All I ever wanted to do as a kid was ride horses. I remember riding my bike to the barn just to be able to take lessons. I would ride anything and everything I was put on. I always got there early to spend extra time grooming my horse and secretly enjoyed when my gloves still smelled like the barn after I left. I couldn't help but admire the older girls who were so experienced with their big fancy horses.
As soon as I was able to get a job, all of my extra income was spent on horses. Mom and dad helped me once in a while but if I wanted to ride it was up to me to pay for it. Did you know horseback riding is like one of the most expensive sports out there?
There were endless summers that I spent all day at the barn. I rode as often as I could. I rode in the hottest temperatures and sweat my butt off just for the love of riding. I wanted to be good. I knew I was good. I wanted to horse show. But there was one problem, I couldn't afford it.
I wanted to horse show so bad that I would save up all year just to be able to go to one or two shows a summer. For every hour I put in at the barn, I probably put in the same amount at my part time serving job. I didn't blow my money on clothes or makeup like other girls. Everything I had went to my horse.
When I finally saved up enough money to go to a show it was always a treat. Although I took it too seriously at times, I was able to prove to myself that I could hang with the best of them. To be honest, now that I look back at it, I'm glad I didn't have the full time stress of horse showing and my wallet is too.
To the kids who couldn't afford horse showing, I'm right there with you. You don't have to go to shows to prove that you're good. I didn't have the brand new Tailored Sportmans or the shiny new Samshield helmet. I rode every day in my busted up half chaps and a helmet that took one too many falls. I don't have a $10,000 horse but she could get me around the course and still look pretty doing it. While there were days we did the same gymnastic 50 times to get it right, there were also days when we went on trail rides and jumped over whatever we could. The people at the barn were my family and we didn't use ribbons to prove that we fit in.
You're not missing out on too much. Sure they're fun but it doesn't make you any less of a rider. Keep paling around on your noble steed and have fun.
