My wife entered to her first horse show

[wibornz]

My wife has wanted horses for years, at least 15 years or more.  I hate horses.  I grew up with horses, did barrel racing, 4H..yada yad yad.

Found motorcycles and realized they were easier to clean, easier to take care of, and cost less. Never looked at horses again.  I have put off having horses for a very long time. Even though I have a barn, about 20 acres of fenced in pasture, and 20 acres of of hay fields.  

After about 15 years of begging and nagging about wanting horses, Carla said that she makes enough money (and she does) and that she is buying a horse (F**k Me) is what I am thinking, but I have a plan.  I have a friend about four houses down from me that raises, and trains horses.  I make a deal with him, Craig, that Carla will come down and do all the evening chores and help him for six months and learn about horses and how to ride and take care of them.  I am figuring that after six months of working everyday with the horses that she will grown tired of all the work horses require.  I was wrong. She even grew to love the dam hay burners even more.  I am double F**ched!

Craig my buddie helps her pick out a very nice horse.  A register paint. She bought the horse in November or about there. Craig has let Carla keep the horse at his place for free and the horse has it's own stall and all the nice things. Craig is really set up for horses, nice pasture, indoor riding ring, all the bells and whistles. You get the picture. Well Carla is keeping the horse at Craig's place and I am giving Craig a killer deal on hay. Hey it all works out. SO on to the horse show thing.

Carla at her first show got an honorable mention, a 5th, and a 3rd place.  

















I am to scared to think about how much she has already spend on that dam beast, but it is keeping her occupied and I have a couple hours of free time every Saturday and Sunday during the mid to late afternoon to ride while she is doing chores.  Haha.

[Kneescrubber]

Paints are absolutely beautiful horses imho. Course, I've been on a horse less than a half dozen times in my life. Congrats to Carla.  

[Rincewind]

Congrats to her first horse show.  I know how how much it costs in time & money.  I broke down a lot earlier than 15-years - more like after 5-years of marriage before she got her horse.  At least you are not paying monthly board fees like we do.  All of the money spent used to get me a little upset, but I've learned to live with it because it makes her so happy.

My wife did a horse show this weekend, too, though it was far from her first.  

[Mr. Whippy]

Congrats to her first horse show.  I know how how much it costs in time & money.  I broke down a lot earlier than 15-years - more like after 5-years of marriage before she got her horse.  At least you are not paying monthly board fees like we do.  All of the money spent used to get me a little upset, but I've learned to live with it because it makes her so happy.

My wife did a horse show this weekend, too, though it was far from her first.  

Eventing or jumpers?  You guys are in the heart of Pennsylvania horse country, so I bet there's a lot of great riding there.  

[Mr. Whippy]

We have a family of riders.

These are all older pictures of the wife and kids.

Wife:


Son:


Daughter:


..and yes, it's expensive, but they love it.

[Mr. Whippy]

My wife has wanted horses for years, at least 15 years or more.  I hate horses.  I grew up with horses, did barrel racing, 4H..yada yad yad.

Found motorcycles and realized they were easier to clean, easier to take care of, and cost less. Never looked at horses again.  I have put off having horses for a very long time. Even though I have a barn, about 20 acres of fenced in pasture, and 20 acres of of hay fields.  

After about 15 years of begging and nagging about wanting horses, Carla said that she makes enough money (and she does) and that she is buying a horse (F**k Me) is what I am thinking, but I have a plan.  I have a friend about four houses down from me that raises, and trains horses.  I make a deal with him, Craig, that Carla will come down and do all the evening chores and help him for six months and learn about horses and how to ride and take care of them.  I am figuring that after six months of working everyday with the horses that she will grown tired of all the work horses require.  I was wrong. She even grew to love the dam hay burners even more.  I am double F**ched!

Craig my buddie helps her pick out a very nice horse.  A register paint. She bought the horse in November or about there. Craig has let Carla keep the horse at his place for free and the horse has it's own stall and all the nice things. Craig is really set up for horses, nice pasture, indoor riding ring, all the bells and whistles. You get the picture. Well Carla is keeping the horse at Craig's place and I am giving Craig a killer deal on hay. Hey it all works out. SO on to the horse show thing.

Carla at her first show got an honorable mention, a 5th, and a 3rd place.  

















I am to scared to think about how much she has already spend on that dam beast, but it is keeping her occupied and I have a couple hours of free time every Saturday and Sunday during the mid to late afternoon to ride while she is doing chores.  Haha.

btw, I forgot to say,

That's a very cute paint and from the pictures, he looks like a sweet boy.  Nice horse.  

[Rincewind]

Eventing or jumpers?  You guys are in the heart of Pennsylvania horse country, so I bet there's a lot of great riding there.  

This was just a fun show yesterday.  She does dressage and jumping, but is mostly into stuff like paper chases.   It's not as hardcore as the pics you show!  You're right, there is a lot of riding around here.  

[CLAY]

Congrats Ted and let Carla know as well.  Very cool.    I used to be a rider back in the day, but knowing how much work, time, and money they take it's a hobby I never had a desire to take up again.  

[Hambonee]

Congratz on a great showing:)..awesome paint

Used to show morgans myself, hunt seat.

Just become WAY too expensive and time consuming for my blood. Still like ot go trail riding once in a while though!

[wibornz]

She tried to tell me that it was not that expensive. HA She has spent at least 5,000 dollars in the last six months.  Motorcyles are way cheaper.

[black hills]

it keeps them happy so its worth it! and yes, it is more expensive than motorcycles.... the latest addition to our herd. I think she is 2 months, maybe 3??

[Mr. Whippy]

it keeps them happy so its worth it! and yes, it is more expensive than motorcycles.... the latest addition to our herd. I think she is 2 months, maybe 3??

Cute!

...and expensive.  

[Scratch33]

She tried to tell me that it was not that expensive. HA She has spent at least 5,000 dollars in the last six months.  Motorcyles are way cheaper.

Man, that's some leverage you got there.  

[LadyNinja]

Congrats to Carla, she is a very lucky women. I've loved horses since I was a tiny tot. I took lessons also but never could afford to have one. I particularly love Arabians and Freisans. I will be buying another replacement bike instead. Your wife is also lucky that you've been a wonderful husband to support her. Congrats to you both.  

[viffergyrl]

Beautiful horse! I love paints. I had a horse (actually three at various times) when I was growing up - my parents figured it was cheaper to have something that kept me totally involved while in junior high and high school. Yes it was expensive; but the value to me was immeasurable and something I credit for shaping me as a person - for the better!

Smart parents.  

But every time I buy a motorcycle tire, I think of the potential hay bill..... except I'm using 70s prices!  

[Bounce]

I thought this thread was going to be a joke:

"My wife entered her first horse show..."

...but the saddle kept slipping off of her.
...but was out of breath before the 2nd barrel.


that kind of thing.

[Hell's Bella]

Very cool, and congrats to her!   Her horse is beautiful. I've ridden since I was little, and good God they are money pits, aren't they? I've never been lucky (or wealthy) enough to own one of my own, but I did spend a lot of time mucking/feeding/watering and teaching riding lessons in exchange for riding time. One of these days I'll have one of my own, but in the meantime I've mostly been getting rides on OTTBs that need some extra training, so I've been lucky there. Used to event but sticking mostly to dressage these days.

Your wife is a fortunate woman, and kudos to you for supporting her!

[cultureslayer]

I rode them for a little bit in middle/high school, then realized a dog was cheaper and more portable.  

[viffergyrl]

"A horse is just a thousand pound dog that doesn't fetch."