EqBlogger: Fly On Over

Blogging is all about the community- and joining the ranks of equestrian bloggers has opened up my “barn family” to include folks all over the country and around the world. 

Today, I’m introducing you to another adult amateur who ALSO happens to be in Marketing AND has a lovely chestnut with chrome. Tracy, I’m pretty sure we’re destined to be bloggy friends. Readers, meet Tracy of Fly On Over. Check out the Meet Miles post at the bottom of the interview to learn about the main (four legged) man in her life and the goals he is helping her to achieve!

Tell me what readers will find on your blog.

Fly On Over chronicles my trials and tribulations as a working adult amateur with my horse, Miles as we train and compete on the local hunter circuit. I talk about all manner of equestrian related topics, including product reviews, lessons and of course horse shows. I try to be very honest, and I’ve really enjoyed talking about my highs (which my readers help me celebrate) and my lows (which my readers commiserate with and help encourage me to keep going!)

 

What kind of riding do you do?

I currently ride and compete in hunters on the local circuit. I’ve showed at the 2′ level for the past several years and I’m hoping to move up to 2’6″ this summer.

What is your biggest riding-related challenge?

I would say I have two big limiting factors: time and fear. As a full-time marketing and communications professional, I can’t be out at the barn as much as I would like. I’m also a fairly timid rider, so I battle nerves, anxiety and the occasional full-blown fear when faced with new challenges.

Do you listen to music when you ride? If so, what?

Sometimes I really enjoy just putting on my headphones and really focusing on my ride. When I do, my taste is kind of all across the board… but my favorite artists would probably be Justin Timberlake, Jason Aldean and Drake. “Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line is killer for ground pole work!
What’s your #1 tip for balancing riding and life outside the barn?

Find and embrace a great support system. I know it sounds cliche, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day sometimes. Surrounding yourself with family and friends who understand that there are days when it’s more important to ride than go to the grocery store is key.

If you had the chance to ride with any rider/trainer, who would it be?

There’s definitely part of me that would love to attend a George Morris clinic, but I’m pretty sure he’d take one look at my riding and hang his head in shame, haha. I do think it would be fun to do an “auditing” tour of some of the greats like Joe Fargis, Greg Best, Bernie Traurig, etc.

What are your favorite equestrian blogs and websites to read?

She Moved To Texas really inspired me to start my own blog, but since then I have a collection of favorites including Not-So-Speedy Dressage, Viva Carlos, Hopeful Jumpers, Pia’s Parade, Equestrian At Hart, The Jumping Percheron… I could really go on and on! The equestrian blogger community that I’ve found over the past eight months is absolutely tremendous, and given the chance I could probably recommend close to 100 blogs and people that I’ve really connected with.

Tell us one of your riding goals for 2014.

Show 2’6″! For most it’s no big deal to hop over a 2’6″ fence, in fact, I’m sure many people reading this use that as their warm-up. But I’ve never shown that high before in my life, and I’m both nervous and excited to make my dream happen. I bought a new horse in September 2013 who is working hard to help me move up, but it’s not an easy task! Haha.

Meet Miles

First Show with Miles (Schooling, Day 1 and Day 2)