New year, New ventures

Hello all!

I want to bring you a short update on some exciting things coming in the near future! 

#1: I have another Lollypop horse coming in for training tomorrow! I am very excited to be working closely with Lollypop Farm again and can't wait to get my hands on this guy! I have yet to meet "Chief" but as far as I know he is not broke to ride. It will be fun teaching him from the ground up! For updates on the new boys arrival keep an eye on my facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/ECClouieandcourtney/?ref=hl  I hope to post some pictures of him tomorrow!

#2: I'm really horrible for not posting this earlier but.... my fashion blog was posted on Heels down Magazine!  To see my blog on their site click ....HERE. I was super excited to see my blog finally posted and it just looks so good on an official website! I would love to blog again for Heels Down Magazine but as of right now there are nothing in the works.

#3. That cute little horse, you know the one named Little Louie, has exciting news that he can hardly contain! Although we aren't going to tell you about his new adventure just yet, be on the look out very soon for a video update on him as well as news about his new adventure.









#4. Upon realizing I made a blog post about writing an article for Practical Horseman Magazine I realized you guys were never actually able to read my story (unless you received the magazine.)
The story has now been archived on their website! To read the story click here: http://practicalhorsemanmag.com/article/courtney-vanderbrook-horse-rescue-26968
There is also the possibility of actually seeing the interview footage we took way back at the Pennsylvania National Horse show. As of right now the video hasn't been posted but I am still hopeful that will surface.

#5. It's time for a face lift! In the very near future I hope to update the look of my blog! If you know of any tech savvy friends please comment below!

 I'm anxious and excited to see where 2016 takes me! 

Hope you and all your furry friends are staying warm! Here in upstate NY winter has met us with a blast of cold air! For all of you who hate winter, like I do.... Enjoy this video ;)

A Farewell to 2015

Hello all, I trust this blog has found you safe and sound in the new year! It has been awhile since I've had the chance to sit down to bring you an update. To be honest I've had a case of the blogging blues. I've wanted to put together a good post about 2015 for a few months now and the creative juices haven't been flowing. The other night I came across a post on the Chronicle of the Horse website written by eventer Jennie Brannigan. She, like myself didn't know how to make a chronological list of events exciting to talk about. She eventually came up with the idea of creating a letter to herself as if she's just about to start 2015. After reading her post,although it sounded weird at first, I fell in love with her point of view and decided to recreate my own 2015. (you can read Jennie's post here) Without further wait, here is a letter to myself.

2015 is going to be a tough one. You are going to find yourself in a deeper way then you have ever known. Don't worry. This year will grow you and you will come out stronger than you ever imagined.

The year will start off snow covered as usual and you will be thrilled when you are asked to go to South Carolina to break a horse for 2 weeks. Although it sounds exciting, don't be fooled. This will be the hardest 2 weeks of your life. Upon arriving you will be amazed at how years of working under Dave Minteer gets put to the test on this spunky Quarter Horse. After the first week, miscommunication between the owner and you will arise and you will part your ways with this horse. While you are down there the Lollypop Telethon with air on TV. Your story with Louie will be a success. You are thrilled. As your two weeks of work turn into a final week of vacation, you will enjoy sunning yourself while you have the chance. Your final night in South Carolina you will get news that one of your best friends has been in a horrific ski accident. Your world will be turned upside down. The following day she will pass and you will navigate the airport teary eyed and broken inside.

The next few months you won't have the desire to do much. You will find yourself at a horse show or two wondering why your passion of riding and training was no longer fulfilling.

Late summer will hit and you have the privileged of watching one of your students accomplish her first jump as well as attending her first horse show. In the sparkle of her horse crazy eyes you can see the little girl you once were. Only a short time ago dying for just 5 minuets in the barn, you realize you are living your dream.

You attend the Genesee Valley Breeders Association horse show and your baby green does well. You decide to fill the classic class and try your best. You will finish 6th............out of 6 and realize although you have much "homework" to do you are grateful for the opportunity to ride in that class.

Your form of "homework" will come from someone you watched as a child. Carol Kozlowski will start giving you lessons.Yes, Carol Kozlowski from the Erin Go Bragh video you watched until you could repeat the whole movie backwards. The one you rode every stick horse, chair arm, rocking horse or anything you could get your hands on to. You will grow in your understanding as a rider in the next 4 months more than you have all year. You will also have the privilege of taking Simon to Carol's for a lesson. You will finally see your patience and persistence pay off.
















Although this year has been tough, you begin to realize that before the foundation of the world you were designed to do exactly what your doing. No one and no circumstance will ever pull you away from what you are meant to do. The road is long and tough. You will question and you will doubt. But in the end you will be overjoyed with the life you have been given to live. Keep pressing forward.