My mom and I have been very busy but we finally had time last night to sit and talk about what we did this weekend. The Triangle Farms show is one of our favorites. This show was the first show we have shipped Skittles in instead of renting a stall for the weekend. My mom picked me up on Friday after school and we went out to the barn to get ready for the show. I only had about thirty minutes to ride before it got too dark. I was able to practice my equitation and jump a couple of jumps. In the winter I do not get a lot of practice because it gets dark but in the sping and summer I actually have lessons on Friday nights before the shows.
After my ride my mom had to wash the pony. It was about thirty degrees outside so instead of giving him a full bath my mom decided to soak hot towels in shampoo and scrub him that way. He HATES getting clean. He stomped his feet and put his ears back. I think he does not really like my mom. Once we had him cleaned we put three blankets on him so he would stay warm as he dried. Ponies have wiskers on their face so we have to shave around his nose and mouth before shows and he tries to eat the razor. All of these things have to be done so he stands out in the show ring. While my mom worked with Skittles I had to clean my saddle and bridle. After we clean everything we have to pack our show trunk with everything we will need. My mom has a list she uses. She calls out to me what I need and I make sure it is in the trunk or ready to put on the trailer early the next morning. The last thing we do is wrap bandages around Skittles legs. Then we put him in his stall and hope he stays clean.
On Saturday and Sunday morning I had to get up at 6:30 a.m. to get ready for the show. My dad is in charge of packing food for us to eat at the show and my mom makes sure I have all of my clothes packed. Once we get to the show I find my trainer and tell her I am there. We usually have to lunge Skittles to make sure he is not fresh when he gets off the trailer. Lunging is done with a very long rope. Skittles trots and canters around in a circle while attached to the rope. After that I usually ride him in the warm up area so he can get familiar with everything around him. Once I finish riding my mom and I usually go and watch the other divisions and check to see how all of my friends are doing. When it is almost time for my classes I get dressed in my show clothes. Saturday was a good day. We got to show in the big arena which is very exciting. Skittles and I won our equitation over fences class and the warmup class. We got a second in our equitation on the flat class. Flat classes are ones that we do not jump. We got a second and third place in our other jumping classes. That is really good. I was very proud of Skittles and my coaches told me they thought we were great.
Me, Ashley, and George
On Sunday my brother and Ashley went to the show with us. Ashley was anxious to see how Skittles would do. She rode him three times this week and last week to get him ready for me to show. I had another really great surprise! My best freind McKenzie and her father also came out to the show grounds to hang out with us. McKenzie does not ride but loves horses and ponies so she helped me brush Skittles and get him ready. When it was time for me to show they were all there to cheer for me. We did alright on Sunday. I took a first place in my equitation on the flat class but when it was time for my equitation over fences I made a little boo boo. I asked Skittles for a lead change and missed it. I tried to get him to do it again and he did but he was already too close to the jump and missed the jump altogether. I was able to get him to circle and go over it the second time but it was too late and we did not get a ribbon. My other over fences went well and I got good ribbons in those classes. Skittles was very good.
Me and my best friend McKenzie
When we were done my trainers patted Skittles and told me I rode him very well. We packed up all of our things and loaded Skittles on the trailer. Before I left my trainer Jennifer asked me to take a picture with the other kids and all of our ribbons. After we all said goodbye we took Skittles home and got him settled in. I was very tired and fell asleep on the drive home. My mom and dad picked me up and put me in my bed at home without me even waking up. I did not wake up until Monday morning when it was time for school. Of course, after school on Monday I have to go to the barn and practice. I worked on seeing my leads correctly and no stirrups.
This Saturday I will be going to Jenn Johnston for a lesson. I have not seen Jenn for a couple of weeks and cannot wait to tell her how well Skittles did at the show. Ashley is going to go with us so she can ride with Jenn as well. I cannot wait!
Congratulations on a great show!!! I commend you for being realistic and posting about your refusals as well as your successes. It is important for people reading your blog to realize you can’t be perfect all the time.
Sounds like you did awesome!