After Margaret and I had such a fun time at the fall hunter pace, we opted to go again this spring! This time, while I rode Rejoice again, Margaret rode her horse Jester and had a friend ride Ladyhawke. All Kennebec Morgans!! Jester and Rejoice have the same dam and Jester and Lady share the same sire. Unfortunately instead of a lovely late spring day, we had one of the first intensely hot and humid days of the year. It was definitely a bummer, but the ride was mostly in the shade of the woods and we had a great time! most of the fences were 3' coops but we found a small log and this hay to jump haha Until we didn't. 😑 We brought along a third friend who rode Margaret's older mare, Ladyhawke. She's a good rider but hasn't known Ladyhawke for very long and didn't realize how much of a cranky boss mare she could be at times. She kicked Jester right in the front leg just about halfway through the ride, and while the cut itself ended up not being a big deal in the
Day #23 - Any competing I do with my horse
I love to show and any regular readers of my blog know I do a lot of competing. Dressage shows, open pleasure shows, three and two phase events, versatility challenges, I love them all. I have shown at schooling shows, USDF rated shows, "AA" rated shows and everything in between. I have shown all over New England and have gone to New Jersey for the last four years to attend the National Standardbred Show. I don't need to bore you with all the details of all the many places I have shown!
In many ways, showing helps motivate me. My tack is cleaner when I show too! LOL! ;-) Being at home with no one to ride with (unless I make specific plans) can be difficult to keep focused. It is too easy to take a day off from riding if I am tired and no one is there encouraging me to ride with them, so knowing I have to prepare for a show helps keep me motivated to ride six days a week. I like having challenges and setting goals with my horses. But simply making training goals are not enough for my competitive nature. I like to show in order to test our training and of course ribbons are FUN! ;-) But showing for me is also a social opportunity. The camaraderie and silly memories are just as much fun as winning a ribbon.
Now, I do want to say that I have nothing against those who chose to not show for any variety of reasons. Showing is not the "be all, end all" in terms of horses. I respect people who do not show just as much as those who do. If enjoying your horse without showing is what makes you happy, GO FOR IT! :-) I just know for me personally I would not be happy without showing at least a few times a year. I don't think that showing defines who a person is. Of course, I like sharing my successes here on my blog and posting pics, etc. etc. But does that make me a better horseman? No way! But of course, this is all my opinion and I am sure there are others out there who disagree. That is OK! I just wanted to make it clear that just because I love to show does not mean I look down upon anyone who does not.
I love to show and any regular readers of my blog know I do a lot of competing. Dressage shows, open pleasure shows, three and two phase events, versatility challenges, I love them all. I have shown at schooling shows, USDF rated shows, "AA" rated shows and everything in between. I have shown all over New England and have gone to New Jersey for the last four years to attend the National Standardbred Show. I don't need to bore you with all the details of all the many places I have shown!
In many ways, showing helps motivate me. My tack is cleaner when I show too! LOL! ;-) Being at home with no one to ride with (unless I make specific plans) can be difficult to keep focused. It is too easy to take a day off from riding if I am tired and no one is there encouraging me to ride with them, so knowing I have to prepare for a show helps keep me motivated to ride six days a week. I like having challenges and setting goals with my horses. But simply making training goals are not enough for my competitive nature. I like to show in order to test our training and of course ribbons are FUN! ;-) But showing for me is also a social opportunity. The camaraderie and silly memories are just as much fun as winning a ribbon.
Now, I do want to say that I have nothing against those who chose to not show for any variety of reasons. Showing is not the "be all, end all" in terms of horses. I respect people who do not show just as much as those who do. If enjoying your horse without showing is what makes you happy, GO FOR IT! :-) I just know for me personally I would not be happy without showing at least a few times a year. I don't think that showing defines who a person is. Of course, I like sharing my successes here on my blog and posting pics, etc. etc. But does that make me a better horseman? No way! But of course, this is all my opinion and I am sure there are others out there who disagree. That is OK! I just wanted to make it clear that just because I love to show does not mean I look down upon anyone who does not.
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| Reva's first show ~ May 2011 |
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| Ribbons from Dreamy's first show ~ August 2006 |
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| My first show with Sparky (and our first blue ribbon!) ~ York County Riders 1994 |
Sparky looks so proud! And very morgan-esque :)
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