~about a 5 min read 🙂
2017, with my parents at a local show
Equestrian sports are a family affair through and through. Dads driving horse trucks, mums helping with the platting or even being the trainers – you name it!
Although neither one of my parents had any contact with horses before I came along, both have always been super involved in my sports career.
While it wasn’t always a smooth ride (pun intended) – I am truly grateful for all their help and support!
Therefore, in honor of Mother’s day, I decided to write a letter to both my parents.
Don’t get me wrong – we had fights, there were times when my dad had opinions about my riding even though he has never done a center line in his life – but it all came from a place of love.
So here’s to all amazing parents out there – here’s to all those adults that have raised children with love, even if there’s no instruction manual.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Fifteen years ago we embarked on this amazing journey together. It all started with my first riding lesson and both of you were there.
You have always been there for me. Cheering me on, celebrating successes – big and small, and comforting me when I needed courage to face disappointment.
Mum, thank you for being in charge of the horses vaccinations, dental checks and keeping me fed during competitions – even if we had to learn the hard way that two sandwiches right before sitting trot is not a good idea.
Thank you for always having a water bottle handy – even after I refused to take it with me in the morning because I was a teenager defying authority and basic rules of hydration.
Dad, thank you for driving the RV all around Europe. Thank you for being my Chef d’Equipe during CDIs and European Championships. Thank you for standing in line at the vet checks under the blazing sun and freezing wind so that Quanderas would not have to wait too long and get stressed.
Thank you both for filling the water buckets at shows, for shoveling horse poop out of my horse’s box when I was too tired from training. I know that this was not the way you pictured your life 30 years ago.
Thank you for letting me take on those responsibilities on me gradually as I grew older. Doing it at my own pace taught me how to plan and schedule everything without pressure.
Thank you for hugging me at the end of the day no matter if I won or not, for clapping at the end of every single test I’ve ever performed – in spite of how well I did.
Thank you for never comparing me to anyone else, for teaching me that my best competitor is always found at the reflection in the mirror, for trusting me and urging me to follow my gut even when I was young and inexperienced.
Most importantly: Thank you for urging me to reach for the stars because this way, even if I never actually reach them, at least I won’t get my hands muddy.
With all my love,
Your Daughter
I’d love to hear your parent stories! Send me an email, DM on Instagram or leave a comment below!
Most importantly, whether you’re on or off the horse, don’t forget to: