Behind the Inhaler Pt. 21

It's hard to narrow down my greatest achievement seeing as I've achieved a lot of things (I don't mean this in a conceded way). I've done many things I'd consider a great achievement. I went to nationals in swimming when I was six, I've been champion at a few horse shows, I've been 4th overall for for an entire show series, I made it all the way to regionals in discus as a freshman, I've maintained a 3.7 or above GPA my entire academic career, and I had a very successful first season of Speech and Debate.

I'll write about which achievement came to me first which was winning my flat class at Ohio University in eight grade. This was an Interscholastic Equestrian Association show meaning we're riding for scholarships. The catch or "gimmick" of IEA is that we don't ride horses we know. We all draw a horses name out of a hat and that's who we ride. We draw a different horse for jumping and flat. In case you didn't know riding a new horse itself is very challenging, let alone showing. Sometimes all we get on the "horse list" is "Bob 15.3hh bay gelding. Simple changes, hold to base, quick off feet." To a non horse person that's confusing, to a horse person it's your worst nightmare.

At this particular show I knew no matter who I drew I was in for a hard ride. I had four of the top riders from my class in my split not to mention O.U. is known for having the worst horses. If you're lucky you'll draw Zen, Prince, or Sprack. I drew a horse named Sampson. No one knew who Sampson was. My ride on him was to be his first appearance in the show, he didn't even school (warm up, see the arena/people work out kinks) with the other horses.When he did finally come up to the arena I was less than thrilled with what I was presented with.

Sampson was a huge giraffe like horse who was obviously very green (young/immature/untrained). The  Stuart offered me a re-ride before my ride even began (he was rearing in the holding pin) on the luckiest draw at O.U. Zen. me wanting the sheer fun of a tough ride declined my re-ride (everyone thought I was crazy).

I honestly had an absolute blast while showing this horse. I shared the arena with nine other girls and I felt like the only one in there. Turns out crazy Sampson only needed a firm hard, a soft leg, and some encouraging words. I'm almost positive I ended up singing to him (it helps). I had him framed up, tracking and I was just having a great time because it was really more of riding than showing I didn't care about how I looked at that point. So you could imagine how shocked I was when my number was announced last as the first place rider come to find out the judge was thoroughly impressed by the way I handled him.

It felt great to not only win in a sport dominated by sticks and pocketbooks but It was just a great confidence builder.

I'm hoping this doesn't turn out to be my greatest achievement in life. Hopefully getting into a good college, being successful, etc. is in my future but for now it's the little giraffe that could.

Some of the "big" ones I earned along the way. The don't look like much but each is associated with a different memory and learning experience. Plus getting Eq champ in anything is an awesome accomplishment.

This is Color (horrible name) I call him Moo. He's a GIANT horse if you couldn't tell just by the picture.His face is longer than my entire body. Pretty sweet new ride.