Your A team may not be the best but they are your best. Read that again.
Some people are given the world. The world to some is not the most talented, not the fastest or most athletic and some of them are not lookers. I grew up with a fire in my heart for horses. I honestly think you’re born with it in your blood as my grandpa was an avid horseman and my mama held her own in the rodeo arena. I was taught young that you have what you have and you deal with that and make the most of the situation. To me, sometimes try beats talent and fortunately that’s been one of the biggest lessons in my life.
I will never claim to have been the best in my short rodeo career but I loved it and tried my hardest. It’s funny looking back you always wonder if you took it seriously enough however you’re still a kid and kids do kid things. One thing I know for sure is rodeo taught me my best lessons in life.. *Que “Dear Rodeo”*
I got my first teammate when I was 13. A big gray horse that was gifted to me on my 13th birthday from my parents. I rode him all summer and couldn’t stop talking about him. “We didn’t want you to be blue on your birthday so we brought Blu to you.” I knew instantly after reading the birthday card what it meant. I cried at 13. I was the luckiest girl in the world! My parents made an investment in my future ; they had no idea what it would do for my character. He came to me as a 4 year old. A grade, cowy horse that was way bigger than me but was a blank canvas. I spent hours riding down the driveway at my grandparents, in and out of the arena, thru pastures and corn fields by myself. I said good morning and good night to the horse that always got out and drove everyone else crazy. When I got into high school I wanted him to be closer to town. So he got to come live with my second family. *Enter: Teammate 2*
Teammate 2: Herman. A big sorrel with a white face. Even more intimidating to me than my big gray (who was turning white at this point). He has a mind of his own and he couldn’t never just walk. Herman taught me that smooth was quick and that personal best goes a long ways. He knew his job and he was good at it. He was going to be a step up horse for me. An opportunity that I didn’t know would ever be given to me and I tried to ride him to the best of my ability. He and I were just getting in a groove when he got hurt my senior year right before regionals for high school rodeo. *Step in opportunity, Teammate #3*
Teammate 3: Quincy. A been there, done that horse I never knew I needed. A borrowed blessing who gave me more confidence than I knew what to do with. He was the one that taught me I knew what I was doing when I thought I wasn’t capable. Quincy was my “everyone should have a chance to ride the fast one” horse.
I could shout from the mountain tops how much I wish I would have done, could have done and how much I wish I would have accomplished while rodeoing. My grandpa would tell you if I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any. Did I have bad days in the rodeo arena? Doesn’t everyone? However, I loved competing, I loved traveling with my horses and some of my absolute best memories are from rodeo arenas on the weekends (some things never change).
My heart horses taught me so many lessons; lessons nothing short of trial and error, small victories, determination and patience.
A few weeks ago I had to say goodbye to Herman. I hadn’t seen him up close for years and when my second mama texted to tell me it was time, I knew I had to get there. I wandered out to see him on a beautiful fall day. I just stood there, enjoying one last moment with Herman who was finally standing still after all the years of prancing around. And my heart! You can’t imagine how it bursted with pride and such a sweet ache. I could never thank this horse for all he did for me: the try, the mental clarity on hard days and the never give in attitude.
So whether you’re riding for fun or you have buckles lining your walls remember why you started. Remember why you swung a leg over in the beginning; maybe at 4 or maybe at 14. It really doesn’t matter. My A team taught me to do a little bit better than the first time, slow down, and to be grateful for every opportunity that is presented to you. Not everyone is as lucky as we are that own 4 legged friends. And if your still lucky enough to be competing, don’t forget to be incredibly grateful for every ride and practice, even on the off days.
‘There are things that a horse did for me that a human couldn’t have done.’