Show Time

Whoever,

        I was counting the days down, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, and eventually counting the hours. We had not even left for the show yet and I was already thinking there was no way I could do this. I was scared that I was going to mess up, or fall off, or who knows what. My mind was racing a thousand thoughts per minute of all the bad things that could happen in front of the crowd. I wanted everyone to look at me flying around the ring and think to themselves, wow that girl can really ride. Most of all I wanted my dad to be proud of me. So, the time came and we loaded up the horses to go to Harriman, Tennessee to what they call the Smokey Mountain Classic. It seemed like no time and we were there. (Probably because I fell asleep after ten minutes in the car).When I got out of the truck the hot air hit me like a train and my sunglasses fogged up. The smell of popcorn and concession food mixed with horses filled the air. After registering the horses it was time for me to get dressed. I was excited to put on my outfit, after all it was my first show suit. It was a white button up shirt, with a pink vest and a black tie. My pants, coat, and hat were all black, and made me look professional my dad said. After going through World War III with my vest I got in on, and was ready to go. I walked over and got on my horse as I had done a million times before, only this time was different. I wasn't going to be able to stop if I lost a stirrup, or take a break, this was it. It was game time. I kept telling my dad that I wasn't ready for this but he reassured me that I was only here to have fun. If his idea of fun was not knowing if you were going to throw up or pass out first, then he was crazy. The announcer rang over the speakers and announced the gate call for my class.

"Juvenile Walking Specialty this is your gate call, bring em on please," it said.

Oh, man can I really do this; I can remember thinking as I went into the ring. I went in right behind a boy that was about my age. He looked just as scared as I was. I turned around to see if my dad was still at the gate, and of course he was. He gave me and thumbs up and a smile, and away I went. We went from a flat walk to a running walk and reversed. The feeling of being on top of such a powerful animal is so exhilarating. Then air blows through your hair, you can hear each foot hit the ground, and it almost feels like your flying. This is a high that to this day I am still addicted to. It's something that I too hope to share with my children someday. You can still find me showing horses every Saturday night, and I wouldn't have it any other way.