It's a silly sport really.

 

Yes, I said Sport.

 

Sure it's fun.  They're beautiful, and some people actually make money doing it... but very few.

 

Why deal with the pain and the uncertainty?  Why put yourself continuously in harms way, where falling down could mean not getting back up?  Why spend so very much money every weekend, month in and month out?  Lugging the equipment, hooking and unhooking rigs, washing, shaving, picking, braiding.  Mucking, dumping, spreading, water pail after water pail, fifty pound bags of feed to be stacked.  And hay season... why would anyone ever want to work with hay? The chafe stuck to your sweat...

 

The Physical endeavors... The scares on my shins, the backs of my ankles.  The permanent Calais that's formed on my right ring finger because my rides a lefty.  The blisters, and bleeding of feet and hands.  Your knees are wrecked, your ankles weak, back aches all the time.  The broken bones, strained ligaments and torn muscles, yours and his.

 

The uncertainty of every approach, incessant logy flies, shoes on, shoes off, injections, course setting, and midnight drives home after an 18 hour day in the hot hot sun.

 

The feel of that one trickle of sweat as it runs down your spine while you wait center stage for them to call your number.

 

and for what...?

 

A ribbon.

 

Sometimes you win a little cash.

 

Sometimes you win an actual prize.

 

But most days you leave telling yourself, that's okay, we accomplished what we set out to do and I'm happy.

 

So why do we do it?

 

Because we're equestrians. 

Because we know that the only way to truly see the world around us is from the back of a horse.  Because there is no better smell then that of the barn on a rainy day and no better sound then hearing it hit the roof.  Because the bond you form with a beautiful animal as he takes your life in his charge is the greatest feeling in the world.  Because you know it is the only way to fly... and because you know its the only way you will ever feel any peace in this world.

 

You are an equestrian, and there is no where else you would rather be....