“Some barn mates also choose to put earplugs in the horses ears. Hurricanes are extremely loud and this extra precaution can be comforting for some equines.”

It is in times of national crisis like this that life and the purpose of why we all come together in any association far outweighs other isssues at hand. So, today we focus not on a horse show, a trophy, any fundraiser, or future event. We are focused on you, our TQHYA members in the eye of Hurricane Harvey.

Don’t let the absence of a globe define your youth experience. Five, 10, 20 years from now, no one is going to remember who got the globes and who didn’t, but you will remember the people, the fun you had, the lessons you learned, and the shared experiences of these awesome opportunities.

Today is the day that I’ve been hoping for since we purchased my horse at the 2016 Congress. I will show in the Level 3 Pleasure finals, and I’m a bundle of excitement and nerves. This will be the first class I’ve ever made the finals in, so it’s extra special to me.

“My 87 1/2-year-old Grandpa Billy drove himself six hours in his own truck just to see me ride at the year’s biggest show. He and my Grandma rarely missed any horse shows, and this show was no different.”