AQHA Youth World Blog- “This is My Happy Place”

EC Blog by: Tatum Richey

Of all the places I could be on this planet today, August 4th, 2017 – there is nowhere I’d rather be than OKC. You can take the beaches, the mountains, yachts, parks, any cruise by land or sea. I wouldn’t even trade a spot with NASA to the Moon for the seat I’m in today! I’ll take the dirt, the horses, the judges, my friends, sweaty palms, rapid heart beats, sleepless nights, fantastic familiar sights and sounds over anything on this earth. “This is my happy place!”

I’ve been traveling to World Show since 2010. First, I came as just a fan, a horse crazed, starry-eyed kid anxious to get in the middle of the Jim Norick. I remember walking these aisles for years, dreaming of being one of “them.” Looking into the dream during those first few years I never could have imagined it feeling this special. This life seemed almost unattainable – so far from anything that was possible. I never desired anything more than to compete in this space, the Youth World. There is something magical about being here at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. “This is my happy place!”

Only but once a year my mom goes all out for my stalls. It’s her way of rewarding me, no – rewarding us, for all we’ve accomplished together throughout the year. It’s a celebration of this special life we get to live and never giving up on it. It’s a time to honor our dreams. She does it the only way a true, blue-blooded Texan ever could – BIG! Thanks Mom for putting up with me all year, for believing in me, sacrificing so much, and loving me unconditionally. Also, thank you for giving me this chance to live on top of my dream every day with my horses. “This is my happy place!”

As I said in my last blog, these past months have been a real challenge, but I have a lot of peace knowing my Grandma is with me. Her passing is still so new though. The weight of everything we’ve been through is heavy. Being here is hard, and it’s also a the biggest gift a girl could ask for in a situation as this. Going for the globe this year, during these days, is bittersweet for sure. I will ride onward though, just as she wanted us to. It’s the Cowboy way! It’s the American way! It’s the Christian way! I’m so blessed to be riding towards my dreams here in OKC. I still have to pinch myself, reminding that eight-year-old dreamer in me, that we’ve made to the big leagues. Every equestrian earned the right to be here. There is no doubt, “this is all of our happy place!”

Good luck today everyone… Go get that gold!

Trails,

Tatum Richey

PS: Swing by the Texas Barns, I’d love to say hello…