Intrepid Riders Faction Blog Award!! aka: A Bright Spot in my Week.!

Soooo, I was pursuing the blogosphere (while taking a mental break from real work) and realized that Gingham and Pia of Pia's Parade awarded ME with the Intrepid Riders Faction Blog Award. Um... cooool! I seriously needed a pick-me-up and if this wasn't it, I don't know what is! Thanks soooo much!

Here are the lovely words that Gingham had to say about me and the Big G:

This award made me immediately think of Rachel and Granite who blog their adventures over at Dapple of My Eye! 

Rachel has had her guy from the beginning and while my girl Pia might be "green," Granite wouldn't know a single thing if it weren't for her partnership, patience and training.  They've had their fair share of setbacks and delays as they make their way down the road together, but I admire the persistence and trust that Rachel always seems to display.  She's one of those impecable owners who balances, multiple jobs, friends, relationships, and big life changes without taking away from her main man Granite.  

Thanks for sharing your story Rachel! I love keeping up with it!

NTREPID RIDERS FACTION ~We strive to go where others only dare to go with our horse loves...healing,being respectful of the horse, riding, playing, camping, jumping, swimming and traveling down the trails of life. . . . with the horse in Heart ~ Overcoming many obstacles and sometimes weather, to ride!

This Award is dedicated to those Horse lovers and riders that inspire others to go deeper in ability, knowledge and understanding of the Equine(s) they have been entrusted to.The good of the horse is the ultimate goal apart from pressures to achieve ribbons and fit into lesson schedules.

~Some of These riders are fearless, when it comes to weather conditions and the forecasting of them...being with their horses, fills these folks' soul and takes the cares out of daily routines.

~They are unconditionally loving to the horse and may have rescued it from known ailment or living condition.

~Others have researched and purchased/ acquired their horse, to find a difficulty in temperament or a physical burden within the animal. Yet, Being dedicated , they have persevered to proudly be in partnership with their horse, lovingly striving for deeper awareness's between them.

~Some horse lovers may have been riding for years and suddenly, had an accident that takes them away from the great joy and freedom they have, being aboard such a magnificent animal. ~They have allowed the healing horse to rise in their hearts once again, and beckon them back!

~Fear is not my normal response to things ... just a desire to achieve higher understanding of what may lay ahead of me with my mare, that truly is a gift to my heart and soul. I always seek out knowledgeable and caring individuals to assist me, in any quest I may look into.

I am taking with me the good I have leaned from caring individuals that have shown great single minded LOVE to the horse, and am leaving the dust of the bad behind me, not allowing it to fetter my supreme desire to be all I can be : as a rider to my mare or gelding and also - to allow- her to be the Equine athlete she truly is!

There are not many rules with this award...JUST :

1)that you give it to only one person
2)link back to this post, so they may have an understanding to it's true nature. 
3) You may use any or all of the written descriptions, with the award picture.

While I think SO MANY of the people whose blogs I follow fit this description, I'm going to have to pass this award on to Marissa over at Tucker The Wunderkind. 

Marissa worked her tail off in Law School to be able to FINALLY own horses of her own. And now she owns two of the finest equines around. She has raised Tucker (and is in the raising process with Julie) and has been through so many of the same trials and tribulations with him as I am currently going through with Granite. It is so inspiring to know that if you preserver these magnificent animals will be worth all of your effort, ten-fold. Tucker is knocking them dead in the big leagues now, thanks to the unwavering dedication of his mom, and they both continually provide inspiration to those of us who would like to follow in their footsteps (ahem... Granite and his Mom). So keep leading the way for us Marissa and Tucker!