Intoduction Part 2 (Heartland Part 1)

So it was in August 2010, we set off to Heartland Ventures in Baltic South Dakota, with Fran Latane driving the truck and trailer, and my parents following. 

I had no idea what to expect-I was excited, but nervous at the same time.  I was also hopeful.  The youngster I had no business owning was in the trailer behind us, and I was ready to throw everything I had into giving it another shot-literally. 

This was my first glimpse of part of the outdoor play area at Heartland.  We arrived at a time where there were a number of people playing outside with their horses.  I hadn't seen that many orange carrot sticks in use at once very many times at all, so it was a bit like stepping into another world.  The place was extravagent-the largest horse facility I'd ever been at, with several twenty-forty acre pastures, an outdoor play area with two round pens, an outdoor arena, a barn with an indoor and over thirty stalls that also had an upstairs viewing area with a lounge, an office, a dorm room, bathroom, and even a kitchen.  To be honest, I never wanted to leave. 
I was there with two other interns at the time, and settled into a schedule quickly.  Five days a week we'd work and take lessons until about 5, and then we'd usually have free time.  The first month I crammed, knowing I'd have time to soak once I got home, not knowing my stay would end up being much longer than expected.  But this trip was exactly what I needed, and not only in horsemanship terms.

 

The people I met are absolutely unforgettable.  I learned so much about interacting with others, and started to learn about the different perspectives people can and do have-at a deeper level than I ever had before. 

 

At the end of the first month, Farrah Green (three star instructor) came up to the dorms and asked me if I wanted to stay longer-for an undefined amount of time.  The answer was of course-yes.  I went back home briefly to say hello to my family and quit my job.  It was a risky move financially, as I wasn't going to be a paid employee, but I had and do have a firm belief that you can't half-ass going after your dreams if you want to achieve them.  Chase would be moved into the same forty acre pasture as Farrah's horses, and I would be Farrah's charge from here on out.