Balancing A Careers with Your Passion for Riding & Showing Horses

Alright, so picture this: the alarm blares when it’s still dark outside. Half of the world is snuggled under their blankets, probably dreaming of something sweet or bizarre. And here I am, putting on an apron to get to my side job at 5 am. and trying not to trip over my sleepy feet. Yup, welcome to my life, where working two jobs is what it takes to keep things afloat. 

Week Mornings – Working Two Jobs

My pre-four-hour job before going to my real job. I decided to pick up some extra work at the Starbucks across the street almost a year ago. I thought it might be a no-brainer job that would get me health insurance and horse show money for an average of only 18 hr a week. Starbucks has fantastic benefits, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Working two jobs has been a lot for a 52-year-old, but riding and showing horses is not for someone with an average income. Have you read my blog post on what it costs to go to an A-rated worse show? This will give you a glimpse of what the costs are involved in going to a horse show. Famous last words. “I don’t want to be “horse poor”! Haha. 

Weekends are… Still Busy?

I’ve heard tales of people lounging on weekends. But me? I’m either working at Starbucks or brushing down Tino, practicing some much-needed flat work, or, on some adventurous days, trying not to fall flat in a horse show competition. Weekends? More like “weak knees” from all the working and riding!

My Planner is My BFF

Between Tino’s appointments (yes, horses have those) and my own work deadlines, I’d be lost without my trusty planner. It’s got horse doodles, stickers, and a lot of scribbles. But hey, it works (most of the time)!

Thank Heavens for Tech

Can we take a moment to appreciate technology? Without video calls and those nifty calendar apps, I’d probably be typing out work emails on Tino’s back… wait, there’s an idea! Tech and I are in a love-hate relationship. It’s great to be able to work from anywhere, but it’s also a real drag to work when at a horse show or on vacation. Our work has become so overstimulated with this form of technology. We never get a break from it. It’s not a healthy way to live. However, it does allow us to be able to work from almost anywhere. Well, there is some dualism for you. 

Fit as a Fiddle, NOT

I HAVE PACKED ON THE POUNDS since I have been working two jobs and one that provides all-you-can-drink beverages with a high sugar and cream content, a.k.a. “crack in a cup.” I’m not particularly proud of my choices, but ultimately, I determine what I consume. Navigating poor decisions and battling a sugar craving (more like an addiction) is genuinely challenging.

My Cheering Squad

From mom’s “ride safe” to having some of the best mates anyone could ask for, reminding me to take some time for myself, and my coworker’s “don’t bring hay into the meeting again,” I’ve got a whole gang who gets my dual-life chaos. They’re my unsung heroes.

Saddle Lessons for Office Life

You’d be amazed at how much Tino teaches me about my work. Like, if he’s fidgety, I’ve learned to be patient and understand what’s wrong. And isn’t that just like figuring out a tricky project at work? 

Celebrate, Even If It’s Silly!

Got that report done on time? Yay! Manage to get Tino to jump without us both looking like clowns? Double yay! Every little achievement deserves a pat on the back, or in Tino’s case, an extra carrot.

So, juggling two jobs and my passion for riding might sound like I’m in over my head, right? If you said yes, I agree! But trust me, with a sprinkle of madness and a dash of passion; I only have a short window of my life left to do this equestrian horse sport. With every year that passes, it gets more stressful on my body. However, I keep plugging away. After all, if Judy Blume taught us anything, it’s that life’s adventures, big or small, are worth every stumble and giggle.