• Save

Motivation from Moshi, by Jane Savoie

Sometimes our biggest challenges become our greatest successes. As a Friesian, I’m not built for a good canter. My breed was bred for a fancy trot to elegantly and smartly pull buggies and carts. But with determination and proper training, I was able to develop an amazing canter! My ability to do superb one tempis is one of my proudest accomplishments.

Here in Wellington, the Para-Equestrian’s Olympic Trials are being held. Wow! What an amazing bunch of people! These are folks who have physical challenges much harder to deal with than I’ve ever had. They are a brave, talented, and determined bunch, who don’t let their disabilities slow them down. They’ve proven they can do anything they put their minds to!

Is there something in your life you’d like to do, but you don’t have the confidence to try? I suggest you google para equestrian dressage and take a look at the many videos of what these incredible athletes are accomplishing, with challenges that are probably much bigger than your own. Perhaps it will inspire you to give your dream a shot!

I’ve decided I want to give jumping a try. I’ve always thought it would be too hard for me, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll start small and without a rider, and see how high I can go! I know if I work at it, I’ll be a success. If I never try, I’ll never know how good I might be!

What can you work on today, to move you toward your goals? Do some of THAT!

Love, Moshi

From Indy:

I saw an alligator today! YIKES! It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen! It was about two feet long, with lots and lots of ugly teeth. It had crawled out of the canal to sun itself on the path that went around the neighborhood. Oh my, I was scared to death! It was so crazy looking! It looked like a monster!

Jane didn’t seem scared of it at all. She just put my leash on and took me back to the barn and closed the doors. She didn’t embarrass me for being afraid. She told me it was natural for everyone to be nervous about things we don’t understand. She hugged me and told me I was safe.

Have you ever been afraid of something, and then felt embarrassed about it? I’ll be you have. I hope you had a good friend nearby to help you overcome your fear. It really does help to have someone with you that understands.

Jane told me she sings when she gets nervous. She says it’s the perfect thing to do when you’re riding, and the tension starts to take over. You have to breathe when you sing, so you get plenty of oxygen while you distract yourself from the inner mind picture that’s imagining a bad thing happening, and causing the fear.

I howl when I’m scared. That scares everyone else! I guess my howl is pretty loud. I think of it as singing, but not everyone agrees.

What do YOU do when you’re afraid? I hope my howl-singing scares away the alligators!

Love, Indy

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

Leave a Reply