Show Glow

  Well let me tell ya - What a ride, literally!  K and I experienced our first big horse show last week - five days away from our farm, attending the Empire State Fall Quarter Horse show at the Syracuse, NY fairgrounds.  Ever been?  WOW.. many buildings, an impressive Colosseum,  parking parking and more parking areas,  more cement  and pavement  walking than I think I've ever done.   I can only imagine what it's like when the big fair is in progress.  My mom tells me we were there once when I was very little - I have a vague memory of walking through big gates and through some cow barns, but that's it. 

  

  We stayed at a Holiday Inn nearby, but many who show often bring campers that they use for housing. 

  K and Leah had a great show - both were a little nervous on their first day, but by the second they settled in and did very well.  I'm so proud of my girl and this little horse, a new team still getting to know each other - it's quite intimidating to go out there with the seasoned folks, but she did just that and with ease I wouldn't be capable of, I'm a bit of a wuss in the competitive atmosphere.   The smile says it all 💓

  Photos below are of a few of our friends - what a great group of people to spend five days with - all supportive of each other, even when competing in the same event -  a welcome camaraderie we all need to see more often everywhere in life.

      It's looks all glittery in these photos but the truth is those jackets are worn for about 15 minutes - the rest of  these people's time is spent cleaning stalls, filling water buckets, sweeping isles, cleaning tack, feeding horses, exercising them, brushing them, practice practice practice and some sitting around waiting for classes too.  By the end of each day, it feels as if we're wearing as much dirt as we are clothing.

     It's all worth it, though - every penny and every bead of sweat equity.  The lesson in showing is it takes hard work and dedication. It takes caring for another living thing who depends on you to do so, it means disappointment as well as triumph, building relationships, elbow grease, determination. It means learning the art of  losing gracefully as well as celebrating the win. The friendships along the way are the icing on the cake - an important icing.

    At the end of the show we were so ready to get home - we missed the dogs, we missed our  people.  The gorgeous sunset  behind us and rising moon ahead were the perfect cap on a successful week.

   

I hope all is well in your neck o'the woods.   

Till soon, friends...