#2 - Ribbons & Trophies are Cool - Khuzabar & Miss Brandi Ann
When I was twelve, I started taking riding lessons. My first riding teacher, Claire, introduced me to the English saddle on her horse, Khuzabar. I immediately fell in love with riding English and learned to ride over cavalettis and small jumps. Khuzabar was an Arabian gelding with a gentle soul. He did everything he was supposed to do whether or not I asked him. I was elated when I had the opportunity to ride him in a horse show. Khuzabar won me my first ribbon, which gave me a thrill I had not expected. I will forever be grateful for Khuzabar’s patience and gentleness with me as his passenger, and with Claire’s generosity and graciousness with me as her student.
My parents bought a quarter horse cross from a family friend who turned out to be another patient, gentle soul. Her name was Blackberry Brandy, whom my mom immediately renamed as Miss Brandi Ann. I started showing Brandi shortly after my time on Khuzabar and she helped me win my first trophy! Once again, I was blessed with a tolerant, calm horse who partnered with me to navigate my first attempts in the horse show world.
Brandi was also my willing partner when my mom and I rode in a mounted drill team, performing in parades and at rodeos. That was my first experience of being a member of a women’s group and it was horrendous. As I recall those times, I cannot believe the drama that unfolded in this group. The women were not there as support for one another, but to tear each other down. As a result, I grew up being quite wary of women’s groups and very guarded about who I formed close relationships with.
Looking back at my time with my first horse trainer and my rides on Khuzabar and Brandi, here are the lessons that I learned:
Horse shows were fun and right where I belonged! I didn’t play sports in school, so I hadn’t been in competitions. As I began showing Khuzabar and Brandi, I found out that I was very competitive and that I loved the challenge of riding just right so that I could place or even win in each class.
Follow your heart! Once I felt success, I wanted more of it. The ribbons and trophies really bolstered my self-esteem and I started coming out of my “shell.” I felt as if I was becoming who I was meant to be. At that point, I was committed to go as far as I possibly could with horses. Riding wasn’t something I had to practice; it was something I couldn’t go a day without.
Calm, gentle, patient horses are highly underrated. At the time I was riding Khuzabar and Brandi, I really had no idea how amazing they were and how much I took for granted their willingness to partner with me.
Watch your back (not really)! My experience riding in the mounted drill team taught me that adults could be vindictive and selfish. I learned that I should not trust other women and that it was best to keep them at a distance. I have since learned that just the opposite is true. The women whom I now hold dear in my heart pray with and for me, celebrate with me, mourn with me, and live life with me.
