Oakcrest @ Home, 2009

As we open the equestrian season, I can’t help but think of how far I’ve come. Really. I’m not being braggadoshish. I have.

Last year at about this time, we were at our very first equestrian meet. I was so lost. Here’s a link to the post on my old blog. That will put things in perspective for you. But I still have a long way to go…a very long way. I have the perfect illustration of that but I can’t share it here yet. Sorry about the tease.

The girls get together before the meet to do a little football huddle.

I have mixed feelings still about the day. The girl has been ill since last Thursday. She had a high fever and the doctor said she had “flu-like” symptoms. I, of course, thought the worse. Swine! Swine! Swine! She was so sick that I thought that she couldn’t ride on Sunday. Just can’t do it. Period.

Not so fast.

I rode to the farm with the girl the day before to tell Miss Tina that she may not make it. Miss Jen, a trainer said, “All she has to do is come and ride. She doesn’t have to do any work. She can rest in between her classes.”

“(Girl), you’re one of the high point riders. We need you.”

“Of course, if you’re sick, then you’re sick.”

Uh huh.

And they play little hand games to pass the time before the meet.

We see Miss Tina who exclaims, “If her fever broke, then she should come. She can get here right before her class and ride. Just point the horse. We’ll take care of the rest.”

What is this? the Olympics?

The husband made a comment about how loose they seemed. Not uptight at all. I guess success breeds confidence.

I ask the girl if she wants to ride, knowing what the answer would be. She nods weakly and croaks, “I want to ride, I’ll be okay.”

Uh huh.

So the girl wakes up yesterday and declares herself cured of the flu. It’s a miracle.

Things turn serious in due time.

As a mom, I was really torn. It’s not as if she was playing a soccer game or a sport that relies only on her strength and capability. There’s that horse. The unpredictable beast. She has to be focused and if she’s weak, she can fall. And hurt herself. And make her mom feel guilty for the rest of her life.

So I said, “Lets see what Daddy says.” I’m a wimp.

But Dads are worse suckers than moms. Here’s her dad making out with Brave Mouse.

Needless to say, she was doing really well on her first class, that is until her horse stopped in the middle to get a drink of water.

The team and trainers watched in confusion until it sunk in that everyone else was riding except for the girl. There goes her placement. Oh well, at least she didn’t fall off.

Hello000…. Jokerrrr…! You know there’s a meet going on don’t you?

She did end up doing just fine even after being weak from fever. She won first place in her second class and she really perked up then. All better now! Better than her mom who now needs professional help with all the second guessing I did. I was so glad the day was over.

I entered her room this morning to see what the school situation was. She now has a cough…what kind of mom would have her child outside all day in the cold after having the flu? Me, that’s who. I let her stay home today. She is peacefully sleeping, dreaming of horses I’m sure.

I am gladly accepting nominations for Mom of the Year. Thank you, thank you.

Equestrian Moms

Last Sunday was the first “event” of the 2009 Equestrian Season for the Oakcrest Short Stirrup Team. It just sounds so posh posh. A clinic was held for the girls at the farm in preparation for the first meet next Sunday. Last year, I had no idea what was going on. This year? I’m ready.

See all the Equestrian Moms? The Barn Dads are still in bed.

One thing has not changed. Every time there is a meet or clinic, the weather turns sour on us. Either it’s blazing hot or frosty cold. Last Sunday was frosty cold with a wind chill of 26 degrees. It forced all of us into the indoor ring. The girl finds a comfortable spot between two hay trucks to drink her hot chocolate while Limerick looks on.

The judge spends several minutes with each girl, critiquing everything from the hands to the heels. But they can take it. After all, they want to take the championship this year too! Boy she looks big on Joker.

Though the quality of this photo is not that great, I still love it. The girls all helping each other out…what a team they make. And look at the cute little helmets.

After one year under my belt I feel like a veteran. I still don’t know a bridle from a bit but now I know which farm has the indoor bathrooms. And it ain’t our farm. I drove to the convenience store twice to use the facilities.

Some things never change.