Learning, Growing, and Trying

January of 2025 had me feeling as if there was something missing from my life. I was busy, sure, but felt drained. As a wife, mother of 9 children, homeschooling, and being a massage therapist, I always had something going on. I realized though, as I was looking at my goals for the upcoming year, that there was something that I needed for ME. And I had no idea what that was. After a lot of thought, the idea of horseback riding came to my mind. I had always loved horses and had taken lessons as a young girl, but I had long since buried that dream to the farthest corners of my heart and mind, because I was so focused on taking care of my family.

I didn’t know where to start, so I did a Google search for “horse riding lessons for adult women near me”. Bridle Up Hope was the first thing to pop up. Personal development and horseback riding?! It was like my dream come true—and imagine my happy surprise when I realized that I knew the director, though I hadn’t seen her in 18 years. That was the beginning of something amazing! I reached out to Corrine and she said the class was full, but put me on the waitlist. I prayed that something would open up. A couple of weeks later, I got the wonderful news that there was a spot for me.

When I first showed up, I felt nervous. I was an adult woman who loved horses but felt so far from where I wanted to be. Corrine was amazing though, and she reminded me that it is never too late to start on a new path in life and learn new things. She was patient and kind and helped me feel seen and encouraged. She helped me feel confident even when I forgot something, because that was all part of the learning process—with both horses and habits. Sometimes I “failed forward”, but I was learning, growing, and trying, and that was what mattered. And I learned how to give that grace to myself. I learned how to put first things first and how to have a win-win by taking care of myself so I could be the kind of woman my family truly needed me to be.

The horses I worked with were amazing and they all taught me something about myself. The better I understand horses, the better I understand myself. Buddy was my favorite. He struggled with anxiety, which was something I understood all too well. The best feeling was when he turned towards me in the round pen after lunging him. He trusted me! And I was learning to trust myself too.

Bridle Up Hope was the first step in my new journey. I had forgotten the dream in me, but God remembered. He saw me and knew it was time for me to grow in ways that I didn’t even know I needed. Over a year later now, and I am still learning and growing, and I am forever grateful for Bridle Up Hope being there to help me remember me.

- Bridle Up Hope St. George, Women’s Participant

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