Bella Via Arabian Sport Horses

05/03/2026

💗My girls 🥰
We went to a Working Equitation clinic at Broken Bit Ranch this week. It was the first time to take the two mares (mother and daughter) anywhere together, and Glory’s first time going to an event of any sort. I’m so very proud of them! They both did just great.

At one point early in the day while I was riding Grace, Glory started calling and they began calling back and forth and Gracie got a bit worked up which spiked my anxiety as it was such a similar situation to when I had gotten my pelvis fractured so many years ago. So I got off and did a little groundwork with Grace and she settled and came back to me mentally. I was confident to get back on and we finished out our ride time executing the bridge, gate, switch cup, jug and bell corridor. Gracie has only seen obsticles one time and that was last year, but seemed to really enjoy the challenges.

Miss Glory Be!, well as usual she had us all laughing with her. She was perfectly game to try anything I asked marching along like she owned the place. The Bull corridor was particularly entertaining as she was quite insistant on sticking her head all the way down into the barrels convinced that there must be some food in there. I almost regretted my determination to work her in hand this first time as she was just so good. But I’m glad I stayed with my instinct to not ride her this first time as my first priority with her this year is to keep everything as low key/low stress as possible while introducing her to as many new experiences as I can. So far, so good. Next time we ride 🥰

12/30/2025

Feed your body with intention.
But feed your soul with even more care.

Because peace, belief, and joy
are just as nourishing as food.

✨ Protect your energy
🐴 Choose environments that feel like home
💭 What have you been feeding your soul lately?

12/15/2025

So many pictures of me (us) off the horse and leading.
There are a few reasons for that.
One, as my wonderful friend and mentor Claire P. Toomey taught me many moons ago, if you can make the same speed off the horse as on, then get off and give your horse a break.
Also, a horse only has so many downhill miles in them, so I most always get off and lead downhill. Bonus, it gives my knees a break! And after breaking my foot three years ago and not being able to walk, I still get such joy from simply being able to walk, especially across rough uneven ground!
Glory is just 4 y/o and still learning and gaining strength, so I give her a lot of breaks. I also think it fosters your relationship with your horse and we take our time and I let Glory explore things that pique her curiosity.
Our weather has been unseasonably warm and beautiful so Sunday was a lovely day to get out for a ride/walk.
Happy Trails!

10/26/2024

Scrolling thru FB this some time back and came across a video of a young girl learning how to ride. The caption, which was translated from another language, made mention that the young girl was “about to find the music”. I love that. It really describes to me that partnership we build with our horses, I always ask Gracie if she wants to go dance when we ride. Some days we dance, other days we play the scales, but we are always searching for the music. So happy to finally be getting Gracie back into work. Hoping we’ll do some Working Equitation together next year.

10/06/2024

Beautiful skies tonight for evening feeding.

08/28/2024

08/24/2024

Obrigado BV went to his second Working Equitation clinic this week. We’re having so much fun learning this sport. His slolam is really good and he’s solid on the bridge, he did great in the livestock pen (I feel a little claustrophobic there!). But I haven’t yet convinced him that it’s my job to ring the bell, he thinks he’s supposed to do it 😆 and we finally got the gate opened And closed! This is Obi’s first year of solid, consistent riding and getting out and about. From Obi’s battle with Pigeon Fever he can still be pretty protective of his body and especially being asked to move laterally. I suspect that he has some scar tissue in his chest and groin from his PF surgeries and his is extreamly resistant to most bodywork, but slowly we progress. If all continues to go well we’ll enter our first WE (schooling) show in the fall!

07/07/2022

Obi today. On his way to being a really enjoyable trail companion!

05/05/2022

Horses will keep you humble.
After two full years off for “maternity leave” I’ve been slowly bringing Gracie back into work. Lot’s of walking and ground work and some light riding to get her back in shape and get our communication skills tuned up. It’s been almost 4 years since she’s shown in anything. But when I had the opportunity to sign us up for the High Desert Horsemanship Challenge 2022 I jumped at it. This year it’s all about learning about Working Equitation, something I’d love to do with Grace and later on with Obi too. Mark even joined in with ZZ!

The day of the Ease of Handling clinic started well, Grace was relaxed at the trailer waiting our turn with wonderful clinician Jessica Mosbaugh Panighetti (thank you so much for all of your help!). We got into the arena (never Gracie’s favorite arena, she thinks there are ghosts from the nearby cemetery) and walked around a bit before I mounted up. Grace did wonderfully for the first number of obstacles, lifting the jug over my head, a very pretty double slalom and wonder of wonders she even did super with the Garrocha and it’s banging in and out of the metal drums! We even speared the ring on the bull, three times! But then the winds picked up, banners started flapping, trees blowing and the ghosts came out of the cemetery. Gracie started getting very nervous and upset and had a couple little meltdowns. I rode thru a few of them, got off and walked with her, remounted and we finished the morning session alright. Unfortunately by the afternoon session the winds were in full swing. Gracie and I went back to the arena and gave a good try, but she was too rattled and by then so was I. So once again I got off of her. We hung out with the other riders and did some obstacles in hand and then rested in the shade (next to the wind blown tableclothes and trees) and when she would stay relaxed for a bit we’d go out and work a few more obstacles in hand. She ended the day on a fairly relaxed note. It wasn’t quite the day I was looking for, I wish we could have accomplished all of the obstacles- mounted, but then it wasn’t a disaster either. I adjusted to what Grace needed from me and we learned some new things and she ended the day relaxed and happy. We go back in a couple weeks for the Dressage portion of the Challenge and hopefully she’ll be more relaxed after not having had too much pressure put on her last weekend. Thanks Jill Fry for always putting on such great events!