Think it. Do it. Done.

What a year.

As 2012 comes to a near end, I can't help but think forward to 2013.  It was a year that I am proud of. So much was accomplished from hard work, dedication and determination. It was a year that I can honestly hold my head high about. 

Every time I jump into my truck i am reminded of all the places it has taken me; to Florida, to Georgia, to Ontario, to Quebec and through so many states I can't keep track.  With my truck, my trailer and my GPS one more thing has also stayed constant - Smarty Pants. Without him, the places I travelled to, never would have been reached. My huge heartedly 8 year old, 17 hand little thoroughbred gelding has been my best friend throughout this entire year, and the previous 5 years leading up to it. I am so proud of the things we have accomplished this year, the biggest goal being completing Fair Hill International CCI*** this fall.

If you asked me 5 years ago where we would have been i'm not quite sure Fair Hill 3 star would have been the answer. Between being bucked off almost every day and my knees almost touching themselves because he was so narrow, I really had no idea what my 3 year old Smarty Pants would be capable of!  But it's amazing where a little time, patience and a determined mind set can get you. It's also amazing being surrounded by a great support team reminding you of what great things you have done, are doing, and can do in the future. Without my parents i would be no where. I have them to thank completely. They were the ones to encourage me to venture to South Carolina when I was just 18 and fresh out of high school 7 years ago. (7 years already!?) They drove across the country with me, dropped me off in St. Mathews SC and said farewell. I was nervous for a few hours but immediately realized that i would become part of a new family. Until this day, i am still friends with some of the best people i have ever had the privilege of meeting. They say if you can count the number of good friends on one hand, you're considered lucky. I guess my luck is rare, because I can hold out both hands.

You know it's been an unbelievable year when you can't stop reminiscing about each an every event that's taken place. And now i can't stop thinking about next years adventures and what the future has in store. I hope that Smarty Pants and I can continue to preform to the best of our abilities and aim for goals that i know we are capable of reaching. I can't wait to pack up the trailer in 6 weeks time and head to florida to get a good start on the 2013 season. It will be a sad time though. It will be the first trip in 6 years that i will be crossing the boarder without my little best friend Buckley. It's truly unfair the hold our pets have on our hearts. With Buckley's passing 4 months ago, it still feels like today was the day i said goodbye to him. Not one day passes where i don't think of him and not more than 3 go by without a waterfall of tears where my heart mourns his loss. It took two months for me admit to myself that he was really gone. And I am only now just realizing that he won't ever come back. That dog was so damn cute. And so full of love. It's so cruel that he was taken away from me so soon. My sadness turned into grief and my grief turned into anger and i am so thankful that I have my two other horses who help me keep my feet on the ground and my mind in a happier place. I'm not quite sure what i would do without my animals. Sometimes i wish i didn't have them. To spare heartache. But then i wonder about those who don't have them at all in their lives. There must be a part missing in their hearts. A huge part. A part that i am quick to remember having. And a part I would never live without.

Our animals come and go, in and out of our lives but I can't say I would ever want to change that. they each give us something special. It may be big or it may be small. It may be for a long time and unfortunately some times it will be too short. But for however long they are with us, we should appreciate every moment. We are so lucky to have them in our lives. I believe they make us who we are and the more time we are able to spend with them, the better we become.

So this one is for you Smarty Pants. This one is for you Buckley. This one is for you Justin. This one is for you Pongo. This one is for you Jello. This one is for you Bailey. This one is for you Captain. This one is for you Texas. And this one is for you... the one i haven't met.

Cheers to the animals. Here and gone.

I love you all to bits. Thanks for filling my heart so full.