It's Monday morning and I am recovering from horse show hangover--not the same as a drinking hangover, but it does feel similiar. The body aches, and I feel fatigued--but no headache or stomach issues to go with it. LOL. And, I didn't even show! But I was the water girl.
I was supposed to ride in the show--would have been my first dressage test as Krissy has done her job as a jumper and now it's time to do some low level dressage work, which I am enjoying. I'm not sure that my mare agrees because I still jump her once a week and that's when her ears prick up and she gets a little energy in her step. Anyway, we dind't get to do our test yesterday because Krissy has a puncture wound on her scapula! I swear this horse will hurt herself or get sick if the opportunity presents itself. I believe I will be putting my vet's children through college if we keep this up.
Anyway, sans the disappointment of not being able to ride, my little girl and her pony Mister Monty did have a great show. She also showed our trainer's pony--Tahoe, and did quite well. This was my daughter's first walk, trot, canter test. Let me start off by saying that I am just a little tiny bit proud of this kid who is only 8 years old. We started the day by helping our trainer feed at 5:30 in the morning and we had horses on the trailer by 6:45. My daughter's first test was at 8:12 with Monty and she wound up getting second place. The second test she did with both ponies and out of 15 in the class she took 5th and 6th places. Not too mention it was 95 degress out. She is a trooper. She helped water horses all day, check the feed bags, and hose them down when needed. I only heard a couple of complaints and that was at the end of the day.
Both of our instructors were there with their horses and their tests weren't until later in the day, so we didn't wind up back home until about 5:00. I mused at the end of the day seeing all of the riders and their horses--this sport to the common man probably makes no sense. We work our butts off, provide the best care for our animals, our lives essentially revolve around the horses. People who aren't around horses often are usually surprised when I talk about how each one has a distinct personality and can show all sorts of emotion ranging from jealousy, grief, anger, joy, and love. What equestrians are all about is the passion they have for their animals. Horses give us so much pleasure. They are truly our friends and companions. I feel blessed to have them in my life and will continue to get up at the crack of dawn to feed, clean up after and take care of them in return for all these gracious animals give back. I am happy to say that I think my youngest child agrees with me. My sons think we're crazy and I'm sure my husband feels the same way but would never voice it. However, I will be horse crazy until my last day!
Have a great week and hug a horse.
Michele
4 comments:
Congratulations to your daughter! She sounds like a natural horsewoman. And here's hoping your mare stops finding MORE ways to spend your money. I swear, some weeks I can hear my gelding think, "Hmm, is that the sound of money in my mom's bank account? Let's spend some of that."
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
Thank You, Gayle! My bank account is dwindling. I will pass on your sound advice to my mare.
It's money well spent....at least as far as I, another horse nut, thinks. My daughter is 18 now. She grew up with horses and me. We traveled to shows, took care of the horses, mourned the loss of a "good one" and sweated buckets trying to learn our sport.
She is a kind and thoughtful young woman now. She hasn't dabbled in drugs, alcohol, sex or smoking. Horses were her anchor.
Who cares if I'm poor?
My dad just told my husband the night after the show that he has no idea how lucky he is. My hubby was sort of complaining about the expense, and my dad (who got me my first horse at 5) told him that it would all pay off when she hit 15/16. I know Dad is right.
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