I fell in love with the Morgan horse at a young age and learned the ropes of showing from my first trainer. She lit my spark for showing this great breed, a spark that won't seem to go out- despite my millennial young adult wallet. This is me at my very first winter tournament, clearly I wasn't always as fashion forward....
A few years ago I fulfilled a life long dream, and was able to buy my first horse with my waitressing tips (I up sold a lot of guacamole...) Definitely not the smartest decision on paper, especially where I couldn't even legally sit at a bar yet, but I was determined to make it work. I worked full time, while still managing going to school and working off board.
Another way I made it all work was by training the two year old stallion, who was blind in one eye, myself... Yes you read that correctly.
I am a proud amateur owner/trainer. While I'd love to be able to show with a big show barn and have the camaraderie and support of cheering barn mates, and not have to worry about all the details- this simply wasn't an option for me financially. Remember, I'm working at a Mexican restaurant hustling those $5 margaritas. So, shortly after purchasing my first horse, I ventured out into the world of being an AOTS (Amateur Owned, Trained and Shown)!
Now there are a lot of things that are difficult about being an Amateur/Owner, Trainer when it comes to showing! The timing of getting your horse ready, yourself ready, your outfit on and still somewhat clean with all the baby oil and dirt? Good luck. Getting your horses tail down and staying somewhat untangled before you hit that ring? Now that's a tough one! But one thing I found bothering me that shouldn't be hard, was my presentation...
My first trainer had a keen eye for the small details which she instilled in me early on. Sparkling stirrup irons, well cleaned tack, meticulous braiding, glass slipper like hooves, not a hair out of place, (and yes, this means A LOT of Aqua Net). These were things I was in control of.
Maybe I couldn't control my horses focus that day, or the judges preferences to breed type, or even the tiny toddler bouncing down the aluminum bleachers, but my turnout and presentation to those judges that day- now that was something I could control.
Being an amateur owner and trainer, you have to work just as hard as the professionals who do this for their living, and have earned the respect of their judges and peers. We should all strive for that level of attention to detail when putting ourselves in front of those judges. Respect is earned, not handed out.
I can't tell you how many nights I stared into my computer screen on eBay into the early morning hours searching for consignment outfits that would help me stay relevant, modern and get seen in deep hunter classes. Sometimes I'd hit gold, and would find something pre-owned that I could afford- but I just kept coming back to the idea of owning a beautiful custom like the other exhibitors that I could feel proud of. I just couldn't afford the $1,000 starting prices. That's when I started Alden Customs!
I started this company for the back yard exhibitor, because they're what inspires me. The girls who are up with me at 5 am cleaning our horses stalls, just hoping the show committee has donuts and enough coffee to propel us through the morning session.
For the kids who worked up through academy and are able to show the lesson horses. For the kids like myself from single parent households, who scrape together their allowance money to show in the summer.
I've always love the saying, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference". You learn early on if you can't accept the judges opinion, then showing probably isn't for you- but you can control your presentation. Impress that judge like you're on a first date, even on the lesson horse. Take your eBay field boots to a cobbler and have them resoled and perfectly fitted and polished, practice your braiding and buns until they look sculpted from clay, and if you need help with your jacket to fool the judge that you paid double? Well, then I'd love to try and help!
