Month: August 2014

Obesessed

Anna Blankenheim Equestrian , ,

I have a confession: I’m officially obsessed with my horse. Over the past few weeks we’ve been making big progress in our lessons, but due to a busy schedule, I haven’t been able to make it out to the trail and when we do too many lessons in the arena, Sue gets bored. In addition to that, we had a “bad” (honestly, no bad rides with him, but relatively speaking) lesson a few days ago where I didn’t feel well and he didn’t want to run. 

Today I finally made it out and was not disappointed – the weather was gorgeous, the people were awesome, and it was a very mellow, relaxing ride. Sue definitely seemed to enjoy himself… I only asked him to lope a couple times and we basically just meandered around the lake.

Yesterday I took the day off work and turned him out in one of the larger pastures. It’s always fun to watch him romp around and this time was no exception. I took my camera and got some great pictures. He even ventured over to meet some new friends (Cowboy and Poco) before romping around some more. His personality has come out over the past few months – he’s ridiculously inquisitive, loves to run, and is always thinking.

I seriously love this horse! 

My Handsome Boy
My Handsome Boy

 

Full Gallop
Full Gallop

 

Book Review: Wild

Anna Blankenheim Reading , , ,

I know, it’s officially been forever since my last post. Life has been busy (lots of work, lots of riding, lots of concerts). 

My friend Megan recommended the book Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, by Cheryl Strayed.

Synopsis from Amazon.com:

At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

This was a really good book and I highly recommend it. Cheryl Strayed has a way of writing that made me want to go out and hike the trail (well, for about 2 seconds, then I decided it was a bad idea). I can’t even imagine how amazing, yet terrifying her journey must have been, and how wonderful it must have been to complete. 

In reading through Cheryl’s Wikipedia page, I discovered that a movie is being made about her journey, starring Reese Witherspoon. It looks like it’s due out in December of this year… I can’t wait to see it!