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We Are Flying Solo

January 23, 2012

We Won Stuff!

As my sidebar declares, I am very proud to be a member of the USEA Area II Adult Rider Program.  You should go and join yours today -- not only do you stay abreast of clinics, horses for sale in the "network," and reports of the most recent horse trials, you meet wonderful, generous, knowledgeable people who are just as crazy about this sport as you are!  I can tell you without a doubt, Solo and I would not have had some of the opportunities we did without the support and generosity of this group.

This past Saturday was our Area II Annual Meeting in Virginia.  Sadly, there was no room in my budget to go and I was sorry to miss it, because I drove up with a neighbour last year and learned a great deal.  Also at the meeting is our Annual Awards Luncheon, although I have not been to that because it is also out of my budget range.  BUT, the point is, our Adult Riders group gives out a host of awards every year that are not based on racking up competitive points, but instead on contributions to the group and to the sport.  Started by eventer Yvonne Lucas of Red Moon Farm and honouring our smurf heritage inspired by Captain Mark Phillips distaste for the adult amateur rider, which we adopted with great pride, these awards single out eventers with heart!

Now I never win anything.  I am not that person.  I'm a very good clapper though.  So just imagine my surprise when one of my fellow Adult Riders informed me....

I had won the Indian Smurf award, for "great personal strength against adversity, showing toughness, heart, and perseverance!"  I admit, I remain slightly bemused that I won the award for bad things happening to you, it truly could be no other way!

But that was not enough excitement, because I was also named...

Area II Adult Rider Member of the Year!

I am floored, stunned, honoured, and frankly terrified that I have so much to live up to!

I don't feel like these awards are really for me though.  Because I would be nothing and nowhere without Solo, who, even as we crashed to the bottom of the heap, believed in me and never stopped greeting me at the door with that look that forever connects us.  The word "partner" cannot even encompass what he has been to me and cannot describe the strength of spirit and forgiveness and patience he continues to offer me.

And my world would be darker indeed without the bright hope that Encore brought into my life.  We are certainly a work in progress, but if he will just bear with me, I think we can have a lot of fun together.

So it is really the horses.  It is always the horses.  The reason for trying, the air to keep breathing, the passion to tackle the next course.

To Solo & Encore & to all our partners who do more for us than we can say, as well as to my fellow Adult Riders who nominated and supported me...

Thank you.

16 comments:

  1. Congrats! Fabulous "acceptance speech"!

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  2. Yes, I love it. I am sure I'd get the turning around a crazy horse award(: your award is better

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  3. Congrats! And through reading your blog... you deserve it all!

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  4. Congrats!! I've never met you in person, but if half your blog is true, you definitely deserved it.

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  5. Thank you! And SB, it is certainly true, although there are parts I wish weren't!

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  6. Congrats! You deserve it! I know you have taught me countless things through your blog and I certainly think you deserve those awards.

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  7. Congratulations -- that wonderful willpower and inner strength has once again prevailed. I wish the road would have been easier but through all the anguish, your love of your horse(s) has carried the day. I am so very proud of you -- and honored to be a part of your journey. Thanks for sharing it with me.

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  8. Thank YOU, mum, for making it possible.

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  9. Congratulations to you, Solo, and Encore. A great team.

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  10. Congrats again! You and Solo have certainly inspired me not only to do better but to keep trying even when things don't go "my" way. Thanks!

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  11. Congratulations! Good things come to good people!

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  12. Congratulations! You most definitely deserve it!

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  13. congrats! I think I might have to save some lines of your "acceptance speech" in my favorite quotes file if that's ok. BTW I got the riser and reins the other day, thanks!

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  14. Thanks, and you are welcome to! Glad the stuff made it to you intact.

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