super naturally talented ones take time. They still have to mentally understand all that they are physically capable of. If you are patient and kind throughout the training process and help them to UNDERSTAND, you will have a happier and longer lasting all around horse in the end.

2. Take Your Time
This process may take a year; it may take 3 years. You never know how long it will take to finish one. Every horse is different. You can't rush them- some horses pick things up seemingly overnight (Ella is a supergenius and only has to be taught things once) and others take constant repetition over long periods of time to grasp the concepts (Charlie took almost 3 months to learn to go over the trail bridge). Both types of horses can be amazing in the end but you need to take the time they require to learn and not rush them. Some horses are naturals at some classes and struggle with others and that is okay- they will get it in time. Just keep working little bits every day and I promise you they will get there. For example, Charlie was a natural at Western Riding from day one. He was finished and showing that class successfully by his 2nd year in the show pen. Showmanship however was a different story; it was a constant struggle. I did not consider him finished in Showmanship to my standards until his 4th year in the show pen.

3. Take the Good with the Bad
The Western Riding/Showmanship example from above brings me to my next point, take the good parts with the bad parts. I accepted that Charlie was not going to be a Showmanship World Champion overnight and just kept plugging away at it and having respectable, 3rd place type patterns at the shows. Meanwhile, he was winning the Western Pleasure, Equitation and Western Riding. Though I love Showmanship and it had previously been my best and favorite class with Slipper, I realized it was not going to be that way with Charlie and that was okay because he had other strengths she did not. Throughout the learning process you should celebrate all the positives and not let the negatives get you down.

4. Teach them to Love their Job
All my other points all wrapped up into one: if you have patience, take your time and take the good with the bad, you will end up with a happier horse that loves their job. If you slow down and teach them, not scare them and give them confidence in what we are asking them to do, you are improving your chances of creating an all around horse that will be out there packing Novices around with their ears perked when they are in their 20's. That is my goal with every horse; I want them to enjoy what they do and they will not do that unless they understand it, have confidence and trust you. Charlie was scared to death of all trail obstacles in the beginning. It was a slow, tedious process to get him to where he is today; for 3 months I fed him grain and treats off the bridge until he finally would walk over it. But, the time and patience paid off because he trusts me to keep him safe and as long as I tell him things are okay, generally he does whatever I ask (not the case with mailboxes- they apparently have monsters inside them made to eat little white horses and he is just not willing to take that chance and get too close... I have just accepted that the pony express will never be his calling). Charlie also loves trail now, his always has his little ears pricked throughout the whole class and focuses really well. Do it right and you will have the all around horse that everyone is jealous of.  

5. Don't Give Up
This is going to be a frustrating process. It's not easy. Going from broke to death to a blank slate is a large adjustment and it is going to be a while until you are competing at the same level again. But do not give up. Eventually they will get there and when they do, I can personally tell you it is the most rewarding experience. To start from the bottom with a blank slate 2 year old and work your way back up to the level of your previous broke horse is an amazing feeling. You will get back to the top, just not overnight. Don't give up after a frustrating ride or a bad horse show; those are just another step towards the end result. I wanted to give up so many times throughout the training process with Charlie... around month 2 of feeding him grain off the bridge and him still refusing to walk over it or the 10th time he moved his foot in showmanship pivots at horse shows... it was a tough process but my dad kept reminding me that no horse starts out finished and eventually they will get there. The day Charlie laid out a flawless trail pattern with no ticks at the Pinto World Show and tied for Reserve World Champion was one of the happiest and proudest days of my life. All those tedious hours trying to make him a good trail horse and all the days it seemed impossible were worth it in the end to know that we had overcame the struggles. No one else knew (besides my family) how truly important that lost tie for a buckle and that big yellow ribbon was to me: to take a horse that was once too scared to lope poles and walk over a bridge and used to literally hit every. single. pole. to that level  and succeed was so incredibly rewarding. Someone had to take that time to teach every one of those amazing all around horses to be what they are. If they can do it, so can you... and it will be so worth it in the end.

I am so glad I took the time to make Charlie into the all around horse he is today; the journey to get here was rough but it is so rewarding to say that I did it all and made him the all around superstar horse he is today; a horse that loves his job, does every event right down to the barrels and does it very well. Ella will get there too, I just keep reminding myself that they all start out as blank slates and you have to sculpt them into great horses. One day you can look back after winning high point and say wow, what a great horse I have created and all the frustrations will be irrelevant.

Baby 3yo Charlie

Finished All Around Charlie

~ What are your experiences with starting over fresh???

Missing London

It's been almost 3 months since I returned from London. As I sit here in the middle of boring Findlay, OH drinking my morning coffee from my Tower of London mug before I go to class and work, London seems so far away and almost like a long lost dream. The girl who lives my mundane life back home just doesn't seem like the same world traveler who took on London less than 3 months ago. Though it seems like it was all a beautiful dream, I know it was not. It was real and it was hard; it was stressful, confusing and exhausting yet it was the best experience of my life. The more time that lapses from my time across the pond, the more I realize how incredible the whole experience was. London is a city like no other... I took for granted being there for three weeks in a beautiful flat with unlimited time to explore. I am already completely ready to return. There are many things I miss about London but I tried to keep the list short.... or I might start crying into my coffee.

So here we go- 9 things I miss about London in no particular order: 

1. I miss Pret. Such yummy and healthy fast food. We really need to get those on every street corner here like they are in London. I especially miss the Pomegranate Hibiscus juice :( USA needs to get on Englands fast food level ASAP.

2. I miss Primark. Cheap, adorable clothing and accessories. Emphasis on cheap. and adorable.... but rumor has it they are crossing the pond and we will soon have Primark in the USA!!!

3. I miss being about to see history on every street corner and anywhere I look. Even just walking from my flat to the Tesco Grocery led me past adorable little Mew's that once housed the London carriage horses and now have cute apartments and townhouses. We lived 2 blocks from Regents Park; a fact we sadly did not realize until the last week. Even our flat was a 100-year-old home that once belonged to a rich London family. Though it was converted to apartments, elements of it's past still can be found such as the servant elevator we used to get to our 5th floor flat and the ornate fireplace in our living room.

Our beautiful home away from home, Hampden House

4. I miss castles. There were castles everywhere. Since I am secretly a princess, this was just perfection in my opinion. Someday I will go back and maybe I will buy one. There are no castles in Ohio and it is incrediably depressing.

5. I miss UCL and Dilke House. UCL (University College of London) was our school while we were in London and it was a huge, sprawling, historical campus. Our classroom and host office (AIFS: American Institute of Foreign Study) were in Dilke House right smack in the middle of campus. To study at such a prestigious and historical university was just so fantastic. Also, AIFS was fantastic. They were there to help and hold our hands when London got confusing and overwhelming or just to have a nice chat after class. Oh and they had Kareoke night and it was absolutly great.

6. Abbey Road. I went all the way to the tube station St. Johns Wood and walked across it (barefoot of course) at least 3 times during my stay. I want to walk across it again. I want to walk where they walked just a few more times... or a lot more times. I want to go back and spend a day just sitting and waiting to see if Paul will wander past on his way to Abbey Road Studios. But for now I will settle for my poster in my bedroom and my Abbey Road mug of course.

The one time I didn't go barefoot

7. Believe it or not, I miss the Tube. It was so easy to just go anywhere. Tap your Oyster card and off you go. Despite when it was crowded, hot, smelly or randomly not running- it is a great form of transportation and once I figured it out, super easy to navigate. Also, all the Buzzfeed lists about the Tube and all its quirks just make me want to balance and wobble my way from Great Portland Street to Tottenham Court one more time... which of course would spit me out right in front of Primark (see what I did there??)

Home base Tube stop

8. Oh how I miss the British way of speaking. Why did American have to lose that accent and word usage when we fought for our independence???? It's just such a nice use of words and the accents *swoon*. My goal is to make Brilliant and Savage happen in Findlay. Hopefully I will be more successful then Gretchen Weiners and "fetch".

9. Ireland. I could make a whole separate post about Ireland but I will keep it short and sweet. 3 days was not enough on this beautiful Emerald Isle but it was still incredible. I kissed the Blarney Stone, walked along the Cliffs of Moher, drank some Guinness in Dublin and discovered that it is truly as green as they say. I am Irish and being in the land of my ancestors was purely moving. Already planning another trip in the future because 3 days just wasn't enough.

Well I am not crying in my coffee yet but I am still missing this city something fierce. I just can't describe it. It was wonderful and beautiful and hard and stressful. We walked to much, slept too little, traveled like crazy and explored everything while making many a mistake along the way and had a few too many #TouristAlert moments and yet it was imperfectly a perfect study abroad experience. I am probably driving my roommates insane because every five minutes: "Omg while I was in London" or "So in London they do this..." or "look what I got in London".... but it's just still at the forefront of my mind nearly 3 months later.

Those three weeks taught me to wake up every morning anticipating an adventure and to take whatever happens in stride and find the beauty in it. Like when it took me two hours to make my way to the Churchill War Rooms despite the city mapper estimation of 20 minutes. Though the tubes I needed weren't running and I walked around South Kensington for an hour in the wrong direction; I found beauty in the mess. I saw beautiful houses and families out for a morning stroll. I passed famous landmarks and Kensington Gardens (3 times...oops). It was a sunny, warm morning and the walk was lovely and refreshing. Something like this normally would have put me in an automatic bad mood and destroy my whole day but through my experiences in London I learned to take it as it was and find the beauty. This experience changed me as a person.... my eyes have been opened to the world and different cultures. I just feel as though I can understand and appreciate differences more after 3 weeks in a different country, culture, and continent. I seek out adventures I never would have before. Instead of holding back and not taking the opportunities that pass by, I want to take those random opportunities and see where they lead me. Every opportunity in London led to something great and I just had to try everything once, even if it was just to say I did, I am trying to apply that to life back home as well; you only live once so make the most of it.

I know I have rambled and gotten sappy but it all came straight from the heart. I cannot say enough about this experience and how completely beautiful it was. Saying goodbye to London was hard but I know I will go back someday. I left a little piece of my heart there.

....and  I have to buy a castle.

Does it get more British and beautiful than that?

What I Learned Studying Abroad in London

My research project while in London was about the effect of World War 2 on London and it's people. After being in the city for 3 weeks and seeing the actual effect on the city itself I was struck with a whole new level of understanding. The way the citizens of London suffered throughout this war is hard for an American like me to understand. The food rationing, clothing coupons, endless bombing... it was horrific. We were so separated from these conditions thanks to the Atlantic Ocean and just never experienced the same level of hardship on the homefront. The city bears its scars proudly and lets some of the damage stand as a testament to what they endured and rose above.

The people who lived in London during World War 2 sent their sons, brothers and husbands overseas to fight, sent their young children to the countryside for protection and lived in constant fear of being bombed, invaded, losing their house, running out of food on top of the stress of war overseas. Every part of the city was affected: even the Tube became bomb shelters and thousands literally lived there throughout the war due to the bombing and housing shortages. Even the royals were affected: Princess Elizabeth had to use clothing coupons to purchase her wedding dress. The strength of the Londoners was shown throughout these years. They "kept calm and carried on" no matter what. When food rations grew scarce, they got even more creative with their recipes and grew gardens on every spare green space including the moat of the Tower of London.  When fabric and clothes ran out, they learned to sew and mend what they had to last. Men's trousers became skirts and women's dresses became children's shirts. The ingenuity and ability to adapt was integral to the people making it out of the war as positively as they did. It could have been so much worse....

I must say that I enjoyed researching this topic exponentially. It was so interesting and completely intertwined with most everything in London. I was lucky enough to be there for the 70th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the war in Europe and a day of huge celebration in London especially. I am proud to be an American and I am proud of the role we played in World War 2 but I have a huge amount of respect for the British people and London for how they survived the war and rose above it as strong as ever. They truly embody the idea of "Keep Calm and Carry On" .

The Best Two Weeks of the Summer

Well long time no blog!! I was in Europe for 3 weeks in May and between getting ready to go and getting caught up back home I have just had no time to blog! But I am back now and have some great ideas!

As I sit at home watching the Pinto World Show go on without me, I realized just how much I miss it. This year I chose the once in a lifetime experience of studying abroad in London for 3 weeks over the world show. Though London was incredible and I do not regret the decision, I am having serious Tulsa withdrawal as this is the first year I have missed it since 2010. I miss the anticipation and preparation and the feeling of entering the arena for the first time each year... I miss listening to Ronnie call us allllllllllll down to the paddock area now please and getting the Pinto Press each morning along with my donut in the Hospitality room. I miss the expo square breakfast box and McCalisters. I miss catching up with old friends everywhere I go and making new friends in the arena lineups and holding pens. I miss days off at the water park, watching races at the track on early evenings and endless shopping in the trade show. For those who have been to Pinto Worlds, you will fondly recognize many of these memories and I am sure have your own different favorites. As I reminisce about my many amazing years at World Show I have realized that I may have gone down there the first time to show my horse and hope to win a ribbon and maybe even a buckle but it's the people and experience that keep me coming back year after year. I have won ribbons, buckles and saddles at the Pinto World Show and that is amazing. But more importantly, I have learned so many lessons of humility, gratitude, respect, friendship, hard work and if you ask me, that is the real "win".

THE Ford Truck Arena

The people who run the show, the friends we have made and maintained over the years and the memories made every year are the things that make me want to go back year after year. Spending two weeks with so many wonderful people who share your passion is amazing. The bonds you make can be for life. I personally owe the world show for giving me one of my best friends in the world: in 2008, Kaity Arthur and I attended the world show and competed together on a youth team and got to be very good friends those two weeks. 7 years later, she is a bridesmaid in my wedding and one of my best friends in the whole world. The show just brings people together as do the horses and the whole sport. Last year, the world show gave me even sweeter memories when my long time boyfriend proposed to me in the center of the arena during the charity walk trot class. The Ford Truck Arena is my engagement location and down the road when I take my kids to the world show they can still see the place where we got engaged. It is these bonds and memories that have so endeared the show to me and make me want to come back year after year.

Crazy World Show Best Friends from 2008-2014

Pinto World Engagement 

You will not find a world show with more friendly people, fun events and lasting memories anywhere. They have so many events such as the Challenged Riders Leadline and Dog Show that lets everyone relax and enjoy without thoughts of competition. The staff for the show are always so kind and helpful... it's like a mini-reunion every year when you see all those friends and people again back doing their jobs and making the show run so smoothly. I thought a year or two off would be fine and I wouldn't mind staying home for the 2 weeks in June. I was so wrong. I miss my Tulsa time so much... seems that you don't realize how much things mean until you're missing them. I miss the people, the friends, the heat, the city and, of course, the competition. Next year I get married and I will skip the world show again but watch out 2017- I will be trying my hardest to be back in Tulsa with the people I have made lifelong bonds with over love for the best world show there is and the best painted horses around.

Challenged Riders Leadline

If you have never been to Pinto Worlds, go, trust me. If you have been before, I am sure you know exactly how I feel and I will see you there again another year for the best two weeks of the summer in a little corner of Tulsa where dreams come true, lifelong friends come along and memories of a lifetime are made.

Until next time, I will be very busy watching the live feed and cheering on all my amazing friends competing!

What is your favorite memory from Pinto Worlds??? Comment with it :) 

Day 15: Imperial War Museum Visit

This morning I had a private meeting with Terry Charman, the senior historian at the Imperial War Museum. I am so honored that he took the time out of his busy schedule to meet with me and discuss my project about World War 2 and the effect it had on the people of London; which is one of his specialties. I had a wonderful discussion with Mr. Charman about the effect of the second world war on the people of London then and how the impact of the war lasted well beyond victory. There were two big things I got out of our discussion:

1. The civilians of London suffered greatly from the extreme bombing. While the government tried to combat the bombs and rebuild for the people, they often learned the lessons of how to best deal with the dire situation after the need had passed. They learned from their mistakes but sometimes it was too late and many civilians lost their lives as a result. On the flip side, the bombing did not kill as many civilians as they had anticipated and this was a result of the precautions put in place and a strong effort on the part of all Londoners. 
2. There was no specific part of London that was the most affected. While the East End was bombed the most heavily, everyone in the city suffered from the constant stress of the bombing, rationing, ford and clothing shortages, the blackout, having husbands, sons and brothers off at war and trying to keep morale alive in the midst of total devastation.

The war did have an unbelievable impact on the city of London and the people of the city. The legacy of the war I have discovered throughout my research is that the war effected very single part of life in London during the war and long after the war. The civilians suffered losses that rivaled the losses on the front lines. People in London are still highly affected by this war and its repercussions. When the speak of life "after the war" they are still speaking of World War 2. In America we were never affected on the same scale as the British people; we were not bombed out of our homes, we were to rationed as heavily and we did not sustain anywhere near the level of civilian deaths. The legacy of World War 2 I grew up on in the United States is significantly different then the legacy here in London. I think that is the biggest shock from my project: I thought I knew this war well and had a thorough understanding of it but upon arriving in the city that still bears scars from the war and suffered so greatly has opened my eyes to a whole other part of the second world war.

Staggering statistics

 After my meeting with Mr. Charman, I went through the entire museum. There was a special exhibit called "Fashion on the Ration" which revolved around how people dressed and how fashion changed during the severe rationing throughout World War 2. The coupon system for clothing limited the amount of clothes you could buy new and the clothes were more practical and no frills. Utility Wear was the norm in this time which was a basic, hardy wardrobe built to last but with no frills or embellishments. When even these basic clothes became scarce, the government encouraged women to "Make Do and Mend" their clothing. Re-purposing and mending was the new norm. Sewing classes were offered around the city and there women could learn to turn old mens shirts into baby clothes or an old pair of trousers into a girls skirt. Fabric shortages caused the skirt hemlines to rise, pleating to become unfashionable and things like double breasted jackets and silk stockings were not allowed. It is amazing to me how much the people of London had to live through. America got out of this war very easy thanks to the Ocean's of protection but England was right there with just the Channel for protection. We never saw the level of food and clothing rationing , bombing or death in America that they dealt with day to day in London. It was hard to understand just how little we suffered in the war until I was actually there to see the lasting damage and read their history. Clothing and food rationing was something I had never realized existed until I began to study the wars effect on London.... And it had such a lasting effect on Londons people.

Examples of rationing information

Another part of the museum I found interesting was their Holocaust exhibit. It was so incredibly well done. I cannot say I enjoyed it as their is nothing about the Holocaust that is enjoyable but I was deeply moved and learned a lot throughout that exhibit. Such a terrible and bloody stain on human history that must never be forgotten so that it never get repeated.

They had a portion of the Berlin Wall in front of the Museum

Overall my visit to the Imperial War Museum was wonderful. The hours I spent in the Museum were highly informative and the whole museum is so well done, dedication to detail was impeccable and every exhibit great to explore. I have to say it was my favorite museum in London.

Such a wonderful museum

** I want to say a huge thank you to Mr. Terry Charman for taking some time out of his busy day to let me pick his brain about World War 2 and the effect it had on the people of London. I am so thankful he chose to share some of his vast knowledge with me.

Day 14: Warwick Castle, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Oxford University

Today we had another day trip! Our tour guide today was hilarious and our driver's name was Atilla (I am NOT kidding) and he was also hilarious. Our whole group was much better then the first day trip which made for an enjoyable day despite some rain. Our first stop was the ancient castle Warwick built by William the Conqueror in 1068. The castle was later turned into a stately family home and that was what we toured. The castle was beautiful and there was ancient arms and paintings adorning the walls. Unfortunately it was raining very hard throughout this stop which made it a bit less fun.

Very rainy morning at Warwick Castle

Our next stop was Stratford-Upon-Avon to view the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It amazes me that the house is still there and walking through it was so cool because you literally stepped back in time. In one room there were professional actors who said they would take requests from any Shakespeare work and perform a part of it. The performed the first meeting of Romeo and Juliet wonderfully. Such a fun touch. The whole town of Stratford was adorable and just so English.

Birthplace of Shakespeare!!

Inside his house

Our last stop was the oldest university in the world: Oxford. We took a short tour of the campus but it is so sprawling that we only got through a small piece. We were able to go inside Brasnose College which boasts alumni such as David Cameron and William Golding. I also got to see the statue that inspired Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter movies and the lightning bolts carved into the sidewalk outside the Sheldonian Theatre that gave inspiration for Harry to get his lightning bolt scar. I also saw the Eagle and Child pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien met to read each others developing novels and discuss writing and literature. As a huge fan of both, this was a huge fangirl moment.

Original stained glass beside replaced clear glass following WW2 bombing that shattered the original windows in this room inside Brasnose

Project related, inside the common room for Brasnose College, some of the stained glass windows had been blown out during bombing of WW2. Instead of replacing the stained glass, they replaced the windows with clear glass so the effect of the war would never be forgotten. This is yet another example of how this country bears their scars with pride. They choose to remember the bad times and how they rose above it instead of covering up the scars and trying to forget.

Most beautiful university

Nearly Headless Nick!!!

Look familiar? Harry?

Pub where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discussed their famous novels such as Lord of the Rings and The Lion, The  Witch and the Wardrobe!

On the way home, a car broke down in the middle of the road and our bus driver and guide decided to move it for the guy so they put the bus in park and literally pushed the car out of the way. Quite an entertaining end to our day. Overall, I highly enjoyed this day trip as I got to see more of England and view some places of huge historical and cultural significance. Of course I had to get an Oxford sweatshirt so I look extra smart back in the states ( I have always wanted an Oxford sweatshirt!).