Last night I was having a conversation with a new girl at our barn. She’s one of those lovely hunter equitation girls; tall and thin. She asked if I was thinking about showing hunters again. I felt like asking her if she had seen the size of my ass. Instead I mentioned that I wasn’t comfortable going back in the ring because of my weight. I also defensively mentioned the 30 lbs I already lost and wondered what kind of a hobbit I must look like to her. That’s not fair, she was very nice. I hate that I can be so insecure. Girls like her have intimidated me my whole like. She’s just a kid but so confident, and sure of her training and her status. She has the most beautiful warmblood hunters, that I’m just drooling over.
Then she said, “I love my sport, but god I hate never being able to eat anything.” She told me a story about a picture her mom (mom rode very competitively too) liked from a show and bought to submit to a magazine without telling her. She hates it because her coat billowed out and she looks “40 pounds heavier”. It hit me what it might be like to grow up with that kind of pressure to be good and to look right and be competitive. I’m kinda glad that I’ve always been able to ride just because I love it.
Saturday I met the vet at the barn to have the horses teeth floated. It went better than I was expecting given that we had to do it in the corner of the cross tie area of the barn. When I showed up I realized December is completely in heat and was being a spaz but one shot of sedatives calmed her right down. Tax was also in a mood. He’s been indoors too much with all the rain we’ve been getting. Again, one shot and quiet as can be. And now both have floated teeth.
One question, when did vets get younger than me? Cute too…sigh. The kids were a hoot. I had my niece and middle son with me and they both laughed and laughed at the funny horse faces. Son kept up a running commentary that had the vet tech giggling under her breath and the vet smiling. Who knew vet appointments could be so fun?
3 comments:
Fyyachild,
Thank you for stopping in to visit! I have enjoyed reading your blog, but haven't stopped to leave a comment lately - keep writing, I love reading it.
Well, I don't know when the barn will ever be finished...hubby's friend has taken on another job and has stood us up the last 2 Sundays he said he was coming to work...it's really frustrating, but I guess I'll just have to be patient. The positive side is that the longer I have to wait, the better the frass will be established before it gets grazed. However, I am really hoping by late spring (April, maybe?) I can have at least one pony over here....hoping to have the barn and fence complete by then or my head might explode. :).
Thank you for the kind words about the barn...it's been a dream and work in progress for over 10 years now. Work and kids are keeping me too busy to post frequently - I know you know how that is!
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and that 2010 proves to be a fantastic year for you!
There's nothing wrong with riding just because you love it. I do, and I almost think I have more fun. The only pressure comes from myself, pushing myself to become the best rider I can be. I'd love to show someday (I'm still young), but I'm in no hurry. It's so much fun to be out on the trails alone on a warm summer day...so peaceful.
Just an update...I've met mom now and I'm pretty sure any pressure that kiddo feels she puts on herself. They seem like a really great family and so down to earth for having such fancy show horses. I've had some bad experiences in my past with rich kids I obviously need to let go of...lol. Also, I think the kid is younger than I first thought. I'd guess 16-17 now. I love, love, love that she is always out at the barn and when she finishes riding she usually pulls off her saddle and goes for a bareback trail ride around the property with her arms wrapped around her horses neck for most of it.
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