On August 30 I was invited to judge the English Horse Show at Winterfell Stables in Cobden. The remnants of some faraway tropical storm dumped the rest of its rain on us for the whole day. If this event was for beginners to get their feet wet at showing, then Nature has a sense of humour! I was amazed at all the friends and family who endured to cheer on the riders, and admired those who kept smiling and trying!
No riding ring can take ALL the rain
I thought about my own showing history; my first experiences were at the Lansdowne Fairgrounds. I remember hot days, sunburn and few ribbons! When I was back around Brockville a few weeks ago, we took a drive past that stable where I'd spent as much time as I could. The barn was rebuilt many years ago, but I immediately recognized the big oak tree overhanging the mailbox at the end of the driveway, and pointed to the field where the jumps were....I remembered one lesson where the school horse i was riding, Major, would not jump the painted metal barrels and refused over and over, while the other girls were already finished and playing in the pool, and I cried out of fear and frustration! I like to think I have evolved since then.
Over 20 years separates these two photos: Major and I at the Lansdowne Fair, and the wonderful DiMaggio who refused to wilt in the torrential rain at the Barrie Agriplex, competing at Gold Fourth Level dressage. But there's more than time and weather that differentiates these images. When I was a beginner, I did what I was told, for better or worse. Riders are trying to learn the language of horsemanship so that they can create a performance. When you're learning, the instructor leads you through. At some point, the rider has to become independent, at least in order to demonstrate their understanding, and to turn their own thoughts into the horses expression. That's what showing means to me. Independence takes courage. There are never perfect conditions or instant gratification, not with horses or with the other most important things in life!
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