Salem for the Region 4 Championships - Pre-Show Select Rider

Part 1

The evening's classes at the Arabian horse show seemed to be moving along a bit slower than I'd hoped. I guess I was thinking maybe they'd flow smoothly enough that Colleen would get to see my ride before she had to leave but that just didn't happen. With them both having to work early the next morning, they left the fairgrounds about two classes before mine was called into the ring.

Right after they left I made my way up to the warm-up ring with my horse. Heading for the horse chute to take the short-cut across the field something got to Legs. He spun around and stared out over the top of a huge mound of dirt like something important was out there. Trying to get the horse's attention back on getting to the ring, I could tell that the horse was a little bit buzzed.

Despite the horse's concerns about whatever lay out yonder in the darkness, Legs really tried hard for me in the warm-up arena. I didn't have to fight with him to slow him up or work to keep his attention. He was really giving me everything.

At one point as we worked down the long side, something crashed right beside us on the other side of the rail. The horse scooted his butt and threw his head up with a startled expression but rolled right over as soon as he connected with the curb. I could tell that he was rattled even more than he had been when we'd arrived but he was still giving me a nice ride. I was hoping we could get to the ring for the class before something else distracted him.

When the paddock announcer called the select rider ages 50 & over up to the gate, I was glad to get my horse headed away from this warm-up. This was the first time I'd ridden in a 50 & over class and I wasn't sure what to expect for the number of horses. I was surprised to see only three horses line-up behind us and follow us into the ring. That made this a smaller class than the other select rider classes I'd ridden in up to this time.

Legs went through the gate just a bit nervous. The horse wanted to look around as we rode into the ring and his jog was a bit faster than it had been in the warm-up. It didn't take long and he quickly settled down for me.

With the small number of horses in this class it didn't take long and the horses were all in the ring. By the time I cut across the arena next to the gazebo as directed by the ring steward, the gate was closed and the class was being judged.

We only jogged around the end before we were asked to lope. Leg's transition into the lope was much better than it had been. He started off slower and was staying slower than he had been at the previous show.
Right about the time I thought I could relax and enjoy this ride, I heard what sounded like an explosion right next to us in the stands. My horse jumped out from underneath me and for a minute I thought I was going to eat dirt. Actually it felt like he leapt into the air with a bit of a sideways movement, followed by three or four little leaps before the horse settled back in and went on down the rail.

The rest of the class I could feel the horse's heart pounding between my legs. It was clear he was absolutely terrified by still trying to please me. I don't know if it's visible on the video but every little noise sent a shudder through my horse. Despite that he kept on giving me his very best effort. He didn't scoot through the bridle or raise up one time. I doubt that anyone watching knew he had not gotten over that "explosion." I couldn't have been more proud of my horse than I was in that class.

With four horses in the class, Legs and I placed third even with our wreck. I learned later that the "explosion" had actually been a dropped cell phone. It had indeed been right next to us and the owner had mumbled an apology to my friends.

Looking at the video, I was pleased to see how much Legs has improved since the last show. He is much slower at both the jog and the lope although still not rated. If he continues to improve like this, he might actually be finished in the bridle by the end of the summer.



So take a peak at the video and tell me what you thing.

To be continued..........

Western Riding

The picture is of Angie's dog, Dakota, who is related to the boxer I lost a couple of years ago. Keep your fingers crossed for puppies this fall because I'm first on the list for another female.

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