A BIG Change!

 Sometimes change comes when you least expect it! That was the case this past week for my Maddy Moo. We arrived at the barn a week ago and Mandy asked Maddy if she wanted to try something new and so a new chapter begins!

 But let me back up a bit...for many years Maddy has said she would like to ride English, but each time we offered for her to give it a try she was overcome with anxiety as there is MUCH less support in an English Saddle. So intermittently she would walk only in an English saddle, but it was only a handful of times as the fear was too much. Once Maddy started riding Lila she began to enjoy English more and more to the point where it has become a joke because she chooses English EVERY time, we give her a choice between English and Western. Maddy has even expressed a desire to learn to jump. For 5 months Lila and Maddy have been partners in every sense of the word and because of Lila's calm and unflappable demeanor coupled with Mandy's thoughtful approach and encouragement, Maddy's confidence has skyrocketed. 

And so, after a week of careful deliberation and lots of very mature, thoughtful conversations and weighing our options, Maddy has made the difficult decision to move on to a new horse. 

Meet Quigley!!!

Quigley is a very lovable, HUGE gelding of 18 hands who has the temperament of a sweet puppy dog and is a beautiful English horse who can jump. 

The connection between Maddy and Lila has been so special to watch. Those two girls love each other so much and none of this would be possible without Lila! Lila healed Maddy's heart and helped her make the transition to a new barn and rekindle her love of riding and calm her anxiety. We are so grateful for the 5 months that Lila was "our girl" and equally thankful that Lila's family has allowed us to share their girl. They have told Maddy that she is always welcome to Lila and that they are excited to watch her continue to grow and learn with her new boy.

If you have read our blog for long you know that prior to P.D. and Lila, Maddy always loved big geldings so in many ways she is returning to her first love!

And while it is fun to see her riding improving constantly, this week was about so much more. I watched my shy, little girl who HATES to make decisions conduct herself in a way I didn't know she was capable of. The careful approach she took to this decision was so deliberate and so mature. Well beyond her years and comfort zone. She weighed so many pros and cons and made a mental checklist of the things she needed to try and know before she was ready to make a decision. She spoke to her coach and asked the questions she needed to, and she made one of the hardest decisions of her life. 

I cannot thank Mandy enough for all the ways she has poured into Maddy in our time at Stable Strides. She is one of the kindest, most loving women I have ever met. She is also calm in all circumstances and has such an amazing ability to know her riders and encourage them and reach them exactly where they are while also pushing them to grow and challenge themselves. Not to mention how much fun Maddy, Mandy and Katie have. Maddy is a different child then the one I stepped into the barn with on June 17th and that is a testament to the love that Mandy has shown her. 

We are so excited for this next season in life as Maddy continues to push past every obstacle to chase the dreams and goals she sets for herself!

Ali