So Much Growth- Appaloosa Worlds

 Sometimes I am unsure how to put into words what a blessing our new barn family has been. This weekend was amazing for my Maddy Moo. 

She had a bit of anxiety in the few days leading up to it. During our final practice on Thursday, Lila had a lot more energy and wasn't listening quite as well as she normally does. That along with knowing she would see the people from our former barn added to her anxiety. Maddy and I had several conversations to help her feel more comfortable and our good friend Jackie who volunteers and shows in the Veterans classes also spoke to her to try and help calm her fears. 

Maddy getting Lila show ready on Thursday.

There are so many things that make me proud of my girl, but one of the biggest is her relentless determination to take good care of her horse, to learn and be involved in all areas of preparing for practice and shows and her desire to constantly improve in her skills. That little girl works so hard in all ways regardless of how bad she feels, how tired she is or how much she hurts. Lila is so very lucky as she receives more love, grooming and care than any horse could ask for. To watch the bond between Maddy and Lila is really special.

Jackie is so patient teaching Maddy!

Nichole was back to be Maddy's volunteer for the first time in several years!

These two are so sweet together

Going into the show, Maddy knew Saturday would be a better day for them than Friday. Maddy has worked each lesson to get Lila into more of a western pleasure jog and at the barn is has improved every lesson, but horses always have a little extra energy and spunk at shows so she was prepared that her work might not translate to the show ring. As they entered the arena for a warmup before the class Lila got the zoomies as Maddy has named them. I saw Mandy go over and talk to Maddy. And then she preceded to take off Maddy's spurs. Maddy and Lila had moments during that horsemanship class that were beautiful, and I could see the fruits of her labor. However, it was a large class of 17 and as the riders got bunched up Lila sped up. Maddy continued to correct her and did everything she could to communicate with her horse. She finished with a 7th place finish! Following awards they stayed in the ring for a second class. Unfortunately, during the second class Maddy struggled to get Lila to trot without her spurs. She did eventually get her going, but did not place. My favorite part of all of this is the relationship that Maddy and Mandy have formed in a very short period of time. Mandy did not simply go over and tell Maddy to take off her spurs. They had a conversation and worked together to come up with a plan. Mandy thanked Maddy for trusting her and Mad told me that even though she was nervous she did trust Mandy. They have already had another conversation and some ideas to try moving forward to continue to improve Maddy's and Lila's pleasure class and jog. I love the way that Mandy doesn't treat Maddy as a young kid and bark orders. Instead, she lets her be a part of the plan and process. And Maddy feels very comfortable sharing her feelings with Mandy and letting her know when she agrees and when she has another idea. For those that know Maddy, you know what a testament that is to Mandy after just 4 months together!

Maddy had high hopes for Saturday as she had two classes she has traditionally done very well in and the class she was most looking forward to competing in. She started the morning with trail. It is not her favorite class to show, but she has always been very good at it. She had hoped to go 2nd or 3rd, but when no one else would go she stepped up and went first. She rode a beautiful trail pattern and finished up with a third-place finish. Next up was showmanship. She used to dread Showmanship, but she has come to like it, and she is excellent at it. It is probably my favorite class to watch her show. Her grace, her poise and dare I say her confidence shine in this class. She makes it look effortless, and it is far from it. She was the reserve World Champion (2nd place). After Showmanship, it was time for English Equitation. Before joining Stable Strides Maddy was petrified to ride in an English saddle. So, she has only consistently been riding English for the past few months and her improvement is astounding. Maddy has fallen in love with riding English and begs Mandy to do more English each week. It is so fun to watch her joy as she has fallen in love with this new discipline. Maddy was a little disappointed in her finish in English, but placing 7th is an amazing accomplishment and she knows she made a mistake that likely cost her. She is anxious to get back to work and continue improving and I imagine it won't be long until she gets the results she hopes for. 

My favorite moments from this weekend have absolutely nothing to do with riding. They were the moments I witnessed between classes that remind me we are in the absolute best place for my sweet girl. Maddy struggles to talk to almost anyone until she is pretty comfortable with them, but males have been harder than females most times. On Friday as Maddy and Lila were in the arena waiting on the second class, I looked across and saw her chatting and laughing with Alan, a volunteer and veteran rider. Maddy first met Alan in Tulsa, but didn't have much interaction with him. Friday was only the second time she had seen him! Alan has a gentle and kind spirit, and my sweet girl recognized that and felt safe to open up. On Saturday the wait for Showmanship results was pretty long. Maddy was in the arena with her teammates and I watched as her and two of her teammates were talking and laughing so hard they were doubled over at times. There were so many moments like this over the past two days and really the months that we have been a part of the Stable Strides Family. I am watching this amazing group break through the shyness and touch my girl and she is thriving and blossoming in ways I wasn't sure was possible. She feels loved. She feels comfortable. She feels safe. I am watching her anxiety melt away and be replaced by peace and joy. 

Maddy and Aiden

Maddy and a former teammate, Samantha

Maddy and Patrick

Maddy and Ana watching Chris do Showmanship

Waiting on awards

What a gift this barn has given us. They have shown us true friendship and support. They have given us camaraderie. They have reminded us of what it is like to have peace. They have brought fun and joy to every part of this journey from the time at the barn to the shows. They are healing our hearts.

We are so grateful for this place and this time.

Ali

Happy 11th Birthday, Maddy Moo!!!!

 Happy Birthday to my best girl!!!

Where have 11 years gone!!!!

To My Precious Maddy Moo-

 From the time I was a little girl and knew I wanted to be a mom; I always wanted a little girl. You made that dream come true 11 years ago. Your fiery red hair matches your fierce determination and desire to do everything to the best of your ability. You are so smart. You are kind. You are sassy and funny with those you are close too. You are the hardest worker. You set your goals and dreams high and don't let anything stop you from attaining them. You don't give your love and trust away easily, but when someone has earned them, they are so lucky to be loved by you. This year was full of change and hard circumstances, but you showed your strength and toughness as you sailed through it all with grace. I am so grateful for all of our time together sharing love, dreams, laughter and tears. I love you more than you will ever know baby girl and I could not be more proud of you!

Mommy

Fun Days

 Life in the Beckwith Household has been busy!!!!I am never sure where the hours and days go!

As is usually the case, Maddy's days are filled with time at the barn! She continues to improve in both riding skill and confidence. Her joy is infectious, and she could not love her Lila Bean more! She is loping and cantering every lesson and is working towards her goal of learning to jump. She is like a sponge absorbing everything Mandy throws at her and working hard to do her best and meet her goals. The confidence she is gaining at the barn continues to spill over into the other areas of life. She shocked me last week by auditioning for a solo or duet in Choir. She has also told Ms. Joli (her dance teacher) that she would like a solo in an upcoming recital. It is so fun to watch her thrive and blossom during this time. I love all of the time her and I get in the car and at the barn. It gives us a chance to have conversations and connect and create special memories. While the end of our time at our previous barn was so difficult, we are SO grateful and happy for where we have landed and to be making friends and enjoying the love and kindness that is the foundation of everything at Stable Strides. 

I also had a parent teacher conference about Ms. Maddy Moo. Her teacher is thrilled with how she is doing. According to her teacher she is a sweet, diligent, hardworking student and a joy to have in class. The most exciting report was that despite her dyslexia she is reading above grade level with very high accuracy and comprehension. School does not come easy for Mad, and I am so proud of her for pushing through the challenges to do her best. And she gets to see the fruits of her labors as her tutor decided based on her success that we should drop tutoring to one day a week!

As for my Bug...he is also working extremely hard. Due to a scheduling mix up he wound up with 18 credit hours this semester including some honors courses and math (his biggest struggle academically). He is busting his butt trying to stay on top of his workload while also handling his medical care, being on the esports team, participating in bible study, and volunteering. He will be happy when it's time for Christmas break!! Alex has always pushed beyond what anyone thought was possible and that continues to be true. He has a ton of friends, is close to his professors and an active participant in all areas of campus life. While also still being the best big brother! Maddy and Alex love their time together and are currently reading the same series of books for fun so they can chat and compare. Their relationship is so special to watch.  He even agreed to take a trip to the barn this weekend to look at horses and meet Lila!

For those who didn't see on Facebook, we had a really special surprise this weekend! Our Erin came to visit! Erin was Alex’s nurse for a number of years. She was with me during some of Alex's toughest years and while Bruce lived and worked in San Antonio. She is so much more than "Alex's nurse" she is a member of our family and a dear friend to me. She stopped working for us 6 years ago when she gave birth to her first child and moved away several years ago, but we continue to keep in touch! Getting to hug her and spend an hour chatting was such a gift! Boy, do we miss her and her family.

As for a medical update... Alex seems to be completely recovered from his infection and hospitalization a few weeks ago. We have also continued to receive all of his necessary fluids and nutrition. Maddy is doing pretty well. There is some concern that her knees are worsening so we continue to watch and wait until she has grown enough to perform the surgery needed. She has a ton of appointments coming up over the next month as we continue to try and keep her doing the best we can. As for me, still not much to report... we continue to struggle to find the correct dosage of thyroid medication. I have been anemic for months and have completed one iron infusion with another scheduled this week. I am "starting over" with a new GI in November as my PCP refuses to give up hope of finding answers and relief from severe pain anytime I eat. I had some new symptoms also crop up these last few weeks that have led to a few more tests over the next couple weeks. And to add to the fun, Bruce decided he didn't want to be left out, so he was in the ER and diagnosed with gallstones. He will schedule an appointment with a surgeon to follow up!

This weekend is a big weekend for the kids... Maddy will be showing at the Appaloosa World Show in Fort Worth. If you are local and would like to come watch, please reach out. If you are not local here is the link to watch on live stream. She is competing in 5 classes, two on Friday and 3 on Saturday. Friday. We expect to start around 4 on Friday and Saturday around 9. Appaloosa World Show LiveStream

Alex will be participating in his 10th year of Extra Life this weekend as well! If you would like to know more or support him the following link is to his page. Alex Beckwith Extra Life

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us with love, friendship and prayers.

Ali