shoeboxstables
Well-Known Member
Hey everyone!
Last weekend we attened the Keystone Miniature Horse Club annual Fall Fun Show. It was cold as heck, but we had a ton of fun!!! It's cool- because the spring and fall fun shows are like 'bookends' for the show season- and the improvemets we've made between them have been AWESOME!!
For this show I even convinced my mom to show Diva!!! This was a big deal- because my mom's been to almost every horse show for the last 5 or so years- and this is the first time she's shown! I spent the entire night before verbally coaching her on the classes, and she picked it up very well! Even without any real practice, they looked GREAT in their classes.
She was nervous going into the first class of the day, which was open showmanship (can you tell in the pic
OH! ). But despite mom's nerves, Diva was great! She fell asleep in the line up, set up herself automatically, and looked awake when the judge walked by (we all knew otherwise though- my Diva is NOT a morning mare!!!!). Mom remembered everything, and Diva even pivoted for her! They looked great, but boy was my mom shocked when they announced her name.... for first place..... out of ten!!!!! And she was up against both kids and adults that show ALL the time- one girl even had a jacket from QH Congress showmanship!! So mom was THRILLED!
Then came youth showmanship, and I was determined to win. It was a class of thirteen, and some of the other horses were a lot less chubby than my girlOH! . But again, Diva was fantastic. When the results were announced.... Diva and I had won!
We did what we had hoped for.
And the day just kept getting better!
Mom and Div got the gate in open mares, but that was to be expected in a class of 14- my Diva isn't a halter horse, and we know it
Plus my mom really wasn't sure what to do, and Diva didn't give her anything to work with
But then in Youth Halter Mares, Diva actually perked up for me. She has NEVER shown that well in halter! She didn't give me her ears...
but you can't have everything, right
? But she showed well enough- because for the first time EVER- we walked out with FIRST OUT OF SIX in a HALTER class!!! And we actually deserved it!!!!
Then we got the gate in solid color mares, but no big deal. There were about 12, and with grays- ya either love 'em or hate 'em!
Then came driving. Mom has never really driven, so she didn't do any of those classes. While we were worrming up, Diva was explosive!! She really loves driving there- the arena is PERFECT (besides the temperature!), it's not deep, it's springy, soft, and firm. When we got in the class, first direction was great. She had a good, solid trot, and extended beautifully! It took a bit of urging to get her trot started second direction, but again extended perfectly! We came in first again out of four
In youth driving barrels, Diva was strong and consistant, but just not quite fast enough. So we got second out of three. Not bad though! Nice, even turns almost instantly when I asked, and great spacing with regards to the 'barrels'. I really couldn't ask for anything more from her.
But in youth pole bending, she gave me even more. It really was the physical representation of how incrediably far we've come as a team this year. Trotting up to the line, she gave me a snappy little jog, and didn't even come close to falling out. When we got to the starting line, she kicked it up, and stayed solid, and was up in the bridle for the approach. She NEVER wavered, and didn't wiggle between the shafts as we approched the poles. Her turns were AMAZING. She was so quick to respond, and kept up her pace. At one point, I overshot a turn, but she was perfect; she knew her job. She slammed on the breaks, and did a BEAUTIFUL pivot, and made it right in between the poles that I almost made her miss. At the end of the line, she pulled an awesome turn, and we headed home. The extension- was out of this world. I have NEVER felt that mare move like that before. And I knew she wouldn't break. We were flying. It was teamwork like nothing else. And yes- we won. What a feeling.
Then came youth driving obstacle. She was just about perfect- and we won. This class is probably her favorite- and boy how far she's come. When I got her two years ago- she was afraid of EVERYTHING! And would bolt too. Now, she'll canter over tarps, be attacked by shopping bags, back through zig zags, and pivot on a dime. The only thing that has ever gotten to her in the past year was my uncle's little jack russel, that chased her barking while we were driving. But she didn't bolt- she just got bouncy
!
After that, was adult and youth halter obstacle. The classes were HUGE, and mom came out 5th out of 20+!!!! And I got 2nd out of 20+!! (Silly horse was great for me- but for some reason balked at the ground poles we had to trot overOH! duhhh! Don't know why.. but what ever
)
Mom went on to win a crazy open egg and spoon (out of 23), and I got fourth in musical sacks (out of 23).
All in all- it was a great show. Looking back on the spring fun show- we've come so far. The results weren't shabby in the spring, almost all top 3, but our performance has changed so much. This show season has been a real journey for us, and we've improved SO much. We had a blast at the show- and kicked butt.
My Diva and I have come so far as a team. I finally have my 'push button' 'do-all' horse. The mare that falls asleep in my lap between classes. The mare that never falters, never has to be told twice, and never stops trying. And the coolest thing is that I shaped her to be this way. She's come from a horse that couldn't walk on a halter to a horse that wins in just about everything. She's my best horsey friend, and fantastic to work with.
The sence of accomplishment is just amazing; this show just cemented it. So thanks for taking the time to read all this- it means a ton to us
.
Last weekend we attened the Keystone Miniature Horse Club annual Fall Fun Show. It was cold as heck, but we had a ton of fun!!! It's cool- because the spring and fall fun shows are like 'bookends' for the show season- and the improvemets we've made between them have been AWESOME!!
For this show I even convinced my mom to show Diva!!! This was a big deal- because my mom's been to almost every horse show for the last 5 or so years- and this is the first time she's shown! I spent the entire night before verbally coaching her on the classes, and she picked it up very well! Even without any real practice, they looked GREAT in their classes.
She was nervous going into the first class of the day, which was open showmanship (can you tell in the pic
OH! ). But despite mom's nerves, Diva was great! She fell asleep in the line up, set up herself automatically, and looked awake when the judge walked by (we all knew otherwise though- my Diva is NOT a morning mare!!!!). Mom remembered everything, and Diva even pivoted for her! They looked great, but boy was my mom shocked when they announced her name.... for first place..... out of ten!!!!! And she was up against both kids and adults that show ALL the time- one girl even had a jacket from QH Congress showmanship!! So mom was THRILLED!Then came youth showmanship, and I was determined to win. It was a class of thirteen, and some of the other horses were a lot less chubby than my girl
OH! . But again, Diva was fantastic. When the results were announced.... Diva and I had won!
And the day just kept getting better!
Mom and Div got the gate in open mares, but that was to be expected in a class of 14- my Diva isn't a halter horse, and we know it
But then in Youth Halter Mares, Diva actually perked up for me. She has NEVER shown that well in halter! She didn't give me her ears...
Then we got the gate in solid color mares, but no big deal. There were about 12, and with grays- ya either love 'em or hate 'em!
Then came driving. Mom has never really driven, so she didn't do any of those classes. While we were worrming up, Diva was explosive!! She really loves driving there- the arena is PERFECT (besides the temperature!), it's not deep, it's springy, soft, and firm. When we got in the class, first direction was great. She had a good, solid trot, and extended beautifully! It took a bit of urging to get her trot started second direction, but again extended perfectly! We came in first again out of four
In youth driving barrels, Diva was strong and consistant, but just not quite fast enough. So we got second out of three. Not bad though! Nice, even turns almost instantly when I asked, and great spacing with regards to the 'barrels'. I really couldn't ask for anything more from her.
But in youth pole bending, she gave me even more. It really was the physical representation of how incrediably far we've come as a team this year. Trotting up to the line, she gave me a snappy little jog, and didn't even come close to falling out. When we got to the starting line, she kicked it up, and stayed solid, and was up in the bridle for the approach. She NEVER wavered, and didn't wiggle between the shafts as we approched the poles. Her turns were AMAZING. She was so quick to respond, and kept up her pace. At one point, I overshot a turn, but she was perfect; she knew her job. She slammed on the breaks, and did a BEAUTIFUL pivot, and made it right in between the poles that I almost made her miss. At the end of the line, she pulled an awesome turn, and we headed home. The extension- was out of this world. I have NEVER felt that mare move like that before. And I knew she wouldn't break. We were flying. It was teamwork like nothing else. And yes- we won. What a feeling.
Then came youth driving obstacle. She was just about perfect- and we won. This class is probably her favorite- and boy how far she's come. When I got her two years ago- she was afraid of EVERYTHING! And would bolt too. Now, she'll canter over tarps, be attacked by shopping bags, back through zig zags, and pivot on a dime. The only thing that has ever gotten to her in the past year was my uncle's little jack russel, that chased her barking while we were driving. But she didn't bolt- she just got bouncy
After that, was adult and youth halter obstacle. The classes were HUGE, and mom came out 5th out of 20+!!!! And I got 2nd out of 20+!! (Silly horse was great for me- but for some reason balked at the ground poles we had to trot over
OH! duhhh! Don't know why.. but what ever
Mom went on to win a crazy open egg and spoon (out of 23), and I got fourth in musical sacks (out of 23).
All in all- it was a great show. Looking back on the spring fun show- we've come so far. The results weren't shabby in the spring, almost all top 3, but our performance has changed so much. This show season has been a real journey for us, and we've improved SO much. We had a blast at the show- and kicked butt.
My Diva and I have come so far as a team. I finally have my 'push button' 'do-all' horse. The mare that falls asleep in my lap between classes. The mare that never falters, never has to be told twice, and never stops trying. And the coolest thing is that I shaped her to be this way. She's come from a horse that couldn't walk on a halter to a horse that wins in just about everything. She's my best horsey friend, and fantastic to work with.
The sence of accomplishment is just amazing; this show just cemented it. So thanks for taking the time to read all this- it means a ton to us
