Brave cowgirl

Saturday was our County 4H Horse Show.  Camille's horse was hurt, so she wasn't going to compete this year- she didn't seem too upset about it, and so she was preparing to spend the day watching and learning.

Bri, however, was hoping that Mesa would behave and that the day would be a success. 



Stock Seat Pattern- waiting to be cued to start



Jemima, Bri, and Hannah

Working the gate for Trail class

The bridge in Trail class

Well, true to Mesa form, she was a stinker and if I had had a gun with me.... 

Anyway, she made Bri really work hard for every little bit that day, and Mesa acted as if she didn't have a clue as to what to do.  I felt so bad for Bri, as she is so dedicated and she tries so VERY HARD, and I know how much she wanted to succeed today.  Because that's the kind of kid she is.

So, when she left the ring after Trail class with a few tears rolling down her cheeks, Loren and I followed her to the trailer and told her how very proud we were of her for sticking with it and giving it her all.

The real prize isn't the ribbon, but it's the lesson learned that even when things go wrong, giving up is not the solution. 

After several hugs and words of affirmation, she had her smile back on her face, and all was right with the world again!

At the end of the day, she told me she had a great time and she was very pleased with her day. 

We are just so proud of how she handles adversity with such tenacity, courage, and resilence, and she never lets things get her down for long.  She is an incredible young lady, and she has an inner strength that never fails to amaze me.

However....next year's County Horse Show- this mama is packing her gun.