Mother's Day

Ever since I said the word "ponies", my mom was always taking me to riding lessons. I remember her running beside my first pony, Merrylegs, to make her trot, and I would always be there chanting "faster, mommy, faster". Even then, I think she saw something in me that kept her out at the barn from 5-8, every night, seven days a week.

I remember when I used to jump, she would haul out the big, heavy standards and poles, just to drag them back an hour later. I remember her putting up with my "No, not there," constantly moving them until the jumps were placed perfectly. She would stand out in the pouring rain just to get videos of me riding. In a way, in sure she's glad I'm not jumping anymore, I think the long cross country walks several times a day were getting old, but she always wore a smile. 

 She has always been there for 4 a.m. drives to Lexington. Where we chat about everything from show nerves, how we hope the classes would go, even about what food we hope would be catering the show. She always has something encouraging to say about any of the subjects. She's put up with my almost-constant sleeping on the drive, forcing her to call her friends- even at the earliest hours- just to stay awake. But, no matter how frustrating getting lost on the road could be, there was the hilarious moments of "Mom, your going to have to back up". (She hated backing up with a horse trailer). But, she always does.

It's like being a show mom is instinct. That polishing boots and wiping runny horse noses was just the easy part of the job. She's gone to the ends of the earth to make sure I have the right opportunities to get me where I need to be. Her dedication has made me the rider I am today. She's never limited me to just local shows or once-a-week rides. She's always gone the extra mile to help me go the farthest possible in my riding career, just so she can have to chance to watch me compete from her Olympic seats. 

Happy Mother's Day!