This post was inspired by Aimee's post, and by this article by Jennie Brannigan: Love the Journey, Not Just the Destination - specifically this quote:
I love the fact that with time and patience, the horse has come quite good, and whether or not he becomes an upper-level horse, he makes me quite happy every day. That’s because he reminds me that I don’t just compete horses—I am a horsewoman.
Am I a show home?
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| Credit: XPress Photo |
I know what it all might look like to an outsider - required weekly lessons, a trainer, the shows themselves. But I will still maintain that I am not a show home.
If I was a show home, I would be distraught that it took me almost three years to finally get Connor around a beginner novice event.
If I was a show home, I would have sold Connor the second Nick lost his job the first time.
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| Credit: XPress Photo |
If I was a show home, I would have found it worthwhile to pay my trainer to make this process go much, much faster.
But I don't see myself as a show home - I see myself as a progress home. I am a horsewoman first and a competitor second. I am not content to just be one or the other, my love of horses is intertwined with my love of competing, but I am firmly a horsewoman first.
Part of loving Connor is loving the journey and the progress and the improvements, both in his mind and body. And part of that journey is proving, to ourselves and others, that we have progressed, and THAT'S where showing comes in for me.
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| Credit: My mom |
Showing, for me, is a chance to spend three straight days with my horse, going through a mental and physical battle together. Our relationship was changed forever after that first event in Ohio, in a way that all the lessons and XC schooling in the world couldn't have done.
Each event since then has solidified our partnership and improved his mental maturity. He knows his job now, and I feel like the ebb and flow of why we do what we do through the year makes sense to him now, too.
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| The happiest in show stabling. Credit: My mom |
So no, I am not a show home. I am in love with this horse and the journey we're on, delighted by his progress (no matter how long its taken), and I'm happy to get a chance to prove that progress a few times a year. We're not following anyone's timeline but our own.
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| Not a show home, but a Connor home. Credit: My Mom |
I couldn't have said it better myself. :)
ReplyDeleteOh don't be shy, yes you could have. ;-)
DeleteAMEN, SISTER. I feel the same way. I'm in this because I love my pony, and showing is just one way to expand and strengthen our relationship. Plus it's fun. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I forgot fun. It's fun!
DeleteGreat, great, GREAT post :) It's about the journey, after all!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and yes it is!
DeleteWonderful post<3
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head as far as one of the reasons I like to show. I love spending time with my horse in that kind of environment. There's nothing like it, and I think weekend away shows have done more for our bond and relationship than a year's worth of lessons.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I think being in the "away" environment makes them listen more clearly. At least, that's how Connor is.
DeleteI love this! :) Great post.
ReplyDeleteYou are a fab horse mom and this is a great post.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, and thank you. :)
DeleteLove this post :)
ReplyDeleteGreat perspective!
ReplyDeleteawesome attitude - love it! it really is all about the journey :)
ReplyDeleteTotally - I don't even know what the destination is, how can I look forward to that?
DeleteAw. I like this. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen Jen!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you and (the criminally cute) Connor. :D
Criminal, cute, criminally cute...one and the same. ;-)
DeleteOH MY GOD CONNOR'S TAIL
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great post. This year has been a lot of steps back and deep breaths for me, and it has been really helpful to watch your journey and know that it can all work out and we'll get there eventually. :-) Keep it up!
PS Can we just talk about how amazing Connor's tail is?
We can talk about his tail alllll dayyyyy looooong. That was said in my sexy voice. I think you would explode if I dropped you in a herd of Welsh Cobs and their tails, which I can do and will do if you ever find yourself slightly east of the Mississippi river.
DeleteI know. I wish all the time I had something better to tell you, but I want everyone to know that for all the times I thought I'd never be able to hack him out alone, then all the times I thought we'd never jump a fence, then all the times I thought he couldn't canter, then all the times we had no money to show or clinic...it just took a little longer, but we got there.
Great post - so true!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Your persistence is an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You and Prisoner are an inspiration to me too! Those 3' jumping videos from last week were AWESOME!
DeleteThat's a beautiful ode to both your horse and your dedication. Rah rah to you! I wish more people had that point of view on this process.
ReplyDeleteSometimes just one horse show can teach you more than months and months of lessons... and that's one of the things I love about them!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more!
ReplyDeleteThat's really lovely. We were too much of a 'show home' back when my daughter used to compete. I wish I'd relaxed and played with the horses a bit more back then.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your journey. I'll continue to enjoy reading about it.
Agree...! As much I love showing and work hard towards competing, my home is for my horses. They are everything to me.
ReplyDelete