Showing horses used to be just for fun (and winning) when I was little, but a lot has changed. While fun is still an important aspect of competing, it has become much more complicated.

I have a lot of fun competing. If it wasn't fun, I simply wouldn't do it. For me, one of the highlights of showing, now that I'm older, is meeting new people and going to interesting, new places. Now, I compete different horses, sometimes a different horse every show. Its exciting to change it up and see what I can do at a show with a new horse. Its not all fun and games anymore though; its serious business.

Competing is about showing off. You show off what you've learned, how you ride, how good your horse is. Its not all about winning anymore, it's about trying your best, leaving it all in the ring. Most times, riding a horse off property in a new place is much different than riding them at home. You face different challenges at shows than you do at home.

I've been competing for nine years now, although competing as a kid was much different. When I was younger, I had all the time in the world to ride, get ready for the show, and spend days upon days at horse shows. Now, time is of the essence. Luckily, showing now comes naturally to me; the show nerves left a long time ago. If I started a new discipline, things might change, but I have a tried and true system I follow. I know exactly what to pack, what to wear and how to get myself and the horse ready (in a timely manner). Showing feels like riding a bike; its a comfortable old pastime even though I can't do it as much as I used to.

For me, showing a horse is now mostly for the horse. Believe me, I have plenty of room to improve myself, but I have a trainer that can tell me that, I don't need the judge just to tell me the move my hands or straighten my back. I no longer compete in shows that are solely judged on me. My main discipline is a combination of horse and rider. The score at the end reflects on the riders ability just as much as the horse's skill. I want to put something good on the horse;s show record. That record goes on to reflect on that horse's training and pedigree, so it's beneficial to their whole lineage. Every time I go into the ring, I have the opportunity to further the horse's career.