I Know my Place in the Universe

Just finished a three day stint at Sonoma Horse Park, participating in the HMI June Classic Horse Show.  There were some firsts.  If I think about the novelty, the firsts, the unique events, this gig never gets boring.  First the first first.  Princess and I were in the under saddle equitaion class for people that can drive and pay their own horse show bills (meaning age 36 and over).  Princess knew it was a class and was on her best behavior.  In my mind, her head didn't go up more than an inch higher than it should, and she didn't bury it between her knees either.  She had impulsion but looked relaxed, not squeezed under pressure.  Nice prompt but not hurried transitions.  Some different activities than a normal class, plenty of sitting trot, a halt and a departure at the canter.  Fun stuff.  We lined up and my number was called first, I won the class.  Later I thought I imagined it, and asked the the back gait man, Anthony, if I misheard and snagged someone else's ribbon.  He said, yeah, the judge listed the numbers wrong but he let it go.  Really, a mistake.  I know my place in the universe.  6th in the real world. So the first first was imaginary, elusive, evanescent..

The second first was the 100 degree rule, jackets optional, and sunglasses very helpful.  I would have wilted off the saddle if I had to wear a jacket.  Check out the Men in Black look.

The third first was coaching.  Hugh had to get ready and walk the Grand Prix just when Jennifer was going to show.  There was a bit of a snag since he asked Jody as well and neither of us knew the other was asked. We chose the covered arena to stay cool.  Charlie was cautious in the beginning, but opened up his stride without going too fast and struck that just right balance.  Jennifer and Charlie did 3 nice rounds.  He scurried sideways when the judge stood up an coughed when they were not 10 feet away, right next to the judge's stand.  But Jennifer re-convinced him that there was no one chasing him, told him to chill and get his act together, and finished up nicely.  That was unanticipated, but probably unavoidable too.

The last first was jumping 3'3" in the PCHA Medal Class, first time with Princess at that height.  What a gas.  Walk in, pick up the canter and proceed to the first jump, an oxer, with no circle.  Roll back to the right for fence 2, roll back to the left and trot fence three.  We cleverly landed on the right lead and turned 270 degrees to fence 4, another oxer, building momentum in the turn to make the long distance that presented itself work.  She bent perfectly, I kept her haunches a little to the outside so they were travelling a longer track and therefore had to add power.  Up the 2 stride and down the diagonal and trot out of the arena.  6th place (a real sixth place this time, no mistakes) and very happy with the round.  And I had a fan club, HWTS Misfits and Ed and Rowena DeMayo.

That's all from the participant's blog.  See you next month!  Joan