All the Feels
This weekend I took my two dogs and a cooler full of bubbly & cheese to meet Simon and my barn family in San Antonio for a schooling show. I had made the executive decision months ago to focus on the hunters, so this was to be our first legitimate show back in that ring. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Part of me felt like we’d win everything, and part of me thought it’d be a huge failure and I’d be back in the jumper ring Sunday morning to redeem my self esteem.
In fact, we were somewhere in the middle between those two extremes.
My loyal equestrian readers deserve a full fledged show write up, which I will provide in the next few days after I put out the fires I left burning in Austin while I skipped off to play pony for the weekend. In short, I can describe the weekend by saying that there were many times where I felt my heart exploding with love.
Love for the dogs (even the high maintenance spaniel) who were troopers and let me know that I’d be able to do weekend horse shows in the future without their Dad to watch them at home.
Love for the trainer who has endless patience and supports my goals even though they’re an uphill battle sometimes. Who can let me know what I need to work on while simultaneously being my cheerleader and helping me find the good in every round.
Love for the barn family who asks the really important questions like, “Would you like some wine? Is someone videoing for you? Want me to try and get photos with your massive camera?”
Most of all, love for the nerd horse. He is a steady constant in my life that I can’t put a value on. Showing him is like spending a few days with a reliable friend who has a lot of feelings, but will always be there for you when you need them. There were times that he was so brilliant for me, and times where he exclaimed “UGH Y THIS SO HARD SO DUMB!” I wouldn’t expect anything less really. Even in his “worst” moments, he never let me down.
Oh yeah, and we got a little satin too… because let’s face it – that’s the real reason I horse show. 😉
35 thoughts on “All the Feels”
You look fantastic! Congrats on a good show back – excited to read the write-up!
This makes me so happy, congratulations on a good weekend and I can’t wait to read the recap and see some satin pictures!
Yahoo!!! Ya’ll look fantastic!!! So glad for an awesome show, I know how amazing that can feel. The dog crate makes be cringe.. my Aussie would jump out of that in a hot second. Glad your dogs are better behaved than mine!! 🙂
Ugh you guys look so fantastic <3 You're inspiring me so hard to kick ass and take names in the hunter ring this year!!! Can't wait for the full-fledged report.
All the feels for all the love. So glad you had a great weekend!
Awwww so glad you got to show again. <3 Sounds like an excellent life choice.
<3 You guys look amazing!
Showing by myself with dogs in tow is sometimes the most stressful thing. Damn those huskies and their intolerable whining/howling when left alone in a stall.
You both look super!!! Sounds like a winning show 🙂
Simon has really blossomed lately, he looks good.
Thank you. I think double digits look good on him. 🙂
My heart is exploding with love for you and Simon-pants and the dogs and wine and cheese and this awesome post!!! I am so glad you had a good weekend. Much deserved.
You both look great! Can’t wait to read the full write-up!
Yay for horse showing & wine & cheese!
You can’t go wrong with a cooler full of bubbly! Congrats on a successful show- both of you look fantastic!
I need some different friends to hang around with at shows because I have never been offered a glass of wine. You might be interested in a talent I’ve discovered my horse has http://4rranch.blogspot.com/2016/02/wrangler-painting-start-to-finish.html It’s a good past time when the weather is bad.
Yay to a great weekend and Satin! *insert horse neck ribbon emoji that doesn’t exist*
Look at that handsome shiny beast. You are such a great team together. Looking forward to a show recap!
Awesome!!!!
I agree that there needs to be a horse neck ribbon emoji…..
I’m so glad you had a great weekend! I love your nerd horse too.
And clearly I’ve been packing all wrong all these years. Bubbly it is next time around!
Totally have a lump in my throat right now, so happy for you! Also, you and Simon look freaking amazing!
Your barn family loves you too, and you best bet I was all over the “Does someone have Lauren’s phone so they can video? Where is her camera so someone else can take pictures too??”
You guys really were pretty awesome this weekend. It was really fun to watch you guys go.
You guys look great! And the dogs look like they belong there, so great they can come with. Excited for the full recap 🙂
aww yay i’m so glad you two had such a fun weekend!! nerd horses, wine, cheese and good friends. oh, and satin. yup, sounds about perfect!
You guys look GREAT!
Cant wait for the full show review, you guys look awesome 🙂
A+ for Nerd Horse! Sounds like a pretty good way to spend a weekend.
Your pictures are great! Congrats on your satin 😉
So glad you had a good time! P.S. Your eq is literal perfection in these photos ❤️
Wohoo!! Can’t wait for the full show recap 🙂
You guys are looking so good. Congrats on the satin! Can’t wait to hear the details.
So much love… I love it! Congrats, you guys look fantastic!
Your dogs must have good manners. I think if I crated mine and had them just hang out at a show there would be no end to the whining. You are hashtag blessed!
What GOOD dogs! And WOW. Simon looks absolutely amazing. You two are a great team.
This is so wonderful to hear. Simon is worth his weight in gold and I love his commentary.
The first picture is gorgeous!
You guys look fabulous!