Yeah.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a young rider……………(which meant competing at Prelim)
And it didn’t happen.
In college my goal was Prelim……………….
and it didn’t happen.
When I graduated…………. I tried to make it to Prelim by 30…………….
and it didn’t happen.
Then last year after so many attempts………………. I finally moved up to Prelim.
I even got a ribbon
Just under the wire……………..(that would be……. cough – sputter – cough – that I just barely made it by 40)
I felt like such a GROWN UP – “I’m riding Prelim!!!”
But in true Bad Eventer style, I set my sights a little higher Rolex Intermediate
And that meant a new horse………………after much pain, I found the new horse.
A horse who is a STAR.
A horse with unlimited potential.
I thought we’d skip around once or twice at training level and move right back to Prelim.
For a couple of weeks I thought I was Phillip Dutton, instead of Bad Eventer.
Then we had our epic fail the first time out………. and I was…………. demoted
to training Level.
I felt like I had to sit at the kids table at Thanksgiving dinner.
I only changed horses in order to plan the move up……………..not down.
So when I found myself in an unusual funk at the last couple shows, I finally figured out I was suffering from……………….
Post Prelim Depression.
And just when I was settling into my new found status, I heard these terrifying words…………….
“You’re ready to move up!”
And now my teeth are chattering again over those damn CORNERS……………
but I’m Oh So Happy About That!