Blue Heron Show Weekend

Another late report. I plead a hectic life…

Amy Sertl Kuehler of Blue Skyy Stables and Dean and Jess Battaglia of Victorious Farm held a horse show at Blue Heron Farm (formerly Bridlespur) this past weekend. Harry and I lived at Bridlespur for five years, and it is a nostalgic and beautiful setting for a show.

The old ladies were delighted that jumpers were scheduled to start both Saturday and Sunday. Weather was perfect, with summer having finally loosened its grip on Friday, it was jacket cool!

The start time was moved up to 7 AM from 8 AM, which meant rising early after a late dinner with yet another brother, Mark, on Friday evening.

Jane found her way over in the pitch dark with Derry, and she and Stone were in the trailer and off to horse show at 6:15. We came within a whisker of crashing into a huge buck en route, but luck was with us. We missed him, and his friend showed wisdom, waiting to follow until we were past.

Stone was in the first three classes – again, just 2′ jumpers since this is a challenging venue, with many distractions. Horses can get quite excited at Bridlespur, as I have learned to my dismay in years past. But Stone was very sensible, and despite not having schooled, he marched right into the ring, with beautiful, colorful jumps provided by Mo’s Jumps, and jumped around like a veteran. Well, the first couple of jumps were a bit extravagant, but he soon leveled out…

Derry and Jane had two excellent trips in the Low Adult Jumpers (3′). Derry was very upset when she knocked down one jump, but apart from that, it was a great day.

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Susan and Melissa came from Kirksville. It was Susan’s return to the ring on Teah after a long summer off with a hip issue (Susan, that is). Teah was amazing, as always. It was fun to watch both of them on their lovely mares. Melissa showed Mia in the 3’3″ – 3’6″ division and made it look easy.

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Another social engagement made for an additional late night Saturday, and again the show start time was moved up to 7 AM for Sunday, so we were underway in the dark again.

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When we arrived, there was a hunter derby course set in the ring! They had run out of daylight on Saturday, so the Low Derby (2′) with about 8 entries was the first class of the morning on Sunday. There were bonus points for costumes in the class, so there were some surprising outfits, and Stone was quite horrified at first. It was great exposure for him, to see such strange sights and just hang out for a while. Our friends’ daughter, Kendahl, was second in the Derby, beaten by her good friend, Savannah, so it was fun to watch and catch up on the gossip.

Stone went without draw reins for the first time, and he was super! Harry’s trail horse WON both his Sunday classes (2′ jumpers) and was Champion Beginner Jumper. Now he really is ready to move up to some bigger jumps. He was very proud of himself and couldn’t wait to tell his herd mates about it!

Derry and Jane were even better than Saturday, with lovely, forward, loose rounds. It was a worthwhile horse show all round.

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Susan had a perfect trip in the Low Adult Jumpers on Teah, and Melissa and Mia once again jumped around with ease and aplomb. We were done before noon, departing with nice prizes (bags of carrots and apples for 1st place! – the horses loved that!)

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The Pearl Brothers congratulated each other on having dodged the horse show. Little does Bart realize that he will soon be going to the American Royal!