Happiness....

Is it the key to success?

Have been mulling it over for the past few days as there have been a number of moments where I have had to pinch myself over the past few weeks....

I happened to be watching this short video of our world champ in action...and the comment at the end struck such a chord with me...have a watch...

St Georg view of dressage success

I am convinced it is the key to our small triumphs since the Spring

Totally unprompted the farrier (who sees the boy every 5 weeks) commented on how fit, well, relaxed and happy he thought he looked...and as I stood there I realised he was right...
So what has changed?
Well, the yard for sure. We have fallen on our hooves in our little corner of West Sussex. I had begun to lose faith in the existance of that 'perfect' yard....
How much of a difference does it make to a busy, working Mum and wife, to know that the pony is safe and secure, to be able to go on holiday without a moments worry or concern?
What a difference a professionally run, happy yard makes to a team...nothing too much trouble, every horse treated like the YM own (and believe me, that is not an understatement) spotless, organised, sensible routine, support, giggles :) SB has his own little quiet corner, but can chat to his pals over the fence, great quality grazing, spotless beds, we have even begun to like hacking again! I swear he cannot believe his luck every day he is there. he is relaxed, I am relaxed. He is thriving on grass, fresh air and great quality hay...just as it should be!!
Simple, logical horsemanship.
And when we go to work, he goes to 'work'
It might be pole work, lunging, jumping, a spin round the canter track, a pootle through the woods, a school on the grass arena...variety being the spice of life....he has really changed this summer.
Our last BD outing was at a totally new venue to us...this might have resulted in meltdown a year ago, this week he didn't bat an eyelid...not one....we achieved our Petplan qualification on that outing, 3 sheets in 3 tests at 3 different venues with 0.5% difference between them!
Am I happy?.... of course...is he happy? I think his actions speak the loudest of all.
He truly is a 'happy athlete'

And me? How has this year changed me?
Finally at 42 I have stopped worrying what other people think.
No room for the negatives, the doubts and the fears...
 We do it our way and in our own time, with great support from positive people who believe in us. It makes me believe in us!
My faith is hugely important as is that little thing called gratitude...
On my bedside cabinet is a little reminder: 'Begin each day with a grateful heart'
So I do....and today I am grateful that we are both healthy and happy and if it all fell apart tomorrow then I would look back and know we had given it our all, given it our best shot, tried our hardest and above all had the best fun doing it together.

xxxxxx