National Academy Championship Horse Show
Saturday morning, I collapsed in a sobbing heap on my coach’s shoulder.
Husband was doing an awesome job supporting from a distance. However, texts and emails and phone calls can only do so much. I was tired. I was stressed. I was tired of being stressed. I needed a hug.
Once the sniffling stopped, I heard the take-away message. It’s not about the ribbons; it’s about the journey. It’s not about meeting a goal. It’s about what you learn while trying to meet a goal. I had put so much emphasis on doing well this weekend that I had worked myself into a state. Going forward, I resolved to accept – to the extent I was capable – my results not as good or bad, merely as data points.
This dovetails with other ideas I’ve had lately. It’s not what you do with a horse on any given day. It’s what you do with a horse day after day that makes progress. It’s not about what you eat once. It’s about what you eat over the long-term that affects your health.
It’s all about process.
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Okay, it’s a little bit about the ribbons.
Reserve Grand Champion Adult WTC Pleasure National Finals
Reserve Grand Champion Adult WTC Equitation National Finals
Feeling happy about several good rides. Attempting to feel philosophic about coming so close. So very, very close. The unbeatable first-place rider bobbled her pattern in the final equitation class. I didn’t. Alas, a third rider skunked both of us.
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That’s all I’ve got for this year. After two months obsessing about this show, I’m ready for the next adventure. Atmosphere was similar to previous years [Looking Back]. It still takes an entire barn to get one horse and rider into the ring [How Many People Does It Take To Ride a Horse? Report]. Daily results covered in tweets, coming tomorrow.
Onwards!
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#bloglikecrazy
Virtual Brush Box 
EXACTLY! “It’s not about what you eat once. It’s about what you eat over the long-term that affects your health.” Hey, I just made your post all about me. 😉