I ' ll bite . Grew up on a farm with cows and tractors . One day , an old pony showed up in the pasture , and as a girl , it was expected that I would learn to ride . I eventually got my own horse , did the 4 H thing , had friends who all rode together , and generally had fun . Yes it was fun to show , but I wasn ' t one of those girls who had parents with unlimited funds . I spent all day in the barn , hung out with my horse , brushed , rode , brushed , and had a friend who never felt the need to talk back to me . Continued to ride in my 20 ' s , but life got in the way , and I eventually got out of the whole horse thing . 3 years ago , I got the bug again , bought a new horse to show , and jumped back in with both feet . I sold him earlier this year , and bought the show horse that I always wanted . I work full time to support my horse habit , don ' t have kids , and am having a great time . The horse likes the treats I bring him , I ride with other people who love beautiful animals and watching them perform . It ' s like any other passion that you may have , games , golf , cooking , working out . Some people have different levels of passion for their activities , and express it in different ways . Would I have a horse now if I didn ' t show ? Probably not because I like to compete , but its not the end of the world if you don ' t win , you just try harder next time . It ' s quite the thrill when you realize you ' re partners with a thousand pound animal who is at times unpredictable , when it comes together , it ' s a blast .