Being new to the horse show world, my first year riding for the Murray State IHSA stock team was eye-opening, nerve-racking and one amazing experience. From the long, and sometimes frustrating, practices at school to the short, and sometimes equally frustrating, rides at the show, I really could not have asked for a better first season.
When I decided to try out for the stock team, I had never formally shown before. I was clueless as to how everything worked. How do you put on chaps? What’s a “class?” Wait, do I draw my horse or is it drawn for me? Although I got used to how the shows ran and what the norm was, I ended up getting more answers than I had bargained for. Getting the basics down was easy, but learning the lessons that come with each show, even each ride, was a BLANK I wasn’t expecting at all.
Boy, was I in for a ride! Literally.
My first show taught me that there is much more work that goes into a horsemanship show than sitting on a horse and looking pretty.
Not only do the riders have to get ready, including hair, makeup, and an extensive outfit, but also horses have to be prepared just as thoroughly. A lot goes on at once and keeping track what all you need to do before it's time for you to ride can get tricky. Have you ever tried to put on skin-tight chaps with a less than cooperative zipper, two classes before you are supposed to be mounted on your horse, because you were down in the warm-up area holding horses prior? It isn’t exactly a glamorous moment.
Not to mention once you are on the horse, riding around the arena in a circle isn’t as simple as made out to be. You have to think of every part of your body and keep it in check with the position it is supposed to be in.
Heels down. Soft toes. Supportive calf. Leg back. Loose hips. Seat down. Steady core. Chest up. Tall back. Shoulders square. Chin up. Head forward.
Most of the positioning comes with time and practice in order to commit to muscle memory, yet is still something you have to be mindful of. I had solid rides and for my first show EVER I was happy with my placing. However, it really put into perspective everything you have to be aware of while riding in front of a judge.
My second show taught me to have patience.
Sometimes the horse you draw has certain buttons and figuring out which of those to push and which of those to avoid takes longer than the length of the class. For example, at my second show, I drew a grumpy old mare that anticipates your actions and doesn’t like her mouth being hung on. Getting tips from the coach before my ride helped, but until I found that sweet spot between what worked with the horse and what worked with the task I was trying to get accomplished, we weren’t quite in sync as a team.
I had to really feel her underneath me and pay close to attention to what she was thinking. Corner by corner and straight by straight, I made sure we were both on the same page. Was it tedious? Yes. Was it worth it? Totally! I got a great ride out of her! Although I didn’t win the class, I still placed high and my patience with her totally paid off.
My third show taught me that not every ride is going to go smoothly because everyone makes mistakes.
I went into this show with high hopes of placing well. I had put more time in the saddle practicing, paying closer attention to the things I needed to work on to do well at shows, so naturally, I was wanting to see that extra work pay off. On the second day of the show, I drew a horse that is a dream to ride. Easily everyone’s favorite picks, not only because of his smooth gaits but also he is the kind of mount that knows his job and knows how to do it well. I was excited to get the opportunity to ride him and felt confident in my pattern. What could go wrong?
Let’s just say, a lot. My horse got a little jiggy on me and then I lost my brain for a second.
One thing you have to remember is you aren’t always going to have rides you are content with. Things go wrong. I, for one, like to draw a complete blank when I am not sure how to correct myself or my horse, which is exactly what happened at this show. What I took from that was not to dwell on what went bad, but learn from them in order to move on. In hindsight, I was mad at myself for not doing well, yet the next time that happened to me I knew exactly what to do. Reminding yourself that there is always room for improvement is key, whether it's on the ground, in your mind or on top of a saddle.
And my last show taught me determination.
Nerves tend to get to riders, but nerves get the absolute best of me. I’m not sure what it is that makes me focus more on the idea of doing well instead of simply riding the horse I’m on, but it significantly changes the way I think, feel and ride. This show, in particular, brought out those nerves. What calmed them was my incredibly supportive team, coaches and, not to sound cheesy, but myself.
Riding is a sport, and like any sport, you have to work on it to reach your goal. My first goal was to place. My second goal was to place first. Although the ladder didn’t happen, it gives me something to work towards for next season. I now have the drive to spend that much more time in the saddle and put myself out of my comfort zone in order to be a better rider. The determination to be the best is what pushes you to succeed in your passion.
I really could not have asked for a better first season. The things I learned not only pertained to my riding but also myself. It's crazy how much a sport, or a passion, can teach you about yourself.
