I have said good-bye to Kentucky and am making my way home to sunny California. I'm looking forward to being dry for an entire day! During the first leg of my journey, I thought about the past week and the memories I will be taking home with me.
I thought about the Lexington area and the Horse Park, about not only how beautiful it is, but how there is so much to see there and I didn't see a fraction-I will have to go back when I can spend several days and see everything. I thought about the living legends who are housed there, like Funny Cide, as well as the ones long gone...most notably for Arabian horse lovers, the immortal Bask. I thought about the great things in store for this place, and how it will only grow in years to come.
I thought about the people I'm leaving behind. The Glynnsong crew has so much fun when we are together! There's Chris, who sometimes seems gruff, but is really sweet, always makes sure I take the time to eat during the day and doesn't work me too hard. There's Mary, who loves to regale us with stories of her children, grandchildren and horses. There's fussy Susie, who needs extra special care, but it's OK because she lets me tease her about it. She likes to have a small mint or two right before her under saddle classes to keep her throat from drying up, and I'll never forget the time when all she had was one of those swirly peppermints you get in restaurants. I asked her if she really wanted to suck on that giant thing, and she insisted she did. She spent the first couple laps of her class trying to figure out how to get rid of it.
Then, of course, there's Patience, who has taught and encouraged me so much over the past four years and motivated me to lose a ton of weight so I can ride better. Of course, this is not good-bye forever, but I only see them all a few times per year, and it is always sad when we part. Talking online just isn't the same!
I thought about the horses...there's Ricky, who tries his heart out and always puts on a good show, but whom I can loosely hold with one hand while hosing him down with the other. There's Princess, who is always sweet and gentle-I love taking her for walks and watching her while she looks quietly, but curiously, around her. There's Artesan, who is just as fussy as his mom, but I love him anyway because he really is sweet. I have to giggle a little when I think of Scarlet, when I found her the other day lying down in her stall eating hay and looking all the world like a Renaissance princess. Finally, there's AJ, our ADD case...he's a big goofball, but you can't help but like him.
As I watched the clouds float by below my window, I thought about the events of the past week. There were some disappointments with a missed class and some cuts and Top Tens not made, but there was also that wonderful moment when we learned Scarlet won National Champion in the Half Arabian Training Level Junior Horse.
There was the great honor I had to show two of my favorite mares in the world, and even though we didn't make the Ten, we were in the top half of the class. More than that, it was very special for me to even be showing at our National Championships, and I feel very blessed that I have such amazing friends and family who help and support me while I follow my passion.
Although I am leaving behind the fun and camaraderie of the show to go back to my "real life" problems and responsibilities, I can't wait to get home to my family and animals, whom I miss very much. I'm looking forward to snuggling with my tiny little dog and giving my horses hugs and kisses. I want to ride them and start working toward next show season so that when we come to Nationals again, I will have one of them with me and take my own shot at the roses.
I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to everyone who have put in the considerable time, effort and money to show at Arabian Sport Horse Nationals. Each and every one of you is helping our sport grow, and we can only go up from here.
Never say good-bye...just 'til next time!