Finding success in failure

Three months ago, Olive and I signed up for the Equisarte Winter Warm-Up Challenge.

We committed to completing twenty five rides or training sessions in the indoor arena during the first two and a half months of the year.

We almost made it.

We got all the way up to training session twenty one when the snow melted and riding outdoors became a thing again. Still, I was determined. I worked her inside three more times before I realized both of us were miserable.

 Then I said, "Enough is enough," and we went back to doing what we enjoy.

So much better!

Despite our failure, I regret nothing. I also don't feel guilty about proudly displaying our Winter Warm-Up Challenge ribbon.

Of course, Olive being Olive, had different thoughts on the matter.

It's been windy, and she wanted no part of the fluttering streamers. I worked with her for several days, and she's gotten better. Still, she's not ready to wear a ribbon on her halter.

I get it, so we did this instead.

While I haven't succeeded in desensitizing her to scary objects, I have done a bang up job of teaching her to ground tie. She flinched everytime that ribbon moved, but still stood like a pro for these photos.

Good pony!

Technically, this is celebrating failure, but I'm calling it success. This has been a really hard week, but we got through it and we won a ribbon. Thank you, Equisarte, and congratulations to the world's best Emotional Support Pony. You're always a winner to me.