1. People think it's not a sport.
Excuse me, sir. Does the ball you play with have a brain? Does it have mood swings? Do you have to make it look pretty before you play a game? I didn't think so. Not to discredit every other sport out there, but there is more work, preparation, and competition in horseback riding than people give it credit for.
2. Everyone thinks you're a hunter jumper.
“Oh, you ride horses? Do you do the jumping thing?" That's super convenient if you actually do the “jumping thing," but it's a pain in the butt for everyone else to explain that there actually is another form of horse competition.
3. There's more scandal at a horse show than in an entire season of Gossip Girl.
“Can you believe so-and-so is now riding with so-and-so?" Between people switching barns, buying/selling horses, and having bad rides, the drama is never-ending.
4. Horse moms are one of a kind.
There are baseball moms and soccer moms, but there is no mom like a horse show mom. They've usually never actually ridden a horse, but they know exactly where you went wrong in your class and how to fix it next time. They're not afraid to tell your trainer how it is, either, because after all, they're “spending all of this money" so they have a say.
5. There ain't no party like a horse show party.
Horse shows are exhausting. You sweat and work all day, and when the exhibitors' party rolls around, everyone is ready to let loose. Good food, good music, dancing, and a bunch of people that have literally grown up together, make for an even better time.
6. Your friends always thought you were a recluse because you were gone on the weekends.
“Can't come to the party. I have a horse show tomorrow." Those two sentences practically describe my high school career.
7. Your horse is basically your boyfriend/girlfriend.
You fight and you get annoyed with each other, but at the end of the day, there is no one you love more than your giant, four-legged friend. They pick you up when you're down, and they're there for you no matter what kind of person you're being that day. They're basically giant lapdogs who want to ride in the car with you and sleep on your couch; the only difference is they're 1,500 pounds.
8. Everyone assumes you're a weird horse girl.
The repercussions of telling someone you like horses are actually hilarious. They automatically assume your room is plastered with "My Little Pony" posters and that you wear horse T-shirts to school. You are really obsessed with your horse, but you promise you're normal.
9. You're a better person because of the lessons horse shows taught you.
Humility, patience, and good-sportsmanship are just some of the adjectives that come to mind when thinking of what I learned from showing for 10 years. The shows, the horses, and the trainers push you to be the best version of yourself and won't settle for anything less. You know now that you can't get anywhere without hard work and determination, and you can't imagine where'd you be had you played soccer.
