Well, without trying to turn this into a novel, I will give you a bit of a back story first.

I've ridden (and competed) on and off for many years. I began competing I think as an 8yo until I was 11yo in in house competitions, and I think I did a show outside of my riding centre once or twice as a kid when I entered into an RDA Gymkhana. I also rode briefly between age 14-17, and got to ride an amazing *but psychotic lol* chestnut Standardbred mare named Donna. She took me to my first ever RDA (riding for the disabled) State Champs when I was 16. Except in my last lesson before State Champs, she and I were riding in the arena at RDA, and there was a new horse in the paddock next to the arena. She charged (trotting) across the arena, head held high, ears flat on her head and mouth opened, teeth bared ready to attack. That was ok, nothing happened. I got her under control quickly... but then me and 3 other RDA riders went into the other paddock opposite the paddock where the new horse was. Somehow or other this horse managed to spook 3 out of 4 horses, and 3 of us (including myself) fell off. We were only doing a trail ride... and I swear I learnt to NEVER look at the ground again XD hahaha. I was terrified of riding her at the State Champs the week after as I was not going to get a nice lesson on her beforehand.. so my nerves would still be fresh in my mind. Consequently, I didn't do great in my dressage test (I came 7th - which is not good to me! lol). I also came last in the mounted games as I was meant to be off lead trotting, but flat out refused. I made us all walk it. I never forgave myself.

ANYWAY - Fast forward 14 years!! It's now 2015 and i'm 30 years old.

Been riding at a new place for about 2-ish years, and have ridden about 3 horses. The most recent being an 8yo Anglo Arab named Charlie. He was not a dangerous horse, just "spirited" I guess one could say, as he was young and lively... especially for an "RDA" horse. I was doing well on him, despite his habit of swinging his butt. I was SLOWLY removing my fear of that motion, and teaching myself (and him) how to make him NOT swing his butt in the first place... and I was STARTING to get quite good at it. Sadly they decided he just wasn't suitable, and they got rid of him. That has left me "horseless" at RDA and I cannot ride at the moment. I am only doing horsemanship with a little pony right now. 

HOWEVER - at the end of next month the RDA State Champs are on again. Everyone at RDA knows how desperate I have been to redeem myself at the RDA State Champs again, and I AM GETTING MY CHANCE AGAIN!!! I wont be doing dressage as that is an enormous challenge, and one I don't think i'm ready for... and I KNOW I will fail... and feel awful for it. However, I WILL be entering the mounted games!! The catch is... I will be put on a horse I have ONLY met once, and never ridden before UNTIL the day of the RDA State Champs. It's my coaches very well trained and well behaved horse. I will HAVE to be on lead, and I will be in a western saddle for added security and safety. I SO cannot wait!!! ARRRGGHHHH. I am so unbelievably excited to be able to be given the chance to redeem myself... but this is such a scary challenge for me! LOL. I can't believe i'm mad enough to do it!!!

Please excuse the excessive caps and exclamation marks XD i'm excited as! Ahhh!

Awesome! Good luck, let us know how it goes! :D

Paints since 6-8-14

That sounds really exciting! I hope you have fun no matter what happens.