Traveling the road less traveled

Traveling the Road Less Traveled

By Maribeth Dunlap

April 2006

There have been times in my journey with my horses that I seem to be on a different path than most others. Their way just never seemed to fit. Although I would try to put the wardrobe on it never felt right, never quite fit, was never very comfortable. I would struggle and try to convince myself that this “should be right for me”. After all, this is what “everyone else” is doing. I would usually end up asking myself, “why doesn’t this seem to work for me, why am I still searching”, and ultimately when I’m feeling most distressed about it “why must I always be different”? So off I would go again in search of what worked for my horses and me.

I grew up in an area full of hunter barns and Quarter Horse people. I myself even started out as a western rider in 4-H riding the pleasure classes and games. Then I moved onto hunters and then to jumpers. I loved what I learned in these disciplines and still do include jumping fences as a key part of my training program but I always felt that I was looking for more or for something a little different. My searching led me to dressage and I set off for what ended up becoming an extraordinary journey.

My searching has led me down many interesting paths. Some paths were more interesting than others, some bordering upon the humorous, but always ending in a valuable lesson of some sort. Among some of the most important lessons I’ve learned is patience. To be patient in my searching has reaped big rewards. In other words, I searched and searched patiently until I found the path that was right for me. I didn’t give up searching and settle for another’s path. I didn’t compromise my convictions but waited and continued until I found the solution. I persevered and was rewarded when I finally found what I was looking for.

Another lesson learned was to be open to new ideas. If I hadn’t continued to search I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have. I have a fair to good understanding of other techniques and styles. I have an appreciation for other paths and accept the differences and the similarities within them. My knowledge and skills have increased due to my exploring. If you think of a skill as another tool in your toolbox, then I have many good tools in my toolbox and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to acquire them. Although I stay true to my current path, the one that is right for me, I remain open to new and good ideas. I’m always looking to pick up another good tool.

I also learned to be brave and to have courage in my convictions. It takes courage to be different and to travel a road less traveled. It can be scary to be out there on your own and to be different from those around you. For a few short months I was the only dressage rider in a large hunter barn. I stuck out like a sore thumb or a shining star, depending upon how you choose to look at it. I was different. I used a different saddle, I sat upon my horse differently and I did different things with my horse. I didn’t stay on the track like the others, I would go off the rail and ride circles of different sizes, I would ask my horse to do lateral movements and counter canter. The others in the barn would watch and study me. In the beginning they would even giggle and criticize. But I stayed true to my course with a friendly and positive attitude and soon they began to get more curious and to ask questions. I like to think that I may have planted a few dressage seeds in that hunter barn. So you have to be prepared to be brave and to be able to take a little criticism if you’re going to be different.

My searching has ultimately taken me to a place where I finally feel at home. It is a place where my passion has bloomed and continues to flourish and grow. My journey is certainly not over, but perhaps really just beginning. And, oh! How extraordinary it is going to be! Everyone’s path is a little different. Mine is certainly not the same as yours. Be patient and have courage to find the right path for you. And keep your mind open to new ideas and make yours extraordinary, too!

Photo: Maribeth riding Painta Outlaw

This article was written by Maribeth April 2006 – All Rights Reserved Used With Permission.