Hi Reader,

It has been a minute since I've been in your inbox, and I've missed you! We got back from Pony Finals last week, and I'm not going to lie, coming back to real life has felt like a weird kind of slow burn.

Anyone else feel that way after a huge trip? Like you're standing in your kitchen but your brain is still in Kentucky?

Chloe and Phoebe placed 13th out of 97 in their division, with five clear rounds and a spot in the jump off. I am so, so proud of both of them. But, today's episode isn't about THEM.

It's about everything I thought I knew going into Pony Finals that turned out to be completely wrong.

• I thought we packed everything we needed. We didn't (hello, emergency broom purchase).
• I thought it would just be a bigger version of the shows we already knew. It wasn't, not even close.
• I thought grooms were for people who didn't want to do the work themselves. I was wrong about that too. Please don't judge my judgement.

I put it all in this week's episode, myths and all, plus a question I'm still turning over about whether a show like this is worth it if your kid and pony aren't fully ready for it. I'd genuinely love to know what you think.

All the Things I Got Wrong About Pony Finals

🎧 Listen on Apple​
🎧 Listen on Spotify​
🎧 Listen on the Broke Horse Moms site​

One more thing I didn't see coming: the winning and top-placing ponies were up for sale or lease BEFORE WE CROSSED THE VIRGINIA STATE LINE.

I was blown away.

When we bought Phoebe, I knew she'd be ours forever. I'd no more sell her than I would sell one of our kids (depending on the day, obvi). I know kids outgrow ponies because of biology and growing and all that science stuff. But I didn't expect to see sale and lease posts hit the Pony Jumpers USA Facebook group before the competition had even wrapped.

It was a reminder that this sport is a business for a lot of people, something I've known for a while but still felt in a new way standing there. I'm not sure what to do with that realization yet. I just wanted to put it out there.

🐎 Quick takeaways from Pony Finals

• Your horse can not wear bell boots during the jog OR the jog clinic. Ask me how we know?
• You can not, in fact, request a specific song to be played during your kid's round. #goalsfornextyear
• Gas golf carts have a bit more giddy up and go than electric ones.
• 85 degrees in Kentucky is the equivalent of 115 degrees in a sauna. Linen is my new best friend.
• The Pony Finals jumper ring is run like a well-oiled machine. Legit - it's what horse show dreams are made of. One rider hasn't even finished their course before the next is on the way in.

Finally, a HUGE thank you to Big Dee's Tack and Vet Supply for their continued support of the podcast and this whole journey of learning the ropes. They've been an incredible partner, open to our ideas and consistently exceeding expectations when YOU order from them, which is exactly the type of partner I aim to share with you. Keep the feedback coming, friend.

If you haven't tried them (or you're ready for a repeat order), use code BHM10 for 10% off your entire order, sale items included.

New collab with Big Dee's, coming soon: We updated our grooming kit before Pony Finals, and Phoebe looked extra gorgeous because of it and now, we're working on a collab for a grooming kit and starter tack trunk supplies.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

What's one thing you think everyone needs in their tack trunk early on in their horsey life?

I'll use your feedback as inspiration for the collab kit!

Inside leg, outside rein 🤷🏻‍♀️?
Angie

P.S. Love what we're doing here at Broke Horse Moms? Pop on over to https://buymeacoffee.com/brokehorsemoms and contribute as little as $1 to support us.

P.P.S. Missed a newsletter? See previous posts here.​