06/07/2026
The day after the Stampede. 🤠
After months of planning, preparation, and anticipation, the 2026 Saddle Up Stampede is officially in the books.
This last week was filled with stress, anxiety, weather watches, backup plans, and all the last-minute details that come with trying to create something special. We wanted everything to go perfectly.
But the truth is, it never goes perfectly.
Judges make mistakes. Kids experience frustration and tears. Parents want the very best for their athletes. Lifts get missed. Athletes gas out. Timelines get adjusted. Unexpected challenges show up.
And that's okay.
Because that's where growth happens.
The obstacle course was full of unknowns. The workouts tested more than fitness. They tested confidence, adaptability, perseverance, and the willingness to keep moving forward when things don't go exactly as planned.
The same can be said for life.
As the day came to an end, this dark sky rolled in over the ranch. For days, that storm threatened our schedule and had us wondering if we'd even be able to run the competition as planned. Yet somehow, every event was completed exactly as scheduled. By the time awards rolled around, the rain was pouring down, but the work had already been done.
Standing there watching that storm move in was a powerful reminder that God is so good.
We spend so much time making plans, preparing, and trying to control every detail. But yesterday was a reminder that while we can make our plans, God is the one who directs our steps.
We are incredibly thankful for every volunteer, member, judge, family member, friend, vendor, sponsor, and athlete who made yesterday possible. It truly takes a village to pull off an event like this, and we couldn't have done it without you.
Most of all, we're grateful for the opportunity to gather, compete, cheer each other on, and create memories that will last far longer than any score sheet.
The Stampede may be over, but the lessons learned, friendships built, and confidence gained will continue long after the tents are packed away.
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." — Proverbs 16:9
God is good. Always. ❤️🤠🙏🏻
