71, 70, 70, 71

I sat stride Milo waiting in the small chute for my draw on pattern. It had been nearly two years since I was in this situation, and my heart was pounding as I watched the other rider complete her pattern. Was it two spins to the right, or two to the left? I quickly ran through the pattern in my head:

Enter at the walk, stop facing judge. Lope off on left lead, first two circles large and fast, third circle small and slow. Complete two spins to the left.  Stop in center. I waved my finger in the air mimicking on small scale the written pattern.Lope off on right lead, first two circles large and fast, third circle small and slow. Stop in center. Complete two spins to the right, hesitate. Lope off on the left and complete a circle, changing leads in center. Continue on right lead another circle, changing leads in center. From that point on, I knew I had it nailed. The pattern would set me up for rundowns on the proper side, I just needed to remember to rollback into the fence and to stay 20 feet from the rail.

All too soon the gate steward swung open the green farm gate, and there I entered the pen, seeing the judge again after a few years. This judge I had taken a clinic with two years prior and remembered clearly his lack of enthusiasm for my horse. I tried to push that aside as I curtly nodded and began my lope to the left. We loped off nicely, Milo was between my reins well and I looked to the inside of my circles, constantly finding center upon my approach. Woah I breathed as we stopped in center. I made a mental note that the stop wasnt quality for the rundown, but that would have to wait. I began my spins to the left. Milo barely started to get his groove before the end of the second spin, cutting off his momentum as I halted him squarely. We loped off on the right lead, my circles felt wonderful as I watched our footfalls land directly in the curvature of the previous circles. I breathed back into the saddle and stopped squarely facing the judge. I set Milo up for two more spins to the right, again feeling as if just as soon as Milo got his foot placement right we were finished.

I breathed, finding my own center. We loped off to the left, and as we rounded halfway around the circle, I held my outside leg present to his hip, a reminder to keep it in place until I asked for a change. We came to center and Milo dove into the new lead. I put my now inside leg up to his shoulder to help guide him back to the circle, knowing there wasnt much I could school on now. Halfway around the new circle I picked up my rein, asking Milo to collect and come back to me to get ready for a new change. He easily changed at center once more. As we peaked the head of the rundown, I remembered Julie's advise to ride him fully around the corner, and slowly build some speed from there, but to make sure he was collected as we came around the corner. He felt good, and I started to count his stride as Julie suggested, trying to find the best moment to ask for the stop. One, Two, Three, One, Two, Three, One, Two, Three. I tried to sit deep on "three", forgetting to say the magic "W" word. Milo bounced a little. Was that two hops or one? Was that a timing issue or collection? I moved my hand forward slightly and urged him into the right lead rollback.

Milo loped out of the rollback nicely, square in his tracks and fairly freely into the lope. We reached the head of the rundown again, and once more I asked him to come back to me a bit. I didnt feel much, but I focused instead on the timing again. One, Two, Three, One, Two, Three...Woah. I barely breathed aloud, happy for the better hock engagement I received this time. I reached forward once more and smooched for the lope off. The final rundown was approaching - I needed to make this one count. In my head I counted my rhythm and stride again, but once more got a small bounce at the end. Picking up my hand I asked Milo for a back up, bumping him into it with my legs and looking to the marker cones for the right place to stop. We halted, and I glanced back at the judge, who didnt so much as nod or move. Well, I had indicated my completion, so I turned Milo back to leave the exit gate.

I heard the announcer state mine and my horse's name as I dismounted for the bit check. "A score of 71".

"A 71?" I couldnt believe it! I wrapped my arms around my painted horse's neck, slapping his off side with my hand in joy. "That's the best score we have ever gotten!" I exclaimed to the bored looking bit check girl, filling in for club volunteer hours. She approved my DM Lifter Bit, and out of breath, I led Milo back to the warm up pen. Clapping his neck a few more times from pride, then meeting up with my friends who had hauled to the big show with me.

My excitement was bubbling over, but I realized as I looked at the draw for the next class, Milo and I were second in. With only one run ahead of me, I quickly remounted and waited at the in-gate. I read over my new pattern, once more drawing figures in the air with my finger, trying to remember my new pattern. The butterflies ever present.

*****************************************

This was the first show for the NorthWest Reining Association, held in Lynden WA. I learned about the club three years ago and was eager to attend some of their shows which offered friendly, beginner, and modified classes, as well as full patterns for practice in those as well.  My problem was always the travel to get there, with Lynden being three hours from home and travel along I-5, a scary idea for me. But this year I had made friends with a few other local gals also interested in reining and was able to "horse-pool" with them to the show.

What an experience this show was. I had a real blast, and not just because I got the highest scores we have received to date, placing first, first, second, and first in our classes (with my smallest class being out of 12 people), but the camaraderie and support I received from my own small group as well as from complete strangers made the weekend a truly memorable one, and one I hope to repeat at their June show!

I had a wonderful time watching other riders in the Open classes, Rookie, and Non-Pro. Learning some valuable tips along the way as well, such as helping Milo to not dive into the new lead by continuing to look around the circle we just completed and only changing my glace to the new circle at the very moment I want the change. This helps to keep my subtle body language from not encouraging Milo to anticipate the lead change. I also had some great coaching on the spot from a "local" trainer, a friend of the folks I traveled with, who helped me reach my horse's timing better for the stop, set him up nicer for the rundown, and sit more squarely in the saddle for our spins, also encouraging me to bump my leg rather then hold steady pressure.

What an amazing weekend! I'm so happy we came back into the show pen strong and feeling good for the start of the season!

Fellow car-pooler and I. Check out my new outfit! :) And yes, she borrowed my other chinks. 

Moose's First Show!

So this was last weekend and I already need to update you on what happened this weekend, but first things first.

I have a friend who also has a pony/mini (stands one inch shorter then Moose), who invited me along with her and Beau to a mini/pony in hand gaming show in Roy, WA. The entry fee was $25 for the day including six patterns. Sounded like fun! And although we dont really do the in hand gaming stuff, I thought it would be great exposure for him at a low key show (schooling level) and a good test on our ground handling and manners.

We loaded up in her friend's large three horse Logan gooseneck, and I swore upon arrival the folks there expected to see six minis pop outta that thing, not just two!

Moose got pretty attached to Beau, which is definitely something to work on, but we had a great day. Aside from herd-bound issues, he never spooked at anything and didnt mind the arena at all. In fact, when we were in the arena and away from Beau, he was quite focused on the task at hand. It was only after we left the arena and Beau headed in that Moose started having some screaming fits. For the most part however, he remained pretty good about listening to me and my direction even in his fits.

We were signed up for all six patterns which included in hand barrels, key hole, flags, cal stake, speed barrels, and modified poles. Moose and I were in the Senior division, 17-39, and only had one other competitor, who was handling a cute bay pony/mini that Moose was entranced with. I think he felt like he recognized the mare, and maybe he did.

All in all, we finished the day with five first places and one second place which, by default, we received the high point medal for the day! Although our times beat out the only other competitor they werent even as fast as Beau's who was in the Super Senior Division and who also received high point for their division.

I was surprised by how many people came to the trailer and complimented Moose. He got compliments for his red color (which surprised me - hes just a red horse not even with spots like Milo!), how soft his coat is and how handle-able he was. It sure warmed a Mom's heart though and honestly I couldnt agree more. And man, I thought my pony was shaggy from the winter? Many of the other minis there had twice as long of coats and not nearly as soft as Moose's is. It just goes to show what daily maintenance and good feed will do for a horse. When asked how I keep him so clean and soft I replied that I just feed him black oil sunflower seeds in his handful of grain, and he gets brushed almost daily.

And as a pleasant surprise, I won one of the raffles from the day, a super cute hand-made green rope halter! Moose loved showing it off too.

I couldnt have been happier with his performance at his first outing! The club as other mini shows scheduled for this summer and some class lists include ground driving, which I am quite interested in going to as additional practice before cart driving.

Got the Photos!

Finally got the photos from the last two horse shows....they are all jumbled together...I dont really know which were from what shows. But who cares! :)

Looking like a Halter baby!! Makes a Momma proud. :)

Totally "horse-show" haha

My favorite, actually :)

Well That Didnt Go As Planned...(Added Photo)

I was really excited about this final show for Olympic Peninsula Zone in Port Angeles. I felt that it was finally my time to get a first place ribbon in the Novice Reiner class - I knew Milo had it in him. We left on another early morning trip up North, and as usual, we got there with enough time to spare and get Milo and I ready. Forms had already been pre-mailed to the show secretary, so all I had to do was get myself and Milo prepared.

Boyfriend suggested working Milo down pretty well today. I wasnt so sure that was a good idea. It was already hot and expected to reach the mid-eighties, and we were going into three reining classes. From experience, I didnt want Milo dragging too bad on the final run. But, Boyfriend had a good point though, because when I tried to load Milo up earlier that morning, he stopped cold and took a few efforts of coaxing to get in the trailer (even did the same thing on the way back home). When we arrived at the showgrounds, Milo seemed complacent; not in a bad mood, but not really in a very trying mood either. Maybe getting him to think about actually working was a good strategy this time.

So I prepared him faster then normal, although still in a calm manner (I really hate feeling rushed), and brought him into the arena with all the other reiners. He warmed up really well, was working nicely, I wasnt quite as soft in my seat as I could have been, but after noticing this was able to make a more conscious effort to be. I needed to get a couple lead changes in before being comfortable with getting off. Right after the last show I took the shim off of my saddle, which when K was out watching me ride, she suggested my doing so as it had been over a year of constantly using it. She thought it may have become a crutch in my riding and I needed to allow my left seatbone to become level with my right one, I had to agree. But since taking it off, I think I only did about four lead changes at home. I asked for a couple here now at the show, and boy were those first few sloppy. I had enough impulsion from Milo, but the change from left to right was still rough because I wasnt getting on my left seatbone well enough. I focused on it and remembered to sit back in my saddle without leaning forward. Then I got a couple of nice ones so I got off before Milo got too hot.

The first class was the same I had been doing all summer - Dave Reaume Memorial Novice Reiner, Pattern 12. I briefly glanced at the pattern, but I knew it! I had been doing it all summer long. I was first draw, can you guess what happened? I went to the wrong left. I got a quarter of the way around the first circle and thought, "well crap". Coming to center I joked to the judge, "I guess I'm schooling this now". She laughed. I couldnt believe I had made such a dumb mistake. This was the "easy class" - no lead changes, only one rollback, and it was novice friendly. I blew my chance at my first place ribbon today and blew my contention for Year End Awards. Oh well. The pattern was still ok, and it was good to get some things out of the way - like Milo's anticipated lead change, his anticipation to lope off when we needed to do two turnarounds, and it got me to practice a few stops and realize I needed to really roll my pelvis. She still scored each maneuver, and I think we would have had a 66 1/2. After looking at all the scores that day, she judged pretty rough. This class took -1/2 on left circles, -1 on left spins, -1/2 on right circles, -1/2 on right spins, -1/2 on right rollback, and -1/2 on stop and back.  I had a lot of questions by the end of the day on the judging...can someone point out what I have been doing awful wrong? For the circles the pattern doesnt call for a speed change or size, so I have been shooting for consistency, which still seems to get me minus points...I guess the scoring in reining still sort of gets me.

The next class was Reining 1st/2nd Year, and I briefly went over the pattern. Seemed pretty self-explanatory. Once I got in the arena though, I blanked after my first set of spins. Was it three circles to the left, or right? As it turned out, I went the right way, but did the order of the circles wrong. It was one large, one slow, one large, change lead, wash, repeat. I guess I really needed to READ what the pattern said and not just look at the picture. Oh well, Milo did well, I thought, I was happy with his run, although he still didnt come back to be very well for the small slow like I knew he could. We would have scored a 64 1/2, with a -1 1/2 on the left spins, -1 on right spins, 0 on right circles, -1 on left circles, -1 on left rollback, -1/2 on right rollback, and -1/2 on stop and back. How the heck did I get a -1 1/2 on the first spins? I know they were kinda rough, but that bad?

The last class was Open Reining, and after going off pattern a SECOND time, I read over the last pattern carefully, even chatted with one of the other reiners about it. I KNEW what this pattern was. Initially I was concerned because it was another run-in pattern, but I hoped for the best being first draw again, and decided I would walk Milo in and not stop, but lope right off, hopefully avoiding a charge-y take off. He loped off really nicely, stopped ok, but once we backed to center I completely blanked on which way to spin. So I hoped for the best, which was wrong. Wait, which way were we circling first? I headed to the left, and did my circles, Milo slowed down at a hum beautifully, lead change was nice, repeated. Rollbacks felt awesome, and I felt pretty good about the pattern. The judge got up at the end to check bits, and I asked her if I did the spins wrong. She said she felt sorry to tell me this, but the spins were wrong AND my circles were wrong. I was dumbfounded, I read that pattern carefully! How was the circles wrong? Apparently, it was slow then two fast, not two fast one slow. Freaking A, how on earth did I do EVERY pattern wrong?? I exited the arena feeling pretty stupid and defeated. Then I noticed that Boyfriend didnt record that one (of course, since it was the best one). "I thought you only had two" he said. "Then I saw you in the arena a third time" ... and... you didnt get out of the truck..? Oh well. The scores would have been -1/2 on run in, stop, back, -1/2 right spin, -1 left spin, 0 left circle, 0 right circle, 1/2 right rollback, 0 left rollback, 0 stop, total of 67 I think. 

I did get a lot of compliments on Milo though from some of the really nice Open Reiners. They mentioned how in just the last month of coming up to the shows he has greatly improved. Everyone recommended he needs slide plates on, and I agree. I'm still wondering why my trainer keeps saying no when he's really trying to bring his hind end underneath him. Im concerned that hes going to start hurting if we keep stopping without them, and cause him to not try and stop anymore. 

All in all, it was a good show, Milo did really well, I didnt seem to have my brain on, but it was still good to get out and compete. I think part of the problem with the patterns was that I normally write down all my patterns about two days before the show. It gives me time to read them over carefully and really get them committed to mind. I also think that drawing them out on paper really helps me visualize the pattern being ridden, and I can clearly differentiate between the circles. My next reining show is at the end of September, by then, who knows, we may have slide plates on, and I will have had a long time to figure out the pattern!

A gal at the show who took photos last time and this time is finishing up my CD, which I am eagerly looking forward to! But look what she just sent me! :D

Weekend Plans

We have another horse show this Saturday up in Port Angeles; the last for their summer series. I haven had a whole lot of time to devote on working towards it, just regular rides when I can. But in the middle of show season, theres not a whole lot you can add in for schooling.

I did, however, get a tip from one of the reiners at the last show for our fast to slow, and that is to teach them to slow at a hum. I got a tip from NRHA's Inside Reining DVDs to practice it from a large fast, to a stop or walk, then lope a couple slow smalls. It worked, initially, but that and the fact that one of our patterns this season has consisted of stopping between the two circles each time, he has begun to think about stopping, rather then just slowing down.

I worked on the hum cue briefly in the arena, and he was beginning to figure it out. Then last week we were out on the trail and I figured it would be a perfect time to work on it. We ended up just getting into a fight (well, really Milo just didnt slow down his pace, although I'm not sure he truly knew what I was asking), but in reality I was just getting frustrated, expecting perfection when I hadnt solidly taught him the cue. So after I slowed it down to a trot to jog with a hum cue, I called it good that day.

The next time I rode was a whole three days later (AND it was my Birthday weekend too - totally not fair I didnt get to see him! Darned work...) and it was hot and after a cart shift so I was tired. I tossed ole faithful pink bareback pad on and settled aboard.

I had a great ride. Not only did I reinforce the hum cue, but more importantly my horse felt so dead broke. I mean literally, he loped along consistently, sped up when I wanted, slowed down when asked, trotted nicely, did everything I asked without hesitation or complaint. It just was a great ride. And it made me appreciate my horse even more. All this hard work is paying off and I am starting to feel like my horse and I are really working together towards my goals. His strength is there and his mind is solid.

So this show coming up. I agreed to an extra couple of hours today, night before we haul out. From getting off at 315 and having a whole afternoon to get ready, now Im getting off at 845. I stressed for a moment on how I was going to bathe, band, and ride Milo before the next show. I figured I can bathe him this morning, and band him after work. Maybe give him a lunge too. Who needs to ride? Milo knows his job. Lets just hope I can be the rider he needs that day.

Neck Ribbon

Got a photo with Milos neck ribbon...its off Boyfriends phone, so ignore the lower quality. :)

PPHA/OPZ Two Day Show - Day Two

The morning started out brisk and early. I fed, watered, and cleaned Milo, found a .50 coffee, and added Paint/Pinto/Breeding Stock to my classes. At eight thirty I decided I really probably should get the pony ready and warmed up before the arena closed and classes started. I dragged him out of the stall and started getting ready. Once in the arena, he felt just as he always does in warm up: consistent, quiet, and moving well. I was draw two in the first class, which was the same pattern as yesterday, pattern 12.

Boyfriend got a phone call halfway through and put the camera down...?

I thought it was a pretty solid run. Milo did surge forward at the beginning or ask to gain speed at every stride. If I remember correctly, this judge gave us a 67.

I went over the next pattern in my head, again, another one I had never ran through before, pattern ten. We were draw number four and had to sit for a little while before heading in. Milo was starting to feel a little agitated and Im sure just wanted to be done showing. I trotted him in the grass a bit to try and get him thinking about work again, and headed into the arena. 

At center, the pattern called for a run down past center cone, then back to center. After the judge acknowledged us, I cued for the lope departure. Well, the video tells all. I decided right then and there as I reached for the reins with my other hand that this class would consist of all schooling. I would get cleaner lead changes with no rush afterwards and no dive in on the the shoulder. 

Immediately I knew that my second place tie from the day before had no merit now and I was out of the running. I was disappointed, but I felt that we recovered in the pattern well and it was more important to school Milo through it then let him get away with that behavior. 

Such a bummer that I had to correct a few things cause some of the maneuvers were our best yet! The spins to the left were better and the stops were pretty nice too! But, I think in the long run having schooled the class was better then not, especially now that at least once Milo didnt think that he could get away with whatever in the showpen. 

They immediately called out the placings and overall scores and placings from both days combined. Even with Milo's second day mishap, we placed third overall (of four) giving Milo a neck ribbon! His first one ever, lol. 

We stripped off the tack and was able to borrow a halter again, then quickly entered our final class, halter. When we trotted past the judge Milo got all snarky shaking his head but a couple bumps on the chain below his mouth got him to stop. He squared up nicely and stood quiet. But the judge today didnt like him as the one yesterday had, and we got third of three, and didnt go back in for championships. I undressed, and started packing up Milo's stall to get ready to head home. Then the show secretary told me to get my horse cause they needed us in the arena for overall halter placings. Overall in halter championship, Milo got fifth of six, lol, and received another neck ribbon. 

We finished packing and hit the road back home, just in time as it started raining a few minutes later. Overall though, even with some bobbles, I think it was a pretty successful weekend. 

PPHA/OPZ Two Day Show - Day One

I was really looking forward to this upcoming show. Held at the Clallam County Fairgrounds and offering really fun cool classes and prizes. We would have to stay the night with it being a two day show, and the award classes were combined totals from both days, but I was eager to get the full "show experience" again - you know, sleeping in a cold trailer, waking up early, buying coffee from a vendor in the morning, letting Milo sleep in a stall - the whole she-bang.

We hauled in Saturday morning, as I worked until ten Friday night. It was an early morning start and we got there an hour ahead of time. I took my time getting things settled, just like I had a few weeks prior at the last show. Found Milo's stall and got it prepped so I could easily put him in there when we were through. I slowly started wrapping Milo's legs, then get the saddle on. We got in the arena at 8:40, and had about ten minutes to ride before the tractor came through. Sounds like a small amount of time, but I really just needed to get him in there seeing the arena, jog a bit, lope a few circles, and know what I have. He felt just like he did last time - quiet and mellow. But I knew his little tricks that once we got into the pen he would most likely have woken up.

This show offered only two classes, the Dave Reaume Memorial Novice Reiner, as always, with a Champion directors chair going to the overall from both days, and Open Reining Sweepstakes class, with prizes to first and second. I vied for the chair award figuring that Open would be far too stiff of competition.

We entered our first class.

I went in two handed since the class allowed it, but after I did felt like I should have just gone with one-handed. I think I get too "handy" when using two and it might have contributed to some of our poorer maneuvers. We did pretty well, or at least it felt OK. He anticipated the lead changes almost every time we came through the center, which I think contributed to the poor stops at center. He just felt that he knew what he was supposed to do (lead change off to the new direction) and we had a little trouble after the first stop at center. Our turnarounds were lackluster (arent they always?) and I couldnt seem to round my pelvis under for our stops like I was getting better at doing at home. Oh well. We scored a 64 1/2 giving us second place in the class just behind a 65 1/2.

Class two was Open Reining and I was last draw for it. I watched as the real competition ran through her pattern and it was beautiful. Fast circles to slow, great stops, killer turnarounds, fast rollbacks. Definitely no way I was out running that pattern. Another competitor went off course, and the third too did a great run. I figured we would end up at the end, but at least this would be more time in the pen.

This was pattern number 3, one I had never done before and was kinds different (nicknamed the pattern that never ends). We started at a stand still to lope off and as we went down the rail and around to the other side, Milo felt pretty good. We came back up the other side, he tried to take off but came back. Decent stop. I totally did not calculate the space needed after the second turnaround to make it cleanly to the center, but we did - sort of LOL. The first set of circles were ok, although we still struggle with a good fast to slow. The first lead change was clean and nice, but the second Milo dived down into the circle and took off. What I liked about this pattern was the final rundown was not the first lope down the fence, but around to the other side, which was good so Milo had to wait before being able to gain speed down the rail. We got a little bitty slide on the stop. I completely spaced the immediate back up, but eventually did and began our turnarounds.

I was happy with the run as it was a difficult (and long) pattern that we had never done before. Imagine my surprise when we tied for second place! That meant that if I did well tomorrow too I might be able to win the Res Champion halter! I didnt focus on that though, but was just happy that we made it through the pattern - with a 65 1/2. This judge was pretty tough with her scores - even the winner (whom I thought got like a 72 or something) scored just a 68.

The announcer called that Paint/Pinto/Breeding Stock Halter class needed entries so on a whim and to help fill the class I said I would enter. I quickly found a halter to borrow (I only had our orange nylon one!) and stripped Milo of his saddle and wraps. Brushed out the saddle marks although he hadnt really sweat much, tossed my spurs off, then quickly got my number off my saddle and onto my back. Just like that we entered the arena.

Walk to the judge, trot away and into line. As we stood, trying to be square in line, Milo got bored and tried chewing on the chain. Fortunately, not when the judge stood next to us. She looked him over, I forgot how to quarter, but was happy it was only Halter not showmanship. She left, we struggled to stay square, and keep Milo from nibbling my hands. She looked us over one more time, then the results were in. Milo and I took first out of three! I was stunned. Milo always does bad in halter classes, but I guess the judge just really liked him.

I put him away in his stall and started changing. Then the announcer called all first and second place halter winners were coming back in for Halter Championships. In a flash I threw my shirt back on, but had already returned the halter. In we went in our orange nylon halter and brown rope lead. Milo was a little pissy as we trotted away, thinking he had been done. We watched as all the other nice horses came through and of eight or nine total, Milo got third! I was again amazed. This just really did like him! I wondered if maybe it wouldnt hurt to start giving halter classes a try. Later on in the day a woman came up to me and questioned why at the last show we hadnt gone into halter. Maybe we were turning a new leaf...

I was done with classes for the day and set up my jewelry stand. I sold a couple items, then Boyfriend and his Mom (who had made the drive up with us) and I left to get some food. It was three o'clock and I hadnt eaten anything since 5:30. We enjoyed some good food and when we got back, Boyfriend slept in the trailer, I worked on some homework, then trail classes started at 6pm. I watched the classes and thought to myself that we should have gone into beginner trail. Oh well. Good runs, average runs, but it was fun to watch. Once all the classes were over I tacked Milo back up to school a bit in the arena again. I really wasnt happy with his mind of his own. We worked on loping consistently without every other stride one he tried to pick up speed after. We counter cantered, didnt do any lead changes, and overall, made him wait for my signals. It was a good ride. We even had the best stop of our life! I was so proud I made Boyfriend come look at the skid marks.

We got into "bed" at about 11 pm, with another early wake up the next day.

Show Pictures

The show secretary at the Port Angeles show took some pictures of Milo and I, and was kind enough to email them to me. I think they turned out really nice!! 

Finally broke that 70 barrier!!

I was really looking forward to this upcoming show. Three reining classes were being offered at the Olympic Peninsula Zone show, at a location I really enjoy showing at and in classes that are my favorite. This show would could towards PAC points for Milo as well.

The show grounds is about an hour and forty minutes away, and with reining the first classes at 9 am, that meant an early start, considering I wanted to get there with time to spare. I quickly got Milo ready Saturday afternoon, as that evening I would be selling my jewelry at the local rodeo and would be there until late. I took Milo on the trail with a friend earlier in the afternoon and was able to secure four nice lead changes and a speed change, enough to still feel good about leaving for the show.

We woke up bright and early at 5am with about five hours of sleep before. Milo had been locked in his stall due to the weather and mud outside and when I arrived at the barn in the early morning I saw that the adjacent horse's automatic water had again leaked all over the floor and into Milo's stall. I was happy I had decided to dump a little extra bedding into his stall. Despite the conditions, he had some dried shavings stuck to his sheet on both sides so I felt confident that at least he had slept well, unlike myself.

From the activities the night before, I hadnt had the opportunity to pre-load my trailer which meant I had to remember everything the morning of. I almost forgot my hat box at the house with not only my two hats, but my show shirt, my numbers, safety pins and Milo's registration papers all inside, but did actually forget all of my brushes back at the barn. Thank goodness for having a back up brush that lives in my trailer so at least I had something.

I mildly slept on the haul up north, and we arrived just as scheduled at 8 am. I checked in with the show office to make sure they had received my pre-entry, and to show my registration papers. I was groggy and barely awake (also hadnt had coffee) but already the atmosphere was cheerful and friendly. The arena had been scheduled to close at 8:30 to offer the last half hour to exclusive use from the reiners, so I figured to avoid over schooling, I would get on by 8:30 and spend the next half hour slowly getting things ready and giving Milo and I both a chance to breathe.

After I realized the brushes were missing, I unpacked my white polos and realized I had never washed them since last summer's shows at this same location. The ones that had been used on the rear had been defecated on and I knew none would be better then dirty. However, the fronts were still nice and clean so Milo sported polos on the front. I took my time wrapping them perfectly, then got the saddle positioned just right and my show numbers pinned to my saddle blanket. I touched up the quick bands from the day before and put the bridle on, getting in the saddle right at 8:30.

We walked the perimeter of the arena a few laps, letting Milo check out the arena he hasnt been to since last September. But he didnt mind anything and eventually we moved into the jog. I felt pretty good in my body once we started moving, and I tested our buttons for shaping. Everything I needed was there. I moved him into the lope and he was slow and a little sluggish, even breaking to the jog and needed coaxing to get going again. But the lope quality was really nice and I figured slow and correct would be our pace for the day.

They wanted to drag the arena because most of the reiners had been practicing for nearly an hour and the show management figured they had enough time. I had only been in the arena for about five minutes, and when they announces us to clear the arena I really quickly cut the diagonal to ask for a lead change. We got an ok one to the hard direction, and although it was delayed I seemed to be able to get my right seatbone out of the saddle. I figured even if thats all the warm up I got, at least I had a general idea of what horse I had today. I wondered if the long haul and gloomy day put him in his pokey mood. He cared most about his hay bag.

I had written down the three patterns I needed to memorize a couple days prior to the show. Although I never practiced them with Milo, I made it a point to remember them ahead of the show (but still brought my patterns to the show with me). Although I can remember patterns pretty well, my strategy is to only focus on the one at hand until that class is over - fortunately (or...unfortunately maybe) reining patterns are all pretty similar of course, with only the sequence of the elements changed. My first class in I was last draw, but didnt need to watch the others to ensure I knew the pattern - it was the same one I ran for this same class last year (twice) and was a fairly easy pattern anyway. 


I jogged Milo back and forth across the grass alongside the arena, noticing Milo was kind of everywhere with his shoulders. I opted to go in two-handed for the class thinking the novice class would be the best to treat as a "schooling run", especially with no speed change in our circles and no lead change to get Milo excited. I was finally called in after the other four riders (which I was so happy there was actually a good turnout), nerves not taking over like I had expected. The slow pace of the morning and the quiet atmosphere, combined with a pretty low-key warm up really kept me feeling calm about the classes.

He sure jumped into that first set of circles! And I thought, wait a minute!! Where was the super pokey quiet horse from warm up? But I was happy with the run and felt that we got out of the way what we needed. After the second set of circles we came to center and Milo prepared himself to change leads. Unfortunately for him, we were stopping at center, fortunately for me because it was an excellent opportunity to school him on waiting for lead changes. Although all of the spins in the day were lackluster, I felt the rest of the pattern went smoothly. We actually scored a 68 1/2 (pending 69 1/2 as they added the score wrong...) and a 71 1/2!! Can you believe it?? We actually scored not only a perfect 70, but gained plus halves as well! Combined score: 140 (pending 141). Heres the breakdown:

We are #17 - you can see on the left that the score was added wrong, I am working with show management to correct my points for OPZ and PAC

We were draw four for the next class, and I briefly went over the pattern in my head, but was reconfirmed of it by watching the other goes. I was really excited for this class for a couple reasons - it asked for lead changes and I really hoped we would get them but seeing as he had been so consistent at home I was hoping it would work out well, and we also had never ran this pattern before (pattern #5). 

My hear was still pounding when I was done with the pattern - it was so much fun!! Milo clearly got some energy in this run and overall I was happy. We just started working on clean speed changes this last week, which I think helped some, but its definitely an area to improve on and help get some pluses in circles. He has been a real tricker on his turnarounds and clearly is on the outside leg...its so hard to correct at home when I cant see that hes doing that!! Our lead changes were spot on and he didnt rush out of them I was so happy with that. And our second stop wasnt half bad but I didnt smooch to him out of it so there were a few trot steps. Again, overall I was really happy and got some compliments as we headed out of the arena. I had no time to lose though as I was draw #2 for my last class, Open Reining. I quickly looked at the pattern again and walked Milo to keep him ready for the last class. I was unanimously 4th of 6 from both judges, but was happy with our scores of 68 1/2 and 67 1/2, combined for 136.

I knew Open Reining would be really difficult to place in because there was actually a good turnout of real reiners there, but I wanted to make the most of the reining classes offered, gain some points, and support reining wherever I could. I enjoyed watched the really nice runs too. 

Things were going pretty well, I could tell in our large fast circles that Milo was losing steam and for the first time that day he changed front to back on our second lead change. Our first stop was horrible. For whatever reason I cued at completely the wrong time and flew backward in the saddle as a result of it and my weak back. But we recovered ok was we rolled back and made up for it in the second stop, until the rollback. I not only didnt smooch but worse, I sat on the left seatbone which made him pick up the right lead. By that point I was losing my balance I had maintained in my seatbones and when I asked for the lead change back, just could not get on the right one. Eventually he changed, but that greatly effected our score. Before that we were at 69 and 69, but after the two poor rollbacks it gave us final scores of 63 1/2 and 62. Interesting to see because it appears one judge gave us a penalty of -2 while the other penaltied a -5...anyways combined score of 125.5.

Overall, I was really really happy with the show. My horse worked well even after a nearly two hour trailer ride, a longer night locked in the stall, a trail ride the day before, and gloomy weather. Everything came together really smoothly even though I forgot a couple things and nearly forgot a few essential things. I managed to keep myself together for the majority of the time and honestly didnt have any nerves once I was in the saddle. I had the horse I knew I had and even though he wasnt as round or cadenced as he can be at home, he was responsive and wasn't pissy. Most of all, we finally got a couple clean runs with lead changes under our belt and we marked a personal milestone of not only that but finally breaking that 70 milestone - and exceeding it with +1 1/2 over. I couldnt have been happier with the show and my horse. Not to mention we earned a few PAC points along the way (which I have yet to actually break down and calculate). Thanks hugely to Boyfriend who hauled the pony and I up there on an early morning when he could have slept in, taking video and being supportive. All in all, super great day!!! :D

WSQHA's All Rookie Show

Sunday we hauled out for the Washington State Quarter Horse Association's All Rookie show. Yes, Milo is a Paint, but the QH show was offering some All Breed classes and Sarah was taking her clients to the show and encouraged me to go for a couple of reasons: 1. The judge is NRHA carded and would be a really valuable person to not only judge us, but to take some lessons with (whom Sarah also plans to take some of her babies to, and I could then go too) and she believed being judged under him then have a lesson from him would be an invaluable experience - I agreed. 2. Not only would this be a good experience at the Breed show level, the show was geared for all Rookie and Novice competitors, so I would get a taste of Breed show level, at a rookie environment. Sounded like a good idea to me.

Based on the last schooling show, we decided to put Milo into two classes before our reining one. Although Milo has shown at this venue many times now, we thought that a couple of classes (rail and pattern) would be a good way to get stupid out before reining. Sounded like a good idea...

Well, we arrived at the show with no issues and I got Milo into his day stall, unpacked, and headed to the show office. Boyfriend had to run an errand since we were on that side of the bridge, and I contemplated which classes to go into. I chose All Breed Western Pleasure Walk Jog 18 and Over, and Horsemanship Schooling Walk Jog, Lope. I decided on these two because it would give us a low key pleasure class to start out the day with, then move into not only a lope class, but a pattern one, and to hopefully, get stupid out. Then we would have a break before going into All Breed Reining.

When Showmanship and Halter were finally finished and the thirty minute break was nearing an end, I got Milo ready and headed to the warm up arena. The show pen was still open for a little while longer to school in. Milo was doing great, although there was a lot of traffic, he schooled well at the walk and trot. I focused on keeping consistency in his jog, and didnt want to lope in the crowded arena (besides the fact that we would be seriously lapping those western pleasure lopers). He was unfazed by the arena as I expected, so I headed to the outdoor warm up to get some loping in. I didnt need to lope him long and I was really happy with the gaits he was offering to me that day. He was keeping his shoulders down, but other than that the pace was good and his back was lifted, I figured since elevating his shoulders and withers were something we were still schooling on at home, I better just be happy with the effort he was giving me - no sense to try and school at the show.

We headed into our walk jog class and Milo had been schooling so well on our transitions and speed in the warm up, I didnt have any butterflies. We entered the ring and they asked for the jog. We jogged about half way around the pen when Milo decided he was tired of jogging and broke to the walk for about a single step before I corrected him. We went about another hundred feet and he broke to the walk again, this time for about three steps. After that I made sure my mind was on every stride and to keep him going at the slightest inclination of slowing. Unfortunately, that seemed to compromise our consistent pace I was striving for. He sped on the straight-of-ways then would slow to a crawl. It wasnt awful, but it wasnt what we had had out in the warm up pen. We placed sixth of sixth. But I wasnt too upset, this was a practice class and it gave us the opportunity to work in the show pen. I was actually really happy with the performance my horse had been giving me so far. I looked forward to my horsemanship schooling class.

The wait between pleasure and horsemanship was a lot longer than I had anticipated and the schooling class was held at the end of all the horsemanship classes. We found a nice spot to park in the shade for a little bit and I later felt guilty thinking I should have gotten off Milo and given him a better break, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.

The horsemanship pattern seemed pretty straight-forward: jog to and past Cone A to Cone B, then pick up the left lead and lope a circle to the left, ending facing Cone B. Perform a 1 and 1/4 haunch turn to the left, back four steps (this part I seemed to completely overlook and didnt realize it was part of the pattern until I saw others do it), then lope on the right lead to Cone C, halt. Exit to line up. I schooled our lope in the warm up, and it certainly isnt a horsemanship/pleasure lope, but Milo was moving off my rein nicely and every other element of the pattern we schooled well with. Milo had no problem picking up his leads.

Just before the schooling class was All Breed Horsemanship 3 Gait 18 and Over. I thought maybe I should add the class, we were schooling well. Then I decided against it because I didnt care about being judged in Horsemanship, I would probably get dead last anyways and I didnt need to pay another $12 for a class I was just wanting to use as schooling for reining. So I opted to remain just in Horsemanship schooling. We entered the pen and lined on the rail. The judge exited and the announcer said he would call our gaits after everyone completed their pattern. Wait...? This is a rail class after pattern? Oops...I didnt get that memo. Oh well, chance to lope on the rail. 


HAHA, the class was hilarious. Milo jogged nicely but had no steering apparently at the lope to the left, we lapped around three times before I was happy with it to move on (once even going wayyyy over the other end of the cone). I totally didnt know that we were supposed to back after the pivot, but he loped off on the left lead nicely and stopped well. I walked to the rail and watched the five other people school the pattern, all horsemanship professionals, apparently. They all did a whole lot better then we did, but still used it as an opportunity to school. Once everyone was done, the announcer called our gaits. When we loped Im pretty sure we lapped everyone at least twice, and used one end to school a good circle. I'm sure everyone else in the class thought we were a complete trainwreck - little did they know I didnt give a darn about how I would "do" in horsemanship - haha!

After the class was over, Milo was loping so nicely and finally was moving off my leg and rein beautifully in the show pen. I really wished we were going right into our reining class afterwards as he was totally warmed up and ready for "our" class. But, unfortunately, Hunter Under Saddle and English Equitation classes were to be run next, with another half hour break in between. Then they would run Western Riding and finally Reining. At least this gave an opportunity for Milo and I to have a break. I untacked him and let him be in his stall and I sat in the truck and shut my eyes for a while.

After the english classes were finished and the break over, I knew I would still have some time between Western Riding and my Reining class as mine was the last one of the reining set. But I wasnt sure how many people would be entered into the Western Riding classes possibly making those classes run faster, and I had only seen one other person I was sure would be in Reining so I wasnt quite sure how much time I would have in that set either. Because I hadnt worked on rollbacks, lope circles (hardly), spins, or lead changes, I figured I would need more time to school.

Milo started out well but after the first few lope circles it was apparent he was getting pretty tired. The leas changes asked for were only received about fifty percent of the time. I knew it was most likely from less control over his hip then normal (our "shaping" exercises help enforce I can shape him from one lead to another) but he was stiff and reluctant to shape his body from just the walk. I also could tell that my hips just were free enough to easily rotate from one direction to the other, further diminishing lead changes. I started to get frustrated and schooled, schooled, schooled. My initial plan to school lightly and keep "enough horse" for the show pen was starting to fade. But I couldnt enter the pen with only fifty percent lead changes!!

Sarah came over to me and encouraged me to continue working on shaping, and to not school the lead changes. She also reminded me to sit lightly and lifted in the saddle because Milo needs to come up in order to change leads, but also reminded me to not lean forward. I also needed to find that rotation with my hips before going to the spur, as spurring when Im not in position only causes him to kick out. I was pretty frustrated by now and pretty much gave up on scoring well in the reining class (I know, I know, think positively...). One class before mine I realized the concho fell out on the back of my chaps. I called Sarah over who sent one of the kids' parents off to fetch some chicago screws. It wasnt coming together and the steward came towards us saying we were in the hole. I started getting stressed.

We did fix the chaps, and I did have a few more minutes to shape before going into the class. I knew my pattern at least and I knew what my horse was capable of that day, even though I knew it wasnt what we had at home. But I still had a pattern to go in and complete.

We entered the arena, walking the perimeter to the center facing the left wall. I noticed right away that the judge was sitting on the wrong side. Thats weird....then I looked at the tracks in the dirt and thought, oh crap, I was supposed to enter the other way... it looked like the rollback tracks were set on the wrong direction. Oh well, I continued on the path I was on and started our spins. They were lack luster and I had to really push to keep Milo going, who wanted to stop after every half turn. I knew he could have sat on his hock better and not drifted, but what was done was done. We did four spins the other direction...oh wait, was that spin 1 or 2 now? Oh well, I ended up doing five. I dont think the judge noticed based on my scoresheet.

I prepared Milo for the lope departure, which wasnt horrible, and realized my horse felt somewhat put together, but I actually had a gas pedal, so I stepped on it and my horse loped a notch faster! I was really happy with our first set of two large fast - they were faster than normal, not out of control, and we stayed on our tracks. The small slow wasnt as slow or put together as I would like, and when it came time for the lead change it showed. I seemed to have forgotten to shape my horse in that last circle and he was completely un-prepared for the lead change. I also didnt sit lightly and I leaned forward. I ended up forcing the change just as we got to the wall. So much for that. Now that I forced him simply from balance onto the right lead, we careened out of the corner, losing all body shape. I knew speed didnt count if it wasnt correct, so I slowed him enough to get him more put together although by this point I could feel I was running out of horse. The last large fast was better and we had more of a speed change down to the small slow, but the small show was a little more sloppy then I'd like. I didnt focus on that, however, but heard Sarah tell me to sit up, sit lightly, and shape my horse in this last half of the circle before the lead change. He shaped just enough to get a lead change from front to back. I praised him verbally a few times and we headed into the first rollback. He started to pick up a little speed out of the corner, but I slowed him down knowing I would get no kind of hock action in the stop if he was strung out. He stopped ok, and was a bit slow in the rollback, but he picked up the lead and we headed around the corner for the next one. This stop felt much better, I credited it to being more put together then the first and not focusing on speed. He stepped out of the stop really nicely and we loped around for the final rundown. Milo must have known the drill and saw the center cone, just a stride past it he tried to put the brakes on, so the final stop was lackluster as we had lost our impulsion and drive from the rear, as well as a lift in the back. Our back up finally got good the last two steps.

Boy was I happy to be done. As we walked out of the pen I dropped my head and lifted my hands to the air - FINISHED!  (Boyfriend just didnt catch that part on the video).



Now I have a few things to walk away with knowing to work on and think about. Oh by the way, we scored a 62. -1/2's across the board for spins and circles, -1's for all the rollbacks and stops.

Plans this Summer

I have been going back and forth and talking and talking about what I want to do this summer as far as showing, or horse activities. This winter has not been the super productive one I was hoping to have. A lot of circumstantial things happened and Milo and I are not lightyears ahead where I hoped we would be at going into the show season. But even if we were, I've had some long discussions with the Boyfriend and financially, going to many shows just isnt going to work out - not at the 24 hour work weeks I've been getting all winter (dont EVEN get me started on that!).

So I tentatively had decided on three shows (listed on the blog page), a rookie show in June, a beginner all reining show in August, and the Washington State Horseman Finals show end of September. Sarah encouraged me to go to the rookie show in June, its held at our familiar Tacoma Unit and offers all rookie level classes from Washington State Quarter Horse Association. They have three reining classes; rookie, Novice Amatuer, and Other Breeds. Obviously with Milo as a Paint I would have to go into Other Breeds, and although the show is rookie level, I'm not sure if Id be out of my league at a breed show. I just feel like the prices for the show are really just going to make it an expensive schooling show. I'm not convinced that that is the right show for us right now. I like the idea of the rookie environment, but if its really just going to be another schooling show, the financial aspect just doesnt pan out.

I really want to go to the beginner all reining show in August. Its held by the Northwest Reining Association, a club that is beginner and intermediate oriented who I actually joined a membership with last year in hopes of doing their show schedule. The problem is, their shows are all held in Lynden, 2.5 hours North and a ferry ride meaning expensive shows. The show in August, however, if held in Kirland, only a ferry boat ride and about an hour away (unless we drive around, then its more like 2 hours, but $80 less from ferry cost). This particular show is supposed to be the most fun from the organization, and is only a one day show (the others are all two days). I would love to go to an actual all reining show and there would be multiple classes I could go into. Going to just one show keeps me out of the running for any year end awards, but I figured with my closed schedule this summer, those kinds of things just arent going to be in the cards, which is ok.

The final tentative show is at the end of September, held at the Tacoma Unit and is the big event for the year (it is Finals, after all). This is where all the breed show people and stiff competition come to for the end of the year. They offer two reining classes, one offering a championship and a buckle. Last year I really wanted to go (and years prior) but wasnt able to. This year I really want to go, even if we arent buckle winners, the experience would be great, but it will be a costly show.

I guess what I really want to do is the August and September shows, but what does that leave me with this summer? As far as shows, there isnt anything else that really springs to mind, however, it does open up time for other events: clinics, lessons, things like that. I think this summer would be a good time to really just work on things. Next weekend there is a reining clinic fairly closeby that I wanted to go to but I had a previous event to go to that same day. Sarah really wanted me to go and felt he would really help fine-tune some of the reining maneuvers, and she will be going to audit so I'm hoping if she likes what she sees, the clinician will hold another clinic this summer. There has been a lot of buzz online about the clinic and it sounds like a lot of people are interested, so that hopefully would create another chance for one.

As far as other learning experiences, there is a trainer up north from me (again, at least 2 hours and a ferry ride) that this last year went to the National Reined Cow Horse World Show (the same one I was at in San Angelo, Texas) and she holds a lot of clinics, buffalo and cow nights, and weekend "camps" (as well as lessons). Without being able to just run up there every weekend for regular lessons, I was checking the schedule for what events might work out for me and in May she is holding a Buffalo Day which is pretty much a group lesson on working buffalo. I think this could be a great learning event for Milo and I, not only a great chance to work buffalo, but it will help on reading a cow, and I should be able to get some great general pointers as well that will help in reining. I am really excited about the possibility of that event.

So, what does that mean for this summer then? I think its a good opportunity to take a small break from showing and being competitive. Being able to just work and improve with a couple of various events will help a lot. Although it's hard knowing that this would be my second and last year to go into 1st/2nd year classes, there will always be more novice classes offered and as a friend said to me, there will always be more shows and things to go to, but stepping back and just working on the "basics" with Milo will help in the long run. We cant really be competitive unless we make sure all our bases are covered, and by getting advice and lessons from trainers who are at a national caliber may it be in competition or through judging, will really help us out.

Horse Show Time - Video Added

After getting to the showgrounds at around nine in the evening, it was finally time to school my horse. Everyone else had already gotten lessons earlier in the day from being able to get there in the early afternoon. Now, it was late and Sarah didnt really have the focus or energy to give me a lesson. But I didnt blame her for my arriving late. I figured I would at least get to school in the show pen, even though I was hoping to get a lesson on my horse since it had been at least a month or more since I had.

At any rate, I saddled him up and headed into the show pen. The arena now pretty familiar to the both of us after an entire series last winter there, and the last schooling show there last month, he wasn't excited or spooky, even with a few other riders schooling in there as well. From laziness and lack of energy, I hadnt cared to change out of my Georgia Romeos and into my Double H's with the spurs attached, nor did I feel like moving my reins from the snaffle bridle to that with the lifter bit. I felt a little stupid knowing that I should school in the gear I knew I would ride in the next day, but figured Milo would be fine. I go from spurs to no spurs and snaffle to lifter bit all the time at home. I think he's pretty used to it now.

Our ride that evening went really well, actually. I felt really connected to Milo in the saddle, my cues came from my body first and rein only after leg. The main thing I noted from the ride was how stiff Milo is on the left side. Especially at the lope, he had a really hard time arcing his body to the left. I had noticed this subtly at home, but with the luxury of the large arena I could get him on a longer straight line and note how his body was without an impeding corner. He was eventually getting dull to my lope cue, and I definitely could have used a motivator whip or a spur, but I would just bring him back to a trot and find rhythm in our bodies again, then load the outside hock and was able to get good lope departures even after the partial refusals (trotting through the cue).

I was really happy with the schooling and was able to at least fall asleep that night without pre-show nerves, one benefit to not worrying about a reining class coming up the next day. This show was just going to be about going out and schooling, and having fun. I would have loved to go into a reining class, but it was a good opportunity anyways.

The next morning we were greeted with more rain, which lasted the duration of the day. I signed up for my classes after tending to Milo, and based off of the schooling at home and the night before, opted out of signing up for the western pattern lope class. We were having too hard of a time with our lope to trot transitions again, and I figured that the western pattern trot class and one western pleasure rail class would be enough to school with. I had also signed up for showmanship 18 and over, later deciding however that we should have gone into the novice showmanship - those 18 and over people were darned good! As were most of the competitors, actually, this show series being one that many of the breed show people use as their winter schooling. It was tough competition. But I didnt worry too much about placings at this show. We were here to school.

I brought Milo into the warm up pen, and began working on some showmanship. The quiet, complacent horse I had ridden the night before was gone, and snark was apparent on Milo's mood today. I tried not to blame him, however, knowing that the weather made everyone (myself included) feel tense, cold, and achy. Our first trot off yeilded some resistance from Milo in the skyward direction, with a shaking head and grumpy demeanor. I continued trotting him hoping it would work out of his system. But he only got more snarky, biting at the lead chain (which was only doubled over on itself, since he doesnt need a chain nor had I schooling in one, I didnt want to use it), dangling down and apparently begging Milo to chew on it, which he obliged to for the duration of it's use.

Our showmanship schooling didnt go as well as we had been performing at home, but it was ok. He bothered me to no end with that darned chain, but we readied ourselves at cone A, third into the class. I wanted to just get showmanship over. The pattern was friendly and one we had been able to school on the week prior to the show. Trot from cone A to halfway to B, break to walk for two strides, trot to and around B and straight to the judge. Set up for inspection, when excused, perform ninety degree turn, back two horse lengths, perform one hundred eighty degree turn and walk straight away. I was most concerned over the initial trot from A and around B, knowing that about eighty percent of our trot departures had yeilded one with an attempt from Milo to bite the chain. But no matter, at A we trotted away and Milo pleased me with a nice departure and continued with a nice flowy trot around B. I was pleased with his even pace, with our previous schooling having much faster tensed trotting. We stopped at the judge and my fear of running over the judge subsided as we stopped well enough in front of her. We quartered (I think I did it right) and as I went to turn Milo ninety degrees, he reached for the bit again, making the turn crooked through his body. From this, the back was crooked and the remaining 180 degree turn crooked as well. He thought we were supposed to trot away after the turn and began to, although the pattern called for a walk.

Added: showmanship video. Dont know why I didnt upload it when I originally posted this!

Haha, only noticed now after watching it that Milo didnt even go down to a walk when we were supposed to, he just jogged really slowly. I didnt even notice the little sneak! Better keep an eye out for that...

I was happy when we were done. Even though we placed fifth out of six, I was happy with the pattern. Milo had trotted out nicely and was relaxed through the beginning of the pattern. More schooling and proper work on showmanship would provide a more crisp presentation, particularly since I now Milo can do showmanship really well. But I was just happy to have it over and relax a little before our first under saddle class - western pattern walk jog. Again, this pattern had been posted previously and we had been able to school at home. At home, we worked it really nicely, and I was extremely happy with our schooling at home.

The next class was western pattern walk jog, again the pattern being posted beforehand so we had a chance to school on it at home. I really liked the pattern, which required a three turn serpentine around the cones, with a jog to extended trot back to jog. It was a great pattern. Unfortunately, we were the very last ones to go, which meant we stood in the line up of about 18 people for a long time. By the time we got to cone A, our  previous schooling had faded. But the pattern wasnt that bad, in fact after the initial jolt to the jog, I felt we extended the trot really well and he really stretched into the bridle. I was happy with the pattern but we didnt place, not surprisingly with the many breed show equitation riders on the pattern. But again, I was happy with it.

Just a few of the people in the pattern class.

At cone A, ready to start on pattern. 

We had a few classes between the pattern class and my last one of the day, western pleasure walk jog. Yep, I only went into walk jog classes for the day. But I discovered something in that last pleasure class. After the break in the jog for about a half stride right behind the judge and of which I was certain the ring steward saw, my mind allowed myself to focus on my riding instead of the class, certain that out of the fourteen riders I wouldnt place. So, for the duration of the class, I focused on my breathing, and keeping Milo at the slow jog through my body. I was actually having a really fun time, my Milo jogging around on a loose rein quietly and with the subtlest ease. I felt I could jog all day long in that class. The icing on the ride was the sixth place calling we were given, out of fourteen!

All in all, the show itself was a lot of fun, even though I cant necessarily say that we placed well. But I felt we accomplished what we needed to for the weekend - just going out and riding instead of competing, and allowing myself to make mistakes and correct them in the show pen. It was a good show. Although now I am really broke and not sure when I can show again, I am looking forward to when we can again! And redeem ourselves in the reining pen.

Milo rockin' his camo. :)

Stranded on the way to the Horse Show

Well, the weekend didnt start out very well.

To start, three days before the horse show I found out that they were not adding reining to the show roster this time. What? No reining...? What was the point of going now? But, I had already secured the day off of work, and arranged to have Melissa haul Milo to the Tacoma Unit while I would drive there after work. Next I tackled switching shifts on Friday to get off work early. But now there is no reining? How can I redeem myself from the mess I made at last month's show?

I figured it would just be a good opportunity to go down the road with the gang and have some fun. Not to mention, the classes we would enter would not me mine and Milo's event, so it would really just give me an opportunity to school and have some fun.

Well.

I got off work at 3:30 and headed to the gas station. I filled the truck, checked the oil, stopped at the bank and was on the road. I got about twenty minutes from the show grounds (after taking a wrong exit and stopping at a Walgreens for directions) and my truck decides it will not turn back on. No matter what.

My truck pulled this B.S. twice before in the last two weeks or so. Once at the barn at 9:30 (the night I had to doctor Milo's small cut on his face), and again last Monday fueling up after cleaning at Sarah's. Both times, I waited and tried again and again and within about two to three minutes, it would turn over and go. That night I finally told Boyfriend he needed to check it out when I got home. This was not cool. Check he did, but find the solution he did not. Nothing seemed wrong with the starter, the battery, or lines. Boyfriend's guess was that a sensor was out or some connection from the ignition. It would have to get looked at.

Unfortunately, stuck in Tacoma an hour and a toll bridge away from home (and in a bad part of Tacoma, I might add), my truck refuses to turn back on. A half hour goes by of my trying to turn it on before I finally call Boyfriend, not sure what he can do from miles away or even if he was off of work yet. Off he was, and he talked me through a few steps to try and get it on or check what was wrong. Unfortunately, he concluded, he would have to find a trailer and come and get the truck. Great.

A few minutes go by as I start to settle into the truck (tears flowing constantly), and a hear a guy outside my window ask if I needed help. He, bless his heart, tried to jump the truck, and tightened some lines, but to no avail; the truck still would not start. He wished me good luck and I thanked him for his effort. I settled into my cold truck (did I mention it was a torrential downpour outside? Yeah, I was soaked. Thankfully, I had my blankets with me for the sleep over at the horse show, so I wrapped myself in those and grabbed the book I had in my purse. I settled into the book for about an hour, before Boyfriend called saying he had the trailer but was about an hour or so away. It was dark out and getting late, and he did not want me sitting alone in a stranded truck - in Tacoma. He asked if I could call to the gals at the horse show and have someone pick me up. At least they werent too far away.

I had already called them and asked to continue looking over Milo, who had been there since early in the afternoon (that alone was a huge deal to me, never before having someone else haul my horse somewhere without me, I was stressed at work all day), and asked if they would throw him some hay. But now I called again, asking if someone could come get me. Now I had figured out which roads exactly I was sitting at, and it turned out I was only down the road (albeit a long ways down the road) from the showgrounds. They were already done schooling, unpacked, and were now heading to get some Mexican. My boss and friend whose daughter rides with Sarah, said she would come and get me. So I settled into the book once again.

Just as I was starting to really freeze over, their white Ford pulled into the Walgreens parking lot. I was saved! We headed to the dinner and later the showgrounds. Would this show, one meant to be entirely for fun and schooling, even worth it now, after all of this? And what was going to happen to my truck situation once I came home from the show? What was I going to do?

Truck on trailer...now at home.  Sure looks small behind Boyfriend's diesel. 

:( Will it turn on again?