My Life as an Equestrian.. and Then Some.

As I stare out to the misty mountains of the Ozarks from the comfort of the couch, I try to decide what to write. Should I write about the rain falling? What have I had for lunch? My schedule for the next week? Or the snoring dogs next to me? So much to write about and yet so little come to mind. My eyes wandered over to the birds taking shelter from the soft rain. They chirp, look around, and shake their bodies dry from the droplets of water. I often wonder how they stay warm and still enjoy the surroundings of nature. I’m often cold when I step out into the rain. It causes me to ignore the beauty of nature because I am ready to go back inside to get warm. But as a determined person myself, I must push on and through it, just like the birds.

As I ponder what to write next, my dog Rusty huffed next to me. His eyes seem to say, Aren’t you going to introduce yourself?

Right, I think, rolling my eyes. It would be rude not to.

So let me introduce myself. My name is Meredith, and I’ll be your- no, that’s not right. Let me rephrase that. Hello, my name is Meredith, I am an equestrian, animal lover, and of course, a writer. Not usually of articles and such, but a storyteller. I love writing stories. In fact, I may have two, three, maybe four stories going right now? Anyway, that’s not the point. I’m writing this to show the world what I see. See, you ask? No, I’m not blind. I just see the world in a different perspective than others. You see, I am autistic. At first glance, I seem like a normal person. I smile, have manners, and speak when spoken to.

One of the looks Rusty gives when he sighs and waits.

But… I’m not that normal. Like everyone else, I have my quirks. In a room of people, I’ll be the quietest person in the room. I would be invisible, until someone calls my name, and then I would be noticed, as if by magic. Awkward. I pretend to not notice and move on. I mentally sigh when I am no longer the center of attention. But this is not quite a quirk. One of my quirks is that I don’t act like a girly-girl like many of the other ladies. I have a tomboy quality. I still wear basketball shorts, and don’t wear makeup. “Don’t worry, you’ll get into makeup when you get older,” I remembered hearing from the others when I was younger. That never happened. But I did “step up” my game by wearing more decent clothing due to my hobby of riding and competing on horses. Polo shirts, breeches, and of course, tall boots. Don’t worry, I will wear dresses on formal occasions.

My perspective to life is noticing the details that others may not notice. I used to do photography. From leaves and plants to high knees of a horse flying over a fence, I saw them all and showed them to everyone. It helped people notice the things I see and take it into perspective. Another one is my attention to details into my stories. Why is the character this way? How did the character get to this point? What were the events leading up to this story? I ask questions like the reader and as a writer, I try to give the reader the details they need to know. Just like in movies and television shows, you get invested in the characters and the stories in it. In a way, I’m an artist, but without the ability to draw or paint like one. I see art in a different way, and not necessarily in the usual perspective.

A photo of a pony’s bit I took at a horse show.

I haven’t written or finished any books, but that could be a cool thing to do one day. And speaking of goals and dreams, I hope to someday travel to different horse shows across the country, and move up the jumper ranks. I am horseless now, but with the lesson horses who have been saints for me, they are helping me get better.

You’re probably wondering why I am on the couch and not at the barn. Dogs are a part of my life just as much as horses, and that is my pet sitting business. I do enjoy it, but I hope to change that someday to be able to share my love of horses and go to horse shows. I imagine myself flying over colorful fences on the back of a beautiful horse, and my dog…

I glance up after hearing a small whine, breaking my daydream. Uh oh, the dogs are staring at me, I realized. I look at my phone. 5:30. Dinner time. Looks like it is my time to go serve dinner. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about me, and I will see you later!