What's In My Riding Playlist

I'm the best at taking awkward, pony walking pictures

After reading Meghan's favorites post where she listed her favorite songs I thought that a riding playlist might be fun to share. This is currently what I'm riding to. There's clearly too much here for a ride but I like having extra time so that I can start wherever I want or skip something if I'm not feeling it vs. having to find a different play list.

I have a much more upbeat work out play list that I love but I have to be careful to not ride to songs with a beat that's too fast or I post too quickly. These are all a bit slower.

Strawberry Swing: Coldplay - The best, underrated, Coldplay song
Dare You to Move: Switchfoot - One of my favorite (if very pop-esque), motivational playlist songs
I Wanna Get Better: Bleachers (Thanks Meghan) - Great, positive sounding, uplifting sounding song
Anthem, Pt. 2: Blink-182 - Great for getting me pumped up to ride or work out
2 Heads: Coleman Hell - One of my favorite on this list and the video is outstanding (I have a weird thing for the banjo lol)
Thunder: Imagine Dragons - My playlist wouldn't be complete without this one. Also, when pony is ON this rhythm is pretty good for her canter
Carry Me (feat. Julia Michaels): Kygo - I love riding to this one and the lyrics are perfect for riding
Big Girls Cry (Odesza Remix): Sia - My favorite song on this Sia album
Ghostwriter: RJD2 (Also thanks to Meghan)
Gold: Kiiara - Just a solid song to ride to
High Hopes: Kodaline - Oh my gosh I could listen to this one on repeat all day
Outro: M83 - Still one of my favorites. It starts pretty slow but builds and the end is amazing and uplifting
8 (circle): Bon Iver - This has been my absolute favorite song for more than a year now. The music video is also what I wish all music videos were like since it doesn't detract from the music at all but is also interesting to watch. Bon Iver is my favorite artist of all time.
Skinny Love (Vanic Remix): Birdy Version, actually by Bon Iver - I love the duality of having this one right after the other Bon Iver song since they're so different. This is a FANTASTIC one to ride to
Punching In a Dream: The Naked and Famous - This one has been on my workout playlist songs ever since my first boyfriend introduced me to it
The Ocean (feat. Shy Martin): Mike Perry
22 (OVER S00n): Bon Iver - Amazing song. Don't listen to it with earbuds in though because it will do weird things to your ears
lovely: Billie Ellish & Khalid - Two amazing voices
The Woods (Ghosts Remix): Hollow Coves - Great beat for riding
I Found: Amber Run - This is more recent and I LOVE it
To Build a Home (feat. Patrick Watson): The Cinematic Orchestra - Just a good solid song

How Justin Bieber Relates to My Riding

What the heck does Justin Bieber have to do with my riding you are wondering. I had this unique epiphany the other day on one of my drives to the barn when the Justin Bieber song "Love Yourself" came on the radio that had to do with who I am as a person and a rider.

I am a very intense person. When I get a thought in my head I will persist with it until I have an answer. I've had to learn to tone it down at work but when it comes to horses I'm stubborn, driven, tense and intense and not always good at calming down. I've been aware for a long time that this is probably party why Katai is rushy and tight with me riding but completely changing my way of being isn't easy.

The epiphany was about how this relates to my music choices. For about 14 years of my life I did this.



It's intense, dark, and tough. There's nothing relaxed or easy about this music or most of my music choices into my late twenties. One of my favorite songs from a play list that I created a few years ago was Barton Hollow by The Civil Wars.



It's a gorgeous song but again, intense and driving and there's nothing easy about it.

Recently though I've realized that I'm being drawn towards a different type of music. Music that's lighter and more carefree with a really easy sound. One example is Skinny Love by Bon Iver.



But Love Yourself by Justin Bieber is an even better example. I've been enjoying it every time it comes on the radio but the other night when I heard it, especially the part at 2:44, I had this realization that this is how I want to ride. The relaxed, easy, go with the flow sort of riding rather than how I normally ride and operate in general.



Easier said than done but next time I ride I'm going to be thinking of Justin Bieber.