Shiny

I got to accompany some awesome people to the OADG Banquet this weekend!  (It's for Dressage competitions in the ottawa area, people win awards, it's cool).  It was a lot of fun and inspiring in a pretty big way.  Not only because I got to eye up some of the trophies I could win next year, but the guest speaker had a lot of really interesting stories.

It was Bob Henselwood (Jill Henselwood's ex... if you still don't understand, think team silver medalist from Beijing in Show jumping... if you still don't I can't help ya :P)  Anyhow, what was really nice to hear was his story about how his stables, Juniper Farms, all got started because of a horse he bought for $350, and brought her up to Grand Prix.

It really hit home for me, because recently I've had more exposure to how some Grand Prix riders came to be where they are.  Two out of three of those, bascially had it handed to them.... Not really inspiring, more like extremely frustrating from someone in my position (which is very similar to so many others), who has to work and pay their own way.  I'm very grateful to any and all help I get from my parents, but they can't buy me a $500,000 horse, and I wouldn't ask them too.

I feel like I've gotten a bit of track.  But let's just say I've had a fair number of people tell me that the only way to make it to the top is to have money, and lots of it.  Have the right coach at the high end stable with the high end warmblood horses.  (And one went so far to say my horse was good for nothing).

What urks me the most about this (well what urks me the most is people talking bad about my horse, but moving on) is the fact that these people are supposed to be helping the young, aspiring riders make it.  So that the sport can improve and continue to grow instead of stagnate.  But so many of them turn down their noses at the horses that aren't "well bred", or fancy, or came from a backyard.

And it was such a huge relief and really incredible to hear stories from this successful person, who took those horses people said were good for nothing, and made something absolutely great.  Because they saw the diamond in the rough.  They saw quality where other people would and do completely dismiss it.

I know my horse is awesome.  I don't know anything of her background, other than that she was bought at auction and where she got most of her training.  But I don't know her breeding and I don't care.  I just wish I knew her birthday so I could spoil her extra.  But what I do know about her is that she's smart, she's talented, she's athletic, and most importantly she has heart!  If I ask her to do something, she will try SO hard to make it happen!  And THAT to me, is what really makes a great horse.  Not that it's great grandsire is some super fantastic jumper or dressage horse.... Not that breeding isn't important.  But there are some fantastically bred horses that can't do the higher levels.  And not every horse needs to.

I'm not saying I've found a grand prix diamond in the rough.  But I do know that my little girl will take me as far as she is able.  I don't know where that is yet, and her recent injury(ies) will be a factor.  Still some unknowns floating around.  But it gave me a lot of hope, because I do have some pretty big goals.  I'm not as sure on them as I used to be, but that's not because I didn't think I'd be able to.  In fact I know more on how I can make it.  I'm just not sure it's the lifestyle I want (I'm a home body, I like to be close to family).

Though admitedly, being THAT close to that silver medal made me really want one all over again... But in gold...

I think what I really want more than anything though is to be a positive influence in the world.  Because there are a lot of things happening within the ottawa area for sure, probably other areas as well that just really bugs me.  Like how it's becoming harder for the little guys and the underdogs to go out there and compete.  And I think a lot of the big guns are forgetting who it is that keeps the sport fresh and alive.  I just want to be able to lower the financial bar and give people the stepping stones they need to achieve whatever goal they have.