Those of us who grew up in the horse industry have a different definition of friendship than those who did not. Our best friends are not always right down the street, or even in the same town as us. They are not always the ones we go to prom with, or the ones that we can spend every waking moment with.
For horse show kids, our closest friends often live across the country. We may only see them a few times a year, but that does not negate the importance of those people in our lives. As show season comes upon us and we become reunited with our horse show friends, here’s some ways to show those important people in our lives just how much they mean to us.
1. Cheer them on. A unique trait about horse show friends is that our best friends are often our competitors. We are in the same classes, running for the same titles, showing under the same judges. While winning is great, if you’re second behind your best friend, it’s just as sweet! Be sure to congratulate your friends on their wins and console them in their losses. A simple “good luck” before they enter the pen can go a long way.
2. Help them out. We all understand the insanity that comes with a horse show weekend. If you have a down moment, and know that your BFF is going to be running ragged, stop by their stalls and refill their water buckets or clean their stall. They’ll be grateful.
3. Take pictures. If there’s one thing we love as much as our horses, it’s pictures of our horses. If you or a family member are snapping pictures during the weekend, snap some of your friends, too. Of course, be sure to get some with all your horse show friends… you don’t get to see each other often, so documenting those moments will make looking back at the weekend even better.
4. Go out to dinner. Escaping the insanity of the horse shows over a meal that did NOT come from a food truck may be one of the best memories from the show. Getting away from the fast-paced horse show life will give you time to catch up with your friends and have some laughs over “real” food.
5. Keep in contact. I don’t know about you, but for me, a text or snapchat from my horse show best friends can instantly brighten my day. When the craziness of everyday life is getting me down, a simple “I miss you!” from a good friend a few states away keeps me counting down to the next horse show. Plus, your horse show friends may be some of the few people that truly get your passions in life, since they live it, too.
6. Be there for the big moments. Even though we often have to miss out on the little day-to-day things “normal” best friends get to experience, horse show best friends have the awesome benefit of being able to be with each other for the big moments on each other’s lives. For example, one of my favorite horse show memories was being there for my best friend, Brandy Smith, when her long-time boyfriend, Zac, proposed at Pinto World last year. That’s one of those things you don’t want to miss for the world. You can also try to plan special trips around big events in your friend’s lives, such as birthdays, graduations, and weddings. If you can’t actually be there for them in the big moments, a supportive phone call or Skype convo before a big test or first date can make a big difference.
7. Ask for advice. I have gotten some of the best advice ever from my horse show best friends. Let’s be honest, our horse show best friends just get us better than anyone else. If you’re feeling stressed before a show, or worried about clicking with a new horse, or being able to excel in a new class, sometimes picking up the phone and talking to your best friend can help (if they don’t happen to be at the show with you). These people get us, because they are us. They do what we do, have similar goals, and want to see us succeed.
It doesn’t have to just be advice about horses, though. My horse show friends know more about my day-to-day life than the people I see daily. If I need advice on school, friends, or boys… one of the first people I ask is a horse show friend.
8. Share your connections. While we may be competitors in the show pen, outside of the arena horse show friends want to help each other. If you have a friend looking for a new horse, outfit, job, saddle… share your connections. Try your hardest to help your friend succeed. Nearly every article of clothing in my show closet and every piece of tack I use, I can name a friend that helped me find it.
9. Late night talks. It’s a well-known fact that horse shows run on late nights and early mornings. Spending those late nights with your best friend makes them a little bit more tolerable. In my opinion, the best way to band your horse at midnight is with your best friend by your side, telling you all about what has been happening in their life since you last saw them. It’s a fact that the best conversations take place at a horse show around the hours or midnight to 3 AM.
10. Tell them. The best way to be a good horse show friend is to tell your BFF how much they mean to you. We all share a special connection… be a little sappy and tell that person thank you for the support. Go ahead, be one of those people to make an adorable insta post about your horse show friend that lives way too far away, or send them a super long text message. No one will judge you for being a little sentimental, because we all understand.
