Monday

Butterflies for Breakfast: A Typical Day at the Show

Last weekend, I competed in a show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. It reminded me how much I love showing. I love dressing up, I love the excitement, but most of all, I love spending the whole day at the barn.
Despite my pre-ride jitters,
I always do my best to pose for my mom's pictures.

My typical show day starts early. I wake up and walk to the fridge, but I can never get myself to have any breakfast. I'm too nervous. I'll drink a couple sips of water, pack up, and get in the car.

I always make one stop before the barn, though, and that's my local Vons. I pick up the same thing every time: two vitamin waters (one dragon fruit and one lemonade flavored) for each day of the show. It's something I started a while back, and has become more of a superstitious thing than anything.

So, once I have my vitamin waters, I head for the show.  I say hi to my baby, Esso, and sit down in my trainer, Kristina Harrison's, tent. It never takes long before my hunger triumphs over my nervousness, and I eat a muffin, some chips, or whatever other delicious and unhealthy treat I find sitting around on our table. I spend the morning lunging, watching rides, braiding Esso, and dressing myself up for my ride.

About half an hour before I get on my nerves really kick in. I sit down, sip on my vitamin water, and go over my tests again and again, until I am absolutely positive that I'm not going to forget where I'm going half way through my ride. That half hour tends to fly by pretty fast, and, whether I'm ready or not, it's showtime.

No comments:

Post a Comment