Gift
Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon
World Equestrian Center logo World Equestrian Center logo
  • Ocala
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
      • WEC Premier Cup
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Volunteers
    • Real Estate
      • Estate Lots
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dining
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Canine Shows
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Live Stream
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Become a Vendor
      • Vendor Application
    stay-with-us-lgBtn
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
      • WEC Premier Cup
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize list
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
      • Amenities
        • Dining
        • Shop
        • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
    HomenAway
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship
Gift Cards
This week at WEC Calendar Icon
WEC / Blog / Equestrian / Featured / Away in a Manger

Away in a Manger

24 Dec 18 | Wilmington, OH | SHARE

“As you go about your barn chores, remember that the place God chose for the birth of His only son was not a church or a palace, but a stable.” – Anonymous

In today’s hectic world where hustle and bustle often drowns out life’s most important moments, we need an escape now more than ever. Many people find this in the form of a yoga studio or a good book, but equestrians are a rare breed. We find our tranquility amidst shavings and hay, in the place where our souls are cleansed and our hearts are at ease. The barn is our sanctuary. We often visit to quietly reflect, speaking softly to our horses about our troubles and our worries. We lay our heads against theirs, closing our eyes and reveling in the silent strength of a bond that could only be understood by equestrians. We sit in the barn aisle on our tack trunks and listen to the inexplicably calming sound of horses eating their hay. It is not hard for us to imagine why God would choose a stable for the birthplace of his son.

While there are billions of places on Earth that could have sufficed as the birthplace of Jesus, God chose a stable. He did not choose a stark, clean room full of doctors. He did not choose a glorious place with a stunning view. He chose a simple stable with a small manger. While our barns tend to be much more elaborate than what most nativity scenes depict, our hearts are still drawn to the simplicity that makes our barns the havens that they are. While we all have stunning saddles and fancy horse trailers on our Christmas list, we know in our hearts that these things are not what drew us to the barn when we were young. Most of us had a fascination, and likely a deep connection, with horses. From the first time we sat on a horse’s back, the barn quickly became our favorite place to be. It did not matter if we were cleaning stalls or throwing hay, as long as we were in the barn, we were happy.

We all strive to be incredibly talented riders with successful horses, but we could not do any of this without our deep connection with the barn. We would not dedicate our lives (and our livelihoods) to animals that are truly unpredictable at the end of the day. We would not wake up early to make sure they have breakfast on time. We would not stay up late to check just one more time that all of the horses are comfortable. Our intense drive behind the passion we have for our industry does not stop at just the horse. The barn is where we feel most at home. We are so comfortable there, not just for the great friends and incredible trainers that are at the barn, but because, even if you took all of that away, we all know that our hearts would still be drawn to a horse’s stall.

In today’s world, we are quick to get caught up in the trends. We get so carried away trying to outdo one another that we often forget why we started doing something in the first place. So, tonight and tomorrow as you go about your barn chores, take a moment before rushing off to your Christmas festivities to sit in the aisle and enjoy the calmness of the barn. Give each horse an extra peppermint and a kiss on the nose. Let your heart be at peace and remember that God may have chosen a stable for the birth of His only son for the exact thing you are blessed enough to experience in that very moment.

 

Artwork courtesy of Ashley Cagle.

Post navigation

Previous: An Extraordinary Gift for Us All
Next: New Year, New Riding Goals

Recent Posts

  • Exhibitor Information for the 2023 WEC Premier Equitation Cup Championship Powered by Gary Yeomans Ford
    |  Shows
    Read
  • What’s Happening this Week at WEC – Ocala
    |  Shows
    Read
  • What’s Happening this Week at WEC – Wilmington
    |  Shows
    Read
  • A Free Weekend of Shopping, Entertainment and Fun: All for the Horses Expo Presented by Ariat International Inc. at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read
  • World Equestrian Center – Ocala 2023 Winter Spectacular Show Series Week III Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Winter Classic #6 Highlights
    |  Shows
    Read
  • Kelly-Baxley Makes Spectacular Grand Prix Debut on Grayton Beach at World Equestrian Center Dressage Show
    |  Shows
    Read
  • World Equestrian Center – Wilmington Recognizes Returning Sponsor Tribute Equine Nutrition
    |  Wilmington, OH
    Read
  • 7th Annual Furball Takes Center Stage at World Equestrian Center – Ocala
    |  Ocala, FL
    Read
  • Harold Chopping & Quadrant 3 Emerge Victorious in the $15,000 Taylor Harris Insurance Services 1.45m Jumper Classic at WEC – Ocala
    |  Shows
    Read

Categories

  • Magazine Issues
  • Shows
  • Results
  • Uncategorized
  • Equestrian News
  • Ocala, FL
  • Wilmington, OH
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Equestrian
  • Featured
  • Conventions & Trade shows
  • Weddings
  • News Releases
  • Visit

Our Affiliates

TAKE2 second career thoroughbred program
OPHA
us equestrian
ushja
ohio hunter jumper association
wisconsin hunter jumper association
hunter jumper association of michigan

Join Our Mailing List

Ocala

  • Equestrian Events
  • Visit
  • Real Estate
  • Conventions & Tradeshows
  • Sporting Events
  • Canine Shows
  • Weddings
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors

Wilmington

  • Equestrian Events
  • Stay
  • Facilities
  • Sponsors
  • Vendors
  • About

  • Events

  • Contact

  • Blog

  • Media

  • Worship

  • Careers

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala
  • The Gathering Place

Follow Us

  • WEC
  • Ocala
  • The Gathering Place
Contact Us
Ocala Equestrian Operations: 352.414.7900
Hotel Reservations: 866.478.9267
Wilmington Equestrian Operations: 937.382.0985
X
Quality. Class. Distinction.
Privacy Policy | User Agreement | © 2023 World Equestrian Center, Wilmington OH & Ocala FL, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
  • Ocala
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
      • WEC Premier Cup
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize List
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
      • Golf Cart Rental
      • Volunteers
    • Real Estate
      • Estate Lots
    • Conventions
      • Conventions Photo Gallery
    • Sporting Events
    • Visit
      • Stay
      • Shop
      • Dining
      • Resort Spa
      • Things to do in Ocala, FL
    • Canine Shows
    • Social Events
      • Catering Menus
      • Social Events Gallery
    • Facilities
      • Expo Centers
      • Arenas
      • Stabling
      • Veterinary Hospital
      • Chapel
      • Request for Proposal Form – Ocala, Florida
    • Live Stream
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Become a Vendor
      • Vendor Application
  • Wilmington
    • Equestrian Events
      • Spectators
      • Shows
      • WEC Premier Cup
      • Members and Exhibitors
        • Forms
        • Prize list
        • Membership Directory
        • Points Issue
        • Standings
        • Results
        • Horses
    • Facilities
      • Stabling
      • Arenas
      • Host an Event
      • Amenities
        • Dining
        • Shop
        • Dragonfly Academy
      • Chapel
    • Live Stream
    • Stay
      • Things to do in Wilmington, OH
    • Sponsors
      • Be a Sponsor
    • Vendors
      • Vendor Application
  • Events
  • Contact
  • About
    • FAQ
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
    • Careers
      • Ocala
      • Wilmington
  • Blog
  • Media
    • Media Accreditation Form
  • Worship