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In my weekly blog, “Amateur Equestrian Confessions,” I share the passion and the pain of one of the most endearing pursuits in the world, horseback riding.
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Unpacking the Season
One of the first things I did when I got home from horse show finals was to unpack the car. Everything needed to be washed, especially...
JoAnn Shannon
Oct 16, 2024
Finally, Horseshow Finals - Part 2
The best part about horse show finals is that during the parts of the day when you aren’t showing (usually nine hours), you get an...
JoAnn Shannon
Oct 9, 2024
Finally, Horseshow Finals - Part 1
When I arrived at the Michigan Hunter Jumper Association Finals in the second weekend of September, I remembered all my tack, riding...
JoAnn Shannon
Oct 2, 2024
Riding into Autumn
When my father was younger and his days weren’t consumed with sore limbs, medication and long naps, he used to welcome autumn by roaring...
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 25, 2024
Horses and Ponies
Ponies are cute. So are babies. They’re cute so that when they don’t act like mature adults, we still manage to like them. A lot....
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 18, 2024
Horses and Birds
After observing horses interact with birds, I’m convinced that horses intuitively know the common traits between humans and birds. ...
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 11, 2024
Horses and Flies
According to the Welcome Wildlife website, there are an estimate of seventeen million flies in the world – per person! Since there are...
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 4, 2024
Horses and Dogs
Dogs are often seen alone, but horses are often accompanied by other furry creatures. No horse show would be complete without a ratio of...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 28, 2024
My Husband the Enabler
The one that really enables me to ride horses is my husband, Geoff. It isn’t something he intended, but it’s a by-product of his immense...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 21, 2024
My Sister, the Enabler
The dictionary describes an enabler as “ a person or thing that makes something possible.” Without a doubt, my sister, Cindy, enables...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 14, 2024
Grandma as an Influencer
When we were kids almost everything at Grandma’s house felt special. Although many of the foods were the same as those we ate at home,...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 7, 2024
Mom as an Influencer
The Rocking Horse My 1960’s nursery included wooden alphabet blocks and a red wagon. The blocks taught me to read, and the wagon taught...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 31, 2024
Horse Show, Day Two
A Good Morning It was shortly before eight when I led Captain from his stall to a grassy mound dappled by sunlight. We were basking in...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 24, 2024
Horse Show, Day One
Grogginess from the eleven-hour car ride on Friday weighed me down on Saturday morning. When I couldn’t find my name listed in Long...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 17, 2024
Part 2 Destination: Wilmington, Ohio
A continuation of my last blog… While driving to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio , I e nded up at the Perry Nuclear...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 10, 2024
Destination: Wilmington, Ohio
Before horse showing at the World Equestrian Center, I first had to attend a convention in Toronto. Google maps indicated the trip from...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 3, 2024
Just Us Two
Recently, I rediscovered the absolute joy of riding alone. Lessons are great for learning. Riding with a friend is great for...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 26, 2024
Coming Home
It’s all fun until someone calls an Uber. Our trip to Montreal had been amazing. We explored all the delights of the city and had an...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 19, 2024
Getting Away
Sometimes you need to get away from it all. Last Thursday, my husband and I journeyed to Montreal. The Air Canada flight was delayed...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 12, 2024
Having Fun
Recently, I discovered an excellent massage therapist, named Jenn Mills . Her skilled hands have restored the mobility in my neck,...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 5, 2024
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