What's the most important thing you've ever forgotten for a lesson?

Later this this week, I'll be off to Louisiana for my next eventing clinic with the O'Connors. I'll get four days worth of lessons with David this time. As I think about and worry about packing, tell me what's the worst thing you ever forgot for a lesson and what did you do?

2010-05-25T13:20:14Z

It's funny that zeoul says 'the horse.' I always have 'daymares' that I packed the trailer so full there was no room for the horse.

Lyla's is funny. I have moments when I totally space out, too.

And Megan, I would totally get that helmet, but it might mess up my faux-hawk.

2010-05-25T20:54:35Z

Foxhunter - I never would have had the creativity to make up a story like that and sell it well enough to get away with it. I love it.

Meagan - Nu-uuhhh! I made it up first. :-b

See arr harr - You crack me up.

2010-05-25T20:56:17Z

I did forget my girth for a lesson once, but managed to borrow one.

The last time I has lessons with David, I didn't have spurs and had never used them. He actually took the spurs off his own boots and put them on mine the first day, and told me that I darn well better borrow some for day two.

Dazed and Confused2010-05-25T12:20:46Z

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Gah! I'm always so jealous that you go to clinics with them all the time. You are probably on a first name basis by now!!

Actually, my boots. LOL. I like to drive in my flip flops because driving in boots makes me almost wreck (the heel is like a leverage thing and makes me not use the brakes right lol). So I normally leave my boots in the back seat of my car. However, I guess I took them out of my car this once, so I arrived at lessons in flip flops and no boots. Fortunately my trainer had some paddock boots in the office I could borrow.

I've also forgotten my helmet before (used someone else's that day), forgotten a hair tie so my hair was loose and everywhere (guessing you won't have that problem!).

If I was going out of state to a clinic, I'd be sure to pack my boots, helmet, breeches, shirts, etc etc obviously.... and extra things, depending on how paranoid you are (extra reins in case yours break, etc).

Hope your gelding is up for it. Sounds like a blast.... I'm so jealous.

Anonymous2016-04-12T09:42:52Z

I forgot my chaps at a local show once. We made my dad drive the 40 minutes back and get them! I've had friends forget boots and borrow some, I've seen saddles forgotten, bridles forgotten, basically everything. When I was about 4 hours on my way to APHA World I realized I had forgotten my video camera. We almost turned around but then mom realized that she could take videos on her phone. It is always funny to see what people forget. I keep all of my show clothes in a bundle with a string tied around them so I don't forget an item. I keep all of the tack in the trailer and necessary random items on a shelf in the garage. It helps to get a routine down and have everything together in two or three areas.

Arburbula2010-05-25T13:42:41Z

Ok, this has to be the best question I've seen all day! I just love the answers!

Lyla, you had me howling pretty good!

I never really forget anything... I intentionally leave everything at the barn. If it comes home, it stays home, no fail. I have planned to ride and left my saddle at home after having to change the gullet size on it... I mean hey, bareback is bareback and I don't mind but I really wanted to use the saddle.

When my husband and I cleaned both the vehicles about a month ago, I surprised on the amount of stuff that had gone missing but was again found. Halter and lead rope, two brushes I had replaced thinking someone had borrowed them... I can't tell you how many hoof picks I always manage to find when I clean my car.

One year I had a a few carrots and an apple in a cheap produce bag and didn't realize that it had rolled under my seat. I could never figure out what the raunchy smell was so I cleaned out my car to find this disgusting mush that just REEKED... that hasn't happened since :\

horselover_22402010-05-25T13:54:47Z

I've certainly forgotten the girth a few times, saddle pads, and the worst is when I forgot my bridle. This was only so unfortunate because I didn't have a way to take my horse so was walking her down the road (30min walk). Got there and and no bridle! Had to walk all the way back to get it, and back again. In the end it worked out to a total of two hours walking... luckily I was going early to watch other people so had the time.... :( At least in your position you'll probably be able to borrow or buy anything you forget.

Yohanson2010-05-25T13:32:47Z

The bridle and bit. I have so many from over the years, so they get misplaced all the time. And that was for my barrel racing lesson, and it's kinda rare that two barrel racers use the same bit. (I don't know why, but a lot of barrel racers tend to think that the whole run depends solely on what bit they're using)


I used to forget my boots all the time, and my helmet like every other lesson. And for a while, I lived 40 minutes from the barn, so no turn arounds! I'm surprised I didn't get lice with as many different people's helmets I would wear..

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