The Kirkwood Horse Show 2022

The weather was predicted to be pleasant, and Kris thought it would be a good idea to jump Bart around a course for the first time since Omaha, which was in May (!), so I entered. Old lady horse showing continues…

I do not have pictures from Friday’s schooling session. If Jane had taken a video of me trying to mount Bart, who was very excited to be away from home, there would have been much entertainment, and I might have been banned from horse showing. There was a great deal of cursing, but once I was on, Bart was delightful. Running off around the showgrounds vs. being ridden – he conceded the dispute to me (I had the latter position).

We had a nice school, then returned home for Bart to take a long rest. Early on Saturday morning, we loaded up and went to join Melissa, Susan, and Riley at the National Equestrian Center for the 59th annual Kirkwood Horse show. Jane came later, after riding Derry at home. I needed to get Bart into his stall at the show so that he could nap, which he did.

Showtime arrived midmorning with delightful, uncommonly cool weather for August, a risky time of year for horse showing in Missouri, especially the way the weather extremes have been. We lucked into a weekend of extremely perfect weather.

Bart and I did the Low Adult class, and he was perfect. We had a slow double clear round, and I was delighted. Susan and Riley were also good, and earned primary color ribbons in their classes. One class was enough for Bart, since he is not particularly fit, and he is, as usual, overweight. He’s working on that. Thanks to Jane, I have some pictures of Bart from the video.

On Sunday, I trailered back Bart over to the show, after he spent the night out with his herd at home. I made him promise not to eat too much rich grass, due to his weight issue, but I think he ignored me. In the end, I elected not to ride again. Bart had been perfect, the jumps were low, and it was more fun to get some pictures, which follow…

First, as at many horse shows, we had time to wait around. We went to the Indoor Ring and watched our friends Suzy and Lynne in the Derby (Suzy won it!). They are Master Hunter Riders, which sounds quite grand. It means they are over the age of 50. I wish we had Master Jumper Rider classes!

Riley and Susan rode really well, and Joseph and Teah (Galatea, officially) never touched a fence. Susan on Teah placed second in the Jumper Classic, with Riley on Joseph in third. It was fun to watch. Susan topped off the day with a blue ribbon in the Speed Class.

We took pictures of the Classic ribbons!

Riley rode Joseph back to the barn at the end of a good day. Luckily, the “end of the day” was only midday, allowing for a relaxed trip back to Kirksville, four hours away.

As for me, I returned the twenty minutes home to Harry and Weedy, and all the rest, happy to see Harry before he went to a late rehearsal. The Rose Tattoo opens this week!

Bart was extremely fresh when I turned him out for the night. He had spent his day at the show visiting friends and relaxing. Back to work Monday, Bart! The next old lady horse show will be a considerable step up!

Be safe, be well, be grateful for every day. Slava Ukraini! Peace.