To Show or Not to Show?

Speedy G was stiff and "off" somewhere on Wednesday evening.  I gave myself permission to NOT go to the barn on Thursday evening.  If he was still off, me being there and poking at him wasn't going to improve anything.  And if he was still off, turnout was probably not going to help, either.  I simply took the afternoon off to get some non-horsey things done around the house.  I'll head out to the barn Friday afternoon.  If he is no longer stiff and can do a nice trot out, I'll give my bridle a quick scrub and dust off my saddle.  It's a good thing I keep my tack clean and organized!  If he's still stiff and slightly off, I'll have to notify the show secretary that I need to scratch.  That will be a bummer.  Another reason I prefer Sunday shows ... I would have had one more day to evaluate Speedy's soundness. 

During my 16 years as an endurance rider, I had to do that only 1 or 2 times.  I hate that I might have to do it in my second show season.  I'll keep you posted.