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To the "Show Moms" This Mother's Day
A simple 'thank you' doesn't seem enough.
Charlie Dice
May 11, 2025
In partnership with
Hey it’s Charlie!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, no matter what kind!
Today I wrote a thank-you poem for my mom and wanted to share it with you. If you grew up loving animals or showing livestock you’ll definitely be able to relate.
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Thank you for not saying no when I told you I wanted to ride horses.
Even though no one in our family had ever done it.
Thank you for not “protecting” me to the point of suffocating my dreams.
Even though I’m sure you were terrified to let your baby on a 1,200lb animal.
Thank you for working 2, sometimes 3 jobs as a single mom to ensure we had money for weekly lessons.
Even though I know I saw the exhaustion in your face and the worry in your eyes.
Thank you for sitting at the barn for hours watching me practice, no matter the weather.
Even though I know how much you hate being cold and had 100 other things to do.
Thank you for driving me all over creation to compete, so I could learn what it felt like to win, but also to lose gracefully.
Even though it meant giving up your precious time off to do it.
Thank you for fixing the holes in my show clothes because you wanted me to look and feel the part.
Even though I know you wished you just had the money to buy me the flashy new outfit the other kids had.
Thank you for allowing me to jump in and out of your car with mud, dust, hay, blood, poop and other stuff I can’t mention here.
Even though I know you were a neat freak and your friends would ask why your car smelled funny.
Thank you for the tough love when I threw teenage tantrums because I thought I knew everything.
Even though I didn’t and you also knew that.
Thank you for holding me and catching my tears when I had a bad ride, or a good one that the judge didn’t reward.
Even though I’m sure it hurt you to see me upset, more than it hurt me to “fail”.
Thank you for never questioning how passionate I am about my animals, and how at times I prioritized them over family functions.
Even though I know you had to answer awkward questions from relatives: “where is she? Why isn’t she here?”, and whatever else people judged you for.
Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and allowing me to always find your face along the rail.
Even if sometimes it was through a screen because (shockingly) you do have a life of your own.
And thank you for offering the same love and support to the next generation of showmen in our family.
Even though you may have wanted to enjoy your retirement in peace. 😉
Thank you.
Love,
Your crazy, horse-obsessed daughter.
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Until next time,
Charlie
📌P.S. Would love to know if you enjoyed the essay. Reach out and let me know what resonated!
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