Arabian Youth Nationals or Bust!!

Reflections from the Backcounter

Early morning riding, sore muscles, saddle sores and many tears have built the foundation for the highlight of the show season: Arabian Youth Nationals. In Albuquerque, New Mexico hundreds of youth from around the country come to experience the thrill of participation in a national competition. Accompanied by their entourage of parents, friends and family each competitor will have the chance to show their stuff and have a chance at winning the roses. This is an exciting time and we are packed and ready to go. After twenty two trips to Walmart, a returned bicycle rack and the purchase of a roof top cargo holder we are ready to hit the road albeit looking a lot like the Clampetts of Beverly Hills Hilbilly fame. Our roadster is adorned with the usual campaign slogan: Youth Nationals or bust and the driver (mom) is prepping for the 8 hour drive a thon by studying a map to determine where the Starbucks stops are...hopefully, evenly spaced two hours apart to allow for achievement of steady state caffeine levels.

Blog posts may be sparse in the next ten days but that all depends on the hotel internet access and my caffeination

Peace,

Julia