I can’t believe I did that “Are you okay?” were the first words I heard after crashing through the fence at Old Dominion’s Equestrian Teams barn in Chesapeake, Virginia. Spring semester 2017 was my first semester as a student at Old Dominion University. I was looking forward to a semester of learning new challenges and making new and lasting friendships. Rumor on campus was that the more a student is engaged and involved with campus activities teams or clubs the more likely they are to be successful in their academics and graduate on time. So when I heard about the activity fair I was sure to be there. I believe it is important to be well-rounded and trying new things or learning a new skill is invaluable to that process. The Equestrian team for me meant an opportunity to meet new people, to learn a new skill, and it turned out to be a great workout too. I spent the entire semester working toward competition and move the horse from a trot to a full gallop. For those who don’t know, a gallop is fast. The moment finally arrived and it was my turn. Dan, my faithful 22-year-old horse, and I were about to advance and start our gallop. It was amazing! The feeling of being one with the horse was magical and incomparable to any other experience I have had in all my life. I cried in happiness My lesson that day was a success, and Dan got an extra long bath and carrots that night. The next lesson, Dan was out of town for a competition so I rode a younger horse Philip. Philip is new to the barn and not as well trained. We started our posting at a trot – all was well. Then it was time to ask Phillip to gallop. Internally, I was thinking “okay, just like yesterday…we can do this we got this.” And off we went! This time was not like the last, however. Philip did not want to stop, and I knew that if I stayed on the horse at that speed there was potential for serious injury. We were coming around the course, and I started my bail sequence to the left so I would not fall under the horse and be trampled. Then I tucked and rolled and crashed through the fence from a horse galloping at full speed. The policy in horse riding is everyone falls off but the key is you must get back on again for the fear of falling again will prevent you from riding again. Covered in dirt with my hurt pride and ego the coach brought Philip over for me to remount and try again – this time tears of fear and pain trickling down my face. I went on to compete and place for the ODU equestrian team but I learned an important lesson that warm spring afternoon. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with what we are able to do and what the human resolve is capable of. What I learned from that experience was hard work pays off, and that sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, but the important thing is that when you get thrown off course you have got to get back up dust yourself off and move forward. You cannot let fear of failure hold you back. Learn from your mistakes and change your course though your actions. I have applied those lessons in my course work. I remind myself to keep discipline and time management to study. When I have a set back or a poor exam grade I remind myself not to be discouraged but to knuckle down regroup and set a new course that works better. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a student at Old Dominion and eventually an alumni!
May 14
Cynthia Stanbury
