ʈɦɛ ɦɑɾɖɛʂʈ pɑɾʈ iʂ [oʋer]

*Watch in HD and PLEASE, PLEASE READ*
None of you know how happy this video makes me. I can't put into words how I currently feel about Gizmo. I've been so close to giving up. He is unbelievably stubborn and difficult. However...in the stadium (not show) clips, does he look green or nervous to you? Or does he look like a trained, confident jumper? Go back to the first video I ever posted of gizmo. It does NO justice to how green he was. A year ago? Each time I approached a jump for the first time, I braced myself to fall. Cantering a fence the first time? Out of the question. Trotting, he stopped every time. Now, every course we do is cantering. Nerves? None. Approaching a fence, I don't worry about him stopping. I just count the strides and move with him. Man, does he have an amazing jump. It's just perfect.
I love him, so much. I love how he plays so much with his tail. I love how he's the fastest horse/pony at my barn. I love how he doesn't even have to try over a 2'6 high, 18" wide jump. I'm SO proud of him. I cannot express the immense pride Ihave. I've put so much work into him. Seeing it pay off? It is an UNREAL feeling. Like he's worth something. And after him, I have no plan. I have no horse. Everything I'm working towards is October, because after that? He's done.
"Let it go. . .Let your troubles fall behind you. Let it shine."
Your horse will drive you crazy. Your horse will push you, make you want to walk away and not come back. And then one day, you'll get something perfect.
"The hardest part is over."
During the winter, riding was miserable for me. On Sunday I realized he is going to learn. He framed. He listened. He's never done so well before. Maybe, after all the pain I have been through, we really can do this.
"It's the heart that really matters in the end."
Don't give up. No matter how hopeless your situation seems. You have no idea how much I "should" have given up! But I stick to commitments. It's not easy for me to give up. it's not something I'm willing to do. And now look how unbelievably happy I am! because I EARNED this amazing jumper.
"Our lives are made, in these small hours. These little wonders, these twists and turns of fate."
What if Gizmo had never been abandoned in Vermont? What if my trainer had not seen something special in Gizmo? What if she hadn't convinced my barn owner to keep him? Chance moments. And believe me, Gizmo was the LAST thing I expected to take on. I never even saw that type of thing as an option. Honestly, he changed my perspective about SO much. And yes, we got refusals in stadium. You know what? It happens. That's life. I'm grateful for everything. All of it has taught me something.
I love you, Gizmo. NOTHING will change that.

For those of you who care. I went to a GPC Elementary 2-phase w/ XC schooling this past Sunday. Most of these clips are from that. bitchesinbreeches, Sarah, came up and video-d. Gizmo was brilliant for dressage for the XC schooling. 12 stadium faults, came away with 2 ribbons; 3rd after dressage and 4th overall.