The Power of Showing Up
- afenner
- Aug 8
- 2 min read
There are kids more naturally gifted. There are fancier horses. There are bigger budgets.
But none of that matters if you don’t show up.
We Show Up Even When It’s Tough
You don’t get better waiting for the perfect day. Rodeo life doesn’t offer many of those, anyway. The wind’s blowing sideways, the ground’s a little deep, the horse is a little fresh — and we go anyway.
We show up:
To learn the lesson hidden in the ugly run.
To feel what pressure feels like, even when it’s uncomfortable.
To support others, because community isn’t built from the couch.
Every ride matters, especially the ones that don’t go right. They build muscle — in your body and in your mindset.
Showing up means:
One more alleyway entered with a pounding heart.
One more moment learning to breathe through nerves.
One more chance to prove to yourself that you won’t quit.
Even a rough day in the arena beats a perfect day wishing you’d tried.
Effort Earns Respect
It’s easy to cheer for the winner. But in this world, effort stands taller than talent. We’re not impressed by perfect runs as much as we are by:
The kid who grooms their own horse, saddles alone, and still finds a way to smile.
The one who keeps entering after a string of no-times.
The one who tips a barrel and walks out still holding their head high and patting their horse.
Showing up teaches:
That pride isn’t only about winning.
That resilience is more valuable than buckles.
That heart matters.
And yes — that includes showing up when you’ve got nothing to prove and everything to learn.
Presence Builds Confidence
Confidence doesn’t come from trophies. It comes from time spent in the arena, with dirt on your jeans and a number on your back.
It’s built by warming up in the rain.
By hauling out and being the new kid.
By showing up to a clinic or a jackpot with the babies.
Every time they:
Trotting down the alley with shaking hands.
Run a pattern they’ve only practiced at home before.
Miss a check but gain a lesson —
They are building something stronger than confidence. They’re building identity. They’re becoming someone who shows up.
Final Thoughts
If you want your kid to grow into a gritty, grounded, capable human — don’t focus so much on how well they ride. Focus on how often they show up.
Because eventually, showing up becomes:
The muscle memory of courage.
The rhythm of responsibility.
The heartbeat of who they are becoming.
And that, more than any buckle, is the win that lasts.
--
Ann-Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
Comments