Cherish every moment of your show career. Every single moment. It goes by faster than you think. At nine years old, none of us thought that the next nine years would go by so quickly, but sure enough, they did. At nine years old, we never imagined how it would feel to never be able to show again, but sure enough, it all came too quickly.
When it's the last show season, you give it all you have and then some every single time. You spend more time in the barn than you ever have before because you know that it will all come to an end much too quickly. When it's the last show season, you take the time to clean and organize the trailer, because why not? When it's the last show season, you don't mind waking up at 4:00 a.m. to load your livestock and head to a jackpot show. When it's the last show season, you realize that early morning talks with your dad are so much more important than getting a couple extra hours of sleep in the passenger seat.
The last show season means one more chance at chasing banners. The last show season means leaving a lasting impression on those around you, so you better make sure that you're leaving a good one. The last show season makes you realize how thankful you are that your mom washed countless loads of dirty barn clothes and still loved you despite all the times you tracked sawdust through the house. The last show season means letting your younger siblings, nieces or nephews help with feeding time, even though you know it will take twice as long as it should. The last show season means helping a younger 4H member start their journey, just as your older sibling helped you start yours years ago.
The last show season means never wanting to leave the barn, even when it's pushing midnight. The last show season teaches you how to be thankful on the days you win and stay humble on the days you lose because you know that you tried your absolute best. The last show season means looking in the rear view mirror as you pull away from your favorite show with tears streaming down your cheeks because you know that next year you'll be a spectator instead of a showman.
Most importantly, when it's the last show season, you will find yourself looking back on all the memories you have made. You will look back on all of the lessons learned, the lifelong friendships that you have formed, all that you have accomplished and the strong work ethic that will stick with you forever. Your show career will leave a lasting impact on your life.
The last show season may be bittersweet, as it is the end of a major chapter of your life, but always remember all of the memories you have made along the way and look forward to starting the next chapter.
