Well its Thursday night, and tomorrow i will be heading off to yet another show. This time with my big warm blood to go eventing (dressage, cross country, showjumping, all in one).For three weeks in a row now, Ive driven to our country's biggest city to compete at three different shows. Its kind of a long haul, 4 hours each way. Competing horses is not a cheap sport, its all the extra costs, like, diesel, road user charges, food for horse and rider etc that really start to send the cost sky rocketing, rather than just the cost of entering a show, although this isn't cheap these days either. It is a continuous struggle to just break even, as prize money is very minimal. For me its also very long hours spent driving alone to and from competitions. But i do love what i do, and I'm very driven to compete, so i don't really mind the hours and cost of it all.
Their are huge bonuses to this life style as well. You get to see parts of the country, you'd never realise existed otherwise. You get to travel with your horse, and camp, and spend endless hours with your equine friend. Even though sometimes it is a bit of a lonely, you get to meet lots of new people, who are interested in the same sport as yourself and share lots of common ground. Generally its also a life style that keeps you fit, healthy and inspired to keep improving your riding. Plus riding a cross country course, is the absolute biggest adrenaline buzz i know. So you always come away, completely exhilarated.
But the things is this is my absolute passion, even if i didn't compete, i have absolutely no idea what 'normal' people do on the weekend. I cant imagine actually having spare time to do any other activities. What do people actually do if they don't own horses? or animals for that matter? or even what you do if you have animals but are'nt traveling to and from shows every weekend?
So tell me what is your normal weekend?? What does everyone who doesn't lead my hectic, crazy life style do with themselves??
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My typical weekend goes like this:
ReplyDeleteCome home from work on Friday, get a quick bite to eat, walk the dog and them go out to the barn where I board my horses (1/2 hour away.) I ride both horses and then go over my boyfriend's house. He usually rents a movie and I struggle to stay awake.
Saturday morning, I am back at the barn. I ride both horses and go out to lunch with my sister. (She has a horse, too.) At home, I walk the dog, play with the cat and do chores. If I am lucky, I get to take a nap. Saturday evening, I go out with my boyfriend.
Sunday is identical, but I usually have to shop for food, too, and I have to do all the chores I didn't feel like doing on Saturday.
I ride a lot on the trails, so the weekend rides can get pretty long and intense.
I go back to work on Monday to rest.
Hello Chloe! I like your blog!
ReplyDeleteI hope you did well at your show! I am hoping to take showjumping lessons soon, but they are very expensive :-)
I love horses and wish I could have one, but it just doesn't work since we live in the city.
Nice "meeting" you!
Wow, you live the life, excellently! I would be going with you, if we lived near. I am very driven to do new things and also help others do these things to.
ReplyDeleteMy weekend s change from season to season. Summers are all out camping with husband + horses. I have a 4 day weekend, so I go until I drop.
All winter I've gone the 30 min drive to my horse and my sister's horse...riding as energies lend and doing household chores on the bad days. I see my mom every day, and garden randomly, cook for my man.
I rest at work, like the other gal said.
Love your energy!
o wow, love everyones elses stories!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the compliments all horse stuff although it sounds like your pretty full of energy yourself!!
i wish the boyfreind lived a bit closer so i could squeeze in a bit of time with him instead of dragging him along to horse shows when he has time!! You and judi seem to do pretty well squeezing in time with your other halves!!
i have come to the conclusion that most horse people are busy people
o and thanks for stopping by a country girl at heart!! so excited by new readers!!