Perfect Answers to Two Awkward Questions You'll Get From Family this Holiday Season | Adult Amateur Equestrian Edition

So, holidays are for spending time with family. What comes with being around family you haven't seen in a while? Conversations about anything and everything. Even those awkward questions your great aunt drops on you in the middle of family dinner that may leave you slack jawed and not sure how to respond. So, I thought I'd give you some ideas for answers to two questions that are sure to put you on the spot this holiday season.

No one likes to get super serious or in deep, meaningful conversation, especially with people we barely see throughout the year, when all I'm interested in doing is cramming all these delicous eats in my face -- and you better not be passive aggressive and say something stupid like, "are you sure you should be eating that?" Uhm, yep it's delicious and maybe I'll have another!

​Keep the serious convos for another day....or better yet, not at all?! I'm an adult and all, but come on, let me holiday in peace!

Do you have any others to add that you get asked by possibly [not-so] well-intentioned family during the holidays?

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Awkward Question #1: What are you plans for the future?

Answer: Well, I've got a busy winter coming up and we're looking to: [you've got a whole bunch of options, but here are just a few...]
1) move up into the [insert division]
2) be more competitive in the [insert division]
3) really focus on our flat work and reintroduce jumping this spring.

Many of us don't have super horse-savvy relatives, so start talking horse shows, training schedules, divisions, throw around the jumper heights (in meters!) even if you're a hunter. The more of a confused look that comes across their faces the better your chance for no follow up question.

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Awkward Question #2: Still single, huh?
​OR
​When are you getting married?

Ok, so there's two ways to answer this one, depending on your current love life situation -- and I'm not talking about the selfie you posted kissing your horse. *guilty*

Answer if yes, in fact you are still single: Well, when I can find a man that can keep up with me and knows he'll come second to my horse [only kinda kidding, right?!] then maybe I'll settle down. 
*the look on their faces may be group-text worthy to all your equestrian friends!*
 
Answer if you're dating someone but woah...marriage?!: I'm still training my guy on how to be the model horsey boyfriend, so when he perfects that maybe we'll talk.

*I mean, I knew my guy was the one when he used 'tacking up' and 'hacking around' in sentences properly! Love you babes!*

The whole idea of these answers is to throw them off guard so to not ask a follow up question. One of the best responses you can hope for is, "oh, that's nice dear," and maybe the'll move on to speaking with your cousin or oohing and aahing over your aunt and uncle's new baby.

Happy Holidays!