At SmartPak we get you because we are you, and we get just how stressful horse show mornings can be. Regardless of our level or discipline, we all know how frazzled (and sometimes irrational) our thoughts can be as we try to prepare for the show ring. These are some of the thoughts us SmartPakers have on show day. Can you relate to any of them?
1. “What if my alarm doesn’t go off in the morning? I’ll set three just in case.”
2. “Wow, I got no sleep. I’m definitely prepared for this incredibly long day. Time for the first cup of coffee!”
3. “Of course. You had to lay in the ONLY poop pile in your stall.”
4. “Do I really need to give him a bath at 4:30am or can I just use green spot remover?”
5. “Where’s my packing list?! I can’t find my packing list! Good thing I have a backup.”
6. “Is seven bales of hay enough to last one day? Better get another one. Or two.”
7. “What if my truck gets a flat tire on the way to the show? Or what if there’s traffic? I better leave an hour early just in case.”
8. “I woke up at 2:30 am, how can I be running late??”
9. “Please get on the trailer on the first try. Please get on the trailer on the first try. Please get on the trailer on the first try…”
10. I really hope they have more coffee at the show grounds because the 6 cups I’ve had this morning are definitely not enough.
11. “Will the trailer fit in the parking lot?! I hope it doesn’t get stuck again.”
12. “Should we lunge?” Horse flies off the trailer. “We should lunge.”
13. “If I braid now he should be okay until my classes, right? Where is my braiding kit?!”
14. “Is the course posted? Can someone read it to me? Can someone also go over it with me 12 times just to make sure I know it?”
15. “Can you check my number and be sure it isn’t upside down?”
16. “Well there’s only five people in this division, so unless I do something stupid and get eliminated, I’m definitely getting a ribbon!”
Did we leave any thoughts you have out? Be sure to tell us about it in the comments!
This is what I wrote about 6 years ago, after the experience of helping to show prep my daughter Renee’s 4-H miniature horse for the show ring!
Teresa’s HORSE SHOW BLOG…
All right…Let’s get started 🙂
I’ll make my To-Do List
What?! It’s already 4:00pm!
Where’s the #30 clipper blade?
Forgot about the ears 🙁 Hold still Mokey!
Where’s the Twitch?
Why do I have a WHITE horse?!
Grumble, grumble..all this for 5 minutes in the ring!
This is crazy… I thought this was supposed to be fun
What moms go thru so their kids can have fun..I’m certainly NOT having fun!
don’t care what this white horse looks like.. does it really matter if she has a few whiskers on her muzzle?
9:30pm…still gotta pack snacks, clothing, papers. (at least the horse is sleeping)
will I hear the alarm clock? can’t sleep..finally fall asleep
up at 4:30..YAWN
gotta feed the rest of the horses..they won’t feed themselves.
stomach butterflies are in an uproar
arrive at showgrounds…more to do with the horse..she looks better than me!
wait for our class..
mom and daughter have some words
wait…wait..& wait…
and worry, worry worry…What if I miss our class.
Julie. should we get ready? “No, you have PLENTY of time!”
mom & daughter have some more words
Hurry Up! Your class is next!
Mom..I’m nervous. What do I do in the ring?
Renee…weren’t you watching the other kids?”
Go!!! you’re in!
ahhh… don’t they look great! aren’t they sweet!
Yeah! she got a blue. We’re going to STATES!
back to the trailer…pack up (where’s that halter!)
I”m so tired….major goofiness hits
back at the ranch….time to feed the horses again!..everything put in its place
euphoria begins to set in..beyond tired…crawl in bed by 8:00
Next morning…the final last words.
CAN’T WAIT TO DO THIS AGAIN!