What if?

This post crossed my Facebook feed a couple weeks ago. 

I read it and laughed. 

If I woke up tomorrow morning and all horse shows and horse competitions were banned, gone, a thing of the past, never to return... Well, that would not change one single thing about my horse life. 

I'd still get up every morning and go to the barn to hang out with whichever mustang was living in my stall.

Soon, baby girl. Soon.

Of course, then I got to thinking. What if all model horse shows were banned, gone, a thing of the past, never to return... How would that affect my hobby life?

The truth is, not much, at least not now.

Although I absolutely enjoy the one or two shows I attend each year, competition is no longer a motivating factor for me in regards to the model horse hobby.

If this was my last big performance show hurrah, that would be okay.

Better than okay, really. I don't think I can top this.

Obviously, I would miss gathering with my friends and seeing all the pretty horses, but I feel like we could manage that without a show.

Right?

Definitely!

There's no doubt: If all model horse shows were to disappear overnight, 2025 Jennifer would be just fine.

But 2005 Jennifer or 2015 Jennifer?

Yeah, that's a whole different story.

Back then, I was hardcore into showing.

I thought about showing all the time and spent hours planning my performance entries.

I bought models specifically for the purpose of showing them.

Granted, I only bought horses I liked, but would I have bought this many or these specific ones without showing as a motivating factor? Probably not.

Without shows, I wouldn't have been able to afford them anyway.

Nearly everything I own was paid for by my model horse tack business.

Although there are some people who buy expensive model horse tack just for the sheer joy of owning it, the vast majority of my customers were motivated by competion.

Without model horse shows, I wouldn't have had a tack business.

Without model horse shows, I wouldn't have started this blog.

Without model horse shows, I wouldn't have gone as many places...

or done as many things.

Without model horse shows, I wouldn't have met so many of my favorite people.

Without model horse shows, my life would be so much... less.

If I woke up tomorrow and all model horse shows were banned, gone, a thing of the past, never to return, I would be okay, but also, I would be so sad. I love this part of the hobby and am deeply grateful for all the ways model horse showing has enriched my life.