Remember those exciting early horse show mornings and who got up earlier than you to start packing the trailer? That person that drove you to the barn multiple times a week, even after their full time job? That person that shined your boots just before you went into the show ring? The person that was there to give you a hug after you were handed a first place ribbon? The person that was there to give you a hug and words of encouragement after you left the show empty handed? The person that came to watch every lesson and learned the sport with you? Horse moms out there are one of the pillars of recruiting young people to love this sport. 

Horse moms lift the spirits of horse show-ers, sneak treats to all of the ponies, keep a thoughtful eye on you in the warm up ring and always willing to lend a helping hand. Without you, barn moms, we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do. We would’ve never been able to get to the barn to trot over our first cross rail, learn how to pick out our pony’s feet or experience our first fall- a defining moment of perseverance and tenacity. 

Moms at the barn are such a big part of learning important lessons like gentleness, understanding and the responsibility of taking care of others. Say thank you to your barn mom for you are the reason she put up with the complaining, making sure you ate something, didn’t die of dehydration on mid-summer show days and signed the monthly checks for you to lease that horse even if it meant she had to put off retirement. The sacrifices made from barn moms are selfless acts made to ensure we had these opportunities to learn and grow as noble people.

Barn moms, we appreciate you from the depth of our heels to the peaks of our helmets. You made us horse-crazy girls and boys flourish into passionate equestrians, lifelong animal lovers, hard workers and strong individuals.