Five championship ribbons from 2014:
One because I was the only rider in the division. [Banquet]
Two in an actual championship class where I had to beat someone, but only one. [Pro Am]
Three and Four for regular classes in place of blue ribbons. [Georgia Classic]
Five was an year-end, endurance ribbon for slogging to more shows than the folks who beat me all year. SESHA Academy Horsemanship [FB post]
Not what you would call highly contested prizes. Still, I’m thrilled with each and every one of them. Am I that shallow? Yes and no.
No, I am not that shallow. I understand that a ribbon is a symbol. In one show, I placed first among the adults in a mixed class of kids and adults and then moved up a spot in the next class [UPHA]. Was I happy? Pffft. I rode badly. The horse went badly. A pleasant time was not had by all. The those ribbon were ashes to me. I was grumpy for days, weeks even [Caveat Lector]. Conversely, I was not upset by the purple and green parade at Nationals [A Horse Show in 80 Tweets]. I really wasn’t. I did what I came to do. I did so on the horse of my choice. Judges didn’t like our flavor of ice cream? Oh well. So, I do recognize that the horse and the ride come first. Placings are nice, but ultimately out of my control.
Yes, I am that shallow. Because, ribbons!!!
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