This is a view I miss…

Standing outside the ring waiting for the previous rider to finish or the judge to take place. Thinking through the program a last time. Hopefully the warmup went well, doesn’t matter, right now there is nothing we can do about it. Just do the best of the situation and have fun!

I will come back to the show ring one day. It may take some time but I will be back. This weekend I was back but in a different way. I worked EMS at Dallas Dressage Club’s shows in Athens. Two long days but also fun days. As I am writing this it is Sunday morning. Sitting in the ambulance watching the horses go in to and out from the arena. For me it is inspiration. The white breeches, the jacket, the boots, color match, preparations. All of it comes to this very moment.

I read a meme on Facebook last week: “Don’t compare yourself with others, comparison is the thief of joy” and I thought of myself… loving dressage and showing. What is that all about? Train like a maniac for months, go up early as hell in the morning, drive to a show, getting judged on a program of 6-8 minutes, compared to others and then we cry happy tears or sad tears. On top of that we pay for it!!! And loves it! All us dressage lovers must be a little wacky? But it is fun! And for me to see all the riders this weekend from level one up to Grand Prix S:t George has been so inspirational and fun. I’ve made acquaintances and connections, shared so many laughs with people I’ve never met. And I actually got paid for it too. Certainly not complaining about this weekend, even though it is a little chilly and very long hours!

For myself… I don’t have a time goal on when I’ll be back in the show ring, just know that one day I will be the rider, not the EMS provider.