Rusty, but excited to be back at a recognized show after a full year, Jane and I took Bart and Derry to the National Equestrian Center today for Schooling Day. Setup of our two stalls was a little slower than usual, being out of practice. Also, unfortunately, I forgot to have someone take a picture of Jane on Derry alongside me on Bart. Tomorrow, I will be the only rider, but today we both rode in the rings to exercise the horses, let them see the sights and realize they are not actually retired! Ash Duda, Kris’ assistant trainer, schooled me on my flatwork and was very helpful. I’m nervous, but looking forward to competing. Kris will be here next week.
The social aspect of horse showing is a big part of the fun, gathering with people we have known for many years, sharing the same passion.
Preparing for the show, we had a jumpfest last Saturday with our friend Ted and his friend, Cat. I schooled Bart and Derry around a course before they arrived, since their horses were greener than ours. Florence and Laura attended, and it was great fun. Just before the group arrived, I discovered two turtles having a tryst in the paddock. I now know that my friendly turtle is NOT a “he”. SHE has been given the name Frannie (from Francis, as in Saint Francis). Laura thought of Francis as a name that could be either a male or female moniker, but since I already had a horse named Francis, I feminized it to Frannie.
Leo is a very well bred warmblood youngster, and looks like he will be a super fancy hunter. Juniper is a diminutive but powerful Mustang jumper prospect. She was rounded up as a weanling and started as a ranch horse. Cat taught her to jump and they are now ambassadors for the Mustang breed. I learned a lot of encouraging information about the wild horses out west. Juniper came from Oregon originally. Leo, while internationally bred, was foaled here in Missouri. The stories behind horses (and people) are fascinating to me.
This morning, I fortunately got on my bike to go up to the mailbox. I had to get the chainsaw to clear the road for the horse trailer. Bart would have been very impatient if I had stopped before we even got out of the driveway!
When I returned home from the show, I gave Bart a bath. It was hot and I felt sorry for him, thinking he was probably tired. Ha! A moment’s inattention as I undid the halter, and that bad horse vamoosed out of the barn. I took my camera with me to collect him, but he was wild, and galloped all over the place. So much for being tired!
He may not be tired, but I am. More tomorrow…
Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
Marvelous adventures! I remember Cat and Juniper from a clinic at Hart Farms, nice! Enjoy your show!
Slava Ukraini
Peace
Good luck and have fun at the show!
See you there!
I loved the jump fest at your house and felt just as happy as you to learn of how carefully the BLM agents are working on training oppportunities and adoptions for mustangs like adorable, pudgy, talented, unflapppable Juniper, who sure lucked out getting picked by Cat.
The faces of those turtles are priceless. When I was a kid my parents had an acquaintance with an American who I believe was from Texas. I have the idea that he had a ranch. I used to dream about being on a ranch with horses. The only time I came close to meeting one was when I had a ride on a pony. It was such a tease! Such a lovely picture of Harry with the dogs.
That was a grand day! Good luck this week and next.
I’m so grateful for the hospitality and getting to share my experiences with mustangs (both Juniper and the Oregon wild ones). It was truly a wonderful day spent with new friends. Good Luck at the show this weekend, I hope to be able to come watch!