One thing I have learned thoroughly from life with multiple sclerosis and disability is you never, ever take one single thing for granted. In the spirit of this life lesson, I called an audible before Nationals. Here's what happened...

Showing a musical freestyle at Nationals wasn't on our radar until mid-August. Designing a freestyle takes time. The choreography is thoughtfully crafted to include all the compulsory movements and spotlights the strengths of horse and rider. Then music is carefully selected and curated to match said choreography. When it all comes together, it's really spectacular.

We did it backwards and whipped it up fast! Lauren Sprieser, my coach, procured some suitable music and crammed in some pretty good choreography. It checked all the boxes. As we worked through it and practiced, Lauren and I kept saying, next time we'll add this or that. The music limited us and I didn't feel it showed our very best. With a remarkable 69.4%, I should have been thrilled. It was quick, cost effective, and it delivered! But, there was a little, quivering voice in my head that kept saying, "Don't assume you have a next time."

I confessed to Lauren I wanted to do it the right way, for Nationals, this year. She didn't miss a beat (God bless her). "It's not going to be cheap and we'll have to find out if we can get it done in time." Thanks to donations from three incredibly generous women, I had the money to pay for it. Lauren designed some outstanding choreography and by virtue of her fabulous network, Beth Hall of Woodwind Studio is mixing new music as I type. It is designed specifically for Mason and me for a live debut at Nationals. It finishes on The Best is Yet to Come by Frank Sinatra. I can't imagine a better omen.

At the end of the day, Mason and I are qualified for the Para Dressage National Championship in the Grade II Individual, Team, and Freestyle tests. We're going to have a super new freestyle. It's awesome! Thank you to everyone who has taken even one step with me on this journey. I am so grateful!

It's been an incredible year and I've got to keep this momentum in 2022! In order to do that, the search for monthly sponsors continues. I'm 1/4 of the way there and wondering if you or someone you know would like to pledge or donate to keep Mason and I going. Here's some information. This is not a one-size-fits-all and if you'd like to contribute in another way, another amount, please reach out to me. As the journey progresses, I feel more and more strongly that every step gained is a reason to push for the next.

Here are the tests we submitted to the US ParaEquestrian Association virtual judging program for scores to qualify.

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