Local Junior Equitation Open Hunter Show
By Evita
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23rd Jun 2010 •
3,706 views
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4 comments
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On June 19th, 2010, I went to my third show on my very own horse. I've been riding for almost eight years now and showed plenty, but the experience of showing a lesson horse is not at all the same as showing your own horse. Jones and I make a good team and I fully realized this after the show on Saturday.
I am going to preface this by saying that there is one girl on the circuit against whom I hold a sort of grudge. She and I are friendly but when competing we are less than cordial. In previous show seasons she beat me every time because she was riding her horse while I was riding older lesson horses.
This show season, riding Jones, I did not start out feeling wonderful about how the shows would go. At pre-season shows we had not done particularly well, though it was mostly because of Jones's reluctance to be ridden to the corners in small arenas at a certain facility. But when we arrived at the show, I had no bad feelings either.
Our first division was Junior Equitation, something I was dreading as my position over fences needs some polishing. Jones, excited by the milling crowds of people and horses around the ring, cut corners, nearly ran into a jump, and downright messed up our first round. Most of it was my fault, but one corner continued to bother me it was our easiest in practice. But then I went in for my second round and realized that maybe our show day wouldn't be so bad after all. I didn't end up placing in my first round, but I got third on both the second round and in the Equitation on the Flat. The girl I spoke about above (let's call her Girl) got second in both the classes I placed third in. It seemed like she was forever one-upping me.
The second division was Open Hunter, where my own riding wouldn't be under such heavy scrutiny as it had been in the Equitation classes. After taking Jones over a few jumps in the warm up ring, it was time to head back in. The courses were almost exactly the same as they had been in the other division. My confidence boosted, we went back in for our first course.
It went like a dream. I asked Jones to find the spots, and he did. I asked him to pick up the pace, and he answered me almost instantly. Our corners went smoothly and when they didn't, Jones helped me fake it. When I walked out of the ring, I think we both felt great about how it went, even though Jones obviously couldn't say that he did.
I say "when we walked out of the ring." I should say "when we tried to walk out of the ring." I was at the very tail end of the showers and had to do my two rounds back-to-back. This would have made little difference except that I live in Texas and the heat this time of year is blistering. And I, in a moment of extreme wisdom, forgot to remove my dark show coat. (That was sarcastic.)
Even so, our second round went even better than our first. We placed second in both of our Open Hunter courses. The flat class, an Under Saddle class this time, went very well and Jones cooperated well enough for us to place first. Naturally, I was extremely proud of my Jones. Immediately after the flat class, he had a nice short cool-down walk, a small drink, and a long, cool bath.
As it turned out, I won Champion in the Open Hunter division, while Girl, having gotten fourth or fifth in the jumping classes, did not even get Reserve Champion. It may seem as though I am gloating, and maybe I am, but being constantly in the shadow of a girl who had been riding for less than half the time I have made me a bit insecure about my abilities. I now see that I am just as good a rider as she as. I also see that whatever some people may think, Jones and I are a winning team. |
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Riders Up Ranch
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Hope Girl does not play ponybox )
Great story! Thanks for sharing. Hope Girl does not play ponybox )
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Jun 23, 2010
• 2,741 views
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elliottmypony1
where is it and i like that artile
where is it and i like that artile
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Jun 23, 2010
• 2,773 views
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Evita
I don't think she does! Lol
Thanks! You mean where was the show? I can't say... my mom doesn't like me saying where I live.
I don't think she does! Lol
Thanks! You mean where was the show? I can't say... my mom doesn't like me saying where I live.
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Jun 24, 2010
• 2,758 views
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Dreamer100
WOW! You did a great job and you and Jones are a winning team! I agree! It is great to beat someone who always beats you, especially when they have been riding for less time. GREAT JOB!
WOW! You did a great job and you and Jones are a winning team! I agree! It is great to beat someone who always beats you, especially when they have been riding for less time. GREAT JOB!
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Jul 1, 2010
• 2,754 views
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