Dani's Diary
 

Vivfox suggested that I start this thread, so I suppose I will! Apparently, I have some interesting things to talk about, both FM and non-FM related-- my experiences meeting Mick and Stevie and flirting with Lindsey (buahaha), my extensive work with horses, my aspirations as a writer, my close ties to France... I've recieved a few questions about the following things in private messages, so I guess this can be a place to just kinda share what I do....?? We'll see what it becomes.

First post: horses

On the West coast, my equestrian sport isn't taken very seriously, especially when compared to the hunter/jumper scene back East. Because of that, the few of us who take riding seriously have a better chance of success in the horse world than all of the serious riders on the other coast.

I own one horse, Sebastian:

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Over the past three years, him and I are achieved a lot more than I would have ever imagined-- I basically trained him myself, considering he was absolutely psychotic when I first bought him. A year later, him and I were showing against horses ten times his price ($200,000+) and kicking their butts :) We were ranked 3rd on the West coast in 2007.

Unfortunately, he was badly injured in January of 2008 and it took six months for him to heal. After vet bills like you couldn't fathom, he was finally healthy again-- but for a price. My parents were exasperated and with the recession slowly becoming a more and more prominent issue, we needed to move him from my stable to a field 2+ hours away from my house. Although my family is financially able to bring him back to me at this point, they are enjoying the ability to have "wiggle room" again. And so, to my complete devastation, there's a great chance I will never be able to show my own horse again-- I have one year left of high school and by the time I'm out of college, he will be old and crickety.

It's not all bad, though-- his absence has given me the time to basically intern for some of the greatest California trainers. I am paid to train young horses and "problem" horses. I then bring them to horse shows and if we "ribbon" (recieve top marks), I am paid based on our placings. It's an awesome experience, especially since the path I am on logistically leads to a career in horse training. I'm just wholeheartedly dedicating to writing and hopefully teaching-- it just feels like a waste to have such phenomenal experiences handed to me in the equine industry and throw them away for a job that is no where near guaranteed.



So yes-- that's chapter one, I suppose. It's so weird to write about myself on a forum about something entirely unrelated.... sorry if this is just weird, haha.

I love your story so far. Sebastian is a handsome horse and I'm sorry for you and him that he got hurt. Such is the fate in the life of an athlete.
In the photo with the two young ladies and Sebastian, which one is you?
Thank you for sharing your story so far. It always amazes me that us tiny human beings can tame a wild horse. Personally I would never enter a pen with a crazed animal. I mean really, whose gonna punish 'em when they get outta line?

It's crazy that you've accomplished so much at such a young age. When I was your age (which makes me sound old, but really wasn't that long ago) I was doing trig homework, making subs for minimum wage and listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac.

Really neat stuff! Looking forward to chapter 2.

I'm the taller one, on the left. The girl on the right is my sister.

Oh, trust me-- us horse people are crazy :) I have had so many concussions from falls that I lost count and I also cracked my tailbone a few years back. Within my trainer's customers alone, we had 3 ER visits within a summer. One thing's for sure, though-- we love it enough to get back on no matter what happened the day before (or, in my case, two minutes before.... oh, the joy of riding young and problem horses-- you HAVE to get back on and fix the problem ASAP or else they aren't learning anything from it)

Ha, it doesn't even feel like I "accomplished" anything. I just got a bunch of lucky breaks and before I knew it, I was flying to Germany to stay at an Olympian rider's house. These things kinda sneak up on you :)

And believe me-- I do my fair share of homework. And minimum wage work. And I DEFINITELY listen to too much Fleetwood Mac. :)

I just remembered the name of Stevie's Australian racehorse: Illume

Hi Daniellaaarisen,

Your story is starting to remind me of the movie "The Crush". Are you familiar
with it? (no offense intended at all)
Being compared to Alicia Silverstone isn't so bad, is it?

Viv-- AWESOME name. That's so cool that she technically has a horse... it makes me feel even more connected to La Nicks and further establishes my entire "kindred spirits" theory :)

iamnotafraid-- I haven't seen "The Crush". Brief synopsis?

Well a few of the things you've written about yourself reminded me of the young
woman Alicia Silverstone plays in "The Crush". She's a teenager who rides horses,
likes older men (didn't you write that about yourself?). A journalist moves in to
her parents guesthouse, and she develops this crush on him.

I'm not sure if it's on DVD or not, I just saw it on one of the movie channels the
other night. Check it out, and see what you think.

(Please note, I'm not saying you're exactly like the Alicia Silverstone character!)

Interesting story and the photos which accompanied were incredible.

Thanks

I need to see this movie. That sounds EXACTLY like me. Yes-- you were right about the old men :)

And thank y0u, Betsy-- I'm glad my story is somewhat interesting!

:laugh: I love how you're not even masking it with older anymore, just old. Bahahaha.

aaaaaaaaand you totally understand. And love me for it. It was, after all, our initial means of bonding :)

Topic #2: Dave Young & Stevie Nicks
 

A lot of people have asked me about my ties to Dave Young, Stevie's old high school boyfriend pre-Lindsey.

In fourth grade (2001), he was my teacher. At 10 years old, I was ADDICTED to Stevie. It wasn't uncommon for me to practice my twirls during recess and belt "Nightbird" at any given moment :). One day, I was being a total chiffonhead (as usual) and another teacher asked me if I liked Stevie Nicks. Naturally, I started gushing about her. She then asked me if I knew that Mr. Young had dated her. My jaw dropped to the floor and I literally sprinted across my elementary campus to find him.

Once I ran into his classroom, I panted out, "you dated Stevie?"

He smirked and laughed, obviously a bit confused that such a young person was questioning him about her. I was freaking out with excitement-- jabbering away about how much I love her writing and the influence it had in developing a love for writing my own words, blah blah blah. In my excitement-induced stupor, I asked, "is Stevie nice?" He just laughed and asked me, "what do you think, Dani? Do you think she would be nice?" Obviously, that was followed by more gushing. :) "He told me that he would personally pass on anything I might have wanted to give her-- he suggested I put my own poetry within the package.

That year, Stevie came to Concord, CA on October 1st for the Trouble in Shangri-La tour. My mom and I had seventh row seats for the upcoming show and a few days beforehand, I gave Mr. Young some writing to hopefully pass on to Stevie. That night, he was backstage at the show. Apparently, he gave her my writing and letter before the show and she read it while backstage :). He said that Sheryl Crow and Stevie sat down together and read through it and that Sheryl said that my story reminded her of her own early passion for Stevie. He then told her that I was towards the front and to keep a lookout for me during the show if I was to somehow get closer to the stage.

During Edge of Seventeen, I was able to get up there and shake Stevie's hand. When she finally got to me, she knew who I was. A security guard lifted me up a little higher on the stage so I could see more eye-to-eye with her as she took my hand within both of her own, leaned down to kiss me on the cheek and tell me, "thank you for coming Danielle!"

It was amazing.

When I went to school the next day, Mr. Young had a signed tour booklet ready for me with a personal note inside. If anyone had doubts about my devotion to Stevie, that series of events sealed me as a die hard fan for eternity.

AWESOME story, Danielle!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

That's it, I officially hate you... Kidding!!! :p
What a FABULOUS story!!! You were one lucky fourth grader, that's for sure. Thanks for sharing that with the less fortunate ones like myself.

Here's the problem, though-- although I am so lucky to have that experience, I refuse to rest until I've had a legitimate conversation with her!!! That would be something out of a dream.

Dear god that's an amazing story. I feel like it should be in a movie or something

Ha, I just saw this-- people say that about basically everything that happens to me because I've had a "dramatic life", in the good and bad. But honestly, it never feels like that big of a deal. I mean this situation was AMAZING and I'm shocked that it happened but Dave Young was just Mr.Young to me. I was petrified of getting his tests back in 4th grade while all of the Ledgies were probably wanting to learn more about the mysterious Dave Young from Menlo Atherton High. It's just weird...

What's new in yer life? Aren't you planning a trip to LA soon? Did your laptop find it's way back to you from France? What will you do while you are away from home and someone posts some cool live Rhiannon or some other great tracks?

I was supposed to be in LA this weekend although the trip fell through because my dad tore his achilles tendon. I will be going down there within a matter of a few weekends, though-- I'm planning on staying in Santa Monica with a friend of mine and lurking outside of all buildings with penthouses by the beach ;)

My laptop did return, FINALLY. My cousins eventually harassed my aunt enough and it got to me about a week ago. I've been downloading like CRAZY ever since-- it felt as though I had been parted from a loved one for way, way too long :(



In terms of my life.... I am actually writing a lot, which is good considering I have taken a bit of a haitus lately. School starts on Wednesday and although I am seriously not happy about it, I have to force myself to realize that completing senior year brings me a bit closer to being an age I actually FEEL. I don't think I will ever quite catch up with myself, though. :)

Thanks for asking about it, Viv-- if there's anything you (or anyone else) want me to elaborate on from either this thread or others, let me know and I will.

I'll expect people like you to fill me in, of course!

I know how you feel about that. People (family, friends, strangers) tell me all the time that I'm an old soul. Enjoy senior year while it lasts! :)

It's actually a really overwhelming feeling. It seems like a blessing as well as a curse to me-- something that will just kinda stick to my bones and everything I do for a long time.

Tell us more, tell us more! . . . . ;)

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Well, I've always been mature for my age. Seventeen-year-olds usually talk about things that I am not interested in and react to situations in ways that I consider obnoxious and/or inappropriate. It's always been like this and it has never been easy. Typically, high school students don't like to associate with people out of their "mold". It irritates me, especially since I would much rather be talking with someone older than 30. I have many 20-25 year-old friends and I can't even connect with most of them.

It doesn't help that I'm a very intense person, both in my past and my internal nature. I've lived a much harder life than most of my peers at my Catholic private school. I just don't take many things lightly when the people around me take everything lightly. The intensity of my personality turns off a lot of people, regardless of age. I do an excellent job hiding it (if I do say so myself) but I shouldn't have to. I don't want to.

It's kind of a lonely existence.

You're so much like me in this respect. I'm sixteen, and I know exactly how you feel.

I like to think that more people feel this way than I would expect. But who knows? At least I've found one more example :)

If you Ledgies knew just how close my head was to "Sandy's" belly button, you'd
be shocked!

Sorry this has nothing to do with your diary Dani.

Dani, I don't even know how to express my reply to this! THAT'S SO COOL! YOU'RE SO LUCKY! I WISH MY TEACHER DATED STEVIE NICKS! And your horse is absolutely adorable! What breed? (I could probably figure that out myself, but I'm feeling lazy, and I might get it wrong and look like an idiot!)

Hahahaha, don't worry about sounding stupid!

He's a 16.2hh (pushing 16.3) Trakehner (German Warmblood) gelding. I'm glad you like him; I love looking at pictures of him from a little over a year ago when he wasn't super fat, hairy and faded from living in a field :(

Hmmm, I don't know very much about Warmbloods. Or really show jumping in general. My best friend and I taught our dogs how to jump. :) But you can't ride a dog. Unless it's really big and you weigh 10 pounds.

Awww, I'm so sorry! I haven't ridden in over 3 months because I've been busy helping out with my grandparents. (My grandpa has been in the hospital for 3 days now.) The horse I ride is 'bulky' in general, so he's probably uber fat too, because I'm really the only one who exercises him. :/

Hey Dani,

your so sweet to share your experiences with us ~ your horse is so handsome ~ i'm sorry he isn't 100%.

I used to ride too (last time was about 5 years ago:( I rode mostly dressage and hunters. I think it is so great that your ridding is bringing you so many exciting experiences ... (there are so many incredible equestrians - I used to work for the AHSA - when it was the AHSA haha like eight years ago) I'm writing you from the East now but there are so many talented riders on the West coast esp in hunter/jumpers like the whole circuit there... really happy for you !!! whatever you choice to do with it the least you'll have a great time!!!

so cool that you got your writing to Stevie too!!

Wow, Danielle I love your story! That is so cool you got to meet Stevie! I hope I get to meet her some day.
Keep up with the horses! I am so sorry he was injured. :distress: But hang in there, it will get better and there are many many more horse shows where he is going to be number one! :nod:
I show dogs, and it is a feeling like no other when you accomplish something with them, and they know it. I can't even say the words "dog show" or "agility" at my house, they go crazy, won't leave me alone, and run to the back door! :D

It's so nice to hear that there are other horse people around here-- but you're the first person with hunter experience! You can understand how ridiculous the sport is on so many levels, especially having seen it on the East coast. They have the best hunter/jumper circuit in the world, bar none. I'm jealous that we West coasters don't have that type of emphasis on the hunter/jumper world but at the same time, I couldn't IMAGINE competing with all the Maclay and Devon riders. :shocked:


Although I kinda met her once, I'm counting down the minutes until I have another opportunity. I have somewhat interacted with her twice so my theory is that the third time is the charm :)

Dog showing-- that is awesome. One of my borzois was bred to show but he has a minor underbite that kept him from being worthy :)

One of the several Stevie and Fleetwood Mac concerts I have seen, was last year in June in Cincinnati and I had 5th row seats! At the end when she was shaking people's hands, I jumped up and down and just yelled as loud as I could, "STEVIE!!!!!!!!!" Sh turned and looked staight at me and waved!

I have a friend that shows borzios and papillons :)

[QUOTE=daniellaaarisen;838296]It's so nice to hear that there are other horse people around here-- but you're the first person with hunter experience! You can understand how ridiculous the sport is on so many levels, especially having seen it on the East coast. They have the best hunter/jumper circuit in the world, bar none. I'm jealous that we West coasters don't have that type of emphasis on the hunter/jumper world but at the same time, I couldn't IMAGINE competing with all the Maclay and Devon riders. :shocked:


OMG you are so sweet I didn't compete with the Maclay's - just with the huntseat team - yea there are ssssoooo many good riders here it's crazy - really there is even a lady I work with right now that rides hunters. The woman who's stable I worked at grew up riding hunters and had hunters ( she had beautiful horses) mostly Dutch Warmbloods and some very big thoroughbreds ~ yea I miss riding a lot but it was great while I was doing it ...

Ha, I know most people don't get to make it to Maclay but it would be amazing to even just get to see that caliber of showing. I got to watch Spruce Meadows in Alberta and it was a phenomenal experience. I've ridden with Peter Wylde, George Morris and Bernie Traurig but seeing Beezie Madden, McClain Ward, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum and Pessoa was soooooo cool. Plus, Meredith's horse Shutterfly and McClain's Sapphire are two of my favorites on the circuit, followed by Beezie's Authentic.

BUT Spruc Meadows is only jumpers-- you guys have the awesome hunter riders! We are much more jumper based over here and being a hunter through and through, its frustrating to not get to see the really nice horses. We do have a trainer named John French over here, though, who has some of the nicest hunters you will EVER see.

I miss riding like I used to :(

no way...I was at that show too!!!
we had 7th row seats, but people let me up to the front.
so I got to shake Stevie's hand, twice!! awesome :thumbsup:

Oh how cool! You are so lucky, I should have ran up to the stage too...I don't know why I didn't. :confused: