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.
~~~
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.
~~~
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.
Go big
or Go home
Stand ringside screaming for your barnmates.
Traditionally, the adult divisions (WT & WTC) have less than the 10-entry, up-or-out cut-off. If so, I merely have to make the finish line on all three days to earn a fancy Top Ten neck sash. Advantages of being an old fart.
However. This year’s entries could be different. Horses could be horses. I will not count my neck sashes until they are awarded. Therefore, I am either riding today or cheering for those who are. Or both.
Sunday, November 1-MORNING
Morning Competition begins at 10:00 a.m.
54. Adult WT Pleasure National Finals
55. Sr. WTC Pleasure National Finals 13- 17 yrs
56. Jr. WT Pleasure National Finals 9-12 yrs
57. Pleasure WT National Finals 7-8 yr
58. Sr. Equitation WT National Finals 13-17 yr 59. Adult Equitation WTC National Finals
(I suspect this will be the Pleasure Finals)
60. Pleasure WT National Finals – 5-6 yr
61. Jr. WTC Pleasure National Finals 9-12 yr
62. Adult WT Equitation WT National Finals
63. Sr. WT Pleasure National Finals 13-17 yr
64. WT Equitation National Finals 5-6 yr
65. Jr. WT Equitation National Finals 9-12 yr
66. WT Equitation National Finals 7-8 yr 67. Adult WTC Equitation National Finals
68. Jr. WTC Equitation National Finals 9-12 yr
69. Sr. WTC Equitation National Finals 13-17 yr Schedule
I will not be in a position to help with technical difficulties. However, if you have any, please leave a comment. One of y’all may be kind enough to help.
