Horse back riding and horse shows

Horse Back Riding

Now firmly committed to the horse back riding sport, my daughter and I embarked on an interesting, winding road which she is still traveling today. Having researched as much information as possible before getting involved with horses, we have now advanced from the exploration, trial and research arena into ownership.

Owning a horse has no comparison to owning anything else. Its not like a car you can simply park in the garage and forget, not like a dog or cat which can become a home companion for you, but rather a large project which consumes a great deal of time and financial resources. The sport of horse back riding is a major undertaking, not to be taken lightly or by the faint of heart.

My wife and I raised four boys and one girl, so trust me when I tell you boys graze through the refrigerator. When we went to the grocery store we always need two carts, and we had to go at least once a week. Milk, meat and bread disappeared as if by magic, and when friends visited soda, pizza and snacks vanished into thin air! But a horse is a different matter. In order to compete in horse back riding you must invest in riding lessons, horse training and be prepared to devote a lot of time to the sport.

When you are involved in horse back riding as a sport, you normally are not lucky enough to have the land upon which to house and graze the animal, so you are consigned to finding the proper stable to keep this animal. Finding the proper place is a research project all of its own, and the best one usually is not very close. That’s a drag because you want your daughter to be involved in caring for this huge animal per our previous agreement.

Again, there is a lot of great information available today about horse back riding on the internet from blogs, websites and e-books to help you understand the difficulties and solutions as you move from horse admirer to horse ownership. Once you own the horse, then you learn there are yet more decisions to be made.

Will your daughter ride English or Western? Will she ride for pleasure, or compete for ribbons and standings? How far and wide are you willing to travel to accomplish these goals? Can you commit to the long hours required while you attend a two-day horses how in which your daughter might ride in 5-6 events? Is horse back riding a safe sport?

One thing you quickly learn is to accumulate those items which will make the interminable hours pass peacefully and pleasantly. Great canvas fold-up chairs with beverage holders are essential, as are a portable radio, sunglasses, bug spray, large hats and lots of water. And prepare for after that long, hot, dusty, dirty show to see black dirt roll off your body when you finally get into that warm shower after watching your precious daughter horse back ride.

Lest you think I am complaining I’m not. It is a tremendous thrill to see this little girl make a large horse respond to every command, and when the judge walks down the line of horses and tells your child she has managed to finish in the top three, your chest is about to burst with pride. As the collection of ribbons begins to take on the color of blue, you know that your daughter is becoming quite adept at horse back riding and learning the valuable lesson of accomplishment.

In our case both English and Western horse back riding competitions were competed in, but over time it became clear that Western was winning her heart. Soon cowboy boots and hats were stock dress, and interestingly enough boys seem to like Western riding. Perhaps it is the desire in every little boy to be a cowboy. In any case, my daughter had settled quite firmly into the sport of horse back riding.