The trials and tribulations of owning horses as experienced by fellow top exhibitors and all the reasons why they wouldn’t change a thing.
Horses are a labor of love that allows us to reap far more than we sow. From the very beginning, we can never let go. Horses bring people and families together through the highs of joy and excitement and the lows of the trials and tribulations involved.
Unlike other sports or hobbies, horses are living, breathing animals that require 24/7 care. Horses don’t take holidays or clock off at five so you can meet friends at happy hour. This is more than a commitment to another being. It is a lifestyle that we look forward to sharing with our partners, families, and children for years to come. We wouldn’t trade the time that we spend with our beloved horses for the world.
GoHorseShow spoke with several exhibitors to see what was required of them to participate in this passion.
A Sacrifice Worth Making
To sacrifice means to surrender something of value for something else that is considered far more valuable. For those of us in the horse industry, there is nothing more precious than spending time at the barn and caring for your best friend. However, sacrifices are still made.
AQHYA exhibitor Lauren Graves (pictured right), who hauls with Bruce Vickery, shared some of her experiences. “My older sister, Alexis, rode competitively on the USEF A circuit from the time I was three or four years old. I guess at that point, I considered it to be a sacrifice on my part, having to attend and travel with her to many shows.”
That’s when Lauren began falling in love with horses. “Then, it was not a sacrifice at all, because those were the times I learned the ups and downs of the show world as well as how important it is to be a good sport and a great horse owner.”
Candy Bava, an AQHA exhibitor and breeder from Modesto, California, shared her struggles of balancing time between personal and horses. “The biggest thing I give up are special occasions. It seems like something always ends up falling on a horse show weekend. Thankfully, my family sees the way we light up when we talk about our horses and understand when we are called away to another show and can’t attend a particular event.”
Finding a career that allows you to participate in this time-consuming world is also an art.
ApHC exhibitor from Alberta, Canada, Dominique Gauthier (pictured left), has decided to trade in the traditional work role to spend more time with her horses. “I feel like I have always had horses as a priority in my life. Currently, I’ve put my teaching career on hold to spend time working for some of the best trainers in the industry to expand my knowledge and to be able to afford this sport.”
AQHA exhibitor Joanne Garnett from Lincoln, Nebraska spoke of the work sacrifices. “It isn’t always easy to balance work and horses. For me, it means a lot of late nights and early mornings, but when I want to do something, I figure out how I can get it done. It is made easier having my husband beside me, who enjoys it as much as I do. In the end, life is good when you can go to the barn and spend time every day with your horses and your dogs.”
Chores or Therapy?
The lifestyle that horses provide is a unique experience that allows us to place another’s needs above our own. Select Amateurs, Candy Bava, Shannon Wacker, and Joanne Garnett all keep multiple horses at home and know very well the demands that they place on us.
Bava (pictured right) shared that her most time-consuming chore was rotating horses during turnout time. “I feel it’s so important that the horses get turned out every day when weather permits. Our ranch is on a hillside and you have to go up and down the hills when taking them to the turnouts. I have to fit this in between the time trying to get horses saddled and ridden. It’s difficult with the older horses that need maintenance. However, I feel that they gave me the better part of their life when they were younger, and now it’s important for me to give them a good life when they are older.”
There is value in watching the horses grow older and looking back on the memories that you have been able to share with them.
AQHA exhibitor, Shannon Wacker of Hutchinson, Minnesota shares, “My most time-consuming chore and my favorite chore go hand-in-hand. I love to clean stalls. I love clean stalls, fresh bedding, and watching horses sleep in their new bedding.”
Garnett (pictured left) echoed this sentiment by saying, “We have a 20-stall barn where we have some retirees, a couple of horses that are boarded for friends, and sometimes our show horses. So cleaning stalls can be the most time-consuming.”
Cleaning stalls and turning horses out provides us with time to get to know our four-legged friends better and create a deeper bond. We can keep track of their diet as well as watch for injuries. We can see them light up as we walk into the barn as they wait for us to take them on our next adventure.
Not all chores are a burden though, Garnett loves a fresh drug arena. “This may sound crazy, but I don’t mind working the arenas. It just gives me some quiet time.”
Much of being around the horses allows you to have introspective moments. Our horses cannot speak with words, but they are always there to listen to our problems and be a shoulder to pet.
Bava shared that she indulges in grooming her horses. “I look forward to washing the horses for horse shows in the summer. I love getting them all prettied up.”
Graves (pictured right) also shares the same passion for grooming her horse. “I love just spending quality time with my girl, Nona.”
It is so rewarding to see the horses shine after a long winter of being under blankets and being in the mud. The time that we take to complete these tasks allows us a moment of tranquility and the ability to see something transformed. There is a huge reward in seeing one of your most beloved friends shine.
A Family Endeavor
Whether you come from a family with everyone involved or you are the sole enthusiast, one thing is constant, that those around you want to succeed. Bava doesn’t come from a family of horse crazy individuals, “but they always help out when they can. My husband always makes sure the truck and trailer are in good shape for hauling, and he is always checking the tires and oil to keep me safe on the road.”
Garnett (pictured left) shared that her parents aren’t immediately involved with the horses, but they encourage her dreams. “I have been very fortunate that I have a job working in the family business that allows me to show my horses as much as I can. My parents have been very encouraging of the horses and allow me to go as often as I want as long as my work is done. I am in constant contact with the office in case they need me.”
Fortunately, Garnett’s husband, Mike shows at the highest level with her. “Both my husband and I are involved fully in the day-to-day operations of the horses. We ride the show horses when they are home and turn out all the retirees daily. Mike is retired, so he gets to do most of the work. (I guess fortunate for me).”
Wacker (pictured right) is privileged to have her husband and two daughters involved with the horses. “Between my husband, Shawn and I, we do all the feeding and horse care. When Paige, our oldest daughter, is home from college, she is right in there with us. Mara, our youngest daughter, will hang with her dog in the barn a bit too. I love it as we know all the horse’s personalities; we like to impersonate how they would talk and their personalities too.”
A Reward Beyond Measure
With all of this work comes a tremendous reward, that is not always in the form of a trophy or ribbon. Bava is energized by, “the unconditional love they give you. You can be having the worst of days and head to the barn, and within minutes, your soul is brightened.”
Watching your horse grow and become a reliable partner is what keeps Gauthier (pictured left) coming back. “The most rewarding part is when my horse is broke and you can go ride and everything starts to click. Winning is also very rewarding, but when you finally have that special bond, it makes the wins even more exciting.”
A huge part of showing horses is meeting people who share your passion and making lasting friendships.
Garnett reflects, “You get to meet so many great people and make so many new friends.”
Bava added, “It is so rewarding to watch someone that you care about have a great weekend. It’s a time when you can put a lot of things aside and out of your mind and just have fun with your family.”
Wacker says, “The opportunities and people we have met through showing horses have been amazing. I cannot imagine my life without horses in it. They are so therapeutic, although they can cause you many headaches too, the highs and lows tend to balance out somehow.”
Words of Wisdom
Wacker (pictured right with her daughter, Paige) had some advice to share with those beginning their journey in the horse world. “I’m a firm believer in all things in moderation. You need to have your down time from showing just like the horses do. You need time to spend with friends and family away from horses,” Wacker states. “Fortunately, our family business and the horse industry go hand-in-hand, but I try hard to be sure to make time for things in the real world. Like I said, all things in moderation.”
It is all about keeping things in perspective and taking each day at a time.
Lauren Graves reminded us that no matter how hectic the horse show life becomes, we need to remember why we do what we do.
“Owning a show horse is something I never take for granted. I know how fortunate I am. I’m sure many kids would love to be able to show and own a horse who never have the opportunity.”
While the horses may be a massive task for some, to us, it is a labor of love.
