Giddy-up and Grow!

Long summer days, with friends, on horseback, take me back to childhood. Lazy afternoons found us seeking the cool dark woods for shade and the neighbor’s pond became an equine- themed water park!
Along the way, our great horse teachers helped us grow into competent riders.
One of my early teachers was Sandhopper, a tough little pony who had been taught by a previous owner to sit on his rump and beg for carrots. This was cute until you became his victim. The little rascal would suddenly plop down on the trail, sending his rider down the furry pony sliding board of his backside! No amount of cajoling would stand him up until he received his reward. From Sandhopper I learned to carry a pocket full of carrots and the life lesson of paying to play.

My first real horse, Thirsty, taught me I wasn’t quite the horsewoman I thought I was-- and that experience was the best and most difficult teacher. I hit the ground more times than I can remember, but grew as a rider, the most damage being to my pride…

Many horses later, I met the soulmate horse of my life, Forty-one. By that time I’d spent years in instruction and had learned that in the training of a horse, you make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult . Next add praise… (and more carrots!). Forty-one was a particular challenge, having spent five years in thoroughbred racing --and was hot as a fire cracker! In our 20 years together, I grew as a horsewoman and as a horse’s friend. With Forty-one, I learned the courage to jump big fences on the fly and to treasure the soft nicker of a faithful companion.

Wherever you are in your horsemanship, your best teachers will be the horses themselves. When you are ready, step in the stirrup, giddy-up, and grow!

Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm 865.385.7240-The Stables


Long summer days, with friends, on horseback, take me back to childhood. Lazy afternoons found us seeking the cool dark woods for shade and the neighbor’s pond became an equine- themed water park!
Along the way, our great horse teachers helped us grow into competent riders.
One of my early teachers was Sandhopper, a tough little pony who had been taught by a previous owner to sit on his rump and beg for carrots. This was cute until you became his victim. The little rascal would suddenly plop down on the trail, sending his rider down the furry pony sliding board of his backside! No amount of cajoling would stand him up until he received his reward. From Sandhopper I learned to carry a pocket full of carrots and the life lesson of paying to play.

My first real horse, Thirsty, taught me I wasn’t quite the horsewoman I thought I was-- and that experience was the best and most difficult teacher. I hit the ground more times than I can remember, but grew as a rider, the most damage being to my pride…

Many horses later, I met the soulmate horse of my life, Forty-one. By that time I’d spent years in instruction and had learned that in the training of a horse, you make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult . Next add praise… (and more carrots!). Forty-one was a particular challenge, having spent five years in thoroughbred racing --and was hot as a fire cracker! In our 20 years together, I grew as a horsewoman and as a horse’s friend. With Forty-one, I learned the courage to jump big fences on the fly and to treasure the soft nicker of a faithful companion.

Wherever you are in your horsemanship, your best teachers will be the horses themselves. When you are ready, step in the stirrup, giddy-up, and grow!

Carla Hawkinson, Master of Foxhounds, Tennessee Valley Hunt
Equestrian Program Manager, Blackberry Farm 865.385.7240-The Stables