The days are long and the work is hard so the only reason I feel they do it is for the love of the horse. I thought about this as I dragged myself out of bed at 5 am on a Sunday morning to drive the girl to the farm to prepare for this show yesterday.

I love her so I sacrifice some sleep. She loves the horse so she sacrifices all of her free time to muck stalls just for the chance of perhaps getting to ride that day. I don’t get the horse thing but I do get the love thing.

Posted on Mosaic Monday at Little Red House. I used Big Huge Labs again to create the mosaic. I also just recently found Photoscapes which is fun too. And it’s all free. I’m addicted to these mosaics now…

There was a little fun meet for the girls that the farm a couple of weeks ago that let them let loose and not worry about competition or anything else except for the privelege of being on their horses and riding like the dickens. There’s nothing better than watching a girl and her horse so it was fun for me too.

There were games, and races, and jumping as high as they could. What could be better?

Well, playing games, racing and jumping without your saddle of course.

I got there a little late (as usual on Sundays) and I was watching the festivities when I noticed that something was missing.

Even I can spot a naked horse.

So I said to the girl, “Where’s your saddle?”

“Over there,” she says.

“Why isn’t it on the horse?” I inquire.

“It’s more fun to race without it.” She answers so matter-of-factly that I almost let it go.

“I want you to put it on…wait a minute, what horse is that?”

“It’s Champ.”

I’ve never seen her ride Champ before. And I’ve never seen her ride Champ without a saddle before. No – wait, I’ve never seen her ride or race Champ without a saddle before. For the safety minded worrysome mom, it’s a little bit concerning.

So I ordered her off the horse. Well I didn’t.

Because by then the racing was over. And she was wearing a huge smile. And she was having so much fun.

And sometimes, you have to take chances and not follow protocol and just go through life without a saddle or stirrups – but at least wear a helmet.

All photos are SOOC and posted at Melody’s SOOC Saturday.

I’m feeling better already.

I first wanted to thank you for coming by at the beginning of the week only to see horse bottoms.

Here’s another one.

There’s just something about girls and their horses that just makes me sigh. It’s like extra sweetness on the lemon meringue slice of life.

It makes getting up at 4:00 am tolerable. Almost…somewhat…kind of. I was actually up since 1 am, worrying that I wouldn’t get up at 4 am so not much sleep for the equestrian mom that day.

The barn dads showed up around 10:30. But he did make the sandwiches so I’m giving him lots of grace.

The girls took so much tender care with their horses, I was so touched. It was pure and raw love.

Just look at that. How sweet is it?

Do you remember Ella, the difficult horse that the girl only started riding a little while ago? She was another reason why the equestrian mom was up all night.

Well she was a doll. She was a dear. She was perfect.

Well…she was perfect except when she broke in the first class, bucked in the second class and then peed like – well – a race horse in the finale for at least three minutes while everyone else was getting judged.

Come on’ Ella, can’t you just hold it for five minutes? Gees.

Other than that, she was perfect.

She did get her leg massaged by the girl before the meet. Ella has a large gash from a barbed wire fence on her leg. It happened a long while ago but it was quite ugly. I really think this girl is going to be a vet. Or a cowgirl.

Even with all the work, the girls took time to play.

And there were special times like this. That little Afton is adorable. And I have a photo of her horse Mighty peeing as well which I won’t show because well, Mighty is a boy.

So we all survived another glorious season of girls, horses, competition, life and manure.

The “Fun Meet” comes next month. This one is competition just for fun. The girls will ride their favorite horses and race against each other, jump as high as they can, and leap on and off the horse.

Oh my, I see more sleeplessness in my near future.

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Hosted by Cecily

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.

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.