05/10/2024
To all young horse show exhibitors:
I was once a kid who had a passion for horses, and would spend every waking minute at the barn. I would ride anything my trainer dared to put me on, and gladly showed anything that could make it around the arena without killing me. I lived for the barn, the animals, the smell, the outdoors. It was in my blood.
Once I was YOU.
Showing was my passion. When I would hit a road block, my parents would comfort me by saying, “It's just a horse show.” But it was more than that to me, it was my world.
When I was your age, I had big dreams and wasn't sure how to make them come true. I saw big time trainers at horse shows and I respected and admired them. But as much as I was in awe of them, I never once thought, “I want to be like them one day.”
I thought, “I will be like them one day.”
And the work began. It took lots of hard work; many rides on very difficult horses, more lessons than I can count, and a few face fulls of dirt along the way. It took long hours and lots of sweat and tears to get where I am today. But I persevered. And it was all worth it.
I don't care if you want to become a trainer like me one day or if you ride simply for the fun of it. I don't care about your ribbons or your victory passes. I don't care about your year end awards or your world titles.
I care about your horsemanship, your sportsmanship, your determination and your progress. I care about the goals you set for yourself and how you plan to achieve them. I care about the success you see in yourself through your own eyes.
More important than the ribbons on my walls and the trophies on my shelves are the memories made along the way. And even more important than that, what I consider my biggest accomplishments, are those who have blessed me with their interest in learning from me and following in my footsteps.
Have fun this year, set amazing goals for yourself, and work your butt off to achieve them. And enjoy each amazing ride along the way...
And to all of their parents:
Help them set goals. Let them make mistakes. Cheer when they win. Let them fail. Encourage them whether they come in first place or last. Demonstrate how to be a good sport. Take lots of pictures. Make lots of memories. And just remember, it is more than just a horse show...
I hope everyone has an amazing 2024 show season!
Julie