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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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Joey's Sheet of Many Colors
There’s a green Rambo horse sheet in my garage draped over a sawhorse that my grandfather made years ago. It’s the first thing I see when...
JoAnn Shannon
5 days ago
Love & Loss
An aspect of these gorgeous autumn days makes me sad. The morning mists, golden light and brilliant red leaves stir memories of loss. ...
JoAnn Shannon
Oct 22
Look Ma, No Spurs!
The crop is longer than my tack box! It’s easy to keep buying bigger spurs. What’s harder is riding without them and building a stronger...
JoAnn Shannon
Oct 8
Post Show Season
With my 2025 show season wrapped up, I took a moment to look around me. What I saw…. The garden was neglected My bank account was...
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 24
The Final Show
Amateurs get nervous before a show, but some of the best professional riders also admit to pre-show anxiety. When nerves threatened to...
JoAnn Shannon
Sep 10
It's About Perspective
Sometimes what’s happening is all about perspective. What Caitlin was thinking Captain is moving well. Not sure if he’s ever been in...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 27
Going Home
The show must go on…mercifully it also must come to an end. Regardless, on Monday morning you’re going to wake up with a horse show...
JoAnn Shannon
Aug 13
Show Time
The question most frequently asked by someone who’s never been to a horse show is… “What time do you ride?” Time for friends Anyone...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 30
Enjoy the Journey
There’s a ripple of anticipation as the horses wait to see if they’ll be loaded onto the trailer… At our barn, not all horses go to the...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 16
Win-A-Gin Farm Show
You can’t go home again, according to Thomas Wolfe. And perhaps returning to a place from the past to recapture some previous state of...
JoAnn Shannon
Jul 2
Windermere Show
The best thing about horse showing is that it’s like a report card on your progress. In early May, Captain and I participated in our...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 18
Fearless Riding (Part II)
Be your own cheerleader It is possible to brain wave your way to improved riding. Neuroscience, which deals with the structure or...
JoAnn Shannon
Jun 4
Fearless Riding (Part I)
Equestrian sports come with an inherent danger so fear is something most riders must manage. But imagine if you could use science to help...
JoAnn Shannon
May 14
Sleep and Athletic Performance
Sleep is the cornerstone of recovery and performance. And according to Ifa Simmons , certified fitness performance coach for...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 30
Focus on Fiction
Going forward, my blog will be published every other week. With only so many hours in a day, I’ve fallen quite behind on my fictional...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 9
Riders and Horses
Do you think your horse would be able to pick you out of a crowd? Chances are he could do that quite readily. Maybe even blind-folded. ...
JoAnn Shannon
Apr 2
Horses to Riders
Do I have to work out today? A horse greeting their owner is more cat-like than dog-like. You might get a nicker, but you don’t get...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 26
Horses Talking to Horses
Pinky is interested and relaxed. Horses are careful about announcing their presence. It wouldn’t be wise to let predators know where to...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 19
Micro Expressions
I think Captain is asking for another carrot. We may be able to read horses, but they can read us better. Recently I joined a webcast...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 12
Stirrups
Judy was like Arwen. Not all stirrups are created alike. This lesson was demonstrated several years ago when I was a novice rider. It...
JoAnn Shannon
Mar 5
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