Ever have one of those outings where you would swear there is a hex on it? This weekend is becoming one of those outings.
My friend from the h/j barn that was going to trailer with us? Day tripping it, so there's just two horses in the four horse trailer and just two of us in the two room hotel suite I arranged. Normally we wouldn't even go, but with all of the entries in and the close date part of the past, it didn't make any sense to cancel. So we're splitting the cost of a four horse between the two of us. Ow.
I went into my closet and dug out my white breeches. Way, way in the back I had some. Guess what? They don't fit anymore. I'm down 9 pounds since this winter. Dang it all. White full seats are not cheap and I'm not sure when I'm going to have time to go get some more before this weekend. Work insists that I actually work before I run off to my show. My local shop caters to the h/j crowd and doesn't have much in white. I may have to have Smartpak ship some to me overnight. Ugh. And a new stock tie. And new gloves. Wait, didn't I have this stuff back in October? I swear I did . . .
Today our groom backed out. Seems she didn't clear her trip with her mom properly. Missing school to groom for a horse show is a big deal when you're fourteen. So now we have no groom. And Trainer A won't be available until the afternoon of Saturday. It's going to be me and the teen with the two horses at her first away show.
Fortunately my teen co-pilot in this madness is made of stern stuff and just shrugged it off. It's still just one stall to clean for each of us and with such generous ride times, we'll be fine. I only worry about warm up and having someone to pull boots and hand off stuff we drop or forget. I did want a groom as a cushion since this is also the young lady's first recognized show ever. I expect a bit of stage fright to kick in once she's looking at the big ring and I might be filling in as coach for her first test.
Don't tell anyone, I love my amateur status.
But somehow, come hell or high water, we are going to this damn show. Friday the 13th is a lucky day for me usually, so I'm still hopeful. And then I look at the forecast. Rain for both days? At this point, bring it baby. Just bring it.
One adult amateur rider's flailing journey through horse ownership, wonky cervical discs, and still chasing the Bronze Medal in dressage.
I dont know that I have every really had a groom. It's a good learning experience :) I actually normally feel better if I get my own horse ready. Like a normal day at a different place is how it works for me.
ReplyDeleteExcited that you're just a few days out!
You don't realize how much you miss not having someone there even just to hold tests or a water bottle until you don't have them anymore! I'll be doing quite a few solo outings this year and I'm seriously dreading it.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't get paid, you can coach to your heart's content. ;-)
ReplyDeletei'd definitely be miffed at eating the costs of all that extra space for just the two horses. showing solo is nbd tho, and always ends up being less of a big deal than i think
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