Defintely Coming from a Different Point of View

Whee, those jumps look scary in the Montserrat Arena.   Princess and I just completed the HMI Equestrian Classic Horse Show this last week.  Just us and 600+ horses cozying up at this double A rated show. After the last Amateur Owner Modified 3'3" hunter classes, I was delighted to hear I made the cut for a ribbon, and therefor needed to be off my horse, saddle removed, all sweat lines smudged out, and ready to jog her across the arena, so that the judge could assure soundness in all participants.  I think the people can limp all they need to.  Our 60 year old knees can be completely worn out, and that is why we ride and stopped playing tennis.  But the horses need to be sound as the dollar used to be.

Feeling ebullient, I started a conversation with the woman to my right holding her beautiful mare.  I had seen her round, she had some super long distances (taking off dramatically far from the base of the jump) without a flinch from her, all in a days work.  "Your horse has a lot of scope," I mentioned, giving this pronouncement with great insight.

"Yes, she is a 1.45 meter jumper learning her new job."  Background, and to repeat, our jumps were 3'3", our a half inch off ONE meter.  "And imagine," sniff, "we are hanging around to jog for a 6th place ribbon."

"Uh, er," becoming instantly nearly inarticulate, "we're jogging for 7th."  The sound of silence ensued.  But I was STILL jazzed.  Thank you, UP and Hugh.

Fiona Learns to Share

Just back from the Almaden Farms July show, in Watsonville, with so many stories to tell.  Fiona was a star. Stepping up, with her junior colleague, Hanalei, to the 1.10 meter classes, she won and won and got championship too. It was thrilling to see the big eared enthusiastic powerhouse maneuver the lines with aplomb.  She brought lots of bling back to the barn every day.  But finally, she had to share the spotlight with another bay mare.

A huge transition took place this show.  Princess was a nervous distracted scooting rabbit at previous shows. She did not exude the confidence of a capable calm hunter or equitation horse.  And the result showed.  But every show was a bit better and better, with a good round here and there.  But I really felt a difference this time.  She stopped being so distracted and nervous.  The poor thing had been exhausted after the first day of previous shows.  Toe tripping tired but still wired.  Like the babies who are too tired to fall asleep.  They thrash and reduce their already limited vocabulary to a simple, "No!"

She never really said no, she did jump the jumps, but showed an extra drain on the energy which was not good.  But this time, this show, she had a compliant and correct bend in the corners, neither cutting in or bulging out as evasive maneuvers.  She also moved up when I asked, held steady when asked, and loped in and out of the ring with alacrity, able to to much more than previous shows without the slightest appearance of fatigue.  All the unnecessary adrenalin did not drain her.  It was lovely.

Of course, winning the last class I entered at the show (Adult Eq 3') merely confirmed all my suspicions were correct, that I was reading the improvement in capabilities and not imagining them.  Again, a mother analogy (having tried it once, I am of course an expert), trying to avoid the "my kid can do no wrong" mentality.

There were buddies who shared this fun weekend. Hugh had three mounts, the above mentioned Fiona, Hanalei, and Holligan, all gaining experience and doing fabulously.  Lindsey on Capote did their first 3'3" courses (you read right, pleural, as in more than one 3'3" round) and was not nervous at all! Debbie marched around on Gypsy and won her share of blues.

Antonio, Ignacio, and Jose Antonio (in training) were especially helpful, from first morning light till late at night.  Home safe and sound, this was a weekend to remember.

Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds, not our lodging

Guy talk

 First day haul

I don't see you..., or

Do these wraps make my butt look fat?

Yum

UP had a stressful day at the office.  Her mom made a totally amateur move to the wrong distance and left her no option but to try her best.  Saddled with guilt, her mom foisted extra carrots and grazing and brushing all her favorite spots she can't reach on her own.  All she really wants is someone to sit still and chill, she knows what to do.  Good thing her godmother stepped in for some retail therapy.  Oh, right, that works on people.  She got bran instead!