Stress tigers

I had a dream about the upcoming Clash of Colors/Battle of Breeds show.

It was the morning of the show. I'd woken up bright and early, and Seth helped me load the car. Then I made the short drive to the show hall. The room was bigger than I'd expected and filled with out of town hobbyists, including Heather Jackson-Lain and Laura Skillern. I spent some time chatting with them, and then more time admiring Sandy Sanderson's HUGE mountain trail diorama. As show time drew near, I started to unpack my horses. Lo and behold! I had no horses to unpack. Instead my tubs were filled with books, dishes and other household goods. What?!! I told the show holder that there was some kind of mix-up, and she offered to hold the division for me, provided all the other performance showers agreed. She polled the entrants, and Heather Malone was the only one who was willing to wait. I decided to go home and get my stuff anyway, but when I walked out of the show hall, there was a tiger standing between me and my car. He looked hungry. Then I spotted two more tigers walking toward me. Since I did not want to get eaten, I went back in the show hall, got my camera and started taking photos. Then - finally - I woke up.

I think this is what my friend, Erin refers to as a classic model horse show stress dream.

The truth is, I do feel stressed about this show. 

I shouldn't. Clash of Colors/Battle of Breeds is my favorite kind of show. It has an extremely convenient location (less than ten miles from my home!), an innovative performance class list and lots of goodies. Just look at the "Horse Show Survival Kit" show holder, Renae Grinlaubs is giving to each entrant!

I started preparing for this show back in September. I made plans. I made lists.

I made tack. I made arrangements.

And then it all just kind of stopped.

Part of this is just the normal ebb and flow of life. There are only so many hours in the day, and it's impossible to fit everything in. Mostly, however, it's due to an ongoing hobby slump. This has effected not just my show prep, but multiple other hobby commitments. I feel as if I am impossibly behind on everything and will never, ever catch up.

I get exhausted just thinking about it.

I'm not giving up, though. Those tigers aren't going to get the best of me.