Back In The Saddle Again…

EC Blog by: APHA amateur Brett Sanders

About four months ago, my wishes finally came true. I was going to be able to show my old partner, Theodore, aka Its All Bhindthe Zipr. After a few health setbacks at the beginning of our career together, he went into early retirement with the idea that he would never return to the show pen. But after a long four year wait, Theo decided he would make a comeback!

Due to being in the pasture for so long, Theo had become extremely out of shape. Our biggest challenge was going to be getting him in good enough shape to be able to show him at the Pinto World Championship this summer. Theo pushed through his daily workouts and received a ticket back into the show barn. I had complete faith in Theo even after his four-year break, but I knew we had a long road ahead.

Reality didn’t set in until our entries were sent in and we arrived in Tulsa, OK. I was a bit nervous, but then I remembered all Theo and I had accomplished together so early in our career: a World Championship in 14-18 Equitation, a World Championship in Novice Youth Western Riding, and a Reserve World Championship in 14-18 Western Riding. I knew he would take care of me and give me his all the minute we stepped into the show pen. My only concern was making sure Theo was happy. To do that, I kept my old routine the same when it came to preparing to show.

Preparing Theo to show is probably my favorite part of the competition. I wake up early and go gallop him around until I feel like he is calm and he licks his lips constantly. Having an early morning workout with Theo also mentally prepares me for entering the pen. I had high expectations since we ended our youth career on such a high note, but regardless of our final placing I was getting to show my favorite boy again.

Walking into the show pen for the first time in four years was almost enlightening. My dreams were finally coming true, and I was given a second chance at showing my dream horse. I had almost forgotten what it was like to have so much trust in an animal and what that bond felt like. Showing Theo was a dream, and we ended up third overall in the Amateur Junior Western Horsemanship.

Now that we’ve conquered this first big hurdle, Theo and I will be headed to the Worldwide Paint Horse Congress in Kansas this summer and the APHA Amateur and Open World Championship Show this fall in Fort Worth, TX!

I’m so glad to be back in the saddle again! (Theo’s of course)