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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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But Mom, It's My Birthday
My kids were born in the eighties, which means I now have plenty of time and energy to spend on important things like, riding my horse,...
JoAnn Shannon
May 29, 2024
Insert Horse's Name Here
When I was in my forties, I ran marathons. For companionship and moral support, I trained with a running group. What made the two-hour...
JoAnn Shannon
May 22, 2024
Retail Therapy
Recently I purchased a nearly new Devoucoux Biarritz Saddle. The entire purchase experience was delightful. The Devoucoux...
JoAnn Shannon
May 15, 2024
Superstitious
The Oxford Dictionary describes the word superstitious as “a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to...
JoAnn Shannon
May 8, 2024
Gracefully
On a quick Google search, I learned that growing old gracefully is a euphemism for “showing signs of aging but still moving forward with...
JoAnn Shannon
May 1, 2024
Humbled
When it comes to learning it seems I prefer to learn things the hard way. In my first year of high school, I slacked off in math and had...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 24, 2024
Under Saddle
Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.” I’m certain his sentiment...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 17, 2024
Old Dog, New Trick
When I remember my first riding lesson, the idiom: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” comes to mind. It was October 2016. I was...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 10, 2024
Hobby Happiness
Yesterday, I received another rejection for my book. Although it is discouraging, I can now say that my book has been rejected by some...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 3, 2024
How You Do Everything
It was 2PM on a Wednesday afternoon. I had a whole hour before it was time to leave for my riding lesson. With the house begging for...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 27, 2024
Within Us
Before my riding lesson last week, I stumbled across this poem by Thomas Zanzig, which was tucked inside a booklet entitled, Learning to...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 20, 2024
Mantra
Many years ago, I read an autobiographical novel by a young woman who spent several months studying Buddhism in a monastery with other...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 13, 2024
Case Closed
Everyone gathered on the set to watch Jerry act again. Terry Sheridan was there with Petrolia. Kelly Reilly came with her agent. The...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 6, 2024
Think Like a Horse
The next morning, I summoned Raffi. “Get Serena and wait for me on the path to the film set,” I told him. His eyes widened in surprise....
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 28, 2024
Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head
At midnight, I was awakened by Jerry. He interrupted an excellent dream in which I was floating on a boat down the Nile River....
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 21, 2024
Cousin Serena
The young actress that played Cousin Serena stepped into the barn. Jerry nickered with genuine joy. She opened her hand and offered him...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 14, 2024
Raffi's Report
Jerry was worn out by all the fresh air. He laid down and fell asleep as soon as we were led back to our stalls. Raffi opened the barn...
JoAnn Shannon
Feb 7, 2024
Playing Games
Raffi returned with my blanket. I motioned for him to lean over and whispered in his ear. “Leave me alone with Jerry. You do some...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 31, 2024
Contagious
“My name is Flea.” “Why did they send a detective? Have I broken the law?” Jerry asked. I smiled. “You’ve broken your contract.” Jerry...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 24, 2024
Jerry
Raffi was installed in a cabin that stood next to the shed where I was staying. He was far enough away to give me solitude yet close...
JoAnn Shannon
Jan 17, 2024
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