Cache County Fair Dressage Show
Cache County Fair Dressage Show
I am going to attempt to make this a pictoral review of my show with a few
words thrown in on the sides (but those who know me know that a 'few words' are
bound to multiply).
The day began at 5:00 when my alarm went off and I hopped in my little truck
and drove out to the stable. Charger had just finished his breakfast when I
arrived, so I brought him in and we began to braid. Now you must understand, I
don't pull his mane (for various reasons), so this takes a while, and despite
my best efforts, a few braids are rather fat.
Just as I finish Melissa arrives and grabs El Sol (her arab) and we throw
everything into her truck and (really tiny) trailer.
We arrive, register, and I miss my first class right off the bat. It was a
hunter hack (one jump), so I wasn't really worried. We start to get ready and
shortly thereafter my family arrives. They have been dying for me to show for
years, and they made up the majority of the audience. (my parents, grandma and
sister came, along with my new roomate Sarah)
It's good to know that at least one part of this couple is good
looking!!
(and see how tiny that trailer is!)
I'm wearing a borrowed shirt and jacket and hat. Gail is quite a bit smaller
than me, so the jacket doesn't really fit,. . .and the crevat????
Well, my sister couldn't figure it out, so now it's Dad's turn.
Although I had my test's read to me (Intro 2 and Training 2), I still tried to have
them in my head as much as possible, so my Dad's testing me (and I'm not
remembering a darn thing!)
Oh, and notice my new saddle!
(I've a camera happy mom)
Now,. . .how many people can brag they have a photogenic horse?
(and how about that obvious mental state on my part?)
And so we begin,. . .only we don't. After a very good warm up on lunge line and
in the side arena, my reader starts reading the wrong test. After the judge
called it, I just laughed and began again. Here we're crossing the diagonal (i
think).
I'm dropping my inside shoulder a little bit, but this is actually pretty
good.
This is my fault, I dropped my outside hand and did not maintian inside seat to
keep him rounded and on the bit, so see how stiff the neck is and the ear
that's back?
Not to say that he behaved perfectly, for in our second test he adamantly
refused to pick up his right lead(which is his good side of all things), and we
had a small argument there in the middle of our test.
Much better isn't it? And you should have seen the halt on this test. Perfectly
square and no resistance!
(he really can do it if I just get my act
together!)
We had a really good time. I was horribly pleased with Charger and we walked
away with a 4th and 5th place ribbon. Not bad for our second (all be it very
low key) show. When we returned to the stable Melissa's mother-in-law was
waiting for us with red carnations saying "Well, . . it wasn't quite the run
for the roses, but. . ."
Cooling off! and,. . .of course, a much deserved kiss.
(Charger actually liked my Dad showering him more than me, as my dad takes his
time and doesn't venture into scarry areas like his neck.)
Show was August 8, 1998.
Written September 5, 1998.
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