On Saturday, our 14-year-old cowgirl returned to the horse arena looking for redemption.
Our girl, who lives and breaths for the sport of barrel racing, had two weeks earlier participated in her first-ever true barrel competition. ... Sure, she's been riding and training with horses for a couple of years now, and last summer she even participated in some friendly horse community events. But this one, the NDSU Barrel Racing Awards Series, is a whole 'nother level!
These women and girls are serious about their sport, and this is about as competitive of a barrel racing series that we have in our area. ... I mean these women and girls can win cash at this series!
Well, two weeks ago, nerves and inexperience got the best of our Ava in her first real competition. And she didn't perform the way she wanted to.
In her first practice run, she came out of the gates and proceeded to run over -- yes, horse and all -- run over each of the three barrels. The poor girl was devastated. This was not the result she had been looking for after a couple of years of hard work.
Later that day, she did finish with a competitive run in which she only knocked down one barrel, which was progress in her parents' eyes. But, you know, that doesn't console a 14-year-old's heart.
So yesterday was a big day for our dream chaser. After a couple of more weeks of hard work and determination, Ava came back to the same arena looking for redemption. ... And boy did she find it!
She put the disappointment of the first event in her winter barrel race series behind her, set her fears aside and went after it yesterday! 👊❤️🔥
And it all paid off. ... In the second round, Ava even cashed in her division, and so not only did she ride a 15.73, she won money!!! Whoop! Whoop!
You could just see in the genuine, ear-to-ear smiles on her young face what that meant to our little cowgirl.
She has been working so hard these past couple of years to chase her dream, and it all is coming real for her. ... (Now, isn't there a nice little lesson in this for us adults! LOL!)
And luckily for her, she got to jump right back in the saddle today as this weekend's event was a two-day competition. ... And you know what? ... It only got better!
Today she posted a time that was about .8 seconds faster than her money-winning run yesterday. ... And the fuse is lit! 🔥 There is no turning back for this girl, and this weekend she found her redemption!
And that is why today, I am finding faith in our daughter's courage to pursue her dream!
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