January 16, 2026: One Year In
One year ago today, Bee became mine.
When I brought her home, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I had ridden before. I had taken lessons. I had spent time around good, solid, dead broke horses. Gender did not even make my list of concerns. I was focused on whether she was trained in barrels, would ride trails without spooking, and would not buck me off.
What I did not know was how much I did not know.
This past year has been a crash course in horse ownership, mare logic, patience, humility, and growth. Bee has challenged me, surprised me, tested me, and taught me far more than I expected. She has opinions. Strong ones. She also has heart, intelligence, and a way of holding up a mirror when my timing, clarity, or confidence is off.
We have had great rides and frustrating ones. Breakthrough moments and head scratching days. Times where everything clicked and times where I questioned every decision I made leading up to owning a horse.
And through it all, we kept showing up.
A year in, I ride differently. I listen better. I understand more. I am more confident and more aware of how much there is still to learn. Bee is still Bee. Still expressive. Still honest. Still very much herself. The difference is that now I know how to read her better and how to respond with more intention.
This first year was not about perfection. It was about building a foundation. Trust. Communication. Partnership.
I would choose her again without hesitation.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge two women who made this first year possible. Bee’s first owner, Jackie, has been there for me in ways I never expected. She cried with me, talked me through hard moments, answered countless novice questions about everything from blanketing to bits, and generously passed along Bee’s barrel bit and reins and an entire bag of feed so we could start our journey with familiar tools. She has been a constant source of encouragement, especially with the blog, cheering us on every step of the way. And then there is Ashley, my trainer, whose selflessness, wisdom, and steady guidance carried me through this entire year. She encouraged me when I doubted myself, counseled me through decisions big and small, stopped her Saturday night to haul us to the hospital and stayed with me, and shared her experience with a generosity that still humbles me. Without Ashley, I truly do not think I would have made it through this first year of horse ownership with my confidence or sanity intact. Words cannot adequately express how grateful Bee and I are for both of them.
We also would be remiss not to acknowledge you, friends and family, for also encouraging us every step of the way. For laughing at our silly little blog, for supporting the business that keeps Bee in carrots and with a wonderful home to graze.
Happy gotcha day, Bee. Thank you for being one of my greatest teachers.
Until next time,
Christina & Bee 🐝💛
