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HI Spy: Embarrassing Moments

You go in for a job interview at a professional office dressed in your best business suit and feeling very confident and put-together. Things are going great until the interviewer points out that you have a bit of hay in your hair.



You’ve just finished telling your friend what a great bond you and your horse have, and that you’ve really earned his trust and respect, and as if on cue, he reaches out and bites you on the arm.



You’re out on a date and you’re having a good time, except that your date keeps asking, “Do you smell that? It smells like a barnyard in here.” You shrug your shoulders as you remember that you forgot to change your shoes after walking through the pasture to throw your horse his evening hay.

Horses keep their humans humble. No matter how experienced and confident you are as an equestrian, your equine friends won’t let you go too long without a reality check. Because of that, horse people are typically quite willing and able to laugh at themselves.

So ‘fess up. Tell us about your most embarrassing moment as an equestrian, whether it was an incident at the barn, a wardrobe malfunction at a show, an experience when part of your equestrian life followed you into the outside world, or something else entirely. Click “Submit a Comment” below and share your story. Some of our favorite responses could be published in a future issue of Horse Illustrated.

One selected response may be selected by the editors to win a monthly prize! If you would like to be eligible for the prize, please include your email address in the comment form (email addresses are not publicly displayed.)

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  • Probably the most embarrassing moment was when a friend and I were riding double on her morgan. We leaned to the side to go under a log and the saddle slipped. We ended up one on top of the other on the ground while the horse stood there and stared at us. Then we had to back the horse out from under the log in order to mount. The horse was also really tall, so we had to find a suitable log to mount from. We were all OK, but it was embarrassing and funny.

  • Probably when my horse farted when the judge asked us to back up for him.It was the loudest and smelliest one she had ever let out! I laughed but the judge remained completely serious! It was a really embarrassing moment!

  • Probably when I was jumping at Pony Club, my pony really loves to go fast so I guess I shoulda seen it coming...
    We were starting a stadium course and my instructor said "Leg on, but keep it steady!" So I did and we were fine untill we turned to the first fence. My pony saw the jump and started galloping, I tried to slow him down but he had the bit in his teeth! I managed to get him balanced before each fence, but in between them was a different story! Every time we landed I could feel him level out again! After the round I got scolded by my instructor, but she was laughing at the same time. You wouldn't even guess that this pony was 30!!!

  • I had just finished telling my friend (who is terrified by horses) that my horse Renegade would never, ever do anything to hurt him, and that shes always a sweetie, and he would be safe around her as i was feeding her a treat an she bit my finger and wouldn't let go!!!

  • The most embarrassing moment that I have come by with my horse was when we went to a clinic. I had been so exited about the clinic, and I was making sure that I didn't leave any of my horse's tack at home, and even brought a few extra doo-dad's......Then I show up at the clinic, and just when we're all supposed to ride, I notice that I forgot my riding boots!!!

  • At my first show of the 2011 season, I had a nice new pair of show pants to wear under my chaps. For one reason or another, I took my chaps off after my first couple events. Between events, I wandered around the show grounds with my horse. My horse is on the taller side, and I noticed when I stepped back in the stirrup that my pants didn't quite feel as tight as they were before. Turns out, they split right down the middle enough that my underwear was showing. Thank god for western saddles, as long as I stayed aboard by horse, no one would notice.

  • when riding in a local poker ride, i dismounted to eat lunch and my breeches riped right up the backside. Of course i was going comando that day!

  • when riding in a local poker ride, i dismounted to eat lunch and my breeches riped right up the backside. Of course i was going comando that day!

  • When I was a teen ager showing hunt seat equitation and won my division, I had to return to the arena with my horse in hand, something we'd never practiced at home. He refused to go back into the arena! I guess he'd had enough of showing for the day. They had to bring my trophy to the gate.

  • when riding at a local poker ride, my pants spilt right up the back as i was dismounting for lunch. Of course i was going comando that day!

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