12/02/2026
The adult amateurs are the absolute heartbeat of this entire industry and they don’t get enough credit for how hard it is to balance adult life and a physically and emotionally demanding sport!
"I am in absolute awe of Adult Ammies who show. I don’t care if it’s your 3’6” derby or your Long Stirrup round," Jamie Sindell writes. "I don’t care if you have a healthy trust fund or sell cat toys as a side gig to pay your entry fees.
Regardless of what you are doing in that show ring or how you got there, it takes guts. Serious, stomach-clenching guts to brave the judgment, the pressure, and let’s be real, the possibility of taking a nosedive into the dirt in front of a bunch of strangers.
I don’t care how fancy your horse is or if he has a lead change. I care that you did it. That you put on your breeches (which, let’s be honest, is an act of courage in itself), got on your horse, and entered that ring despite the nerves, the self-doubt, and the knowledge that there’s a chance your horse could decide the rolltop is an evil green dragon.
If you’re out there cramming yourself into unforgiving breeches, wrestling your boots on like you’re stuffing a sausage casing, and still heading into the ring… respect.
I want you to know how much I admire you because I’m not sure you give yourself enough credit.
I know firsthand because some of my showing friends often forget to give themselves props. Instead, I hear them put themselves down because they’re showing in the 2’6” instead of the 3’. I watch them come out of the ring disheartened that they didn’t ride perfectly. Or they are apologetic when I compliment them on how great they looked.
And here is what I’m thinking: Girl, I couldn’t even force myself into the ring for a course of cross rails right now. You are amazing."
📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/02/05/to-the-adult-amateurs-who-show-youre-my-heroes/
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