Zi has been doing great! We had a liberty session yesterday and I tacked him up and rode him today and he did fantastic:) It's amazing because he requires so much softness of feel and the softer I am the more he begins to offer! It's incredible and definitely a neat thing for me as a horseman and rider to play with. He also is a quick learner and picks things up so fast! In our riding session today, at the start of it he wasn't sure exactly how to turn while continuing to walk and trot. By the end though he was trotting consistent circles and everything! His trot is the most comfortable, big and fluid trot I've ever felt in my life! This horse really is going places, he is going to teach me so much!
Today, I had this realiziation hit me like a brick. I am leaving in three months for school. My entire life is going to change. I will not be around my friends, Magi will be gone and I will be away finally able to pursue my dreams with a horse like Zi. I am so incredibly excited but I am also terrified. I want to be fearless and I am striving for that. God has so much in store and I feel myself more and more surrendering to His name and to what He has. There is no fear in pursuing what God has laid before me, I know he guides my steps. I need to let go and embrace the change even though I don't want to. I want to stay close to the friends I have gotten so close to in the last nine months. I want to hold on yet I realize I need to let go and embrace what God has in store for me in the future. Letting go is not easy. I have to let go of Magi. I have to let go of him because I love him and there has not been a harder lesson to learn than that one. It hurts. Yet I see God's hand in it and that is what I am clinging to.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Passion
Zi's second day has been fantastic.
I truly have the bestest best friends in the world. Courtney, Elizabeth, Mark, Zack and I all had a picnic at the barn and then rode Magi and I worked with Zi. I loved it! It was just healthy fellowship and God was the center of it, plus the fact that I have friends who truly support and appreciate the passion of my heart.
Zi was wonderful today. I can't really tack him up and ride yet because his new girth and bridle don't come until tomorrow. But today was spent doing a lot of undemanding time and playing. He jumped barrels...trotted circles and changes of direction, backed through doorways, I picked up all four feet from one side, and he got to hang out with me while I helped Katie with her trailering session with Ari. It is definitely love at first sight. I truly have never felt this instant kind of connection with a horse before, he has so much potential and thrives with attention. He is very sensitive and definitely more so than Magi is. So far, the one thing I have worked the most on is backing up. I noticed that he seems to be unconfident backing up more than a few steps especially if he's backing towards something. In order to help him become even more confident backing out of a trailer we've worked on backing through doorways and small spaces today. He's been great so far. I really love working with a introverted horse that's so different than Magi is.
Magi is also doing great. I got to play with and ride him and also had Mark and Courtney ride him. He is still jealous of Zi but truly had a great session today. He definitely had some dominance attributes that were even more pronounced due to Zi's arrival. But overall a fantastic day:)
God has really been laying it on my heart lately that I need to guard my heart in relationships and friendships and more than that I need to be in constant surrendrance to His will. I don't think I've ever realized more what that looks like until these last few months. There is definitely beauty in the breaking and sometimes God asks us to surrender something that we don't want to let go of. Yet, when we actually let it go He fills us with His peace that transcends all understanding. I feel that peace and I can see God's hand in my life that last few months. Zi is a blessing. I can not wait to see where God leads us next!
I just am so passionate about horses and the fact that God has given me this passion makes me more passionate! Everything I do reflects that passion and I love that I am finally being given the chance to share my heart with others. With my friends...with others in the horse industry and also I am allowed to share my heart as I work with Zi. I am in love with the way God works.
I truly have the bestest best friends in the world. Courtney, Elizabeth, Mark, Zack and I all had a picnic at the barn and then rode Magi and I worked with Zi. I loved it! It was just healthy fellowship and God was the center of it, plus the fact that I have friends who truly support and appreciate the passion of my heart.
Zi was wonderful today. I can't really tack him up and ride yet because his new girth and bridle don't come until tomorrow. But today was spent doing a lot of undemanding time and playing. He jumped barrels...trotted circles and changes of direction, backed through doorways, I picked up all four feet from one side, and he got to hang out with me while I helped Katie with her trailering session with Ari. It is definitely love at first sight. I truly have never felt this instant kind of connection with a horse before, he has so much potential and thrives with attention. He is very sensitive and definitely more so than Magi is. So far, the one thing I have worked the most on is backing up. I noticed that he seems to be unconfident backing up more than a few steps especially if he's backing towards something. In order to help him become even more confident backing out of a trailer we've worked on backing through doorways and small spaces today. He's been great so far. I really love working with a introverted horse that's so different than Magi is.
Magi is also doing great. I got to play with and ride him and also had Mark and Courtney ride him. He is still jealous of Zi but truly had a great session today. He definitely had some dominance attributes that were even more pronounced due to Zi's arrival. But overall a fantastic day:)
God has really been laying it on my heart lately that I need to guard my heart in relationships and friendships and more than that I need to be in constant surrendrance to His will. I don't think I've ever realized more what that looks like until these last few months. There is definitely beauty in the breaking and sometimes God asks us to surrender something that we don't want to let go of. Yet, when we actually let it go He fills us with His peace that transcends all understanding. I feel that peace and I can see God's hand in my life that last few months. Zi is a blessing. I can not wait to see where God leads us next!
I just am so passionate about horses and the fact that God has given me this passion makes me more passionate! Everything I do reflects that passion and I love that I am finally being given the chance to share my heart with others. With my friends...with others in the horse industry and also I am allowed to share my heart as I work with Zi. I am in love with the way God works.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
He is Here!:)
Zi is here! My Dad, Katie, and I all went to pick him up today.
I feel like a giddy little girl again. I don't think this ever gets old.
I feel like a giddy little girl again. I don't think this ever gets old.
He settled in perfectly, very calm cool and collected. He trailered like a champ and surprised me with how well he trailered and settled in. Magi was not a very happy camper.. he was a little bit jealous of the fact that my attention is no longer completely centered on him. Today, I just felt and saw God in everything. God was in the center of all of this and He led me to Zi and led me to a horse of his calibur. I am so amazed and in awe of Him and who He is and of the fact that He is opening doors for me in the horse world.
Having Zi here definitely helps ease the pain of having to let Magi go. It doesn't make it go away but it helps to see that God has plans for me still. He gives and He takes away. Zi has potential. I played with him today, I only focused on the basic seven games and then I hung out with him in his stall for awhile. I even hopped on him bareback for a little bit tonight and he was amazing. I definitely see some areas that he needs a lot of work on but there is no baggage and nothing to "undo," which is just perfect for a horse trainer like me:).
Having Zi here definitely helps ease the pain of having to let Magi go. It doesn't make it go away but it helps to see that God has plans for me still. He gives and He takes away. Zi has potential. I played with him today, I only focused on the basic seven games and then I hung out with him in his stall for awhile. I even hopped on him bareback for a little bit tonight and he was amazing. I definitely see some areas that he needs a lot of work on but there is no baggage and nothing to "undo," which is just perfect for a horse trainer like me:).
God is opening doors. God is just in the center of this. I felt Him in everything today. I have even more of a fire for Him and for my passion and I can not wait to see where it will take me and the rest of the doors God will open.
All I know is that I am His. He is mine. I have a passion for horses that He has given me. I love horses. I see God's hand in horses and I know He will use it somehow.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Whispers of Summer
Zi comes in six days :) School is done in three days:) I can feel summer's whispers!
I am beyond excited.
This summer I will be spending all my time at the barn, working with Zi and continuing to work and enjoy time with Magi for as long as I have him. Magi is officially listed for sale on equine.com and is being marketed as a Level 4 Parelli horse/dressage horse and hunter prospect. If you know of anyone interested please let me know, I really want to find him a good home.
This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I wish things were different but they aren't. God is just opening my eyes and heart up to so much more. I had a close friend tell me earlier today that I need to find joy in this because it is what God wants. It hurts yes, but I will continue to give my best effort and continue to love and open up my heart and give my best for Christ.
I am three months away from leaving for Blackhawk. That excites me to no end! God has so much in store for me and I am just so excited to see what happens and what He does!
Six days. :) Zi is a blessing. He will challenge me in new ways and grow me in even more!
-Kayla&Magi&Zi
I am beyond excited.
This summer I will be spending all my time at the barn, working with Zi and continuing to work and enjoy time with Magi for as long as I have him. Magi is officially listed for sale on equine.com and is being marketed as a Level 4 Parelli horse/dressage horse and hunter prospect. If you know of anyone interested please let me know, I really want to find him a good home.
This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I wish things were different but they aren't. God is just opening my eyes and heart up to so much more. I had a close friend tell me earlier today that I need to find joy in this because it is what God wants. It hurts yes, but I will continue to give my best effort and continue to love and open up my heart and give my best for Christ.
I am three months away from leaving for Blackhawk. That excites me to no end! God has so much in store for me and I am just so excited to see what happens and what He does!
Six days. :) Zi is a blessing. He will challenge me in new ways and grow me in even more!
-Kayla&Magi&Zi
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Beauty in the Breaking
There is beauty in the breaking.
When I'm flat on my face and I feel like my world is falling apart THAT is when I feel God the most.
That is when He refines me more to Himself and when I am completely and utterly consumed by Him and who He is.
What does it look like for me to completely give everything for Him?
How do I achieve that?
Amidst the pain... and heartache, there is joy because I know I am doing what God has called me to do. I know that I am close to Him and this and that is all that matters.
There is beauty in the breaking.
Consume me Lord for I am yours.
-Kayla
When I'm flat on my face and I feel like my world is falling apart THAT is when I feel God the most.
That is when He refines me more to Himself and when I am completely and utterly consumed by Him and who He is.
What does it look like for me to completely give everything for Him?
How do I achieve that?
Amidst the pain... and heartache, there is joy because I know I am doing what God has called me to do. I know that I am close to Him and this and that is all that matters.
There is beauty in the breaking.
Consume me Lord for I am yours.
-Kayla
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Start of Something New
I went out to Kingsway today for the first time in months. I used to board Magi there when I first bought him and being back out there was so crazy. I watched one of my friend's lessons and helped teach a little bit and got to ride and everything it was great! I was shocked though because the barn owner stopped me to catch up a little bit and he asked me to maybe judge the barn's upcoming schooling show as well as help teach camp lessons this summer! God just completely opened another door and working at a barn all summer teaching lessons would be absolutely perfect! I am going to follow up with him again in the next few weeks and make sure that all this actually happens but it was definitely an encouraging morning. I needed that.
I am so excited for this summer and upcoming fall. I feel that God is just doing SO much and growing me and stretching me and pushing me outside my comfort zone in ways that hurt like crazy but are so good. I feel Him like no other and He is just holding my heart and guiding my steps. I have realized that in the mids of brokenness God is there He is here and I am relying on Him like no other. I want that to be how it is all the time. I always want to feel this close to God and who He is. I just feel in complete surrendrance. I am His. I can not wait for what lays in store.
Zi comes in two - ish weeks :)
-Kayla
I am so excited for this summer and upcoming fall. I feel that God is just doing SO much and growing me and stretching me and pushing me outside my comfort zone in ways that hurt like crazy but are so good. I feel Him like no other and He is just holding my heart and guiding my steps. I have realized that in the mids of brokenness God is there He is here and I am relying on Him like no other. I want that to be how it is all the time. I always want to feel this close to God and who He is. I just feel in complete surrendrance. I am His. I can not wait for what lays in store.
Zi comes in two - ish weeks :)
-Kayla
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Surrender
I have decided to be more diligent about updating this and I have decided to change the tone of this blog. I have made it more of a personal blog about my relationship with and passion for Jesus Christ and my journey in pursueing horses.
As far as news is concerned, I am officially registered for classes at Blackhawk this fall! I am so excited and God has just opened so many doors for it to even be happening. I am so pumped. I am getting a new horse, his name is Rock of Uzziah or "Zi." He is a four year old American Warmblood gelding that's 16.hh tall and still growing! I am very excited to pursue dressage naturally with him and his potential is such that there is really no limitation with him. My dressage trainer will be working a lot with him and I, and I plan on really taking him through the Parelli levels and reaching some new and exciting heights in that realm! God is good.
Lately what has really been on my heart is surrendering. I was recently drawn to a verse in 1 John (1 John 2:6) that says "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." I went to a friend's college group a few weeks ago and they were talking about several verses in 1 John and the context of this verse and the ultimate question that rose was "what does it look like to truly give everything for God?" If I were to give up everything and follow after Jesus what does that look like? I have really been meditating on that and praying about it because I want to give everything. One of the realizations that I have come to is that when that is my prayer and heart... God answers and asks us to surrender things that are taken away. In my life right now I have reached a heartbreaking decision that I know is what God is calling me to. Parting with Magi is not easy, handing over my passions and desires is hard. But it is beautiful, I feel in such complete surrendrance with God and it hurts yet there is beauty in the breaking. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 is close to my heart right now, in my weaknesses God is strong and is holding me up.
Today was a good day, I got to play with and ride Magi and be a part of a trailering session with Katie and Ari in preperation for summer travels. Very exciting! Zi is coming next month and I am so incredibly excited to work with a young horse again and really begin to utilize so many new techniques and skills I've been learning in Parelli and from my dressage trainer. Vet comes out next week to do shots and I am planning on going out to Kingsway this weekend to hopefully work with some horses and people:)
<3 Kayla
As far as news is concerned, I am officially registered for classes at Blackhawk this fall! I am so excited and God has just opened so many doors for it to even be happening. I am so pumped. I am getting a new horse, his name is Rock of Uzziah or "Zi." He is a four year old American Warmblood gelding that's 16.hh tall and still growing! I am very excited to pursue dressage naturally with him and his potential is such that there is really no limitation with him. My dressage trainer will be working a lot with him and I, and I plan on really taking him through the Parelli levels and reaching some new and exciting heights in that realm! God is good.
Lately what has really been on my heart is surrendering. I was recently drawn to a verse in 1 John (1 John 2:6) that says "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." I went to a friend's college group a few weeks ago and they were talking about several verses in 1 John and the context of this verse and the ultimate question that rose was "what does it look like to truly give everything for God?" If I were to give up everything and follow after Jesus what does that look like? I have really been meditating on that and praying about it because I want to give everything. One of the realizations that I have come to is that when that is my prayer and heart... God answers and asks us to surrender things that are taken away. In my life right now I have reached a heartbreaking decision that I know is what God is calling me to. Parting with Magi is not easy, handing over my passions and desires is hard. But it is beautiful, I feel in such complete surrendrance with God and it hurts yet there is beauty in the breaking. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 is close to my heart right now, in my weaknesses God is strong and is holding me up.
Today was a good day, I got to play with and ride Magi and be a part of a trailering session with Katie and Ari in preperation for summer travels. Very exciting! Zi is coming next month and I am so incredibly excited to work with a young horse again and really begin to utilize so many new techniques and skills I've been learning in Parelli and from my dressage trainer. Vet comes out next week to do shots and I am planning on going out to Kingsway this weekend to hopefully work with some horses and people:)
<3 Kayla
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