All I have ever wanted to do is ride horses. I attended my first horse show in 1970, where I rode in the Second Year Hunters (3’9″) and the Junior Hunters (3’6″). That is hard to believe today, when riders are started over low jumps before they jump that high, but it was another world. At that horse show, I saw jumpers for the first time, and riding jumpers became my greatest aspiration.
It was many years before I rode a jumper. That first time was not a success. I made bad errors in all three classes, failing to win a ribbon at all, but learning a lot. One of the things horses will always teach us is to deal with disappointment. Showing jumpers is a roller coaster ride. Skill is necessary, but so is luck, and luck is mercurial. In my old age, my only real ambition is to participate and not embarrass myself or my trainer, Kris.
Susan has had a great week, a clean sweep of the blue ribbons in the Low Adult Jumper Division, and the Championship. Today was the Low Children’s / Adult Classic, a standalone class. This competition is for both adults (including old ladies) and children (under the age of 18). They have been jumping in separate divisions until today. There were 12 entries, and Susan on Galatea was a heavy favorite.
The old ladies had a huge support group on hand, waiting through ring delays to root for Bartholomew Fair (Bart), Irish Amber (Derry) and Galatea (Teah).
My dear friend (and former high school French teacher), Linda came all the way from Benld, Illinois. Louise and Pam were here, and Leslie. Sharon (leader of our upcoming bike trip) came to watch with a delightful adoptable dog, called Jury. And, of course, Harry and Weedy were in attendance.
I went early in the class on Bart. My dream was to jump double clear rounds on both horses, to finish on a good note. The crowd of onlookers made me extremely nervous, but Kris schooled me in his confident, low key manner and Bart was very energetic. I kept him in last night to ensure he had plenty of rest. Rest is Bart’s favorite activity.
Well, the rest worked! Bart had plenty of energy, and we had the best class of the entire two weeks today. He jumped double clear, and went into first place. With that desire realized, the pressure was on for Derry to go double clear.
I get a serious cardio workout waiting in the gate, but once we are on course, it’s too late to worry. Derry jumped so well in the warm up area that I was hopeful, and she did, indeed, rise to the occasion. She jumped a perfect first round, and Kris told me to go 15 miler per hour faster in the jump off. For once, I obeyed. Derry was double clear, and took over first place! The pressure was off, and I was happy to finish with good trips on both horses.
Then Susan’s roller coaster dipped. She had a beautiful, smooth round on Teah, but had the third jump down in the first round, with a light hind rub, for four faults. It was probably the only fence Teah even touched all week. Bad luck.
We took the horses back to their stalls after many pictures, and doling out many treats to those two magnificent Irish chestnuts. The class went along slowly, as they do, at small shows with three rings causing many trainer conflicts. By the time we loaded most of our stuff into the trailers, with Linda’s help, the show in Rings 1 and 2 was over, so we headed to the office to learn the results. Kris had departed for Kansas with instructions to let him know how we finished.
Honestly, we were astonished to learn that 20 year old Derry won the Classic and Bart was second to her! It was the best day horse showing that I have ever had. In addition to money, both first and second place were awarded saddle pads! And first place also received a coveted crystal glass, the best thing about the St. Louis National Charity Horse Show. Jane insisted that I take the crystal glass, which I will treasure forever. Kris gets much credit for his expert coaching and his tolerance of old ladies.
So, Galatea had one cheap rail in her last class of the show. Derry had been second in every other class, and won the Classic. Derry, 20 years old, kept in impeccable shape by Jane’s care, perfectly prepared by Kris, and cheered on by her many fans, did not have a single rail all week. Luck is capricious, and when it swings our way, is appreciated by the old ladies horse showing. What a fun week we have had, capped off by a great day!
Harry judged an art show this afternoon, with Weedy, who enjoys meeting artists. While I was cleaning out the trailer, Marilyn stopped by on Trigger and we had a fun visit. Meanwhile, Roy jumped into the water trough, so I had to clean it. No complaints, after such a convivial day. Stone enjoyed playing with the hose, anyway.
Be safe, be well, be lucky. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
It truly was an awesome day! Merci beaucoup et félicitations!
Merci, Linda!
Fantastic! Simply superb!
Thanks, Jane!
Wow! Congratulations!
Thanks, Judi. Skittle and Licorice send love!
YAY! Congratulations!
Did Jury find a home?
Slava Ukraini
Peace
Jury is still looking for a home, and I meant to get a picture of him, but my camera was back at the barn.
Spectacular! What a Fun day for the Old Ladies. A huge Congratulations!!!
Thanks, Diane!
Congratulations!
Thank you! Wish you were close enough to come and meet the horses.
What a great week, what a day! It was fun being part of the fan club.
It would not be a horse show without you, Janis!
Glad I found our blog site again. Congratulations on a fun week and epic classic!
Thanks, Marian! It was so good to see you, and your very special horse. I’m so glad you have a “real” one!
Fine for you old girls, but how did Harry do in the art show judging?
Haha, John, he must have done alright because nobody there rotten fruit at him! He did have Weedy assisting him, so even the people who didn’t win received a prize in petting Weedy.
So many congratulations to all! Your smile in the photos speaks volumes.
Thanks, Cat!
The was the best Blog! I got nervous reading the build up. You smile a lot naturally, but after winning twice you have the biggest smile ever!! It was not all luck!
Not as nervous as I was – both waiting at the in gate, and, even worse, reading your account of the fatal bear attack.
As always, it’s a true pleasure to see you at the shows! Congratulations on a fantastic weekend!
Thanks, Melinda!
I was thrilled to watch you ride back in the seventies…even more so now.
This could never have happened without you.
Aww. I love the comments between you and Harry, but that was THE MOST exciting horse show I have ever attended. What a week-end. I had no idea that Derry was 20 either. It’s fun to watch all of the jumpers, but having the nicest one of all, win it all, was just terrific. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!
Oh, thanks, Louise! Having video of the rounds was very instructive and provided illustrations – thank you! Maybe now you will be tempted to try jumpers!
Congratulations! As always, loved your report.
Love,
Jan
What wonderful news🐎💨🦄🍾🥂🎉👏👏!!! Congratulations to you, Hane and the horses, we wish we could have been there to cheer you on!! The photos and your diary are vivid and makes us feel like we were there ❤️! Hope to see you soon again 🤗
Jessica, Elin, Leah and Lotta
Huge congratulations on your success. Louise and Pam were so excited to tell me all about today at lessons. You, Harry ,Jane and of course the horses (also Weedy) are the best!!