First Place at the Hunter Pace!

This morning I somewhat cheerfully loaded up one of my horses and headed out to the Hunter Pace at Mercy Stables in Ringgold, GA. I say somewhat because it was storming here at Rivermont when I left. I was determined to do this Hunter Pace though! The pace was awesome! You rode at a canter most of the way, over hills, across creeks, over ditches and jumps! A true field hunting experience! (less the hunting though!) Maggie was a champ! However mid way through this 6 mile course a storm hit. Being that the one and only phobia I have is lightening, this was NOT a pleasant feeling for me at all! Maggie went into another gear for me at one point! Long story short, much to my excitement, we were FIRST PLACE in the Advanced Field Hunters Division!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!! Maggie wasn't nearly as impressed with her blue ribbon as she was her cupcake and slice of pizza I gave her afterwards! Apparently the horse loves pizza. Who knew?

Marisa Goode and the Mercy Stables group did an awesome job putting this pace together! I won a blue ribbon along with an embroidered polo shirt! Fun!

As storms continue to pound Georgia, I am home safely and about to take a nap! Maggie as well as all of her equine friends are tucked safely away in their stalls for the evening!

A horse show, Joyce Meyer Conference, 5K and a Hunter Pace!

I've been so busy lately and haven't updated this blog in a while. The month of April started off with a bang as we held another horse show at Rivermont. God is so good as we're seeing a ton of new, friendly faces! The show was packed and everyone was so wonderful...and seemed to have an awesome time! Quality horses too! I wasn't sure how the show would do being the day before Easter, but it was one of our largest shows in a long time. See, I had made a deal with God. I wanted SO badly to attend the Joyce Meyer Conference the weekend following Easter, so I told Him to please understand why I was holding a show Easter weekend! Apparently He understood because the turnout was awesome, weather was perfect and we had a great time! We had crowds from Cumming & Alpharetta, GA. Chattanooga, Gadsden, Rome, Chickamauga, Ringgold and a new group from near Huntsville, AL.

The Joyce Meyer Conference was the most AMAZING experience ever! I attended all 4 sessions with Katie White and Kassey O'Kelley. On Saturday morning my friend Marty Marrs went with us, oh and Gracie got to go to two sessions as well! I asked Gracie what she thought of Joyce (remember, Gracie is 8)and she said "Mom, I LOVED it!". I loved watching her clap enthusiastically as Joyce would say something so profound as if her little 8 year old mind really understood! Knowing Gracie, I'm betting she knew exactly what Joyce was saying! We ran down front row for the praise and worship (Martin Smith along with the Parachute Band), then had front row seats for Joyce. My soul felt completely renewed after this! God spoke to me clear as a bell at one point, and to the point it brought tears to my eyes! I have learned that no matter what, He is all you need. Period. God is good, all the time. :)

Then on April 17th Marty and I ran my second 5K at the Chickamauga Battlefield. I ran my legs off for the full 3.1 miles, never walking once. We ran it in about 29 minutes, which beat my time of 33 minutes at the last race. I came in 12th in my age group, so I was happy with that! I thought I would fall out towards the end, but kept saying out loud "The joy of the Lord is my strength!". Must have worked! :)

This Saturday will be the hunter pace at Mercy Stables. I am riding my lovely mare Maggie. This will be a great weekend!

So as we wrap up the month of April, life is good and I couldn't be more blessed! I am so glad I didn't give up, as I now see everything happens for a reason. God is my everything, my best friend, my teacher, my vendicator, my hope. Thank you Lord!