Competition in Many Interests

Barrel Racing
Cutting it a bit wide

While I try not to be really competitive, as in competing with someone, in life in general, we all have to compete to some extent. I don't really compete to beat someone, but to have fun. Even writing is competitive in a sense, and we all would like to have others read and enjoy or learn something from what we write.

Happy Contractor

In contracting, things are by necessity competitive, as in submitting bids, to perform a contracted task, service or construction project. While some are only interested in the bottom line, that being cost, many others are also interested in the finished product, as well as the honesty and craftsmanship that is the quality of design, and installation of the contracted product. They are also interested in the reputation of the contractor(s) they deal with.

Well Bred Yorkshire Terrier

I enjoy playing games, which by their very nature are competitive, someone has to win, and someone also has to lose.

 When a dog or cat breeder/handler, shows their own or someone else's dog or cat, they are out to prove the animal they are showing is one of the very best available, and will improve the breed.

When I was showing my Boston Terrier, there was seldom real competition, as he was of the line of the winningest Boston Terriers in AKC history. Rocky seemed to know he was the best there, and seemed to say, "Im here, and the rest of you guys can just go on home." He got his championship in short order. Rocky had personality to spare, and energy that just didn't stop.

Jumping Horse

Even riding horses gets competitive, whether it's the horse or rider. When I rode almost daily, with a friend or friends, we often ran out horses full out when we were in a wide open area. They knew we were going to have some fun, and they were up and ready for it. Dusty loved barrel racing, pole bending, and keyhole, too. Yet, when we were just trail riding, she was eager and not out of control.

While a horse is barrel racing, pole bending, and performing keyhole, the horse is only mentally challenging itself, as there is no head to head running as in horse racing.  I never did barrels in shows, but certainly did with a friend, just for fun, to see how Dusty performed. We timed each other's horse to see if they actually had what it takes for the real thing. We were careful to place the barrels at official placement, too. Dusty had plenty of heart, and I recall her timing to be about 14.6 seconds to run the barrels. That is very respectable in anybody's time book.