Τρίτη 9 Αυγούστου 2011

A post about my ambitions, hopes and dreams for the future, in less than 1,000 words...

ambition [æmˈbɪʃən] , n 
1. strong desire for success, achievement, or distinction
2. something so desired; goal; aim
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers,
2003

How ambitious can one be when is living in Greece, in year 2011, with economy going from bad to worse, salaries moving down and unemployment being a fact, coming along with a persons graduation?
Others say a lot, others say, not at all. I used to say “not at all”.
Since I was a little girl, it was made clear to me by parents, that although they could pay my riding lessons, we couldn’t afford as a family the cost of owning a horse.
And as the years were passing by, I realized the only way to ride without spending much, was to work at stables, or to ride better, in a way that I could be useful. I did work at stables in the past and I did rode good enough to be useful in the barns. But now, I m working in an office, and I m thanking my good luck for still having work that pays the bills. It doesn’t pay the livery though.
On May 2011, after 20 years of continuous riding, usually against my free time, my pocket, my friends and my boyfriends, I realized that I couldn’t pay anymore for the riding I want to do, to ride healthy horses, at a safe environment. I had to say goodbye to riding.

I was repeating to myself that it’s ok to give up horse riding. When people don’t have money to pay their rent, you can admit that it’s not “abandoning the horses” but “quitting for financial issues”. Didn’t work.
So, after thinking it again and again, I bend my head a little bit and got to my old riding club, where owners were always good people with understanding and I had a conversation about my situation. I can’t spend much money, not even for livery or half-livery and I can’t spend much time every week on riding, since I m working in office. And it sucks to admit that to other people. Surprisingly, I got a response that not only I wasn’t expecting, but also brought back a huge smile on my face.

Yes, they do want me back to their competing team. No, they do not mind that I cannot afford paying for livery – we can just agree on a minimum fee per month. Yes, they will provide me horses to train and even to compete if I wish, in dressage or show jumping. No, the Club is not focused on dressage, but if I’d like, I could be responsible for any rider who wishes to compete on dressage, not as a trainer, but as a team manager. And yes, they are very happy to have me back.

Too good to be true? I don’t know. I only know that after this conversation, dreams and ambitions were an option again, instead of the black vacuum of “quitting riding”.


So, what are my ambitions now?
  1. To ride. Some people take it for granted. I don’t anymore. I got close to quitting and only because I got lucky, I m still saying that “I do horse riding”. And I really appreciate my luck for this!
  2. To compete. Up to now, I was competing on low level dressage and show jumping courses. I still want to do that and I m so happy to have the chance provided!
  3. To be a good team manager. The guys at the riding club are so good with me, I need to pay them back with the best I can on this case.
  4. To think better. Both on saddle and next to the horse. I used to be a lazy thinker, to ride only under my coach’s instructions, but after riding for a year with nobody around me, I understood not only my riding mistakes, but also, the mistakes at my thinking while riding.
  5. To win. Well here it is, I said it. I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I hope to win at least one of the low level tests or shows that I will compete in the future. I know that I m a hard worker, I have worked hard in the past, I m willing to do it again and my vanity is adding this last ambition on my list. To win a competition.

If I was asked 3 months ago about my ambitions, the truth is that I couldn’t respond. I didn’t have any. Only a hope that giving up horse riding wouldn’t last forever.
But now? Well, I do have ambitions, not one or two, but five! And I feel lucky enough to believe that if I work hard enough, with the given time, money and opportunity, I will achieve some of them, if not all!
Did I forgot something? Oh yes!
To smile! I was so close to lose horses from my life, and it didn’t happen! So every time I ll be near the stables, I ll be smiling. Horses were always good friends, many times I got comfort in their fur, I had laughs with their funny faces, I hid tears in their manes, I gave little kisses to their noses and rub them behind the ears. And I can continue doing so!!!



“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;

When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains,
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas,
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders,
You raise me up, to more than I can be".




This blog post is written in participation of the Horze blogging competition in which I have the chance to win a 500 euro gift card to http://www.horze.com.

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