Scarlet <3 wrote:@captain swan- I mean, you have to find a way to prove to them that this is what you love, you need it in your life. I'm in college and still ride. My dad has seen me fall multiple times and always wanted me off the horse the second it occurred. He doesn't support me and my riding as much as my mom, but neither of them are that into it. You have to prove to them how much you love it. When my mom and dad used to pay for my weekly lessons, I would thank them every night after my lesson. My mom was usually the only one that came to them, seeing as bad things happened when my dad came along more often then not, lol. But you need to find a way to tell them that you love it and can't do without it. I work as much as I can to pay for lessons during college and when I'm home for breaks. I know if you're younger, that's not as much of an option, unless you worked things out with your parents. Like chores goes towards riding? If you love it enough, you will find whatever you can do to stay with it. Sit down with your parents and ask, what can I do so that you will let me continue to lease/ride? I am willing to do anything to get there.
Update: GUYS! I had my last IHSA show weekend of the semester. And my first EVER showing over fences! Unfortunately, I drew the WORST horse both days for it. So my coach got me a different horse, but I wasn't allowed to place since she changed my horse. But we weren't going home without me jumping! His name was Avis, he was a 17 something hand bay who is calm as a cucumber. But, he's usually ridden in spurs and thankfully, my old instructor and old lease horse taught me how much leg I can really have. I remembered my course and he took good care of me! My coach told me I would have placed had she not had to change my horse, but who wants a bad trip on their first? Not me! My team and coach were very happy with my ride, and so am I. I honestly don't remember much except look at a line going down the diagonal, lol. First time over fences, everything moves so fast, even if you're horse isn't going that fast. But I am on cloud nine! I handled my emotions well and conquered my first course!

Saturday I drew a pony on the flat, which sucks when you're 5 foot 10, but my leg didn't look long on her and we actually got 5th out of 10 riders! She was super comfy and fun

And then on Sunday after fences, I rode a horse named Frankie, who is a huge goof black horse. But, he framed up super nice and we did pretty good, got 6th. Ya know, for just moving to novice after the 2nd show, I think I'm doing pretty good. Especially when there are usually at least 8 riders in my class. I really love IHSA showing, it challenges you so much, but it's so much fun! I wish I had pictures of all these horses though, the horses at this barn are fantastic, they show all the time and know their stuff.
Thanks for reading! Hope I wasn't too boring, haha.
I almost forgot! I did some photos of my friend and her horse, Bindi, a horse I ride in lessons sometimes. And I want to show you guys! Photography is a little side hobby I do on occasion. They turned out pretty well to me and I used them for my photography class. Actually, they're some of my favorite pictures I've ever taken

haha

The rest are in here:
https://goo.gl/photos/jSzcFkEYQ1wfHk1b9