Wrapping up the RAAC

9/9/2012

So how do I wrap it up? I didn't want to leave you with the impression that I left the RAAC completely disheartened and discouraged. I really did have fun and genuinely hope that I get to go back next year. I also want to thank so many people for their encouragement. I heard from people here on this blog, on Facebook, in emails, and even in person. So many people gave me atta girls that it's hard not to believe that maybe we are getting somewhere! I know that it can get tiresome listening to me whine about being a disaster, I get tired of writing about it, so thank you for listening.

Early in the week, I started receiving text messages from the other Bakersfield riders who had participated in the RAAC. They wanted to have a celebratory girl's night out. I tried to avoid the dinner since it had been such a long week, but Lori, the awesome photographer whose pictures I've already shared, was hard to turn down. So we wrapped up the RAAC with a dinner party at Macaroni Grill. And it was fun! We toasted our own success and laughed over dinner and drinks. Thanks for getting me out there, Lori!

I also wanted to share a couple more of Lori's photos to prove to you that I do laugh and have fun.

I know this isn't me having fun, but watching Speedy was quite entertaining!

He is always quite proud of his own antics.

See! I do smile!

It even happened again.

And one more photo, again by Lori Ovanessian, just to show the camaraderie of the RAAC. I like this picture a lot. I don't remember what Donna and I were talking about, but her advice is always good, and she's one of the kindest riders I know.

Donna giving me a pep talk.

Kelly link

9/9/2012 09:19:45 am

I really like your dressage coat! Looks super with Speedy's coloring. Glad you decided to go out with the girls to celebrate - I love to go out to dinner with the people from our barn when we end up at a show together...always margharitas involved!

I am betting you will be back at that event - stronger, more confident , and competitive next year. Great job!

Karen

9/9/2012 10:14:00 am

Thanks, Kelly. And yes, I am determined to be better next year! :0)

Judy

9/9/2012 10:06:18 am

Love the photos, so glad you had a good time!

9/9/2012 10:14:32 am

Thank you, Judy. We weren't great, but I did have fun. :0)

Angela

9/9/2012 10:09:02 am

I’ve been reading your posts and feeling all kinds of emotions regarding your experience at the RAAC show.
OK, so you didn’t do as well as you had hoped to do; in fact, your greatest fears came true. Yikes! :0
I find myself relating to your disappointments. The level of competition that you’ve written about is a bit spooky; however, it has given me a dose of reality. Even though I’m plagued with the fear of not being able to compete at even the Intro level, I’m guilty of fantasizing about success way beyond. Your posts have brought me back down to earth! While dreams are vital to motivation, being firmly planted in “what it really is” is critical to a healthy perspective. I’m going to go out there and ride, just ride, and strive for improvement one mark at a time. It may not all come together at the time I want it too, you have taught me that, but with persistence and hard work anything is possible. Like the old saying, sometimes you deposit in the North and withdraw in the South.
You made a huge deposit of hard work and dedication in anticipation of a grand reward…oops, you’re human and no different than I am. However, as you reflect on your season’s accomplishments, you’ll see that it has already paid off! You have worked hard and achieved much!! Plus, you look marvelous in your new coat on your stunning steed. Congratulations!!!

9/9/2012 10:26:00 am

As always, Angela, your comments and thoughts are very much appreciated. I am sorry that my thoughts on the RAAC were discouraging. That wasn't my intention. I really just want people to know that you can still participate and have fun even if you aren't a show stopper. And like you say, today's hard work might not show up until next year.

I have a blog post waiting to go about the Eighty-Dollar Champion, the book by Elizabeth Letts. There is a quote by Christopher Reeve at the beginning that spoke directly to me and (hopefully) about me. Reeve says, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

This just feels like my experience. I am all about will. I so hope that Reeve is correct in that "will" can create inevitability. If so, I am a lock for next season!

Once I publish the post about the book, his quote will be found directly beneath Lilo Fore's thoughts on improvement over perfection.

Again, thank you for sharing your own perspective. I hope you'll continue showing. I started at Intro just two summers ago. In less than two years I was able to compete at the RAAC at Training Level. We didn't win, but at least our scores were in the ball park. Keep working, and you and Good Will be zooming by Speedy and me. I am going to have to keep looking over my shoulder!

9/10/2012 01:32:52 am

Your thoughts are not so much discouraging as they are sobering, and I seem to need a daily shot of that! I will continue to show, (Sept 23 is right around the corner) and thanks to your sharing and our association, I feel much calmer about the whole ordeal. Perhaps, my expectations are back down on earth where they belong.
I love the quote; it’s going in the barn. 
Where there’s a Will, there’s a way … hahaha
Thanks!

9/10/2012 11:52:25 am

OMG! That is too funny! I laughed out loud at work when I read your last sentence. EXACTLY!!!!!!!

Don't quit dreaming, I haven't, and don't stay down on Earth for too long. I won't! Heck - I just sent in my entry for Sydney today. Talk about dreaming - we'll be lucky to even make it INTO the dressage court. I went so far as to enter both Intro A and B - now that's reaching for the stars! :0)

9/12/2012 03:04:57 am

That's Great!! See you in a few weeks.
Beam us up, Scotty!

9/12/2012 11:49:21 am

:0)

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage