5 Day Writing Challenge – Day 5

Whoop whoop! Day number 5 of my 5 day writing challenge is here! And with this post, I have completed my 5 day challenge! It may not seem like much, but committing myself to writing, taking pictures, and actually posting what I have written.

So let’s get to day number 5!

Favorite Classes to Watch

If you have read any of my posts before, you already know the answer to this. My favorite classes to watch are the big Grand Prix’s at the Colorado Horse Park. Typically, every summer I go to the horse park with my friend Lynda, and every Saturday for almost the entire summer you can find us at the horse park getting ready for the Grand Prix.

It’s so incredible to watch.

Not only am I watching the awesome horses, but I am trying to pay attention the riders, and how they plan their rides. What are they going to do? How are they going to save a tenth of a second or two going around the course?

These are the things I am watching as the riders go through the course one by one. I watch their hands, and their legs. I watch how much the rein back, or their position over the big jumps. And of course how the maneuver through the course of questions that the course builder has created.

I count the strides between jumps, and watch as they soar over each jump.

It’s pretty cool. And I have gotten to watch some of the best riders. Like Olympic Gold Medalist, Will Simpson

Kelli Cruciotti

Karen Cudmore (My hero)

And even Richard Spooner

Watching the best of the best is inspiring. Which is why I love the Grand Prix’s most of all.

What’s in Your Cooler at Horse Shows?

I am assuming this question means when I am participating, and not spectating. So we’ll go down that road.

Have you discovered yet that I’m a planner? Yep. I like to have a plan for everything. That way I can really enjoy what I’m doing. So if I am planning what I will have in my cooler for a horse show, the first thing is ice. I want to keep everything nice and cold, so you got to have ice. Then some sandwiches, ham and cheese, and a few peanut butter and jelly too. As well as bottled water (for my Mio). I’m not really into eating healthy, even if I should be. But if I have food already prepared, even if it isn’t the healthiest choice, it is way better than the food that’s available at horse shows. Not only is it ultra-expensive and a waste of money, but its really not good for you too.

By bringing my own food, I save money and calories too.

One thing about showing (or riding in general) you wish you could change?

If there was one thing I could change about horse showing it would be the cost. As an example, the horse shows that I can easily go to are the small, local shows put on by the riding club I belong too. For around $150.00 I can show all day, and even pay my friend some gas money for taking us to the show. But when I want to think about taking Plezant to the Horse Park for a show, it will cost me over $350.00. And that is for a schooling show. An A rated show….well that is around $800.00 for just a handful of classes.

So if there was one thing I would change, it would definitely be how expensive horse shows are.

Your Ringside Crew

I am so lucky to have some really good friends that also are really into horses, like me. Lynda has been with me the longest and has 3 horses of her own. But all I would have to do is ask her to be my groom, and she would jump at the chance to help me. (Thanks Lynda!) Lynda and I have been dreaming about showing at the horse park for years. She is my go to person for encouragement.

And then there is Vickie. Vickie is the kind of person that comes up with what she wants to do, and she does it. For example, she took her two horses, and girls and drove cross country to her friends barn in California. She decided it would be fun, and she made it happen.

She and her girls go to shows all the time. They also go on trail rides, and basically take their horses everywhere. She is a pro when it comes to all things horse related away from home. And she is trying to find a horse property out my way. And when she does, she volunteered to bring her fancy trailer out here and help me work with Plezant to make him a pro at getting on and off the trailer. You gotta love true friends right?

Best Prizes

Even though my little riding club may not have the clout of the A rated shows, they offer the best prizes. Not only do they offer ribbons and trophies, but they give you the option of choosing a prize instead of a ribbon. So if you have your fill of ribbons, you could maybe get a fancy grooming brush instead. And they also have year end awards for each division. So for every horse show you go to, you have the opportunity to qualify for year end awards.

My goal is to be able to achieve one of those year end awards with Plezant. It would be pretty awesome to have a row of trophies along the top of my shelves that are the backdrop for some of my videos. #goals

5 Day Writing Challenge – Day 5

Well, that’s it, and there you go. 5 days of writing, 5 days of you learning more about me, and my horses. I have to say, that was fun! Hopefully this has helped to rekindle my writing passion. I know when I wasn’t writing over the past month, I felt kind of lost. So I will be doing my darndest to keep writing on a regular basis. I guess it’s just like everything, when you take a break, it seems like you will be able to get back at it but it doesn’t happen that way. You tell yourself, “I’ll get to that tomorrow….” But tomorrow is always a day away. And getting back to it gets harder with each passing day.

So I hope I can continue to make time for my writing. I love writing. And while I may not post every day, I write every single day. Now all I have to do is commit to getting what I’ve written posted! Time will tell, and hopefully so will my posts!

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