Many moons ago..
when my daughter was very young..
we began a journey that would consist of fits and starts.
I’ve had a horse since way before I could afford one,
but showing was never a goal for me.
Trail riding is my bag, with some ring work for fitness sake.
We started with lessons at a quarter horse barn with the idea of
a safe learning experience for my young child.
and here is where the idea of showing was introduced.
We bought a quarter horse. And then another.
Still my favorite breed, they tend to be solid and dependable.
Below on the right is K with our mare at the time, Sadie.
We tried this route for about two years..
my infant son on my hip or in a stroller,
hauling our horse to lessons and shows because we
really couldn’t afford to keep her at a training barn,
which brings you much more success in the show arena, truth be told.
Then I noticed we weren’t having fun anymore.
K was tired of the serious lesson atmosphere
and the buying and selling of horses that turned out to be
“not the right fit” for her.
We got attached, you see.. and the selling was heartbreaking and frustrating.
Plus, we didn’t have the big bucks that buy you the quality horse
you need to do well against the competition.
Sadie, up above? She ” wasn’t fancy enough”.. and I wish I never
listened to the trainer and sold her. She was a good girl,
I should have atleast kept her for myself.
She did go to an awesome home, I find solice in that.
At this time I had bought a young horse for myself, sent her for training,
as is the proper way to break a horse when you’re not experienced
in green horses and their schooling…
and she died in a training accident. I still cry over that loss.
That was the straw that broke it.
We left the world of QH show,
and came home to recover what was truly in our hearts.
Years passed, I continued to ride my Quarter Horse,
K rode hers. Life happened, but not in the show ring.
Two years ago, after a long recovery from an un-horse-related accident…
my daughter decided she wanted to ride again.
She started with lessons at a local QH barn with a family oriented QH group
we knew from Back In The Day.
You’ve all read about Beemer and K’s success this year..
we were so fortunate that his owner made him available to K for
the Open show season (Not QH circuit).
It’s been a great year.
For those who are unfamiliar with the higher end horse show circuits,
know this. It’s ridiculously expensive, and there are politics.
There’s much travel if you’re a serious contendor,
and you really can’t do it from your backyard.
You need an agent.
(i.e. qualified trainer)
Enter Max… we weren’t really looking to get into the QH circuit again…
but with the acquisition of our senior gelding, Max…who even at 17 years of age
is still capable of the beginning levels of QH show,
we’re traveling down that road again.
This time it’s all K’s decision. She wants to try it, so I’m trying to
make it affordable. Because of his age,
we bought Max for a bargain basement price, and boy
were we lucky. He’s not caviar, but he’s certainly lobster fresh from Maine,
and that’s just our style anyway.
The average show Quarter horse cost anywhere from $20,000
to $200,000., depending on how crazy you want to get and how big your wallet is.
You can pay $8,000.00 for a show saddle if you want the very best.
This one is for sale for that very amount. and It’s used.
Our Trainer found another used version for a fraction of the price.
Max wearing his new “bling” …..
It’s not just the horses “clothes” that are expensive.
There’s the matter of the riders attire as well.
Last year I bought a few $60. blouses out of catalogs for the open show circuit
and they were suitable. Heck, one blouse I bought on a sale rack for $19.
This year… we have to kick it up a notch. OK, a freak’n staircase.
You can spend anywhere from $1,000. to $5,000.
on a custom showmanship or western pleasure jacket
if you’re crazy enough and your wallet is big enough.
(not that there is anything wrong with that!)
This one below is for sale for approximately $3,500.
but we’re not going there.
We’re looking at a few used jackets for much less.
Thankfully there are opportunities to buy used show clothing.
So.. here we go again,
only this time I’m not driving the train,
I’m just a cheerleader on the sidelines.
I realize how lucky we are to be able to do this..
We’re doing it on a budget and with reasonable equipment,
reasonable expectations. And our expectations are..
to have fun, to enjoy the experience,
to take good care of the horse doing the work,
and walk away with a sense of accomplishment and pride,
regardless of the color or quantity of the ribbons.
Max will live at the big barn for now, safety of the indoor and instructors
being the main reason..
and he’ll retire here at This Old House.
For us.. that’s what it’s all about.
