Our in house horse show was a HUGE success, for not only all the students who participated but for the horses as well.
Alfie and I took 3rd place in the halter class, and Copper – who was shown by Shea, took 2nd place. I was one proud horse owner with both my boys taking 2nd and 3rd place.
I rode Copper in the adult walk, trot class. We were being judged on equitation, pleasure and poles – trotting over poles – one of Copper’s favorite things to do. For the equitation, the rider is being judged on themselves – body position, the way they ride their horse. Copper did not make this round easy on me at all. But, we managed to take 1st place! I was in such a state of shock. ❤️
The next class was pleasure, and Copper, following in the grand tradition of Alfie, became even more of a challenge for me. The pleasure class is judged on the horse and how pleasurable they are to ride. Copper, following in his big brother Alfie’s footsteps from last year, decided he would be so challenging no one but his mom would want to ride him lol. But I didn’t give up and we finished that class better than we started, and we took 3rd place.
The last class was trotting over poles and trotting circles. Our opening circle started out a bit wonky but the poles and the closing circle were pretty good. We took 3rd in that class as well.
I was so proud of how Copper and I did at the show. What we were able to accomplish in a matter of weeks was amazing, proving that hard work, dedication and determination will make you a winner.
So what happens when self doubt creeps into your head to burst your “happy” bubble? Self doubt sometimes doesn’t start from within you, it can come from outside forces. Whether it’s you that doubts your abilities or decisions or someone else that does, the overall effect is the same.
Purchasing Copper was a decision that felt right. From the moment I met him, I was at ease. I was comfortable with him. Even though we had just met, there was something so familiar with him, it felt as if I had known him before.
I went into this journey with Copper knowing that developing our relationship was going to have its fair share of challenges, but I knew I was up for whatever challenges were brought. Alfie prepared me for this.
I remember one lesson with Copper that literally ended with me crying out of frustration. It was a moment that I wasn’t proud of, but it was a moment that had to happen. It tested my dedication. It tested my love of horses. It made me question this journey I’ve been on for 5 1/2 years. The self doubt crept into my brain and heart so fast, but my love for Copper and this equestrian life took over and kicked the self doubt to the curb.
As Copper and I continue to get to know each other, we are going to have great rides and not so great rides. I am fully aware that everything isn’t always going to be perfect. This is something all equestrians learn very early into their journey. You take the little wins wherever you get them and you celebrate them. For all my fellow equestrians, don’t let your own self doubt or the self doubt of others burst your “happy” bubble. “Haters are gonna hate” no matter what, so just keep steady and follow your dreams.❤️🐴
Confessions of an Equestrianoholic 