Steal my Show

Wow! Are the nerves really starting to set in. It is hard for me to believe that we are this close to the competition. When I was growing up I was heavily involved in 4-H. Every year from the age of 8 to the age of 18 I competed in the local, district, and state horse show. I did all the events, Halter, horsemanship, western pleasure and of coarse barrels. I found out really quick that I was meant to be in the speed events. It wasn't near as nerve racking. I still remember trotting in western pleasure classes and my mom whispering "smile!" as I trotted by. I fought the nerves the whole time as I forced my smile. I felt like the judges eyes were piercing straight through me. Then every time I would come out of the pen I would remember that I forgot to acknowledge the judge before I left. I would be devastated because I forgot one little thing. I never understood that it wasn't the smile or the lack of acknowledgement that put me in the bottom of the placing it was because I was riding like a barrel racer and my bouncy barrel horse wasn't what the judge was looking for. Which if anyone knows me I don't settle well with not winning, especially if it is a on a consistent basis. I think that is why even in my "cold spots" growing up and even today, God lets me win just enough to keep me going. And if it ever got really bad the "give up" attitude wasn't even an option because the challenge to fix the problem kept me trying. Now my riding skills are ten times better than they were and my training is really my best skill in horsemanship. In the back of my mind I am still in 4-H and preparing for a judged show. Bottom line is I would rather run on the clock for 16 seconds then be watched and critiqued anyday. But I am so excited for this competition because it lets the little guy in horse training float to the top if they have what it takes. That was my first reason of doing this competition, to see how I stood in a trainers competition.
Where we stand now, even before we head to Fort Worth, my confidence is much more solid then it has been in a long time. Yesterday, I was loping my compulsory pattern on Spade and he felt wonderful. He did everything that I ask and more. He didn't just stop he stopped with great form and style. When he would change leads he did it like he has done it all his life. I stopped with a smile because I realized that I have only been on his back for 5 or so weeks and he is more trained than anything that I have ever ridden. I feel like I have finally proven to myself that I am the trainer that I thought I could be. At this point he knows all that he needs to for the competition. Now we are working on all the bells and whistles. This last week I have to do everything that is in the trail class and everything in the freestyle to insure that he is comfortable doing them without persuasion.
I picked out my music for freestyle a few days ago. It was probably the toughest thing that I have done so far. I wanted to have a rockin' freestyle and I think that Spade has the moves to really do well to a faster song. I looked and looked. In the process I found out that my 4 month old daughter loves music and the more rhythm the better. I personally listen to christian music only. It is something that God required of me when I was younger. Not that I don't like secular music or that I don't know the songs. I just don't find that they fulfill me like christian music. So as I was going though all the songs I wasn't finding anything secular or christian. Finally I found a song that was exactly what I wanted and it was me. My main goal in this is to show people who Spade and I are as a team and give God all the Glory in the way we compete. So we picked one of the new songs by Toby Mac to do our freestyle to. I believe that no matter what you do you should do it for God's glory alone. The name of the song is "Steal my Show". That is exactly what I hope God does for me.  Now to start making my list of all the things that I have to pack. I have to do my part to ensure we have a great time. Much to do.