I’ve gotten a little tired of writing the same year-end wrap up posts that I’ve always done, basically just summarizing what a lot of flipping backwards through the blog could already show you. I’ve been brainstorming ways to come at it from different angles this year, like my favorite products of the year, or my show season wrap up. But they can get a little wordy sometimes, and without enough pictures (IMO), so I decided to do a “Favorites” post, featuring fewer words and more pictures. That’s always better.

Favorite show picture

I mean, geez Henry could you be any cuter? But also like… I legit never freaking imagined we’d be cantering around Prelim stadium at Texas freaking Rose, so this is a little bit of a surreal picture to look at in a lot of ways for me. I was also so proud of Henry that day, I could have burst, and that’s what really sticks with me.

Favorite non-show picture

Bringing Presto home in April was definitely life-changing, but having both of my boys together has been so fun. I love how they interact, and I love having Henry to help teach Presto about life. I didn’t really anticipate that when I originally decided to bring Presto to the barn, so it’s been maybe the biggest unexpectedly amazing thing of the year. They’re both incredibly special to me, and it makes my heart happy every day to have them together. I feel like this picture captures that pretty well.

Favorite thing you bought 

The new-to-us, majorly upgraded trailer was a little bit of an unplanned impulse purchase, but I regret nothing. I’d do it again in a heartbeat without so much as a second thought. The boys really deserved an upgraded ride, and now I don’t have to worry about longer hauls or any of the paranoia that came with having a really old trailer. I will never forget our first one, she gave us a freedom that was priceless, but it was well past time to move on. Our new ride has been AWESOME and I can’t wait to take it on some longer trips next year.

Favorite moment on horseback

A GIF is technically still a picture, right? But yeah, I don’t know that anything will ever top the feeling of crossing the finish line at our first Prelim. It just won’t. It still gives me goosebumps and makes me emotional just thinking about it. That’s what dreams coming true looks like.

Favorite moment out of the saddle

Watching Presto show at FEH Championships was emotional too, but in a different way. I’m not sure that the sharp memories of his early days and struggles will ever fully leave my psyche, they’re embedded so deep. I fret and fuss over him a lot because of it, in a relatively non-stop way. I know his every lump, bump, and imperfection, and I obsess over them. But on this day I just stood back and took a deep breath and enjoyed the moment. The fact that he’s still here, and we’d made it that far. To see a horse that I bred, who’s mother is a horse I also bred, in that big environment, and looking like he belonged… it was a really rewarding and jubilant moment.

Favorite “between the ears” picture

Have I mentioned how much I love these two idiots? After a long hard day there’s nothing a nice hack in the field with these two can’t fix.

Favorite horse book or article

It was tough for me to narrow this down to one, because I feel like I read a lot of good horse-related books and articles this year that really stuck with me. This book was one of 4 sports psychology related books that I purchased, and it has emerged as my favorite. I still haven’t made it all the way to the end yet (almost!), and some of it is a little gimmicky, but it’s also been REALLY helpful for me as far as thinking my way through things and being able to focus. Life-changing, honestly, and I like the methodical and progressive way that the book lays everything out.

Favorite horse ridden (or groomed/cared for) aside from your own

I forever claim first dibs on Flat if something happens to Trainer. You heard it here first. I’m ridiculously excited that Hillary bought one by the same sire, because all the babies I’ve seen by him have been super cool. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

Favorite funny picture of your horse

Presto HATED the hat I made him wear for his first birthday. HAAAATEEEEDDD. Hahahahahahahahahaha. Which reminds me, I need to start looking for a hat for his 2yo birthday…

Favorite fence that you successfully jumped or movement that you conquered

I have no actual reason for loving this jump (on the Training course at week 2 of Chatt) so much except that I just thought it was a really fun, cool fence. I love big brush, and it’s almost like a little wannabe half keyhole type thing. It wasn’t the biggest or scariest thing we jumped this year, but it was neat, and I’ll forever be sad that I don’t have a picture of us jumping it.

Favorite horse meme or funny picture

Who doesn’t love a good meme? If this isn’t the most true thing you’ve ever read in your life, I dunno what is. And especially appropriate now that I have all 3 of the above mentioned animals. It honestly kind of sums up my 2018 too, between the corgi’s dog backpack, the cat’s shit robot, and all of Henry and Presto’s shenanigans.

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Other bloggers: feel free to carry this on and add or change whatever you want! The only rule is that there’s gotta be a picture (or gif, or video) to go with everything.