February 26, 2019

That Time I "Accidentally" Signed up to Ride with Mary Wanless

A couple of months ago, I told JenJ I was going to audit the Mary Wanless clinic that's held a couple of times a year at a barn two hours from me. 

"Why aren't you riding in it?" she asked.

"I don't know, I've never been to this barn before, I don't know these people, and I haven't seen Mary before, I kinda just want to figure it out without riding the first time," and as I said it, I thought, "Wow that sounds kinda lame," but I stuck with it.

Not too far!

Fast forward to last Thursday morning when I'm sitting in a hotel room in Santa Clara, CA, and JenJ texts me.  "Jan is riding in that Mary clinic you're auditing, I'm sending her your way."

You can see where this is going.  Somehow, an hour later, I had signed up to ride with Mary Wanless in the beginning of May.  It was a conspiracy, I swear!  But I'm grateful :)

JenJ subtly but pointedly told me it would be a really good thing for me to ride in it, and when I pointed out the cost of the clinic was equivalent to two rated shows, she said something to the effect of "What's going to help you progress more right now, showing two rated shows or riding with Mary?"  Well when you put it like that...duh.  I am eternally grateful for good friends that push me out of my comfort zone, because that was a really great insight.

Anyone else planning on auditing or riding in the Mary clinic on May 3-5?

25 comments:

Austen said...

Actually... Pretty sure you do know some of this people. Haha. Some of the girls from my old barn ride at DHF.

Jen said...

I am the absolute worst with remembering faces, so it likely doesn't matter lol. Good to know though.

Liz said...

THREE of y'all riding in this. Damn! After crunching schedules and numbers, I sadly cannot make it that weekend. Planning to audit Mary 4 weeks later when she's in MD tho!

Jen said...

Wait, who is the third?!

emma said...

ha doesn't sound like much of an accident ;) hope you all have a blast!!

Promise said...

So exciting!

Jen said...

Haha, it wasn't. But I did briefly feel like I had amnesia and couldn't remember where the last hour of my life or [mumble] hundreds of dollars went. What happened? Where am I? Where did my money go?

Jen said...

Yes it is!

jenj said...

LMK if you need any other enabling. I'm here to, uh. Help?

Training Cupid said...

Good for you, seize the opportunity :)

L.Williams said...

Normally I'd say that auditing a trainer before you ride with them is very important to make sure you know what you are getting into. But since I just went to a Mary clinic where I wished I was riding you made the absolutely best choice!

Stacie Seidman said...

Peer pressure at it's finest! Haha! Sounds like it will be both fun and educational.

Jen said...

You always have my best interests at heart and I love it.

Jen said...

Thanks!

Jen said...

Yeah, a big part of being comfortable with it is 1. how much success I've had with her methods by riding with Megan and Kate in the past month and 2. all of the intensely detailed writeups you guys have provided after working with her. This is not as much of a flyer as riding for a new clinician normally is, as a result.

Jen said...

Haha! I like to think I'm a confident woman but peer pressure has always worked on me. You should hear my mom tell the story of how I was potty trained in one day because of peer pressure!

TrainwreckInTeal said...

Ahhhh so excited for you and to hear all about this after you go!!

Liminal Lizzy said...

I've loved reading other bloggers write-ups on her (and the concepts in general) so I'm excited you just went with it and to hopefully read how it goes! :)

Jen said...

It's nice to look forward to another spring clinic like last year!

Jen said...

Definitely! It should make for some great posts afterward.

Emily - May As Well said...

oh! I was debating auditing it! It's a Toooouuuuuuch far for me at 2 hours, but I might be able to make it work!

Erika said...

I’m so excited for you! I can’t wait to read all about it!

Karen said...

Derby weekend or I would so be there! I expect full blog report, photos, etc.

Codex Dressage said...

Yea, who is the 3rd? Lol

Codex Dressage said...

Super late to read this, doh. But... I'M SO EXCITED! I have a great back up horse if my new horse hasn't materialized in time. But I'm mostly excited to see you and ride too!