While others are clocking up money on the Visa card horse riders have almost paid their off - thanks to no entry fees!
It’s almost Christmas. You know this because the decorations have been up at Woolworths since the minute Green Moon won the Melbourne Cup. But aside from the incessant Christmas carols and the annual appearance of Home Alone on TV, there are a number of other signs alerting horse lovers to the fact that it’s almost Jesus’ birthday.
The flies are a giveaway – at this time of year they stick to horses like fat kids to toffee apples. Plus it’s been at least a month since you felt guilty about not bothering to put a heavy rug on your horse at night, or spent hundreds of dollars entering and driving to an event at the other end of the state.
Actually, the main reason you know it’s Christmas is that – unlike the rest of the population who are draining their bank accounts faster than their champagne glasses – you’re more financially stable than at any other point in the year.
You’ve almost paid off the credit card after twin trips to Adelaide and Equitana and, with no events on the radar, you can’t stop looking at your internet banking and admiring how quickly your savings are adding up.
Despite all this Christmas cheer however, there are two golden rules that need to be followed by all equestrian enthusiasts at this time of year.
1. Don’t buy horse presents for your partner
Practical presents are fine – for your dad. But the rules are very different for your partner. Regardless of whether they’ve asked for a horse-related present or not, if that’s all they find under the tree then there’s going to be a yuletide riot.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re male or female (but particularly female). And it doesn’t matter how good the present is (think Kingsland jodhpurs, Antares breastplate). If it’s something that goes on a horse – or goes on them while they’re riding a horse – then it’s only going to be effective as your backup gift.
The good news is that, if you have done all your Christmas shopping at your local saddlery and made the mistake of getting your partner a grooming kit for Christmas, there’s still time to hit the jewellers. If you don’t, you’d better be prepared for a frigid start to 2013.
Even the donkey had a day off
2. No horse riding on Christmas Day
I’m not at all religious, but I’ve always considered it a little wrong to go horse riding on Christmas Day. Because if there’s only one day a year that you should give your horse a break from doing circles, then it’s this one.
After all, even Mary and Joseph let the donkey have a day off on the 25th.
So go buy yourself a big bag of carrots, dump them in Mr Ed’s feed bin, give him a pat, put on your cleanest clothes and forget about horses for a few hours. There are 364 other days of the year for you to train your medium trot.
Merry Christmas horses!
On that thought, it’s time to sign off for 2012. It’s been another phenomenal eventing year, and with any luck 2013 will be even better.
Have a great Christmas and I hope you get lots of amazing (non-horsey) presents.
See you somewhere out there in 2013.
Hamish
