While I was thrilled with her marks, I was not kidding myself about cross-country. For all four phases of endurance day, she would be working for about an hour. I didn’t know how she would mentally or physically handle that pressure.

As a competitor, I try to always be accountable for my horse’s welfare first and foremost. Only after that do I consider the results of a given weekend and make myself accountable for what I can do to improve the partnership moving forward.

For most people, collecting eight million points and a pair of wet breeches would be considered a failure, but for me it was the furthest I had ever gotten in an event.

The barn has taught me about unconditional love. The barn doesn’t care what you drove to get there, or what you are going home to. It is a haven for those who give it their all, and it will take everything you have to give. It will take your immaturity and give you discipline. It will take your excuses and give you failure. It will take your dreams and give you opportunity. But it makes no promises, picks no favorites, and spares no hardships.