Last article

 This is a draft of and article I wrote about Margrith and Rosie, which I particularly liked, I want it preserved on this blog, I feel its like a time capsule. This was the first and last time I saw Margrith and Rosie in a show together.

Finales are often all about the big finish, the end should be competed with success meet and exceed all expectations. But the truly meaningful finishes are the ones when a lesson is learned, some new knowledge achieved, or when fate is challenged and takes a turn for the better in what could have been a horrible situation.
Nancy  a local horse jumping trainer and instructor just hosted her last of five jumping competition for this year The North Wind Winter Jumping Series Show #5. Nancy had two purposes for putting on the event at her facility. “[It’s] to raise money for competition expenses for my horse (“The North Wind”), while giving the equine jumping community a chance to practice jumping a course in a relaxed, schooling show environment.” She said.
It was a comfortable setting. Senior and junior riders chatted together comfortably all riding a variety of different horses and at various stages and levels in their horse riding careers. The North Wind Winter Jumping Series was beneficial for all involved. Nancy raised money to continue the riding she loves and provided a comfortable environment for riders to come and compete while having a wonderful time.

Among the competitors was Margrith , who is steadily building up a name for herself and experience in the show arena.
“A year ago showing wasn't on my radar. I have always wanted to show but a year ago, I would have just bought my first horse and I had to retrain her to English and then proceed to jumping.” Margrith conceded.
But not even a year after purchasing her first horse, Rosie, Margrith is competing at a Junior Mid division level.
Margrith was one of seven students of Nancy at the show. “Margrith is a gutsy, talented young rider with a lot of drive to improve.” Nancy said in praised , “She listens well and does her best. She is naturally athletic, so she can make changes quickly . . . all of this make her really fun to teach.”
Nancy has seen definite improvements in Margrith’s abilities over time, “I have seen her gain a better feel through proper practice and muscle-memory repetition, so that she has begun to instinctually do the right thing and improve the communication with her horse. She is now comfortable over larger fence than in the past and is building the tools it takes to become what would be considered a ‘serious’ rider.” She said.
Margrith and Rosie competed in two different classes. In each class they went through a series of 6 jumps twice. The first round was a schooling round to warm up and get a feel for the course without a score from the judge. The second round is judged and a score is awarded.

Margrith and Rosie flew over 2’3” jumps in their first class, and proceeded to 2’6” jumps in their second class. The heights alone are impressive, and the fluidness of the communication between the two was breath taking to watch.
“Rosie and I have come along way since where we first were. The fact that we are competing 2'6" and schooling 2'9" is a testament to that.” Margrith explained.
But the heights they are leaping in the arena are not as important to her as the bond she is building with her horse. “We have really become very close since the first months I had her and I plan to keep going with her as long as she will allow me to.” She added.
Margrith and Rosie placed 3rd in their 2’3” class and 4th in their 2’6” class. At the end of the show Margrith seemed tired and disappointed with her results.
She had a headache from a soccer game she had played in earlier that day. Margrith had fallen to the ground and while she was picking herself was hit in the head by the soccer ball. Two days after The North Wind Winter Jumping Series Margrith discovered that she had a concussion!
Margrith is an extremely lucky and talented rider; she was not injured during her horse show and managed to place in both her classes.
Even though this is Nancy’s final show of the year this is not the end of the show season and Margrith and Rosie can continue to compete (after Margrith recovers of course). “This was the last show of the winter series and our overall points placed us at Reserve Champ for our division, so I have to say we did fairly well!” Margrith said optimistically.

“Winning isn't everything. Which is odd coming from my mouth." Margrith said, "I am very competitive and very determined but, especially at the level I am currently showing at, the point is to learn as much as you can from your mistakes and ride well, so that when you do ride at levels where things really matter, you understand the best and most efficient way to do something. You also have to keep in mind that in this sport, your teammate isn't another human being that can get up and walk away from something if he/she is being hurt, or made uncomfortable. My teammate is a living, breathing creature that (as cheesy as it sounds) allows me to control its actions to a certain point. I have to keep in mind what is best for my horse and yes, I do have to push her to a certain point, just like a human teammate. But she will push back and push me to be better and together we improve. I can't compete without her, and she can't go into a class by herself and compete. So, there is a mutual relationship of understanding and trust. A trust that if I'm not careful, will end up broken, injured or completely damaged and irreplaceable.”