Preview Show Thursday

Bart suggested that he write the blog this evening.  He thinks his perspective is more pertinent.  It is, after all, a Horse Show. So…

It was a beautiful, cool morning, and luckily Anne was late coming out to bring us in for breakfast.  Stone and I were enjoying stuffing ourselves on extra grass, since the horse flies are almost gone.

As soon as I finished my meager feed, I took the first of my mandatory three to four daily naps.  The first is always the best and most important…

The barn was peaceful, with Anne and Harry gone to Wentzville to get bedding for us.  It’s important that they keep us comfortable in our stalls, as hard as we work.  I know Anne dreads unloading bedding, but it didn’t take her that long.  She’s a complainer!

At 11:30 Derry and Jane walked over.  Derry and I are good friends (I think she really likes me, because she always nickers at me – but who can blame her?).  We hopped into the trailer, Anne and Jane into the truck, and set off.  Of course, Anne saw a turtle in the road and had to stop to take pictures of it and move it out of the way, but otherwise it was a smooth trip.  Derry and I catch up on all the news as we travel. 

Another day at the show. Derry went to the ring before I did. She was in the .95 meter (3’) class. When she came back she was not very happy because she didn’t get a ribbon.  She said she spooked at the third jump and refused it, but jumped around after that. When she was done, no treats were forthcoming, because the humans hate refusals.   And furthermore, she had to jump some more jumps in the schooling area after the class to reinforce the lessons!  I decided I’d better not refuse…

I went in the 1 meter (3’3”) class, because I heard Kris say that with two classes on Friday, we should keep it easy for me.  It was a fun course, and I jumped around really well, if I do say so myself.  Anne stayed out of my way a bit better than she usually does, except for the turn to the in and out in the speed phase.  She got me to that so awkwardly that I used my patented, clever extra stride in the in and out.  I was very pleased with my prompt, double clear round (no old lady time faults today!).  Anne was somehow not as happy as she should have been.  I heard her say her one goal at this show had been to do the right numbers of strides in the in and outs.  Ha!  So much for that goal – she will have to ride better if she wants to do that.

In spite of Anne’s frustration, she did understand it was her own fault, and Kris was very happy with my trip for the most part.  So I received many treats and much praise.  And, I did win the class (of 10 entries)!!  Anne was able to add a blue ribbon to our banner.  I really don’t care about ribbons, but I do like treats! Especially since Anne is always worrying about my weight these days and has cruelly put my hay into a slow feed hay net.  No fun! It’s so boring, I have to visit with other horses and compare notes on being show horses.  I think my life is easier than most, apart from the starvation! Derry says Jane is always stingy with hay, too.  I think Anne learned it from her, though Melissa might have had an influence. Humans!  

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The old ladies’ friend, Louise, came to watch us today.  She seems to like horses a lot and Anne says one day she might get to sit on me.  I bet I would like that – she seems very nice.

We got home just after 5 PM – not a long day at all.  Derry and Jane walked home, I have written this blog, and as soon as the sun begins to set and horse flies are in bed, we Pearl Brothers and Stone will be out for the night on grass.  Yum!!