It’s Father’s Day on Eventing Nation! As part of our tradition of showing lots of love to Eventing parents, we have a couple of posts today celebrating the contribution of Dads to our great sport. Eventing Dads participate in many different ways, from the super involved Dads to the ‘I’d rather be golfing’ Dads, but they all undergo an incredible amount of stress and play an integral role in their families’ eventing experience. An eventing Mom, Linda Kriegel was kind enough to write a tribute to eventing Dads. Linda, along with husband Mike and daughter Ashley make a great eventing family. Thanks for writing this Linda and thank you for reading.
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From Linda:
Happy Father’s Day, Eventing Nation!
On this Father’s Day, I’d like to dedicate this to all the eventing Dads out there!
When their child first say they want to ride horses, these Dads don’t have a clue what they are getting themselves into. First, it’s just taking their child to a few lessons. Then comes leasing that first horse. Next it’s helping to hook up the little horse trailer and taking the time to help load the horse along with all the equipment while the Mom is frantically running around worrying that they don’t forget anything important. Then comes their son or daughter’s first competition.
While at the competition, the eventing Dad stands by and does whatever needs to be done–calming his daughter down when it looks like she will burst into tears at any moment from nervousness, fetching last minute forgotten items from the tack store trailer, and everything else that needs doing.
The eventing Dad is the one with the big grin on his face when his daughter finishes. While she maybe didn’t place, she completed the course which is the important thing. He keeps things in perspective.
Through the years, the eventing Dad comes to as many shows as possible. Sometimes he misses the dressage because someone has to work for the family. But he shows up later and always gives 100% percent support to his child, win or lose! He’s there to give a leg up when needed with a quick pat and “off you go,” and a comforting hug when things don’t go so well.
The Dad who’s there for the first blue ribbon as well as the agonizing emergency vet trips! The Dad who says “we’ll figure out how to pay for this show, just promise me you will do your best!” The Dad who schedules his vacation days based on the time and distance of farther and farther away upper level competitions! The Dad who works extra, just so his girl can reach her dreams!
So, on this Father’s Day, I’d like to thank all those true Eventing Dads out there. We love you and we need you.
Thank you for making this sport a truly family affair. Without eventing Dads, it wouldn’t be as much fun and maybe not even possible. Happy Father’s Day!
