1 Year Anniversary

So this past weekend, November 7th to be exact, marked the 1 year anniversary of showing at the World Show and making the finals. Basically the realization of a life long dream. An accomplishment that took many sacrifices and at many times just looked too far out of reach. Even today, over a year later, as I was telling the story to a couple of co-workers over lunch I started to get emotional about it.

Growing up I had 2 main goals; getting married & showing at the World Show. Goal number one came to fruition in 2000 when I married my one true love. I am so grateful for each day I get with my wonderful husband. I shared my dream of showing at the World Show with Dave early in our relationship. He listened and we budgeted and we planned. In 2005 it was finally time to purchase the horse that would carry me to the World Show. I spent several months looking for just the right horse before I found him. He was talented for sure, but not without his flaws. And after taking so many years off from riding i wondered if I'd ever be good again. After showing in 2006 and 2007 I still had not earned a single point toward qualifying to show at the World Show. So I decided 2008 was going to be the year to put it all on the line and go for it. After many conversations with my trainer we decided that I needed to make a change. January 1 of 2008 I moved my horse to Temecula to ride with a new trainer that committed to doing her best to get me to the World Show. And she did just that. I showed in 20 shows in 5 different states in 2008. Even with all the successes of the year getting the 13 points needed to show at the World proved to be quite a challenge. In fact, we didn't get our last 1/2 point until the last day possible and had to haul to another show about an hour from the show we were already at in Northern California. But, we did it. We got our points and qualified. But, this did not happen without sacrifices. By the time we got all our points my horse and I who once were best of friends were now fighting each other every step. I had missed countless baby showers, weddings, and family events. I had considered giving up several times especially toward the end. It seemed like tears were more prevalent then laughter as we got closer to the deadline to get all our points. But, I'll never forget when that World Show packet arrived in the mail making it official that I had qualified. I even made Dave take a picture of me holding the packet. But, I knew that I'd used up whatever enthusiasm my horse had had left for showing just trying to get to the World Show. That added to the fact that we had just barely qualified at all made me quite positive that making the finals wasn't even a possibility. But, I really didn't care. I was just excited to go and show my horse regardless of the score or the result. I will always remember sitting on Breezy in the "Gateway of Champions" before heading into the arena to show. I had seen it on TV so many times and only in my dreams had I seen myself there. But, to be there in real life was amazing! I just showed my horse. I rode hard and did my best. I focused on enjoying every moment. Really experiencing it. Then about 4 hours later while sitting in the stands watching the final few horses in my class go and still seeing my name on the leader board my trainer turned to me and said, "You're in the finals. Even if the rest of the horses still to show beat your score, you will still be in the top 15." I couldn't believe. I cried. Face in hands. Cried.

Now it is a year later. It feels like it was yesterday. I still remember all the details and emotions. I don't think I'll ever forget them.

It is an interesting place to be; on the far side of all your dreams coming true...

In 2009 I sold my horse and now own a different horse. I just did a couple of shows and have mainly just been resting in contentment. The question is...now what? Do I set new goals? Bigger goals? My trainer suggested setting winning a World Championship as my new goal. Though I love her for her faith in me and admit that winning a World Championship would be amazing, I'm just not sure I have it in me to want something so badly again. Enough really might just be...enough.

I am so blessed. Is it really fair to want more? Do I just enjoy where I'm at and keep showing just for the fun of it? Or do I refocus my sights and see how high I can fly?

Photo Shoot

This Saturday was the annual Hobby Horse photo shoot. So fun!

Happy Halloween