Today I didn't work and was a little depressed that Patrick's flight in Dublin got delayed a day so he wasn't coming home today as planned - I miss him substantially after 12 days :( . My blessed sister Sara told me her kids were out of school (me, too!) and that we ought to check out the Regionals for the Arabian Horse professional competition circuit. It was held this year at The Del Mar Fairgrounds and we went for about 3 hours. Sara and I would have easily stayed longer but her kids eventually tired and she had to get them home.
It was so wonderful for both of us to talk to Olivia and point out so much for her to look for - and for us to reminisce back to our riding and competing days. Those who know me know I still have a huge regret not keeping up with the horses somehow. But what could I have done going to college and being a frugal professional performer my entire adult life?
Picture of me and my Arabian gelding, Torino at the Sunnyside Saddle Club local horse shows in Bonita we competed in for years. I was probably about 13 years old... circa 1987.
The horses were truly beautiful. All of it is breathtaking and when the horses cantered and trotted near us in the arena I recognized the feel of those working muscles and legs pumping underneath me - - a powerhouse. The ground shaking...
I was reminded how the only time I competed in the "A" circuit (the highest circuit) was on my Aunt Elaine's Arabian mare, Dawn (I don't remember her full registered name now). I was probably about 11 years old and was elated to spend a week with my horsey Aunt and compete on her chestnut mare. I remember that we didn't have our Torino yet but I was already competing on our trainers' ponies at the local Saddle Club. But this was different - not just much more expensive but the
National Circuit. When you compete at the Fairgrounds you actually keep your horse all day in the same track stables as the racehorses that run there during the summer race season. I remember it being very exciting for me as a child and huge fan of the "Black Stallion" Arabian book series to be there - especially doing an early morning warm up on the actual racetrack to get the nerves out of both horse and rider. It was just like the jockeys and Thoroughbreds do. I only placed 5th -- but it all came back to me today walking through the stables and warmup areas - usually unopened to the public.
It was a lovely day...
