Rosebuds Project ☺
Courtney
“I am an Equestrian”
Why did you agree to participate?
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“All bonds are built on trust. Without it, you have nothing.”
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I was honestly 110% blow away when Marilyn asked me to be a part of this amazing project; I couldn’t say no. I wanted to share my experience, my bond and my love of horses with everyone. I felt that this is an opportunity of a lifetime; to challenge myself, to really dig deep and be true to myself. I wanted to learn about me, to see how honest I could be, see if I could break down walls and open up. This project gave me much much more then what I was expecting! It gave me motivation, inspiration, aspirations, confidence and most of all great friendships! Thank you.
What did you learn?
Throughout this project I learned that being true to yourself and being who you are is the most important thing in life. You are who you are and you need to OWN that. Stand up for yourself, speak your mind and always listen to your heart and trust your instincts. My horses have taught me how to do all these things, I still struggle but I am improving. They allow me to be myself, to be silly, to speak my mind, to laugh out loud and I know they won’t judge me. Having such a powerful animal alongside you, working for the same goal is indescribable and inspirational, yet absolutely terrifying all at the same time. I feel so honored to have been asked to be involved. Thank you.
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I look up to her, I look to her for guidance and I know we will always make it through, together.
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Her beauty is breathtaking and I am so thankful to have such an exquisite equine partner!
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“My happiness comes from her. My happiness is my horses, and they are priceless to me.”
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I never thought I was photogenic, I always worried about what I looked like, my hair, my clothes, my face, my makeup but this picture is flawless and brought me to tears. We are beautiful, together.
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We walk together, this pathway together, the journey together, it is about us as one, bringing out the best in each other. Every moment.
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How do you feel when you are with your animal?
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“Happiness. Peacefulness. Tranquility. Beautiful. Us.”
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I feel free, motivated and limitless; like I can accomplish literally anything. I feel this especially with Chickary; as she has been my rock, my one constant thing in my life that has never let me down, never left my side and has never failed to be there for me. Animals are full of emotions just like us; she feels my pain, my frustration, my excitement, my stress and she tries to help me work through whatever is going on. Having a bond with a 1200 pound animal and allowing yourself to fully 110% trust them is truly a gift only some are given; I was one of those lucky people. I trust Chickary with my life, our bond is unbreakable; I trust my life in her hands and she knows I do the same with hers. The only way for a rider to bond with their horse is to trust them unconditionally with no limits.
What have humans said to you that was hurtful?
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I was uncomfortable with choosing this image but I strongly believe it gives me closure to those people who have hurt me and have said discouraging and hurtful words. Negative thoughts are no longer welcome or tolerated, I do not need negativity or to be treated like I am any less valuable or talented.
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“You will never be good enough”
“You won’t succeed”
“Why do you even bother riding, you aren’t good”
“You shouldn’t ride, just stop!”
Words hurt, as much as people say they don’t, they do! Words are powerful and the effect can be excruciating. Some very hurtful words have come from some of who I thought were my close friends and riding buddies; we are not friends anymore because of this. Another hurtful experience I have endured and still do is people who say they care about you and your happiness and trash talk you behind your back to other people. I cut negative people out and those who did not treat me with respect and I am a whole lot happier and confident in myself.
What have humans said that was helpful and encouraging?
I have had many people come in and out of my life; within the horse world and out. I cannot begin to thank everyone, but thank you from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for being there for me, for encouraging me, for telling me, “You can do it, you are good enough”
“Your almost there,”
“Push a little harder”
“You are strong, you are brave”
Every single encouraging and positive word I have been given has shaped me to who I am today, and has given me the confidence I have today.
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Thank you, Grandpa Al, for allowing me to fall in love with horses, for changing my life forever, for all your time and effort. You are my hero and there are not enough words in this world to tell you how thankful I am; you are the reason I fell in love with horses. I am who I am today because of my horses.
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What do you wish you could share with others, in a way that may be able to encourage them to grow and understand the impact of works upon your soul?
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The bond between a horse and a human is much more and runs much deeper then the eye sees. Feeling the heart beat of your 1200 pound partner underneath you is incredible. Asking her to go inside a huge aluminum box to go to a barrel race, is breath taking and feeling her emotions is exhilarating.
Thank you Chickary.
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I wish I could share with others that words do matter, that believing in yourself does matter and that YOU do matter. Your dreams matter, your desires matters, your aspirations matter. Follow your heart, follow your instincts, you’ll never know until you try. Don’t give up on yourself, you owe it to yourself to try and you deserve to try. You deserve to feel happiness and you deserve to feel important. You deserve to strive for greatness. Keep your chin up; you’ll get there ☺
“You miss 100% of the shots you never take” – Wayne Gretzky
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This photo brought me to tears. I am beautiful,I am confident and I can accomplish anything.
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How do you feel now that you have seen a few of your images…. are there more words you would like to put to those images?
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We are both strong enough to stand alone and be independent but yet still need each other for support. Chickary is strong willed and opinionated if you will. This image shows a perfect balance of partnership yet independence.
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I feel blown away, I feel like I can see my potential; that I truly am the writer of my own book, I have the reins (no pun intended) and I write my life. No one else, ME! Flipping through my images there were some that absolutely took my breath away and I began to cry. I look so happy with my horses, with Chickary. She truly is my world! My passion for horses grows and grows everyday; our bond becomes stronger and I wouldn’t change it for anything! My love for my horses is unconditional and priceless ☺ Chickary is a mirror imagine of my soul; “You can tell a lot from a rider by looking at their horse”
Everyone on this planet thinks they know themselves all too well; but do they really? I thought I knew myself inside and out before I started this project, boy was I wrong! I learned stuff about myself I didn’t ever think I was capable of being, feeling or doing. I am strong, I have overcome fear, and I am confident! I know who I want to be and I am going to do everything in my power to make that happen! I want to be a barrel racer, I want to chase my dream and I am ready for the blood, the sweat, the tears, and the heartache. I owe it to myself to try. JUST TRY! <3 Strive for greatness.