84 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
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By Sarah Ward
Summer is here – thank goodness! It has been a long year
for everyone. For some there was school, others work and for
most family and friends. And let’s not forget about the barn and
of course, horse shows! Just keeping ahead of the game is a
challenge. It can be taxing, it can be rewarding… but it is always
ongoing.
Family took precedence this year and I kept school as a focus
with my homework being submitted on time and making sure to
keep up with my grade point average. No easy task, but then
again, who said life was easy!? All this didn’t stop me from
enjoying my horses, being focused on my training and doing my
utmost to put in the best rounds ever in both the hunter and
jumper rings.
Now it is vacation… for some. But while everyone is enjoying
the “dog days” with their stablemates and horses; I have opted
to take additional summer courses at college. This means….
UGHH!!!... I have to take a short break from riding (again)! I
know, horses and vacation go hand in hand. I’m sure I will
suffer withdrawal of the worst kind; but I’m going to deal with not
showing, cope with the fact that I don’t have to run to the barn
at the crack of dawn and accept the fact that I am going to have
to become a “pedestrian” instead of a “competitor” this season!
Maybe a break is what my body has been longing for. If
you know me, or read my column, you are aware that I am
extremely accident-prone. I make a horrible habit of hurting
myself and when I do it, I make sure to do something drastic!
I tore my ACL and meniscus in my knee and – being the
stubborn young adult that I am – I didn’t listen to my doctor. I
was back in the show ring in just under two months after my
surgery. Needless to say, my body is feeling the repercussions
and is probably celebrating my time out of the saddle to mend
properly. Sure, the knee hurts; but I also have torn a ligament
Sarah Ward is currently living in Atlanta. Sarah rides with Finally
Farm’s Jack Towell and Liza Towell-Boyd and competes with
Finally Farm in the hunters and jumpers in both the amateur and
open divisions.
in my shoulder. Big question: rehab or surgery? Either way,
my body is going to get a much-needed break, one that I
always afford my horses; but usually don’t allow myself. I’ll be
sitting on the bench again this summer and I am heartbroken!
Question is - how do I stay sane? I do not like sitting around
much. So, I’ve loaded up on classes (alas, not the kind you fnd
at a horse show) to keep my mind off horses and focusing on
geology, criminal justice, language and political science! Fun
times! Maybe I’ll learn what keeps my “non-horsey” friends
entertained during the summer holiday… We’ll have to see.
Either way, I’m open. But I know that whatever happens to be
on the agenda, it won’t be as exciting a hand-galloping around a
Derby course or navigating tight turns at maximum speed in an
Amateur Owner jump off! Oh well…
I will be back in no time ready to go and better than ever. Of
course, I will keep writing and yes, going to shows to support my
friends who have become my family. I am sure I’ll be envious; but
nothing makes me happier than being near horses… It doesn’t
mean just riding. While I can’t be in the saddle this season,
nothing can stop me from spending time on the ground with my
boys! Yeah for summer!
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fax: 790.6366
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