The Show

The Preperation

I look around me and all I see are competitive horse people with complaint after complaint. Their horse isn't clean or their horse didn't warm up well. Nothing but negativity surrounds me as I walk down the barn isle. The occational, "We won!" vibrates through the humid air along with a nervous tingle down my spine. I compete later that day, and can't help but be scared to death of my competitors. They all look so fancy, so utterly prepared for the test they're about to take, while I'm here with my off the track thoroughbred who is most certainly going to make the judges laugh. For most people here, it is all about the ribbon. They crave the perfection that most dressage riders do. I, on the other hand, love my crazy horse and hope she has a good experience. "You absolutely screwed up that movement! If you wouldn't have messed those up, you would have won!" is what I hear coming from the two people passing me. One of the girls accidentally bumps me in the shoulder. No apology follows. These people are so consumed in what they will score or if they will win. I feel like a fish out of water. I don't know what I'm doing. When it comes close to my ride time, I go and get my horse. She is frantically running around her stall, neighing to other horses, and won't even stand still long enough for me to braid her mane. This cannot go well. As I peer out into the arena in which people are being judged, one by one, I see flawlessness. I see horses floating effortlessly through the air, gliding, not missing a single step. The riders; well the riders are magnificent. They are sitting on top of their marvelous horses with such pride and dignity. Their shoulders pressed back into a perfect posture, their backs arched just the right amount, and their hands sit in front of them, as still as can be. They look as if they're doing absolutely nothing; as if their horses are doing the test like robots. Sometimes I even question if they are doing anything. It's my turn to be judged, so in I go. Before I get on, I give my horse a soft, but firm, pat on the neck. She looks deep into my eyes, and suddenly I realize why I'm here. "Next rider in, please!!"