AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Michelle Freeman was named the United States National Reserve Champion - A/HA/AA Dressage First Level at the 2010 Arabian and Half Arabian Youth Nationals in Albuquerque, NM at the end of July.  She competed with her horse LP Snickers.  

 

"Youth Nationals, mom there’s no way I have any chance of doing well. We’ll drive all the way to New Mexico for nothing” This is what I said the day after we left regional’s, and everyone was pushing me to go to nationals. My mother’s response was what any mother would say “Michelle it’s all about trying your hardest and having a great time doing what you love! It’s not all about how you do.” So on July 25th my mother, sister Jessie, best friend Ali and I all set off for New Mexico. With my only goal was to beat half the class.

 

As I knew the drive there would turn out to be either a blast or a total bust. We left at four-thirty in the morning. That wasn’t the brightest idea; my mother was so sleepy because as soon as Jessie, Ali, and I got into the car we went right back to sleep. We ended up stopping four times before five-thirty. Then as soon as we got going we were off. When we got bored we talked about horses, or sang, and most of the time we sleep. We drove for about twelve hours to Texas. When we arrived there we stayed the night at the best place in the whole world, The Big Texan Steak House. That place was absolutely incredible. It was a horse hotel. So Snickers got to chill till we left bright and early the next morning to finish up the drive. When we went to get Snickers the next morning he was crabby because he had been in the trailer so long already, but he got over it after he ate some hay.

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When we arrived in New Mexico I couldn’t stop looking out the windows, it was literally like a post card. We took Snickers directly to his stall. Then we went off to look around at the fair grounds. The Indoor ridding arena was so enormous. There were so many horses; I know its youth nationals, but since this was my first time going I was so impressed by how many nice horses were there. Then it went through my head again I have no chance.

 

Well I had been in New Mexico for two days it was time for my first class. I was so nervous. I NEVER get nervous, I was so scared that I would mess up and ruin everything. I didn’t want to mess up. My mom had given up so much to get me there. Of course I go in the class and totally blow it. The first time I ask for the canter I completely get the wrong lead. I come out the class and walk past the judge and say thank you. Her response was sweetheart you can breathe now. I came out very upset; my sister said that there’s always tomorrow. I ended up getting 18th out of 37. I barely made my goal but I was so happy.

 

The next morning I was more nervous than anything. When I was getting my horse ready that day, my sister told me to relax, yah right that’s easier said then done. While I was warming up I had a mental break down, I knew this was my last chance. Out of no where my emotions went crazy, I started to cry. My sister took my away from everyone and started telling me what to do, and giving me pointers. Honestly I would have never been able to compose myself without her. Then I went in…I came out the happiest sixteen year old ever! I had an amazing ride. I didn’t care what I got, I was happy with how great he did. So we all went to go check the scores.

 

When we got to the score table, a woman was standing there looking too. She said what number are you? I said I’m not sure my name is Michelle Freeman and my horse’s name is snickers. She looked at me and said oh you just bumped my daughter out of reserve champion; you are reserve champion right now. I couldn’t believe her so I had to look for myself, ad she wasn’t lying! I was so happy I almost screamed! Then there were about two more horses to go, so we watched and waited. All I keep telling myself is that there’s no way. I went aback to go get Snickers for the award ceremony, no matter what I had a top ten, which would still be amazing! When I got back up there to the table I waited, then my mom walked over and told me I got it! I have never been any happier seeing that trophy knowing its mine. What went through my head is when I get home I can’t wait to show my dad, he will be so proud of me.

 

The trip home was just as fun as the trip there except for the fact we had so much to talk about. I could hardly sleep because I was so excited to go home and show everyone. When I got home I put snickers away, and went inside showed my dad. Oh was he proud of me. Then I took it to my grandmothers and showed her. Just because my dad and granny weren’t there they had a lot to do with me going. I only wish they could have been there. I will never forget this trip. It was once in a lifetime.