It’s a bit strange to have a horse show end on Saturday, and the Classic was to be my only class of the day. As always, I woke up nervous and hoping to end on a good note. It was a long wait to get through to the Jumpers in the afternoon.
Micaela Kennedy’s beautiful Pagani (known as Baby) started the day by winning the championship with young Sian – a perfect ending to a special horse show…
We were entertained watching other friends compete. Kris’ Kirin Farm riders Louise Chase on her new horse, Encore, and Ella Starr on Manny at his first horse show, were in the Tom Bass arena, which was quite chilly and very close to the train tracks. They were impressive keeping their concentration! And Louise won her final class, a great note to end on. Manny was well ridden for a good first horse show experience.
Young friends 
Old friends 
Louise is ready 
Louise and Encore on course
Manny and Ella on course 
Louise finishes a good trip
Allie Chick showed in the Adult Hunters. We have known her since she was a baby and always enjoy seeing her mother, Lynn Piper at this horse show…
Eventually, the jumpers started. Lindsey on Maple showed the way, and earned a 5th place in the Low Adult Classic with a double clear round. I was getting more nervous – all I wanted was a double clear round…
At about 4 PM, I was finally on Bart and he felt perfect – energetic and enthusiastic, but not wild. We warmed up well and went to the ring. We were next to last to go in the class of 9, and the horse before us was the first double clear round, though I didn’t know that.
Bart was fabulous – beyond anything I expected. He jumped around clear in the High Children’s / Adult Classic 1.15 meter (3’9″) and we went to the jump off assured of a primary color! I didn’t know that, of course, but Jane did. He was even better in the jump off than the first round! Double clear to finish the horse show, and into second place. Last to go was Claire on Zappa, who had won all three High Adult Classes. I was very excited that we had finished well and would get a yellow primary color ribbon, but poor Claire had a stop at the first jump! Bart won a red ribbon, our best finish ever. Needless to say, I was crying when I came out of the ring, because I was so happy. Poor Kris! We old ladies are crying after the Classic because we screwed up, or because we rode well. I don’t know how he puts up with us! We are so lucky.
Sherry is not as emotional as Jane and I tend to be. She and Eyecatcher (E.C.) had a great round in the AO Classic, but an unlucky 4 faults. Here she is feeding him sweet potatoes – he is a much loved and pampered horse (and an incredible jumper)…
Bart says “Let’s get out of here!” 
A full Hunter’s Moon rose in front of us as we drove…
Anyway, we were out of there by 6 PM and home by 10 PM. The drive was not so bad, given the good finish to the show, quite different from Kentucky, where I crashed around the Classic. Bart was delighted to be reunited with his herd of two, and there was a lovely display of brotherly love this morning…
Congratulations! Love the pictures, thanks 😎
Thanks, Linda – I love all your comments, wish you were still here at the shows…
Congrats!! Wish I had gone to a Royal, maybe next year!! Thank you for adding me, delightful to read theses posts all week!
Yes, you should have been there! Definitely put it on the calendar for next year!
Somebody video-ed your round and posted it on fb. You found every fence and rode soooo accurately! May it all stay alive in your memory till your last breath!
Superior!!!! Got to be a favorite red ribbon. Bart is awesome and clearly loving his job!
I’m so thrilled for you, and I’m especially glad that Jane posted a video of one of your rides. I especially liked Harry’s comment under the photo. I wish I could have seen it live, but Canada has been exquisite.