Let the Games Begin !!

Well, it's time. Time to see just how far we've come (or not) this spring with getting ourselves and our horses ready for the first shoot of the year. Yes, it's time for the annual Mothers Day shoot. I alway find it difficult to have a shoot on Mothers Day. Not that I mind not being able to be waited on hand and foot for the entire day(yeah, right) because I'm too busy dressing, grooming and competing. My issue is alway finding a babysitter. Yup, that's my issue. A babysitter. No youth who appreciates mom's good cooking would dare to bug out on dear old mom on her day of pampering. Fortunately, due to the economy (there is a good side to everything!), after exhaughsting my long list of babysitters, I found Brooke. She is the best friend of one of my regular sitters (one who dares to not bug out!) and Brooke's Mom felt it best she take the opportunity to make some money while an opportunity presents itself. Now that's my kind of Mom!!
So Kitt and I are ready. At least as ready as we ever are for the first shoot of the season. Actually, I feel more ready than I have in the past at first shoots. I'm not too sure about how ready Kitt is though. She's been a bit off on her canter to the left. I started giving her some Vitamin E thinking it may be a bit of hind end weakness due to the lack of lush, green grass available. Ok, give credit to the vet for that suggestion. She's also still coming off of a few months winter rest and I find it does take a while to get back into the swing of things. I have a feeling as soon as she hears the gunfire she'll get a bit more kick in her step.
My husband, on the other hand, is more than ready. He's been consumed with bettering himself and the connection he has with his horse, Tucker. Last summer it took until mid July for Patrick to get in the mood. My how things change. This past fall he took a stock horse clinic at River Fare Farms in Webster with a clinician named Tom Neel. Well, my husband hasn't been the same rider since. There is more cowboy than I ever thought I'd see in my cyclist husband. He gets Tucker moving out, rolling back, changing leads like nothing I've ever seen him do with that horse. To say Patrick is ready for this first shoot is an understatement. He's not just ready, he's looking forward to whipping my butt! I can see it in his eyes. The Page family contest is much more important and competitive than any state, regional or even national competition we could ever compete in. It's a matter of family bragging rights. And we take every opportunity we get to brag to other family members and friends about who is on top at the moment. It's fun, especially when you get to be the bragger!
So this Mothers Day I'll get out and enjoy my horse and husband. That evening I'll enjoy my children and thank God for allowing me to be a Mother for there is nothing more important and special than that. I'll enjoy the day with a smile on my face, thinking about my Mother, Marie Woody, who watches me from heaven every day.
So let the games begin........