Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to attend a fund-raising event for a local Maine organization for young boys & girls known as Opportunity Farm. Opportunity Farm has provided a safe, nurturing home for boys and girls who have no where else to turn. The Farm has successfully served countless numbers of young people and helped them find the path to stable, productive lives.

While sitting at one of the tables with my friend, out of the corner of my eye I saw a familiar face. I did a double take, as this is a person I have always seen in relation to horses … an adult rider whose company I have enjoyed at a number of shows.

Her eye caught mine and we both stood up, hugged, laughed and giggled at the joy of seeing each other. But mostly it was because neither of us had seen the other without being in some form of “mother-mucker” attire.

Risa, my friend, “YOU CLEAN UP GOOD!”

Friends Friends, Horses, opportunity farm

Today I got my first taste of what it would be like to NOT drive tot he barn every day. My teen daughter – the eventer – received a lift from a friend to ride her horse(s) today while I was at my son’s soccer game. My teen daughter isn’t quite at the age to get her license yet – but she is getting there quickly.

Although I was happy not to have to go to the barn at 5 PM after sitting at the soccer fields since noonish, I’m not sure if I’m ready to totally give it up. We’ll see as the year progresses. My daughter is eligible to get her drivers license within the month.

She’ll still “need” me to drive the trailer, though. And, I’ve already experienced her (nearly) begging me to not volunteer to help her at the last two shows.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses, don’t you think?

Horses driving, Horses, teens

Today my daughter, the eventer, began riding two horses a day. It won’t be for long. Our season here in Area 1 of the USEA (which is all of New England and New York) ends in less than a month. Our last event will be Snowfields Horse Trials because it is literally just around the corner from our barn. It is the only chance during the show season for my daughter that her friends actually can come and watch her “do her thing”.

But this blog was about two horses. Our friend is starting a new job and is unable to attend any more events this season. And without thinking, I mentioned possibly my daughter could take her horse for a run at Snowfields, too. Just to keep him going a little longer. Much to our surprise, she said SURE!

What does that mean for the Eventer Mom? An extra hour at the barn, an additional entry fee, but one very excited daughter. Especially since her trainer said she is ready to move up to Preliminary next season.

Horses eventing, riding multiple horses

I should have started this blog last Spring, but too much web design business, family activities, and the hectic schedule of my teen-aged daughter – the eventer – there just never seemed to be the time for my own fun horse-related blog.

I am Debbie Hastings. And about a year ago, at King Oak Farm Horse Trials, there was a car in front of us with a bumper sticker that said simply:

MOTHER MUCKER

It was perfect. And ever since then, that has sort of been my motto. It says it all, doesn’t it? After all, as the mother of an eventer, I do it all:

• clean tack
• gather and carry gear
• worry during dressage
• worry more during cross country
• drive a horse trailer that I never thought I’d own
• and of course, muck stalls

If you can relate to any of this, then please, follow along as I try to tell about what it’s like to be a Rambling Mom of a 3-day eventer. It will be fun!

Horses eventer mom, eventing, horse mom, Horses, mother mucker