GLP - 2015-08-17 11:17 AM


Ride , I lurked on this site for years and your posts were some of my favorites. You have made me laugh so many times when I needed it. So I am going to tell you my most embarrassing moment in front of Kay Blandford, yes NFR Kay Blandford. I have just started back myself after a 15 year hiatus. I am at least 50 lbs. overweight and cannot ride a 1/4 of the way I used to. But I am coming back at a turtle's pace. I'm not kidding, I thought I was at least going half speed and then I get my time- NOT EVEN 5 D!!!!! So I go to the next race and here is Kay again. She just intimidates the heck out of me. I don't know her at all. Sooo, it's finally my turn to run and I decide I am going to really go for it! I let the mare take off in the alley way and I'm feeling good! All of a sudden Panic hits me hard and for some reason I have the reins doubled up in one hand and I'm heading for the WRONG side of the 1st. Yep I broke the pattern bigger than Dallas! I went on to finish the pattern and I did let the mare go faster BUT I broke it in front of Kay, who is my friend's trainer, and I know she saw it because they were talking when I tried to run. And you know what, I walked by and I glanced over at them and Kay flashed me a genuine smile. Now, I know she doesn't remember this, but I do and will be eternally grateful for that single, brief smile. I walked around after that with my head held high and not embarrassed. Mad at myself? Oh yeah ! But no one even acted like they remembered I was the dork that broke the pattern. I am hoping you read this and laugh or smile. I hope you realize that we have all been there or helped a friend like us out. If you really enjoy it find one friend you are comfortable with and meet up at the race hang out, have a good visit, run the barrels at a comfortable speed. Congratulate yourself for overcoming your nerves and go home to get ready for another race. Personally, I like barrel races better than playdays because in my experience the girls at the barrel race are much less judgemental. Oh, I started going to Yoga classes and they have really helped my balance and strength do that I feeling more secure in the saddle even though the saddle is a little small for me right now. Also, I started with exhibitions only for 3 or 4 raced and have only entered twice. Exhibitions were a lot less pressure for me. What ever you decide, please keep posting here. You always have great stories and I have missed you on here. I am happy your writing career is going so well, though!

RidenFly - 2015-08-17 10:03 AM Yes.  But.  I'm really terrible.  My horse is really fat and out of shape.  I might fall off after the first barrel.  God help me showing up where real people and real horses play.  Its been two years and even  two years ago she was trotting the pattern.   Sigh. 

GLP - 2015-08-18 9:17 AM Ride , I lurked on this site for years and your posts were some of my favorites. You have made me laugh so many times when I needed it. So I am going to tell you my most embarrassing moment in front of Kay Blandford, yes NFR Kay Blandford. I have just started back myself after a 15 year hiatus. I am at least 50 lbs. overweight and cannot ride a 1/4 of the way I used to. But I am coming back at a turtle's pace. I'm not kidding, I thought I was at least going half speed and then I get my time- NOT EVEN 5 D!!!!! So I go to the next race and here is Kay again. She just intimidates the heck out of me. I don't know her at all. Sooo, it's finally my turn to run and I decide I am going to really go for it! I let the mare take off in the alley way and I'm feeling good! All of a sudden Panic hits me hard and for some reason I have the reins doubled up in one hand and I'm heading for the WRONG side of the 1st. Yep I broke the pattern bigger than Dallas! I went on to finish the pattern and I did let the mare go faster BUT I broke it in front of Kay, who is my friend's trainer, and I know she saw it because they were talking when I tried to run. And you know what, I walked by and I glanced over at them and Kay flashed me a genuine smile. Now, I know she doesn't remember this, but I do and will be eternally grateful for that single, brief smile. I walked around after that with my head held high and not embarrassed. Mad at myself? Oh yeah ! But no one even acted like they remembered I was the dork that broke the pattern. I am hoping you read this and laugh or smile. I hope you realize that we have all been there or helped a friend like us out. If you really enjoy it find one friend you are comfortable with and meet up at the race hang out, have a good visit, run the barrels at a comfortable speed. Congratulate yourself for overcoming your nerves and go home to get ready for another race. Personally, I like barrel races better than playdays because in my experience the girls at the barrel race are much less judgemental. Oh, I started going to Yoga classes and they have really helped my balance and strength do that I feeling more secure in the saddle even though the saddle is a little small for me right now. Also, I started with exhibitions only for 3 or 4 raced and have only entered twice. Exhibitions were a lot less pressure for me. What ever you decide, please keep posting here. You always have great stories and I have missed you on here. I am happy your writing career is going so well, though!