
07/05/2025
I know how this sounds. Ungrateful. Dramatic. Maybe even like I’m being a bad sport. You might remember a while back, I said it’s not about the ribbons.
And it’s still not.
But it IS a competition.
And most of us do want to be rewarded for the time, the effort, the determination, and the seamless partnership we’ve built with our horse.
After enough second places, class after class, year after year, it starts to wear on you.
You start questioning your decisions. Your timing. Your instincts.
You wonder if you’re just not quite good enough.
So go ahead and judge me for saying it out loud.
I want my number called out first.
And if you’ve ever stood in that lineup anxiously waiting for your number to be called, I’ll bet deep down you do too. 👊
Always a bridesmaid, never the bride? 👗🥈
To observers, second place at the competitive shows looks like success. And it is.
But it can also start to feel like a ceiling.
A quiet reminder that you’re not quite the one.
It’s not that we aren’t grateful. We are.
But we’re also reaching for more and trying to figure out how to finally break through.
Why does second keep happening?
✅ You’re consistent, but not commanding
✅ Refined, but not unforgettable
✅ Respected, but not the expected winner
So what now?
Understand that it may take longer than expected to become the number on top when it’s close.
In the meantime, tighten everything.
The horse. The turnout. The strategy. The presence.
And keep showing up like you’re the one to beat. 💥🎯
At least this is what I tell myself when second place feels heavier than it should.
I have to believe consistency builds credibility. And that credibility builds momentum.
I hope I’m right. I have to be right.
It’s what keeps me coming back.