Challenges

Isn't life a competition? Doesn't every day present a challenge? Some do not like competition or challenges and that is fine others thrive upon it. Some like me, compete against themselves and go to socialise with like minded people. Don't make excuses as to why you can't win. All horses are different, thank goodness. Like us they come in all sizes, types, breeds and temperaments and like us they have different personalities. If you love the horse you have it does not matter a fig if he is the next Totilas or Sally shitland! But, lets not forget, it is the training and the quality of the paces that the judges will be marking. They will not be marking how cute he is,or how nicely you have plaited, or what a cute derrier you have as you turn away from C! I only managed one day at the nationals this year but I have to say I saw all shapes and sizes of horses and riders! I saw super talented horses misbehaving as the atmosphere got to them and beautifully produced ordinary horses behaving impeccably. At no stage in my dressage journey have I been led to believe that I have a right to a rosette just for turning up! Nor would I want to. So to all those lovely but misled people that cannot understand competiton and how it works, just think of it as the X factor! Some of the more deluded tone deaf contestants just don't get it but talent will out!

The reason I didn't get back to the nationals is due to a health problem that I haven't talked about much but its probably time to come clean. I have chronic fatigue syndrome as a side effect of fibromyalgia. Basically my muscles are sick and on bad days the pain and stiffness are excrutiating but worst still is the lethargy and lack of energy.It is very depressing and very annoying! No I am not looking for sympathy. Each day is a challenge but I continue to do the same work and ride as much as I have ever done and I try to find humour in the situation, like today for instance. My parents are getting on and do frequently forget things, dates, times, messages etc. so I write these things down for them. My mother asked me what was wrong and did I have a cold coming? I said no, its a flare up of my condition. 'Oh dear, what condition is that?' I said the one I was diagnosed with last year and she said,'well you could have told me!' I just burst out laughing while my father wrote it down! Some days we have the same conversation 3 or 4 times within half an hour! There is always a positive to any situation and mine is the house work! If I don't feel like it I put it down to lack of energy! That said, once I am on my horse after the initial 10 minutes I feel just fine. I think the other positive is that I have stopped pulling! It takes too much out of me, which means she has stopped leaning too. Well as Peter Storr said the other day as I struggled to get on saddle, 'you've finally made it as a judge Gloss, old and decrepit!' I will get him back for that! Many riders struggle every day with some sort of health problem, from fighting with cancer to severe back problems and let us not forget our amazing para riders who inspire all that watch them. So yes, each day is a challenge and life is a competition and for that I am grateful. It is what keeps us going, that, and good friends and laughter, oh and plenty of gin of course!