Hmmm...just got up from a good 3 hours sleep. :) peppy was super in 1st short lap if coliseum earlier. The have a specific time for just reiners in coliseum at 9 tonight, so headed back to ride in a bit. For years I have just shown at small open shows doing pleasure and speed/game classes. In 2009 moved to doing the ranch horse association, because it was comfortable in feel to the open shows with similar classes and atmosphere. I have always wanted to do the reining, and the ranch shows opened that to me on a beginner level. As the ranch horse shows have grown bigger and opened us up to a more national level - it has allowed me to grow as a competitor, and given me a larger platform to show. The ranch horse association was great for this. Last year I showed at our regions NRHA level weekend shows, which opened me up to another level of showing again - which allowed me to spread my wings a little more. I also was able to show at the last AQHA Regional show that was to be held in our area - enabling me to qualify for 2014 AQHA Level 1 Championships. A lot of you have witnessed and been a part of this and your support and friendships are invaluable. :) Im reflecting on all of this, as I dont have much experience showing at the bigger shows and being able to come to this is very exciting. Going to the ranch horse world championship and this show today - biggest shows Ive ever ridden in - not necessarily by class entries, but location, preparation and atmosphere. We were met at the gate with a smile this morning, and checked in at show office and given a gift of things just for coming. . That was way cool. After a short ride in coliseum, Randy and were walking back to barn and stopped to watch the horses go in the warm up. I have to say I am very disappointed in the way the western pleasure horses were going - extremely over canted and so slow and up and down. One girl was riding around and horse openly bleeding from its mouth. The officials here acted quickly to handle after I made a trip to show office and reported- and I applaud them for that. Story was horse had cut its tongue in stall yesterday, and actually had the grounds vet attend to it. But the owner or trainer riding it anyway. Im posting my reflections on this, just because, as a small time show person, I come to bigger shows and wonder it all. Randy and I have talked about going the AQHA route with Chance next year - but the little we saw today - we are not willing to have our horse travel that way. Hopefully those that are still training over canted and crippled slow arent rewarded this week and that it isnt worth riding an obviously injured horse. Because if you didnt stay or hear the reasons, it was a very bad impression. However, I know that this kind of thing happens at any level in any breed association - and we did see many nice horses going around today - and I wish them the best of luck :) I will keep all of you on updates :) off to go ride!
Posted on: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:26:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015