This is a fun thread. I started jumping again in late July after about a decade of not riding (and I started skiing again in 2017 after a couple of decades of not doing it). This has everything to do with my kids growing up and the prospect of a real empty nest. I'm so not great with the idea, but taking up my old hobbies helps. I found an instructor who knows everybody I used to know, she's about my age, and so far it is going so well. I think the inner thigh and core work is definitely going to help with skiing. I started riding western, then hunter/jumper, then bought a QH mare (Tinky's Winsome, "Tinky," sorrel/chestnut with three white socks and a gorgeous blaze) and later a QH gelding (Chicoto Sun, "Otto," handsome red dun with no chrome) and barrel raced for about ten years until after my son was born. Then my lovely, wonderful mare kicked through a shelter and severed her digital flexor tendon. She was an amazing horse and we had such a connection; classic case of a one-person horse. My gelding was kind of dick. lol. I sold him shortly after having to put my mare down after nursing her leg for about five years (lots of doctoring with my kids playing in box stall). It took the wind out of my sails and I slowly walked away from all things horse. But I live in Calgary, and each year during July would find me wandering through the barns at the Stampede grounds just for the smells. I also rode with the Stampede Ranch Girls for many years, so I've ridden through fireworks, blasting music, huge roaring crowds, and the like. I "sacked out" my own horses and used both of them for ranch work and in a feedlot, so they were pretty much bullet proof. Right now I'm riding a chestnut TB gelding named Luke who is quite a bit taller than my QHs were, but not a huge amount bigger than some of the Stampede horses I rode (one of the geldings I rode, my fave by far, was appendix, I think. He was also used during the rodeo as a pick up horse, and those horses are amazing athletes). He has some baggage, for sure, and that hot TB personality (he's a dingbat sometimes. lol), and I'm really, really liking him a lot. We have been over some baby jumps and gymnastics and so far, so good. It's coming back to me slowly. I am having to really change the way I ride and really enjoying even the flatwork (more than I ever used to). It's partly Luke; when I ask right, he responds and it feels soooo good. I'm only riding once a week because I'm trying to ease back in and skiing is priority, but I know where this is headed. Somehow I'm going to find a way to do both of these activities, including some schooling shows at some point, I'm sure. lol. My hubby was not happy when I tossed out the idea of doing some masters ski races (because that is mostly men), but I don't think he'll object to some little horse shows (because he's seen that the majority of riders are women).
Anyway, I know this thread is very old and I just dumped a wall of text there. Will try to dig up some old pictures.