Each Thanksgiving my husband and I join my family around a delicious turkey dinner, and we share what we are thankful for over the last year.

Thanksgiving

By Jennifer Klitzke

Among family, friends, good health, and living-wage jobs during this economy, the last year provided a whirlwind of gratitude for the experiences we’ve had and the people we’ve met along the way.

Starting off with the MN Horse Expo, thanks to the Minnesota Walking Horse Association for selecting my barefoot Tennessee walking horse, Makana and I as a demonstration horse/rider team. Not only was it a thrill to ride in the Coliseum, we were a demo team for Gary Lane.

Among the other MWHA-sponsored events, I am thankful for are the Early Bird Tennessee walking horse breed show that endorses humane horse training, learning events as the B.L.E.S.S. Your Walking Horse Clinic with Bucky Sparks, and fun events as the Gaited Trail Trials.

I am thankful Walker’s Triple R and Rocking R Farms for hosting wonderfully organized schooling dressage shows open to gaited horses.

I am thankful to Judy Conger who holds women’s horse gatherings at her farm.

I am thankful to the Northwoods Dressage Association for inviting Makana and I to perform a gaited dressage demonstration at their “Ride A Test” Clinic.

More specifically, I’m thankful for the people who have inspired me this last year and helped me gain a greater awareness to riding this marvelous breed.

Special thanks to:

Gary Lane who confirmed what we are doing well and for ways to improve expression in the show ring going forward.

Bucky Sparks who helped me see what connection from the hindquarters to the bit looks and feels like using a snaffle bit with a head-shaking gaited horse.

Judy Walker who rides with finesse by sewing transitions together as one seamless movement and taught me the feeling of straightness.

Judy Conger who shares from her heart a lifetime of rich experiences with me and gathers women together at her farm to learn about the importance of working in hand, tweaking our riding position, and proper saddle fit. Judy introduced me to the work of Pat Parelli when he came to my area to demonstrate his natural horsemanship method. I was humbled to see the possibilities of partnership with a horse.

Hannah Rivard who raised and trained my naturally gaited horse, Makana from birth until I bought her as a three-year-old. Hannah has gone on to riding bridleless and bareback on her PRE Andalusian mare. Utterly inspiring!

Judy who introduced me to trail riding which gave me the courage to ride the Gaited Trail Trials.

Linda Harris and The Happy Hoof Channel whose video instruction has helped me understand hoof anatomy and function and the powerful healing function of going barefoot.

Mary Wanless whose riding paradigm has introduced a fresh perspective on riding. Through her books, videos, and clinics, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come from the days of paralyzing riding fear beginning with her book “The Natural Rider.”

Most importantly, I am thankful for my saintly husband who supports my passion for riding and my faith that holds my life together.