I wanted to share this story about showing that I wrote three years ago, for my daughter . January 13th will be the one-year anniversary of our horse's death, and I've been thinking about him a lot lately. I hope you will enjoy seeing the show scene through my eyes.
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A few years ago she had wondered how anyone could pack away their trophies and put them in an attic, or leave them in the barn where they were quickly covered with dust and cobwebs. But after five years of showing, and winning many trophies of her own, she had finally figured it out. It wasn't about the trophies.
At least not for the ones who really loved what they were doing. Not for the ones who would get up extra early and rush to the barn to start grooming their horses for that day's show. It wasn't because they wanted to win a shiny trophy with a golden horse on top. It was because of all the fun they had while they were at the shows. Competing with friends, or cheering them on, was all part of the experience. It wasn't about who had the most expensive horse or tack. Nor who had the biggest or shiniest trailer. The fun was in brushing your horse till his coat would shine like a new penny, combing his mane, polishing his hooves, and braiding his tale just so. And, maybe this year, you had a new show jacket or helmet you couldn't wait to show your friends.
Everyone came prepared to spend the day. Lawn chairs in every color imaginable, bottles of sunscreen, coolers filled with ice and plenty of drinks, and always enough snacks to share with friends who were certain to stop by. In a lot of ways, horse show day was very much like a big block party. Between the classes in the show ring, friends caught up with one another's lives. Whose horse was doing well, who had a new foal this spring, and what the kids were doing between shows.
Sometimes the farrier had to do a last minute shoeing job, but he was used to that. He always came prepared, tools in his truck, knowing that most likely, someone would need his services. Whether a horse threw a shoe in the ring, or someone had brought along a pony that needed its hooves trimmed, he was happy to oblige. Just like his father before him, farrier work wasn't really a job. It was a hobby that let him be near the animals he loved the most, and some of the greatest people in the world.
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Comments: 22
However, if you've gotten this far, thanks so much for reading my article! It is definatley from the heart!
Wendy, I had forgotten all about the 110, now those were cute little cameras!
M.K., I think a lot of the "local" shows maintain this family and friends attitude. It's when you move into the "high stakes" shows that things can get nasty! Our best memories are from local shows where there were always a few new people, but mostly the people knew one another from year to year.
Carol, the week I bought our first horse, I was only vaguely aware there were different breeds! LOL You don't have to know much about them to love these beautiful animals.
Krissy, you were blessed to be able to do something with horses! I'm glad it gave you good memories!
Elizabeth, I agree that the trophies DO have meaning. Most definitley. Since Scott died, my daughter and I each keep one of his biggest trophies in our bedrooms. Before that, we had packed them up for lack of space. A lot of hours of practice went into winning them, and now they are beautiful reminders of our beautiful horse, and the good times we had with him.
Johnny, Thanks for being nice!! If you were to enlarge these photos they would be so blurry you couldn't tell what they were! But I do appreciate the comment, and that you took time to read this story!
Cyndi, you're very sweet. I just write the way I feel. And I've found that even with the so-called Gather wars, there are quite a few very nice people who hang out here!
Kim, thank you. I'm glad you liked it!
The thing you hit on, that the people who owned horses were committed to them and simply enjoyed being around horses and horse people, is true. I have seen it at cuttings, ropings, three day events and on the backside of tracks. Horses are one of most effective builders of congeniality I know of. You can really get to know someone riding beside them and competing with them.
My oldest son and daughter went to a 4-H camp one summer and I hauled their horses, feed and tack over so they could get some pointers and teach their horses something too. They are in their forties now and still recall the fun they had.
I once met and chatted with a gentleman who owned a horse on the US OLympic Equestian team and was president of a large corporation. He made the statement that his experiences in riding and training had taught him more about leading people than anything he had done. My own experience verifies his claim.
So it is not about the trophies or the saddles or the belt buckles but about love of a wonderful animal and the people who share that love.
Have a wonderful New Year!
Thanks for the insight into showing, you highlighted the very best part of it,,,,,being with those who love the same things and doing them together. Thanks!!