Mark and I so often find ourselves on opposite sides in what we think is best. I don't know if it is a personality thing or what.
For example... I was ready for Jayden's rodeo season to end with her last college rodeo in the fall. I felt it would be good for her to take the rest of the fall and winter off. She could still ride her horses, keep them in shape, and start practicing some occasional roping. All of the riding would be done here at home in our arena. She could let the horses have a mental break from running barrels and Jayden a much needed break from running and hauling. I would like to see her focus on college, spend more time on campus going to activities, especially SALT. She wouldn't have the added stress of horses and have to hurry home all the time. She just started a new job and could put in some good hours and make money to spend on her horse fees. I think she could start back up in March legging up her horses and getting help from the OK trainers just in time to start up the season in April and May. That seems logical to me.
Mark on the other hand thinks that Jayden needs to find a barrel race every chance she gets. He wants her to compete every week and keep her horses running. He feels that the more she gets her horses into competition the better it is for both her and the horse. Nothing really seems too far, if she has to travel 2, 3 hours or even out of state. Cost doesn't seem a factor either. Some of these big shows you have to pay for stalls, office charges, and entries per horse. It adds up to big dollars. Jayden has to pay her own entries and she watches the expenses very close. In my logical thinking, taking one horse would be less money, less stress, less hassle and safer. Mark says if you are going you might as well take two, because its good practice. Mark also wants Jayden to take her horses to OK over Christmas break to tune them up, work with the trainers, and run more barrels. I think waiting until right before the spring season closer to competition makes more sense. If she does go to OK, I think he should travel with her. No way should she be going to OK alone on winter roads. Mark thinks she will be fine. He will be recovering from surgery so he doesn't think he will be going with her.
It isn't a matter of who is right and who is wrong. I just want to do what is best for Jayden, She is young and all this riding is so hard on her body. She is always so sore after a weekend. Many many times she ends up really sick after a big weekend. She is in college right now and that should be the priority. She will have her whole life to ride horses and run barrels. Mark is more competitive than I am, obviously. I think that is where we differ the most. I don't see the need to keep pushing, I think she will keep getting better in time. It is stressful and I worry about her traveling and hauling so much. I worry about her riding and running all the time too. It's part of being a mom, I worry too much. I know I need to trust and I do my best, but its still hard. I am working on staying out of the decisions more and letting Jayden make the choices. She is 19 and she has to figure these things out on her own. My job is to support and encourage her and I also spend a lot of time in prayer for her.
For example... I was ready for Jayden's rodeo season to end with her last college rodeo in the fall. I felt it would be good for her to take the rest of the fall and winter off. She could still ride her horses, keep them in shape, and start practicing some occasional roping. All of the riding would be done here at home in our arena. She could let the horses have a mental break from running barrels and Jayden a much needed break from running and hauling. I would like to see her focus on college, spend more time on campus going to activities, especially SALT. She wouldn't have the added stress of horses and have to hurry home all the time. She just started a new job and could put in some good hours and make money to spend on her horse fees. I think she could start back up in March legging up her horses and getting help from the OK trainers just in time to start up the season in April and May. That seems logical to me.
Mark on the other hand thinks that Jayden needs to find a barrel race every chance she gets. He wants her to compete every week and keep her horses running. He feels that the more she gets her horses into competition the better it is for both her and the horse. Nothing really seems too far, if she has to travel 2, 3 hours or even out of state. Cost doesn't seem a factor either. Some of these big shows you have to pay for stalls, office charges, and entries per horse. It adds up to big dollars. Jayden has to pay her own entries and she watches the expenses very close. In my logical thinking, taking one horse would be less money, less stress, less hassle and safer. Mark says if you are going you might as well take two, because its good practice. Mark also wants Jayden to take her horses to OK over Christmas break to tune them up, work with the trainers, and run more barrels. I think waiting until right before the spring season closer to competition makes more sense. If she does go to OK, I think he should travel with her. No way should she be going to OK alone on winter roads. Mark thinks she will be fine. He will be recovering from surgery so he doesn't think he will be going with her.
It isn't a matter of who is right and who is wrong. I just want to do what is best for Jayden, She is young and all this riding is so hard on her body. She is always so sore after a weekend. Many many times she ends up really sick after a big weekend. She is in college right now and that should be the priority. She will have her whole life to ride horses and run barrels. Mark is more competitive than I am, obviously. I think that is where we differ the most. I don't see the need to keep pushing, I think she will keep getting better in time. It is stressful and I worry about her traveling and hauling so much. I worry about her riding and running all the time too. It's part of being a mom, I worry too much. I know I need to trust and I do my best, but its still hard. I am working on staying out of the decisions more and letting Jayden make the choices. She is 19 and she has to figure these things out on her own. My job is to support and encourage her and I also spend a lot of time in prayer for her.
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