My Reason Why… Facing Fears and Following Dreams

Well, I think it is time to share with you my personal journey of overcoming my fears, following my dreams and how it relates to the name of my blog, A New Day Lifestyle.  I think most of our dreams start when we are children. Then somewhere along the way we allow life to take those dreams away from us.  My dream started as a little girl who looked through the fences at the beautiful majestic horses my grandfather owned.  I imagined myself riding them fast like the wind with my hair blowing back and a big smile on my face.

Unfortunately, I was never afforded the chance to take proper horse riding lessons and my dream of riding a horse quickly turned into a trembling fear of horses.  Years had went by and my personal journey of riding began to fade.

My personal journey started calling me again in my 30’s and I decided to try riding again by taking a lesson or two.  My father in law asked me, “Why do you want to do this, now?”  I told him that I just wanted to learn how to ride a horse fast and not be afraid.  That was my ONLY goal and if I could ever get past that I have reached my dream of riding like the wind with my hair blowing back and not being afraid.  That was all I wanted.

There was one bad experience after another with multiple horse trainers and horses that frightened me.  But within the bad there were sprinkles of hope that I would one day be a good horse rider.  I wanted to quit dozens of times, I had finally reached the end.

Then we heard about trainers, Wes and Sena Bowling of Taylor Creek Stables.  I called Sena and told her,” You are my last resort, if I don’t get over my fears then I am done!”   Well, I started my training and she was so patient.   She told me I needed to show and compete.  I told her that I wasn’t buying a horse and I just wanted to ride fast.

Next thing I knew I was taking a road trip to Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.  I rode 14 horses and the last horse, was an American Saddlebred 5-Gaited Horse.  He was so huge because I had to look up at him. I told Sena I didn’t want to get on him.  She said, “Go on and ride him.  One last horse”  Well, I did and I made a lot of mistakes but this horse just took care of me and was sooo patient.

I ended up buying him and his name was Callaway’s New Day, Burt is his barn name.  I showed him that year and ended up at World’s (which is considered the American Saddlebred National Championship).  This personal journey was incredible because it had me terrified and overjoyed at the same time.  I did it!  I made it and went above and beyond my dreams.  As I am writing this I still have that same smile I have when I am showing him!

Fast forward to 9 years later.  I now own two other show horses including Callaways New Day.  The last time I showed I went to Syracuse and road my newest 5-gaited horse, Noble Charm.  We won and it was incredible.  Noble Charm may be considered a better horse in the arena but he will never replace what Callaway’s New Day has meant to me over the years.

My personal journey continues through starting this blog in facing fears and following dreams.  My hope is this blog will encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and encourage you to live your fullest life!