**Before I start, don’t come harping at me about being greedy with asking for Xmas presents this early, or even at all, and that I should try donating my wealth to others. I understand where you’re coming from, and I do donate and my family members volunteer. We just spend Xmas TOGETHER.
I don’t mean to sound rude, and please don’t take it offensively :$
I have basically no riding experience but believe me when I say these words.
Horses saved my life. I was in a… VERY. rough patch, and I cut, and I would sit in corners and cry my eyes out for hours, and just.. I lived to sleep. To get away from life. My best friend, there through it all, another reason why I’m still here to talk to you today, asked me to try coming out to the barn where she leases her flea bitten mare, Lady Macbeth.
In my own state of depression, the minute I got out there in my oversized boots and stepped into the paddock to fetch her horse, I felt lifted. Like everything just went away… just being able to lead her horse into the barn, tack her up, and watch her move, giving the other horses treats, mucking out the stall and sweeping after she’d eaten her evening grain, I’ve never felt that much at ease, peaceful, serene, and just… alive. It lifted the black cloud that surrounded my life.
I’ve been continuing this pattern for the past year and a half; going whenever I possibly can, and I’m proud to say I no longer cut, and don’t cry even a 1/4 as often.
For my birthday this year, the same friend who showed me this light, bought me a lesson at her stable, my first ever, and this is what brings me to hoping it will never be my last.
I bet I would make an excellent actor because everybody but my best friend thinks I’m happy go lucky sunshine girl, there to improve your day. And it’s sad because It’s a mask to hide behind. These people, include my parents.
I play extremley competitive soccer, and I’m about to go into winter training but I can’t do it anymore.. the pressure, I don’t even LOVE the sport, they go through SO much trouble to do it, because they don’t have enough for my university/college in about 3-4 years and want me on scholarship, and I’m about to switch clubs, which is hwy it’s imperative I set them straight now before I end up in another year of hell training like a mad woman for somethign I don’t even have a passion for.
I want to quit soccer and start horseback riding. This is no passing trend. I don’t believe in God, but this must be his sign to me. And I’m not one to take this miracle for granted.
I was thinking that instead of asking for things like clothes, shoes, makeup… things that’ll one day just end up useless and in the garbage, I would ask for something that will improve my life.
RIDING LESSONS! *light sparkles down from the heavens and enhances this prospect*
But I don’t know if my parents will give up my provincial status just for me to go hang out at some barn.
Any tips on how to sway them?
Do you think this is a good idea?
Please don’t be too harsh, I’d just rather get some opinion on it, before I go through with it..
just tell them that you are not happy with soccer. riding makes u happy. i’m sure all they want is the best for you.
Some barns will let you get lessons in exchange for work. See if there are any in your area willing to have you as a working student. Personally if it has had that much of a positive impact on your life then it is a good idea.
Consider printing this question you wrote for YA and handing it to your parents. You wrote an excellent and mature letter. If your parents don’t have a clue of what is going on, this will be hard on them. Don’t take it personally- they will be dealing with emotions like “am I a failure as a parent” and “how did I not know?” It isn’t going to be easy, but opening the lines of communication is the first step. Horse therapy is great, but it won’t solve everything. You may need some counseling to help you work through this, and being around horses can really help “center” you. Good luck.
its CHRISTmas, not “xmas”
If you don’t believe in God, then why are celebrating Christmas.
Anyways.
It’s a hard thing to quit a thing like soccer or volleyball because
a lot of parents don’t believe you get anywhere with riding lessons.
They don’t see that horses are like therapy (well some parents do
I’m not saying everyone’s blind) and that they are amazing animals
to work with. Some parents also don’t see a point because you
can’t really practice for it if you don’t have your own place and horse.
It’s easy to grab a basketball and shoot some hoops but you can’t
just take your horse and ride it on the lawn. How far did they want
you to go with soccer ? If they wanted you to become pro, I doubt
they are going to let you have lessons. Unless you have some
desire to become an Olympic or International rider but if they don’t
enjoy horses (IF they don’t) it will be hard to convince them that
this is what you want to do.
So, if you’re parents are easy, then go for it all they can do is say
no. But if they think you are going to become a world athlete, then
you might offend them and they may not like the idea very well.
Even ask this just randomly, not for a Christmas present and offer
to pay for half. Do this ALONG with your soccer unless you don’t
want to do soccer at all. Lessons will only take up like 2 hours of
your week. Some barns will actually give you free lessons if you
help clean stalls, groom, feed, etc.
Hope you can get lessons one day.
I do think Kristen should be less of a follower at times, though. However, she isn’t always, like with her soccer, and her friendship with Layne. (I didn’t choose Claire because she dumped her old Florida friends for Massie & she gave up an acting career for Massie & she just gave in too easily and it made her do some really stupid things.)
