#2 - Ribbons & Trophies are Cool - Khuzabar & Miss Brandi Ann
When I was ten, 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 with 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. 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.
