So the morning of the show I was actually a little nervous about the whole thing. Looking back I am not sure if I was nervous about the show itself or if I was just nervous about going to a show by myself with a horse that has not shown before. Either way it was the first time in a long time that I had any sort of show nerves. Even the barn owners at Gen’s could tell I was a little off that morning when I went to go pick up my trailer.
When I got to the barn to give The Mare (TM) a bath her owner and the owners granddaughter (OGD) were already there doing the morning chores. The OGD is only 9, but she is totally horse crazy and since I was starting to have second thoughts about going to the show alone I was thrilled with TM’s Owner asked if OGD could come with me to the show. She might only be 9, but horsey company is horsey company so I was not going to turn that offer down. I even told the girl to get her boots and helmet because they had a lead line class that she could enter if TM was being good.
So I bathed and did a running braid on my pretty mare and got her all gussied up for her first horse show. I think I did a good job because as I pulled her out of the barn to walk towards the trailer her owner kept saying over and over again how beautiful she was looking! That made me so happy! I was also proud of myself that I pulled off a running braid (go me) and it actually looked nice. TM marched on the trailer like the super star that she is! I was still felling a bit off center, but with the company of a horse crazy kid and a horse that marched right on the trailer I was starting to feel better.
It had rained a little the night before so as we cruised down the road with the windows down the earth had that fresh scent to it. I breathed it in and told myself to calm down. TM had been great when we trailed for the lesson. She would be FINE. No need to worry about anything. I pulled down the drive way with 25 minutes to go before our first class and for the very first time getting excited about the day. I went to go park in the field and noticed that not a lot of people where there already which put me in an odd spot.
You see, my truck doesn’t have four wheel drive. I tend to be very careful and park places that I know I can get out. The trailers were taking up about 3/4 of the way through one row. I couldn’t decide what to do. Should I try and go all the way out in the field and finish the row or should I make a new row. It really hadn’t rained that much so I figured I would try and be a big girl and park with everyone else.
And that ladies and gentleman is where things got embarrassing…
To Be Continued…
oh my gosh I could never leave that close to my class (or phase-eventing) starting! You are brave….hope this story ends well
Uh oh, I think I know where this is going. It’s happened to me too.
Gahh, I think you need to cut down on the whole breaking the story into parts thing; too much suspense! I also have my fingers crossed for you, despite the fact that I know it’s totally in vein (correct sp? vain?)
Okay, I’m only saying this because I think you set yourself up for failure at this show, which means you should stop beating yourself up about it. Since you’re breaking this story up into pieces I can only comment on what you’ve written…HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY LEAVE ONLY 25 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR CLASS WITH A HORSE WHO HAS NEVER BEEN TO A SHOW BEFORE!!!
And look at the positives….She loaded right away. She wouldn’t do that before you started working with her.
I’m going to have to agree with, oh my gosh I can’t believe you only left yourself 25 minutes before the show, haha. I would be a crazy wreck running around like a chicken with my head cut off ☺ Can’t wait to hear the next part!
i do have to agree. even when my horse and i have been to the arena (western cattle work and gymkhana) i get there an hour early and always have him look at the cattle first. then a good warm up to get him focused on me. once he is calm, i sign up if i haven’t already, then i will go and let him rest until our first round.