The end of the horse show season. It is always bittersweet for me. For the competitors of eventing, it has been season of traveling, working, meeting with friends, and enjoying the shared passion for horses. As the “show mom”& Mother Mucker for everyone at the barn, I find myself caught in between being happy that the many hours of travel, grooming, mucking, and expense are over and the feeling sad that it’s over.

During “show season”, we travel all over the East Coast. There is camaraderie, new friends, sharing, tears, excitement, all the things that come along with a passion for a sport like these athletes have. Moms of other young riders share their own stories of success and disappointments. It is a family of horse folks. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people from all over the country in this sport – and I’m not even the rider!

When the season is over, I feel as if I’m leaving parts of me behind. Those friends I’ve become close to will seem so “far away” during the off months of fall/winter. Some will send their horses South to Florida for the colder months to work with high-level riders. Some, like us, give their horses time off to just be horses. As we face this time of year, I find myself wondering who will return to the circuit next year? Will they have the same horse? Will I see that adorable pony with the blue eye again?

I know, when January comes around and my daughter starts riding at an indoor arena to get back into shape for the season, those cold afternoons at the barn will seem to come all too quickly. But for now, I will enjoy the the fun we had during the season. And the friends I look forward to seeing again next season.

Until we meet again, horse friends:

HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

Debbie Horses, Shows / Events