The ride that started it all, Stacy Westfall 2003 Championship Ride

It seems like this was so long ago. This little mare, Can Can Lena, Hailey to those who know her, is the horse that started it all. Of coarse all the horses that led up to her played their part so maybe it is more that she was a turning point rather than a starting point.

Have you ever heard the theory of a tipping point?

Tipping point (sociology), is the event of a previously rare phenomenon becoming rapidly and dramatically more common.

For me Hailey was a tipping point. Everything I had learn, the brief moments when I though I had connected with horses, all came together with this one horse.

I can’t explain why it was her but I can offer you these two thoughts. All of the work before her played a part in reaching the tipping point and all other horses after her have been, in a way, easier.

Where are you focusing your time and energy? Have you experienced reaching a tipping point in your life?

 

13 Comments

  1. Life Law #5 « Stacy Westfall Horseblog on December 26, 2011 at 6:03 am

    […] Dream, make a plan, get advice from others and then MOVE! Did you know that in 2003 when I won the NRHA Freestyle Reining bridleless I hadn’t even considered the possibility of riding bareback and bridleless in a show? And […]

  2. Amanda Accordino on December 1, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Had to hold back tears while watching that video… reminded me of the true turning point for my horse and I… ahhhh

  3. Megan Harvey Brazeau on November 30, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    YOU ARE SOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!! my favourite video of you is championship run!!!! YOU’RE THE BEST RIDER I HAVE EVERY SEEN!!!!!

  4. Deanna on November 26, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    Very cool!

  5. Kathy on November 20, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    I don’t ride horses, but I do train and trial Border Collies in sheepdog trials. I find that I can apply so many things that you talk abut to my Border Collies. I have had two dogs that have given me tipping points. One as a competitive obedience dog and one as a very good sheepdog. I do believe that I am just at the beginning of enjoying training and trialing my 3rd tipping Border Collie. I had him at a mock trial a week ago and on a couple of runs I felt like we were just clicking and it felt oh so good!! Thanks for making me realize this and for helping me to remember my other two dogs that I felt this type of connection with in the past.

  6. Drucilla on November 19, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    I think the point you make that all the other horses played a part-and it happend to come togther with that one horse-people get so hurt if they think that someone else was the “one” but it is a combination and not that that one horse was better than the others- I feel timing, everything leading up to it and the space and mindframe we are in all play a part. I have wanted to work with humans and horses to help with healing in some way for soo long-a deep longing and have talked about it and dreamed about it and wrote about it -not sure how to begin-the other day an opening occured -a tipping point 🙂 -and i can see where it might come together!! I also I have been learning with horses for a few years now and it is beginning to come together with my apache horse but had it not been for Basil I would not be with Apache-all beings play a part in our life- thank you for this post !! It got me thinking and I LOVE that!

  7. Janet on November 19, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    I agree with Nikki on this on, and when you reach that tipping point you can go one way or the other. For my self I am currently in one of those points, at redifining thing, learning new stratigies, and focusing on what works. With out these points I don’t think that we can really learn, and take that eperiences and build on them. And I must say girl you are always building and with the talent that you have I make’s it easy for the people that admire what you do to watch and learn.

  8. Terri on November 19, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    I remember seeing your picture in a magazine…..with your coat on and bandana on your face. Back then I thought the ride was great!!! Today I think you’re phenomenal!!!

  9. Angelique Aia Hill on November 19, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    the coolest thing is how you maker her run faster and then get her to slow down. how do you do that?

  10. Nikki on November 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    totally awesome and yess I do love to watch you ride.

    I think, we ll reach this kind of points many times in life and over and over again in many different situations!

  11. kenzie36 on November 19, 2011 at 11:40 am

    I absolutely love, love, love the way you communicate and interact with your horses. I have so very, very much to learn and really appreciate all that you share with us. Thank you for taking the time to do this. 🙂

  12. Brenda Anderson on November 19, 2011 at 11:05 am

    Awesome! Love to watch you ride, Stacy!

  13. Erica on November 19, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Beautiful ride!

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