Rogers County Fair Time



Fall arrived just in time for the Rogers County Free Fair - a bit cooler and just enough rain to make mud in the parking lot.  We will take any rain any time.

 

Patty and Nancy came to the show to visit and see our Trail class

 

I planned to ride Splash in both English and Western and, as you may know, planned to ride Western on Splash for the first time with a goal of riding Trail.  Both Patty C and Dawn D have given me Western direction during several lessons over the past few weeks, so it was time to give it a try. 

 We started the day with Showmanship and Splash has really improved most skills (last year we almost ran over the judge).  We still do not have a pivot so we can work on that for next year.  Splash does trot/walk/stand on command and holds steady for inspection.  His handler forgot to back up (which Splash does when asked) but Splash didn't know the pattern so we placed 5th (i.e., last).  Hunter Under Saddle was OK but both Tami and Naomi beat us fair and square.  Hunt Seat Eq was good as well, but Tami and Packer are more polished - so Splash and I got 2nd.  I know you won't believe it, but Splash and I skipped jumping.

Splash and I took 2nd in both Western Pleasure and Western Horsemanship after Tami and Packer.  Splash made prompt and correct transitions and, although fast and a little high headed at the canter, did well. 

The trail pattern started with a pivot to back through cones to a pivot trot transition.  We did the first pivot well and got through half of the cones before I got a little heavy with my cues and Splash got tense.  We managed to finish the back though and pivot but Splash was a little sticky and our trot transition was slow.  We trotted over poles and then needed left lead canter circles over poles (box) continuing around to stop and step into the box.  The circle was very tight and close to the end of the pen so the canter needed to stay right to allow the turn in time.  Splash wanted to drift left so I had to really hold strong left leg and work very hard to keep the canter.  It wasn't pretty but we did the elements.  Then, the 360 in the box went well, and the final three obstacles were good (bridge, gate, trot/walk to end).  The result?  First Place!  Very Exciting and I am very proud of Splash.





Tami and Packer rule the Day while Denise gave coaching advice.

Ivy and Alaina also showed at the Rogers County Fair and they had entries in the exhibit hall as well.  The girls made bread and wood burning art; Ivy entered a photograph.  They showed well in the horse show on Saturday and then on Sunday participated in the Fun Show and helped with the Cloverbud Show.  In between, they got a few rides in at the carnival and had some fair food. 

Both Sunny and Pico developed soundness issues in early August.  Several vet visits and treatments later, and Sunny is getting better but Pico is not.  So, Alaina was able to ride Sunny (although his right lead canter was inconsistent) and Ivy used Sister in Showmanship and Halter and rode Splash in the western classes.  Alaina rode Sister over jumps (cross bars).  Both had fun but Ivy misses her horse.

 

Now that fall is here, I look forward to some lovely evening YaYa Rides in my future and to get a little more western practice in before next show season.