Each month, we will be profiling one of our Strides Student Members, so everyone can get to know each other a little! This month, we’ve chosen Marcee Everly, who is from Terre Haute, Indiana, USA!
How long have you been a member of Strides? About 6 months
What’s your favorite part of Strides? Watching the ride-a-tests, the lectures, and the office hours.
How has Strides helped you? It is keeping me motivated to come back after an injury last year. I have a new gelding I’m getting to know, and working to regain my confidence in the saddle. Being provided with riding exercises and patterns is also very helpful. If I put my brain to work on something it helps me not focus on fear or my over-active imagination about “what if.”
What kind of horses are your favorite? Oh wow. This is a hard one. I’d say it’s not a particular breed that are my favorites. Rather, I love the ones with the safe and sane minds, and conformations that lend to long-term soundness.
What’s your goal for this year? Get confident on my new horse at home and take him on a few hauls to ride him away from home–whether that’s for a few lessons, a clinic, or just to take him somewhere to ride in a strange arena. I’d love to go do a schooling show. I also would like to do one of the ride-a-tests from home.
What is something unique about you, your journey or your horse? I’ve been riding for a very long time, but have never considered myself a confident rider. I have skills after all these years, but lack confidence at times. Getting tossed off a sales horse I was trying out last July really set me back as far as confidence. I have a new gelding. So far he has been a real gentleman. He just turned 7 this past Saturday. He was started as a western horse, but he seems to be a quick learner and seems to have a very good willing brain.
What achievement (with horses or not) you most proud of? This is the second time I have battled PTSD after being injured. I overcame it last time (about 25 years ago after a fractured hip),and I’ll overcome it again. I’m proud to be back in the saddle–even with some fear. I’ll also say that I extremely proud of my daughter. She’s an adult now (33) and is an accomplished event rider. She is a confident elegant rider and I love sharing the horse-crazy obsession with her.
What challenges have you overcome? Gosh. I feel like I’m saying too much about being injured, but my confidence, which was never super even before any injuries, combined with some PTSD from being injured from being dumped are my greatest challenges.
Any final thoughts? I’m grateful for the supportive community I’ve experienced so far. It’s very helpful to know I am not alone.
