The weather was brutal! Cold, cloudy, and windy! And to most horses, that kind of weather is exactly what they hate...When you think of that, then the small shivering children on their back, well, in the words of one of my students mothers it makes you want to start "taking valium to these horse shows".
However, despite all of the odds that were against us, we had some beautiful performances. What blew me out of the water was watching my students continue to take my advice ("BREATHE! SHORTEN YOUR REINS! STEER HER TOWARDS THE WALL!") into account, even when there were ponies whipping around(Freckles galloping in field and bucking, Silky deciding the first canter steps of my student would be best experienced in the show ring) and children flying off everywhere... (ok, it wasn't that bad, but close...).
I will choose to remember all the ups of that day instead of the downs. Like how beautiful all of my students were warming up in the indoor, the excitment of showing, the supportiveness of their friends and family and smiles in the face of a scary situtation.
I just want to thank everyone for the oppertunity to learn grow and love!
-Erica
However, despite all of the odds that were against us, we had some beautiful performances. What blew me out of the water was watching my students continue to take my advice ("BREATHE! SHORTEN YOUR REINS! STEER HER TOWARDS THE WALL!") into account, even when there were ponies whipping around(Freckles galloping in field and bucking, Silky deciding the first canter steps of my student would be best experienced in the show ring) and children flying off everywhere... (ok, it wasn't that bad, but close...).
I will choose to remember all the ups of that day instead of the downs. Like how beautiful all of my students were warming up in the indoor, the excitment of showing, the supportiveness of their friends and family and smiles in the face of a scary situtation.
I just want to thank everyone for the oppertunity to learn grow and love!
-Erica