I have been
It seems that every time we, the riders, put plans into place our horses find a way to change those plans for us. Personally, I had a plan that looked rock-solid. I discussed the options with Jill O'Donoghue, my coach, and we decided if Goose ran well through a couple of difficult events last fall, and then came out well this spring that we could aim at the CIC* down in Georgia at Chattahoochee Hills. Things were going to plan, with a couple of bobbles last season all due to my greenness as a rider and Goose still being green as a horse, and then we dominated at Pine Top- which was not an easy course. I was set and ready to run down to Georgia, especially when Goose helped me out at Spring Bay in the mud, jumping out of some positions that he would have not have before. I was excited and chomping at the bit to send off my entry Sunday evening after returning from Lexington.
Yet, things were not meant to be. The two girls who were planning on trying to travel with me both decided that they wanted to run their horses at a bit easier of an event, which was understandable because they were both moving back up to the Training and Preliminary levels. This meant that I was now traveling by myself, getting a hotel by myself, and trying to convince Jill to going with just me. I understood that this was not an ideal situation, and so we went back to the drawing board. We have now (hopefully) developed a new plan, and I am possibly even more excited for it than I was for the original plan!
I am very thankful that my plans have changed just due to scheduling conflicts, and not because of injury to my horse. I am completely gutted for all of the riders who have withdrawn their horses from Rolex due to injuries, even something as minor as an abscess. I, thankfully, cannot imagine putting in all of that time and effort to just have to withdraw for something small. Especially at the higher levels, when events are not offered again at that level in a couple of weeks, making it all that way to have your weekend end before it even begins.
I am very proud of the rider's who chose to stay home with their horses, and not even put the stress on them of traveling if they knew it was not meant to be. For some of these riders, they will hopefully get the chance to attempt a CCI**** next spring, but for some this will be the end of their journey. I wish for nothing but the best for all of these horses and riders, and hope to see them all back out and competing again sooner rather than later, but we must know that this is a risk we take with this sport.
One of the best things about this sport is the partnership formed between horse and rider, it is a relationship that cannot be rivaled. Yet, the downfall of the sport is that when something breaks we cannot just dump money into it and replace a certain part, as one could do with a four wheeler or racecar. It is incredibly frustrating as a rider, groom, owner, or anyone affiliated with the sport or the horse. This develops characteristics though that other sports do not. We are taught patience, perseverance, and to never take good fortune or success for granted.
Being able to handle change within a sport prepares one for life and situations that are out of our hands. Sometimes, even when we do everything right, something goes wrong. The only remains the same is everything changes- some very wise words from Tracy Lawerence. How we handle these changes and ourselves during times of change is part of what defines us as competitors and human beings. So roll with the punches, keep your head high, and know that the closing of one door usually means that another one is opening up. Everything does actually happen for a reason, so don't sweat it!
-Keep on Changing!
