Just like old times

If you've spent time with me recently, you might have heard me say that I barely remember my pre-pandemic life. It was so long ago and so many things have changed. That feels like ancient history and not terrible relevant to where I am now.

If pressed, however, I can cast my mind back and recall a few things. In regards to 2019, my memories are filled with model horse shows, model horse events and model horse people. 

That was the year I attended six shows in four states, three as a judge, two as an entrant and one as showholder. I also hosted NaMoPaiMo, cast about a million medallions on my back porch and attended a weekend China painting workshop with Karen Gerhardt.

It was a little overwhelming, but mostly it was wonderful.

The first part of 2020 was more of the same, plus Europe!

Then the pandemic happened, and everything just kind of... stopped.

I didn't attend another model horse show for eighteen months.

I've been to several since then, including three BreyerWests and one BreyerFest. 

I enjoyed all of them, and I still love the hobby, but truly, my life is different now. Nothing is the same, not even my Facebook feed. Where it used to be all models, all the time, now it's mostly real horse stuff, with an emphasis on mustangs, horse advocacy, gentler training methods and riding vacations.

a girl can dream

But not last weekend.

photo by Summer Poupore

Last weekend, my Facebook feed was absolutely flooded with model horse show photos from four separate live shows: Are You Kitten Me Live,

photo by Lara Heidkamp

Palmetto State Live,

photo by Samantha Ellis

BVG Live...

photo by Sara Bowman

and the River City Classic.

photo by Celsie Rae Abelt

There were show halls,

photo by Lara Heidkamp

there were horses,

photo by Summer Poupore

there were saddles,

photo by Sara Bowman

there were NaMoPaiMo horses,

photo by Sarah Pavolko

there were ribbons,

Rebecca Southwell, Erin Verscheure, Lara Heidkamp, Samantha Thompson

there was even some crazy lady in a pink shirt causing trouble.

photo by Lara Heidkamp

"Trouble".

photo by Tiffany Purdy

There were also a lot of cats.

photo by Macie Sowers

So many cats.

photo by Alexis Dedes

Not gonna lie, I covet this one.

photo by Sarah Pavolko

I can't remember the last time there were this many pictures from this many shows on my Facebook feed.

photo by Lara Heidkamp

It felt like 2019 all over again.

photo by Tiffany Purdy

I'm not sure I want to go back to my Before Times life permanently, but this was great.

photo by Amanda Bowe

I'm so glad the shows have come back in force. Thank you to everyone for sharing your pictures. I enjoyed every single one of them!