Equestrian Snow Birds and the Winter Wellington Riding Circuit

My daughter spent her school break this spring down in Wellington, Florida. She went down to be a groom and stall hand for a nationally ranked dressage rider who is trying to qualify for the 2015 Pan American Games this July in Toronto. A holiday it was not! She was up before 6am to start tending horses and usually in bed by midnight after she finished tending horses. Only to repeat it again the next day...and the next. She had to go back to school for a rest. And, while she was absolutely exhausted, she had a great time and didn't want to come home. I guess that is what having a passion for horses and dressage is all about.

What I found interesting though is the number of kids that are down there with their horses competing. They send their horses down with their trainer/coach around Christmas and fly down for the various shows to compete. The trainer/coach continues to ride and train the horse while the kid is back at school. There was a great article in the New York Times today telling the story about these young equestrian snow birds and how they commute down to Wellington from New York every weekend to ride (http://nyti.ms/1y9geFR ). 

Some of the kids that my daughter competes against during the summer have their horses down there racking up qualifying points. I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, I think this is just another example of the ability to throw money at something to gain an advantage that most other kids won't get because their parents cannot afford the expense. But getting into this sport, you quickly realize that money buys advantage. And so, on the other hand, everyone is entitled to take every advantage they can in a competition (as long as it's within the rules - not like Lance Armstrong!).

I'll let you decide for yourself as to whether you think this is fair or unfair. All I know is that my daughter is quite cognizant of the cost of the sport and that the depth of the well is not endless. She appreciates all that she receives and contributes all that she can. And she has not once complained that she is missing out. She was just grateful for the experience - that she could go down and work during what was supposed to be a holiday. I guess, as a parent, that's all I can hope for - and that will surely serve her well as she continues on her life journey.

Yours truly,
DDD