I thought it would be fun to share with you some of the things that are involved with participating in horse shows. Some of these may pertain to one type of showing or another, but they are all things that members of the Judson College Equestrian Team have experienced.

For those of you who have shown before you will probably be able to relate to some of these and laugh at us for others. For those of you who have not shown, here is an inside look at just what you could be getting yourself into if you ever decide to show.

1. Crazy early mornings. When we go to shows we have to get up between 5 and 6 in the morning.
2. Little sleep, because despite having to get up so early, we don't usually go to sleep very early.
3. Standing for hours outside in the freezing cold that is usually accompanied by rain or snow. (I think it is a law of physics that we can't go to a show in nice weather.)
4. Trying to make a team member smile while in the ring, generally involves singing or pick up lines.
5. 5. Enduring the strange looks from other teams as you sing to your teammate.
6. 6. Laugh at the stares you get when you walk into a restraint with nine or 10 other girls all wearing the same jacket.
7. 7. Coloring the fringe on chaps because it is not black.
8. 8. Cleaning/polishing boots at night in the hotel, or multiple pairs of boots if you love you teammates
9.  Having 3-4 people try to put your chaps on you because  they are tighter then skin tight.
10. Riding strange horses.
11. Hats being bobby pined to you scalp.
12. Lots of practice.
13. Keeping heels down, shoulders back, legs under you, and don't forget to smile.