Showing and Education Go Together
by Kim Roe
Ready or not, here I come. These words keep running through my mind as I frantically try to get packed for my first competition in 3 years. I’m heading out tomorrow for Yelm, Washington, with two horses for a Working Equitation show.
Neither the horses nor I have competed in this sport, as there haven’t been any shows in Washington yet—this is the first one. The horses I’m competing are a dressage horse and an ex-barrel horse. Won’t they be surprised? Needless to say, I’m keeping my expectations low and focusing on learning and fun.
Over the last 3 years I’ve had no desire to show. I’ve spent a lifetime in the show arena in many disciplines, and I thought maybe I was losing the love of it. This felt like a loss of sorts, as competing has been such a passionate pursuit of mine for so long.
Perhaps it’s because my focus has been on education. I’ve been learning all I can about Working Equitation and continuing with dressage training on my unique and sometimes feisty Lusitano, Exodus. I’ve been working on getting my judge’s cards, and seeing competing from the eyes of the judge. Also, competing takes enormous energy and unfortunately a good deal of money—neither of which I’ve felt I had.
But sometimes when you enjoy a sport as much as I enjoy Working Equitation, it’s time to dust off the show boots and head down the road. I know that showing is its own kind of education. I always learn a lot about myself, my abilities, and my horse’s abilities. Competition is a clear window that lets you see through to the reality of who you are and how your training is going.
Showing helps us to discover what we need to focus on in our horses and ourselves; sometimes we discover how much more capable we are than we thought. It can tear us down and it can build us up—or both. But no matter what, you and your horse are better trained after you’ve gone through it. My desire to compete comes and goes, but my desire to learn is constant.
As always, I enjoy hearing from you. Send your thoughts to [email protected].
Originally Published September 2017 Issue
Kim Roe grew up riding on the family ranch and competed in Western rail classes, trail horse, reining, working cow, and hunter/jumper. She trained her first horse for money at 12 years old, starting a pony for a neighbor.
Kim has been a professional dressage instructor in Washington state for over 30 years, training hundreds of horses and students through the levels. In recent years Kim has become involved in Working Equitation and is a small ‘r’ Working Equitation judge with WE United.
Kim is the editor of the Northwest Horse Source Magazine, and also a writer, photographer, and poet. She owns and manages Blue Gate Farm in Deming, Washington where she continues to be passionate about helping horses and riders in many disciplines.
