09/09/2025
We had the state 4H horse show for the state fair of Virginia this past week and weekend. My daughter showed two horses and qualified three this summer in hunters , dressage , ranch, and gymkhana and in addition in each division, she competed in trail and showmanship classes as well.
Her barrel horse was 4th in poles and 5th in barrels and stakes and also placed in all but one of the five large and competitve ranch classes including the ranch trail class where in addition to many obstacles she had to drag a log behind her horse and rope a steer head.
She did two dressage tests and winning her training level test 2 and also won dressage equitation and was the high point JR dressage rider for the state show this year.
All three of these horses that she has shown and pony clubbed this year, all have one main thing in common - all of them have age 20 in their rearview mirror.
At least a couple times a week, someone tells me - “oh no , that horse is too old, I need something under 12” or I need a horse for my kid that is under 8 or I’m not buying anything over 20 ever. “Old horses” are the best teachers your children will ever have. And just because they’re old doesn’t mean they’ll have a ridiculous amount of maintenance - but I can tell you that with the horse market the way it is, maintaining a good horse is way better and easier than finding a suitable new one 🥴😵💫
These three horses above, they are all completely sound with no maintenance needed - they don’t even need front shoes! (And I’ve had fronts on all of them, makes no difference from being barefoot).
And I will say this - I absolutely loved seeing so many of you at the state show this weekend that have gotten horses from us (several that were there competing!). I can’t tell you how much it means to me when you come see us and tell us how your horses are doing. And Savannah loved that so many of you came up to her and told her that you recognized her from fb and riding all the horses in the videos lol. Most of those horses we only had for a week or so, but I love so much that so many that were once in a bad situation are not only loved but are shining so bright now.
I know I didn’t get to even speak to several of you because I was literally running back and forth trying to help get two horses to many different classes around the same time frame and trying to help the other kids in our 4h club as needed. I was spread pretty thin but thank you to everyone for stopping me if even for just a minute and letting me know how your horses are doing. It means more than you know.
When you see an older horse in a kill pen or at an auction, don’t be afraid to give them a chance. It may or may not change your life, but it will sure change theirs. ❤️
