Horse and Rider Session // Megan & Grey Goose

Megan’s session was on the same day as Karlee’s and happened back to back. The three of us enjoyed hanging out in the barn in between the sessions and joked about how we all ended up wearing the same belt, from Greenhawk of course! I’ve known Megan for many years, since we both started riding at Duke Ranches way back when but I had never met her beautiful mare Kira, until our session.

It was obvious that these two shared a deep connection and a strong partnership but what was so refreshing was Megan’s honesty that their partnership had not always been there and that they had many struggles at the beginning. As someone who also had bought a horse who was a bit past my capabilities, I understood well the frustration she must have felt early on in their partnership. Now, six years on, you would never be able to tell that it took time to foster their relationship, and it’s clear that any hardships only made them stronger!

One of the biggest hardships they faced was an injury to Kira’s leg, where a stick impaled her. I’d seen some of the photos of the injury and it was one of the more horrific injuries I’ve seen,
“The year after we had established a partnership, she had a stick come from her leg. Probably the hardest, most emotional year of my life. I didn’t know if she would come back sound, or be able to jump.”
Kira recovered strong, and likely the event made their partnership strong but what is most impressive is Megan’s attitude towards their partnership now and her commitment to reflection on the events that have allowed them to be such a strong team now.
”I forget where we came from. Our bad rides now used to be our good rides. I need to remember to have perspective.
For the kid that had a tiny budget and had no choice but to buy the green horse that you weren’t ready for, don’t give up. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep learning, keep working, keep growing, but never forget where you came from.”

As another kid who bought a horse that they weren’t ready for, and likely went through many of the same experiences as Megan and Kira, I can say that her words ring true. Connections can be built, trust can be fostered and hard work does pay off, no pair shows this to be more true than Megan and her lovely Kira!