10/10/2024
This is going to be a long post. But there is a statement I want to show all of you first. Here it is:
“I took my self out of the game.
I took myself out of the game when I chose to breed my good horse, the only competitive horse I had.
I took myself out of the game when I sold everything I had except for an un-started 2 year old
I took myself out of the game when I decided to put my family first during a really difficult time
I took myself out of the game when I pursued a career. A career that for a year took up 98% of my time.
I took myself out of the game when I mentally couldn’t handle the dedication and commitment playing the game required.
I took myself out of the game for way longer than I planned to.
And the game goes on, whether you’re playing it or not. There will always be other players ready to take your spot the second you pull back on the reins.
The people that used to cheer for me no longer do, the friends that used to encourage me no longer find me worth their time, the people that used to say they missed seeing me, no longer care to see me show up.
But the thing about the game, is that IT NEVER STOPS. And the beautiful part of it all, is that you can always choose to play again.
You may have chosen to take yourself out of it, but you can always choose to put yourself back in.
Choose to play again. Choose to come back to it, to find your love for it again. It’s okay to take yourself out. It’s okay to water other gardens and play other games, sometimes you need to. Sometimes those things are more important.
But the cool thing about this particular game.. you can always choose to play again.
It may be scary and a little more lonely than what you remember, and there may be no one that cares that you’re there, but YOU care that you’re there. And your HORSE cares that your there. And that’s all that matters.
Choose to play again.
Choose to show up.
Choose to try.
Choose to be brave, and strong.
Choose to be excited to be back at the bottom. No expectations, a clean slate. Choose to love the journey, YOUR journey, because it made you who you are.
Choose to play the game to the best of your ability no matter what happens, no matter what people say, no matter who cares that you’re there, because the comeback is always stronger than the set back.”
Written by-Kassi Bryk
Are y’all still with me? Sweet! The reason I wanted to post that statement is because it hit me hard. I stepped away from the show world because life took an abrupt left turn. It’s been five years. FIVE YEARS! Was I scared to come back? Yes. Was I worried? No. You want to know why? Every single Gypsy ranch welcomed me back with arms wide open. I felt like I was home again.
I went solo with my little yearling to Perry Georgia for the Gypsy Live show. The wonderful ladies from North Carolina made sure that pictures of me were taken. I can’t even tell you how much that means to me. They made sure that the ribbons won were displayed. I’m telling all of you right now…. Each and every one of you that were at the Perry Show…. Thank you all so so much. It was so hard to leave because I just wanted to hang out with all of you for just a little more time. When I say I love you all… I do.
So now for the comeback story. I did not expect much from the little Hellion except to not lose his mind. There is always a lot that happens at that show. But he exceeded my expectations and then some. So here were his placings:
The Storm Empire Horse
SD Empire X Westmoreland Hail Storm
Geldings 2 and under: unanimous First place
RESERVE CHAMPION GELDING under one judge
North American Bred JR Horse: unanimous 3rd out of 11 horses!
He had one hell of a show season. I am so so proud of my little dude.
