Look What Came in the Mail

I feel truly lucky to have found a sport where the governing body does so much to support its members. The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) really seems to care about my dressage experience. I love that. Last night, the annual yearbook arrived. My husband set it on the counter, the normal resting place for mail, but as I was in the middle of something, I promptly forgot about it.

As I was getting ready to head to bed, I saw the yearbook laying on my counter, and all of a sudden I remembered that all of the medal recipients would be listed. All thoughts of being tired vanished as I eagerly flipped to the page that listed the USDF Bronze Medalists.

There are five pages of Bronze Medalists this year, and since my last name falls near the end of the alphabet, I found my name on the last page.

I know it sounds silly, but I dreamed of one day seeing my name on those pages, and there it is! It won't come easily, but I am just as determined to see my name on the page of Silver Medalists too, and after that, on the page of the Gold Medalists. And then, because it will more than likely take at least another decade, I'll be eligible to receive a USDF Master's Challenge Award (for riders of 60 and above). I am not in a rush for that one.

Back when I was teaching kindergarten, in 10 inch letters, I hung on a bulletin board the words YES YOU CAN. Kindergartners love to say I can't. Another year, this time for my sixth graders, I posted the phrase, Miracles Come After a Lot of Hard Work. Sixth graders often times quit believing in themselves. I think those two sentiments are just as true for dressage riders. We too, doubt ourselves by saying I just can't do it. We also attribute the good that happens to us to luck when the reality is that hard work is the real reason we succeed, not luck.

So to all of you doubting yourself, me included, we can do it. Yes you can!