Let's see, I'm going to say the best thing that happened to me in 2003 is I FINALLY won a CHAMPIONSHIP. Unfortunately, it wasn't on my horse.
:( I have won several Reserve Championships (with my horse) but I had never won a Championship.

My friend had just had her first child and decided that she had to many horses. So she decided to sell her pretty little mare named Delight. Delight's name is perfect for her, because she is just that an absolute Delight! You couldn't ask for a sweeter or nicer horse.

Anyway, my friend wasn't using Delight for anything and decided to try and find her a good home. Delight had only been shown lightly, actually I think maybe once or twice. As a matter of fact, she had not been off the farm in about 2 or 3 years. Just hanging out in the field. So my friend asked me to work with her a little and take her to an Arabian Horse Show so she could show her off and try to sell her. To make a long story short, I worked with her twice a week for about a month to get her into shape. (Note the drive to my friend's house is 40 minutes one way.) And we took her to the show. I showed Delight in the Western Pleasure division (which I hadn't done in over a year because I am now showing Dressage) AND WE CLEANED UP!!! We not only pinned in every class we went in (one 3rd place, and 2 first places) but we also won the Championship!!! I was tickled pink!!! :D

Oh yeah, and since Delight did so well, my friend decided not to sell her. She is still living out in the pasture, being fat and happy! :)

(sorry so long but you said you wanted an essay)

the best moment of 2003 for me, that's a hard one.... I am not so sure that it's a moment but a dramatic change that I have made to my life. It would have to be moving out of my parent's house and out on my own. It was a rough transition in the very beginning. Moving out was always something that I thought about but never seemed realistic mainly financially. In June everything slowly began to come together work,school,finances,finding a compatible roomate if I were to make the move. For once I jumped before I really thought things through I took a chance on myself. I am growing in ways that I am not so sure I would of been able to while still living at home. I am finding myself so to speak. I am out on my own and yeah it can be scary but I am loving every minute the good as well as the bad. I love my roomie/sista' we have had some great times so far and I am sure that there are plenty more to come. It has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I am happy. I still get homesick and that's ok home is only an hour away and there's always room for me on the couch hehehe (they tore down my room and expanded the family room. Where my bed once was now a bar resides! :( )

For me the best moment was, well I had a few. The WC in Feb was a starter and got me back skating and if I would have gone I wouldn't be here now. Going to NY was a thrill. Moving to SLC was awesome and skating at the oval. Meeting Stephanie and Kip is up there. It was a good year.

Huhh..the best moment of my 2003? Shoot I'd hate to say it was meeting AAO finally..that would be a bit sad wouldn't it?

I guess I couldn't say one moment in particular but overall my Americorps year with my former non-profit was one of the best experiences of my life. I have become friends with people I would not have even met otherwise; I have grown immeasurably and have been changed profoundly. I look at the world differently.

I now champion the underdog because I understand how it feels to be in that position. I met and worked with kids I would never have known and I grew to understand them in simple yet fulfilling ways. The world is a different place for me; it is a place I want to leave an impact on; it is a place where I want to reach out and help others.

All that for a year of a poverty-level wages - who could beat that?!

I actually had two best moments in 2003. I won't talk about either of them here, because, well...that's just me. I will say that one happened in a bar, and the other happened in a hotel.

And whatever you're thinking is probably much less interesting than the actual story. ;)