This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Famous Footwear for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
When I was little, I wanted to be a cowgirl. I wore my cowboy boots and hat all the time. I thought I was the real deal. Thanks to my hat and boots, I looked the part. All that was missing from the picture was a horse!
Growing up, I never had the chance to learn to ride a horse. My childhood dream of becoming a cowgirl eventually faded — probably about the time I outgrew my cowboy boots.
[Tweet “When I was little, I wanted to be a cowgirl… Read more at @momfindsout”]
Fast forward to many years later, 2015 to be exact, when a funny thing happened. I fell in love with a pair of cowboy boots and bought them for no good reason at all. I simply felt good inside knowing they were sitting in my closet. Shoes can be like that sometimes, you know.
One day, my husband asked me why I bought a pair of cowboy boots. I told him it was because I was going to learn how to ride a horse. Until then, I didn’t realize that idea had been floating around the back of my head. I was so glad that it popped out! Now that the idea was out in the open, I really wanted to make it happen.
I asked around town and found someone who gave horse lessons. I called and set up my first lesson. Even though I was nervous, I was excited to wear my new cowboy boots. Putting them on made me feel official. It brought back memories from when I was little and wanted to be a real cowgirl. My dream was finally coming true!
Although I had a little bit of experience riding horses, it was always on basic trail rides with super slow, old horses. Part of being a real cowgirl is knowing how to gallop! The thought of galloping on a horse scared and thrilled me at the same time. It was time to face my fears and try something new.
Over the past year, my horseback riding lessons have gone great. I started out with the basics and after a few weeks of riding my horse around in arena, my 12-year-old classmate dared me to a race. You know what that means. I had to gallop. After all, it was a dare! I was scared to death, but it was time to give it a try. There’s only one way to learn how to gallop — and that’s by doing it. So I did.
Hitting that goal was amazing! It was scary, but it was fun. My self-confidence grew a lot that day. I felt better and better about my riding skills and more comfortable on my horse. It was the breakthrough I had been hoping for.
Here I am, riding horses whenever I get the chance at home or on vacation. Whether I am in the mountains or on a beach, I think the going is always more fun when I am on a horse.
Taking time out of my usual schedule to focus on myself was one of the best things I did this year. Facing fears, learning new skills, making friends, all while fulfilling my childhood wish. Learning to ride a horse has given me confidence to try even more new things in the future. I like to think it all started with a little girl and a pair of cowboy boots.
When I’m not wearing my cowboy boots, I’m wearing my ankle booties. Lately, the Franco Sarto Women’s Dorinda Bootie is my go-to bootie for everyday life around town. Comfortable and stylish, these booties look great with everything from skirts to pants. My favorite way to wear them this holiday season is with a pair of cuffed skinny jeans.
Now it’s your turn to tell me a story. What helps you feel confident about yourself? When was the last time you achieved one of your goals?
Get inspired to step forward with confidence on Instagram. #StepForward #Famous Footwear
Toni | BoulderLocavore.com says
Wow! I love that you were able to push your childhood dream! Love your booties! I never had a chance to ride a horse but I really wanted to try!
Nicole says
Hi Toni, Thanks for the compliments! 🙂 We live in a place that’s very horse-friendly, so that helps make it easier for me to do. If you ever have the chance to go for a ride, I hope you will. It’s a great experience.
Hali @daytodayMOMents says
This was such a nice read. 🙂 Great looking boots.
My kids..and I love horse riding, even though we are just beginners.
Nicole says
Thanks, Hali, for your kind comments. I think it is so cool you and the kids go riding together. You are such a great mom! 🙂
Reesa Lewandowski says
Honestly, I love the look of cowgirl boots and have since I was about 5.
Nicole says
Hi Reesa, Sounds like it’s time for a boot shopping trip! 🙂
Lisa Bristol says
It is so great you are able to live out your dream and ride horses. I have always wanted to learn how to play the piano.
Nicole says
Lisa,
If I can learn to ride a horse, you can learn to play the piano! I know life gets so busy, but I 100% believe it is totally worth it to carve out a little bit of time to start a new hobby or take a lesson. I hope you are able to give piano a try. Thank you for stopping by today and for your comments. –Nicole
Elizabeth Lampman says
These ankle booties are so cute. I have a few outfits they would be great with. I have always wanted to learn how to ride a horse. It is never to late to try.
Nicole says
I’m loving the ankle booties, they really do look cute with just about any outfit dressed up or down. If you lived closer, I would take you to horse lessons with me. 🙂 It really is never too late to try, and now I wish I had tried even sooner! Thank you for dropping by today and commenting. –Nicole
Merry Kuchle says
Those boots are AWESOME. I have been looking for some similar ones for a while. Love then!
Nicole says
Hi Merry! Get to Famous Footwear soon if you can – They are having the BOGO 1/2 off Sale right now, so it’s my favorite time to shop their shoes. Thanks for the compliments! –Nicole
Amy Desrosiers says
How sweet that you got to live out your childhood dream. I have always admired horses and have never had a chance to ride one.
Nicole says
Hi Amy, thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. We finally live in a place that’s very horse-friendly, so that helps make it easier for me to do. If you ever have the chance to go for a ride, I hope you will. It’s a great experience.
Claudia KRusch says
Love your booties! My son has been asking to learn how to ride a horse, maybe I will give him that for Christmas!
Nicole says
Claudia, Thank you for the compliments on the booties. I think an intro horse lesson or 2 would be a great idea for Christmas. Experience gifts are some of my favorite ideas, and your son can see if he wants to keep taking lessons.
Sherry says
It’s so great that you were able to finally realize a dream. I have never been on a horse but some day I would like to learn.
Nicole says
Hi Sherry,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog post. Horses can be so much fun. If you ever have the chance to ride one, I hope you do. 🙂
Lisa Favre says
Can I just say how adorable you were when you were a youngin’?! Good for you for living your dream! Those horseback riding photos are perfect!
Nicole says
Thanks for your sweet comment, Lisa. My mom had to go digging through old pictures to find the one I needed. She finally found it (thank goodness, I was getting worried) –Nicole
Kim @ What's That Smell? says
Those boots are adorable! My daughter enjoys riding, I prefer to talk to the horses. I had made friends with an elderly horse and he would rest his head on my shoulder. Sadly he passed away this summer. There is something about horses that just relaxes me.
Nicole says
Kim, I totally agree with you about there being something relaxing about horses. I could spend hours brushing and talking to them, too. I get it. 🙂 Thank you for your comments today, I appreciate your time. –Nicole
Vera Sweeney says
First off I love those boots!! I think it would be so much fun to ride horses on vacation like this.
Nicole says
Thanks, Vera! I’m loving these booties for fall, they have been great. Riding horses on vacation is so much fun, and it’s something everybody in the family can do together. This was my first time riding a horse on the beach, and it was a pretty awesome experience. I definitely think you should do it. 🙂
Meagan says
I rode on a horse for the first time in my life last year…and it was magical! Love love love the booties.
Nicole says
I agree, horses are magical. 🙂 Thanks, Meagan!
Melissa @ The Staten Island Family says
I love that you were able to live out your passion! I still have a few things I’d like to do and not sure that I have the courage but have to admit your post has inspired me to dig deep and try!
Nicole says
Hi Melissa! I am so glad that you felt inspired by something I said in the post. Taking time out to do something I was interested in has been good for me in so many ways. I did have to bust out of my comfort zone a bit, but it has all been worth it. I hope you are able to pick something you want to do, and do it! It will feel so good. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and your comment today. –Nicole
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is so wonderful! You were just the cutest in that cowgirl hat. I’m so glad you’ve been able to make your dream of being a cowgirl sort of a reality.
Nicole says
Thank you, Stacie! Yes, I am still playing dress up in my cowgirl hat and boots. 🙂 It’s still just as fun as it always was. LOL
Shauna says
That is so funny. I had a horse when I was about 7 years old for about a year and then my horse got sick and I didn’t ride again until I was about 22. I started taking lessons again and loved it. Oh, and those boots are awesome
Nicole says
Hi Shauna, Oh you are so lucky you had a horse! I’m sorry it got sick, that is sad. But it is great you were able to get back into riding as an adult.
I would love to have my own horse one of these days. But, I guess I would need to move to a farm first. My neighbors get annoyed by my chickens so I can only imagine if I put a horse in the back. LOL 🙂